I took a mini-hiatus from tom-foodery courtesy of several high-stress situations that happened to pop up over the course of the past few months. At the risk of sounding like a whiney little brat, life just hasn't been very fair (inner child talking). Nothing too massive, just a combination of little things that make the big things more challenging. As a result, I have taken this opportunity to seriously think about what is important to me and my family. It is also very obvious to me that the "big things" that take up so much time and energy out of my life have nothing to do with my own personal goals, aspirations, or ideal life I picture in my mind's eye.
See, my situation right now is a common thing I see a lot of my friends and family fall into. At some point, we reach a fork in the road and we take it. Before we know it, the sinking realization that we are going the totally wrong way sets in and one has to decide, turn back? Or keep going?
I picked the fork that put me on a gravel path traveling uphill with a bunch of people standing on the sidelines screaming at me to hurry up. No matter how hard I try, I keep slipping back down hill and every time I make progress upward, something or someone makes a point to drag me right back down again. Physically, emotionally, professionally, financially... I'm drained and it's time to turn back.
I'm back on the saddle, baby!
My urban chariot, Victoria
With everything going on, I wanted to take a minute and post a little about some of my favorite things this month. One of the things that brings me great joy in my life is fresh, living food. It has been lovely enjoying the lush bouquet of late winter-early spring greens and even indulged in some new veggies that I cannot wait to gush about. My favorite so far is the watermelon radish!
Gizmo T. Cat appreciating the artful display of watermelon radishes atop my kim chi, black bean, and greens salad (strange, I know, but all of the things sounded delicious)
One of my favorite signs of spring is witnessing the return of the butter lettuce in my local grocery. There is little to nothing more decadent than a plate full of onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and veggie protein/quinoa stirfry to wrap up in butter lettuce and nosh!
Definitely a fun yet messy meal!
It wouldn't be life in Austin without a few tasty breakfast tacos! One of my favorite places to nab some breakfast is Mi Madres on Manor Road. The avocado taco is super delicious!
Don't forget the salsa!
I tend to keep a bag in the freezer to collect all of the refuse from vegetables that can be boiled down into a tasty and healthy vegetable broth. This month's batch was especially colorful and vibrant with bok choy, napa cabbage, 3 kinds of kale, carrot ends, watermelon radish trimmings, and bits of onion. March's veggie broth also included an exotic mixture of spices from the local Indian market on Brodie and Wm Cannon. I toasted cardamom, fennel, and coriander seeds in the bottom of my dry pan before adding all of the veg and water. A cinnamon stick and a few stars of anise rounded out the flavor palate nicely!
...and it wouldn't be a happy morning in our house if I didn't have a selection of juicy, ripe Texan grapefruit! My favorite recipe right now is juicing grapefruit, ginger, and kale then adding chia seeds for a little extra oompf!
It's sad to look back at the past few months and realize that the only thing I've really done that was adventurous enough to mention today was add ginger to my breakfast juice. It's about time I rejoin the land of the living. More later, much love to all!
