Full disclosure: I'm a huge nerd.

Full disclosure: Essentially every time I cook something, I pretend I’m on Top Chef. It doesn’t matter what it is, I could be toasting sesame seeds, or mixing together a green salad, my mind automatically goes there. I contemplate what sort of challenge the dish I’m making could be for, how I would justify my choice to the judges, what I would say to defend my dish. Of course I’m not that creative when it comes to cooking challenges so more often than not, I start to think about a farmers market challenge, or “create a salad that can be considered an entire meal” or something ridiculous that would never actually be a challenge on Top Chef… how am I this big of a dork? Sometimes I just imagine that I’m having the judges over for dinner, and I wow them with my simple peasant style dishes. Seriously, nerd alert.

As the weather starts to get warmer I’ve been adopting a "less is more" mentality. Less makeup, less layers, less complications, less complicated recipes. There is something really pleasant about simplifying a meal. Letting the ingredients speak for themselves, not making anything too hard or too pretentious. Just simple, clean flavors. Easy and hearty one dish meals are what I’m all about lately. Is there anything better on a random 80 degree spring day than a basic capresé salad? Fresh mozzarella, semi decent tomatoes, a little basil, black flake salt, a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar.

Lately my go to meal has been a mixture of quinoa, French lentils, lightly steamed kale, and this tahini dressing. It is so basic, so filling, so hardy, so healthy, so delicious. I absolutely adore when simple flavors meld together into an amazing dish.  It might not be a Top Chef worthy dish, but it is a winner in my book. (and in my fantasies… as all the judges muse over how surprised they are by a meatless meal blowing them away, and how the simplicity of the dish, and the sweat tangyness of the dressing just blends everything together perfectly). 

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood?

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine? Would you be mine?... I might have to advise against that. My neighborhood has been an interesting place to be the past couple of weeks, and I may or may not contribute to that flavor a little bit.  I’m sure it’s quite entertaining to see me prancing around my yard in the morning, sweat pants, galoshes, hair askew, muttering under my breath at my bulldog… well ok sometimes yelling, coaxing, prodding, begging, dragging my bulldog. I promise I am a good mom, but he can be stubborn, and so can I. I really added to the neighborhood flavor this morning when I walked outside for a good 10 minutes with a gaping hole in the ass of my sweatpants! I was blissfully unaware of this fact until I was bounding back up onto the porch and noticed a bit of a draft. Toby was not ready to come back inside yet, so I stood there, one hand on the leash, one hand holding my pants together, mentally playing back how long I had been outside, and if I had run into another living creature. I guess I cannot really be surprised that strange men are wandering into my yard, when I wander around my yard with my ass on display.  How I had failed to notice it, I have no idea, but I hope the neighbors appreciated it. It’s taken me 3 years, but I finally topped the epic wardrobe malfunction of walking around with my skirt tucked into my skivvies.   At least I wasn’t walking down 3^rd street this time…

Add to that, the constant road constructions and mystery closures that start on the streets surrounding my house at 7AM and it’s a little bit of a circus in the morning. Toby waddling off barking at construction crew members, (all of whom seem to ask me why I’m up so early… good question, why are you tearing apart the road in front of my house so early?) Me, still in my sweat pants, the extra traffic, the extra noises, the extra out-houses… Seriously, why is the main construction out house sitting practically in my front yard? I can handle parking 3 blocks away, I can handle getting woken up to the sound of jack hammers… but do I really need a porta-potty mere feet from my lawn? And I am here to tell you, that construction crew members are not the only people who use it. On the weekend, this porta potty becomes fair game… I have seen all sorts of characters marching in and out of it… and really it doesn’t get much more awkward, than having a homeless man stop, talk to your bulldog, head into the porta potty, (which are not sound proof) and some back out, talk to the dog some more, and walk off. And yet it is a situation I have found myself in more than once over the past week.  Everybody poops. I get it. But does everybody have to poop in the out-house right outside my front door?

In spite of the honey bucket situation, I’ve been spending more and more time outside lately. (most times in completely appropriate clothing, and not with my ass hanging out the back of my pants)  I’m planting in the garden, lunching on the patio, spending weekend afternoons laying in the grass, hanging with the pup. And it has been pretty wonderful. Minus the occasional sexual harassment. Backstory, I have a quince tree in my front yard, and my landlord has been so kind as to offer it up as a community tree, meaning every fall my yard is flooded with people harvesting the quince. I’ve walked outside to find men standing in the tree, have witnessed entire families pulling fruit off the ground… and because of the quince, I feel like my house is kind of a hot spot. So the first time José stopped and talked to me it didn’t seem that out of place. I think I was working in my garden, and he said something like “oh how come you aren’t working for me?”  I only remember this, because a few weeks ago when he stopped by again, he reminded me of our conversation from last spring. There is a huge language barrier, and a huge age difference, and I understand that there is also some cultural differences, meaning he probably isn’t viewing our conversations as forward or inappropriate, but yesterday when he wandered into my yard, stood between me and my front door, and started asking me if I lived alone, why I wasn’t working, if I made a lot of money, if I had a girlfriend (which I’m assuming he meant boyfriend? But maybe he didn’t) asked if I had children, where my family was, why I was alone, if I liked restaurants, what I liked to order at restaurants etc etc. It was making me super uncomfortable! And I don’t know why I didn’t lie to him, I don’t know why I didn’t say “yes my Husband will be home at any moment” but his questions were rattling me, and it seemed like short, curt, one word answers were best… maybe he would get the hint? Finally when he started asking me if I liked to order tequila when I went out to restaurants, and telling me how very beautiful I was, I decided I had had enough. I wrangled the dog, and went inside (well dragged the dog in a somewhat panicky fashion since he was clearly having a great time getting to know José). As I was hurriedly walking up the stairs, trying to get some distance, he asked me if he could take me to dinner at a restaurant next week. “I pay” he said. I guess I should be flattered… and I’m sure it was harmless… but the entire situation left me feeling vulnerable. I’m not sure why I didn’t lie to him, why I didn’t tell him to get lost… maybe there is this part of me that doesn’t want to come off as a bitch, or maybe deep down I knew he was harmless? Mostly I think I was just caught off guard… I wasn’t really planning for a sketchy man to walk into my front yard… (though with the porta potty there I’m not sure why I wasn’t expecting it… it’s been happening for weeks).

All that being said, my neighborhood is normally pretty great. There isn’t always a porta potty in plain view, most of the neighbors are actually nice, I’m blocks from the farmers market, a quick walk downtown, and I’m still in love with the house. I’d be a little more in love if it had a fenced in yard… but at least I have good stories (and a can of pepper spray just in case).

Is there whole grain in that? and other quandries I have when I realize I'm an adult and in charge of feeding myself.

Does anyone else miss the days when it was up to someone else to make sure that you were eating a nutritionally balanced diet? I realize not everyone has/ had this, but sometimes I get really nostalgic for a time when my mom was making sure that my 3 square meals a day consisted of everything I needed. I hate to say it out loud, but I miss the days when I didn’t have to think about my food. (full  disclosure… my mom still contributes a great deal to my overall nutrition… she isn’t packing my lunches, and putting glasses of milk at the dinner table anymore, but her meals are always awesome, super balanced, and totally nutritious… and I raid her fridge all the time). 

In the days of “we are what we eat” admitting that I don’t want to think about what goes into my body feels wrong. But sometimes (like today) I get about half way into the day and realize that the only thing I’ve put in my body is 3 cups of coffee and a day old sugar cookie… and then I start to think about nutrients, and calcium requirements and servings of whole grain, and I get a little panicky. True, most days I eat a bit healthier than today. I typically start off with a nutrient dense healthy breakfast, followed by a salad at lunch. I am quite certain of one thing, I get enough vegetables in my diet… even if I start of the day with a cookie…

But I do worry sometimes that my eating tends lean towards boring… I eat the same things pretty much most of the time… and what if these things aren’t quite giving me the nutrients that I need?  The USDA guidelines are cryptic and hard to read… the food pyramid is out. What’s in is a plate, telling you to eat more vegetables, and up your whole grains… but then it breaks off saying at least half of your grains should be whole grains, and then I start to get confused as to the sub categories, and what really counts as a grain, and I get really hung up on the fact that orange vegetables are supposed to be better for me that green vegetables (can you really get too many green vegetables?) and then my neurotic mind starts to question things like dairy, and if I’m getting enough healthy fat, and if I eat a fat free breakfast, are all of my A, D,E and K vitamins really being absorbed… (it’s a strange place my mind… and yes, I think about this kind of stuff at least once a week).  I am an educated adult, and if I’m this confused by the USDA standards for what I should be eating, how do we expect children to understand them? I get that the whole plate thing is supposed to be an easy visual, but then when you think about the fact that school lunches have to follow these guidelines, and the fact that pizza probably counts as a grain, it’s a little terrifying.

I am not Vegan, and I drink a fair share of lattes, and eat a lot of cheese. At least this is what I tell my Doctor once a year when they ask me how many servings of calcium I’m getting. Calcium always seems to be the biggy… and its true, I drink a fair share of lattes and I love cheese. But the more I start to analyze my daily routine, the more I’m realizing, there isn’t a ton of dairy in there. I know there are plenty of vegans and vegetarians out there who get all the nutrients they need from plant based sources… but I also feel like if you are a vegan/vegetarian you are slightly more educated about which plant based foods have the nutrients you need (at least I like to think this is true.) But when I think about my accidental vegan tendencies (at least during the day…) I do start to really wonder “am I getting enough calcium?” the doubt then translates to B vitamins… and when I’ve not gone near an orange fruit or vegetable all day I start to doubt things like vitamin C… and again, it’s a slippery slope… my neurotic brain starts to wonder if I’m totally lacking in some really important nutrients… I don’t think that I am… but how would I know? I don’t have anyone regulating my 3 square meals a day. There is no one to pre-pour me a glass of milk, and determine if I’ve had my daily requirement of whole grains which I’m actually quite sure I don’t. Vegetables, yes. Whole Grains…. doubtful. Yes, Quinoa is a staple in my diet… but I’m not eating a ton of bread, or cereal, or oats or barley… I’m pretty sure my body has gone days without meeting a whole grain… Even if I’m eating salads all the time, this seems maybe problematic? Sure I love bread, and to me croutons are pretty much a food group, but does eating a piece of baguette count? In my mind, it does not, in the USDA’s mind, it might.  I hardly ever make sandwiches, I prefer lentils to barley, and I tend not to buy crackers or chips (I eat them if they are around, but they seldom make it into my grocery cart). I know that whole grains are lurking in all sorts of foods, but that being said, it is still possible for me to go days without ingesting any… I’m pretty sure this isn’t balanced.

I guess being aware of my eating habits is half the battle. If I know I’m lacking in something I can at least attempt to correct it, and form new habits. Tonight, ground up oat meal was added to my smoothie, I’m planning on having quinoa in my salad tomorrow… I’m actively seeking out more calcium sources… if I remember I try to drink a teaspoon or two of olive oil in the morning so all my vitamins absorb (not to mention it’s great for the skin). I know it’s not a bad thing to have to actively and mindfully think about what I’m putting in my body… but sometimes… just sometimes I wish it was easier to make sure that my body was getting everything it needed. I’m at an age where the multi-vitamin is my new best friend… at least it gives me a little more peace of mind. I know I can’t get everything my body needs from a pill… but at least it allows me to stack the deck a little.

5 down, 10 to go

So apparently the universe was listening when I started bitching about the weather. Angry blog post on Sunday, sunny weather on Monday. It was pretty perfect, I got to throw on a dress and a brightly colored cardigan, I got to walk the dog, and frolic outside… and it was pretty perfect. Just a little hint of spring to keep me going.

I am also happy to report that the pound down is going well! Maybe not right on track, but definitely headed in the right direction. I’m 1/3 of the way there, with 11 weeks to go. A little more discipline, and a little more running if/when the weather cooperates, and I think I will hit my goal… 

It has been a bit of a challenge, especially not drinking during the week. Last night I was so tempted to open a bottle of wine! I was a little disappointed because I found out that a deal fell through on a house I was looking at… and of course being me, I had gotten way ahead of myself, picking out paint colors for the kitchen, and imagining summer barbeques… planning on building a dog house for Toby… the works. The house was perfect, lots of character, giant bedrooms, tons of storage, a dishwasher, laundry room, pantry, awesome yard, garden space, right downtown… pretty much EVERYTHING I’ve ever wanted in a house… but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. But I did have a little self control, and drank a diet soda instead of a cocktail… still not the best thing for me, but it could have been worse!

Thus far I think my nutrient/ appetite savior has been breakfast smoothies. I’m kind of obsessed with them. I love just being able to throw a bunch of fruits and vegetables in the blender and whipping up a nutrient dense and healthy breakfast. It is nice to start the day off with some vegetables… a little spinach, celery, sometimes kale, blended together in a delicious way, add in a little flax seed, almond milk, banana, and apple… it’s a powerhouse of a breakfast.

I have been a little peeved reading the USDA guidelines though… who comes up with these? Apparently I am supposed to be eating 5 cups of starchy vegetables a week, and only 1.5 cups of green leafy vegetables. Per week! Does this make sense to anyone? I practically get 1.5 cups of green leafy vegetables per meal… am I actually supposed to buy that at my age, weight, and physical activity level that more potatoes are what I need?  Also I’m eating more fruit than is recommended… but I’m sorry, you cannot tell me that eating a banana for a snack is worse for me than a handful of chips… I don’t care what the sugar content is.  It is pretty frustrating to think that these are the guidelines that schools are following for children… also what happened to the food pyramid? I know it might have been a little confusing to follow, but now everything is a plate diagram (that you can’t even find when you go to the website) and its so contradictory! ½ of my plate is supposed to be fruits and vegetables, and yet for my age and weight, I’m only supposed to consume 2 servings of fruit per day… which I get at breakfast… what about the other 2 meals?  My family is getting tired of me bitching about this… but I find it really irritating! And don’t even get me started about what food is considered to be in the “grain” category…

Overall,  I think it just has to be a little bit like yoga. Take what you need from it, leave the rest… I’m eating healthier, I’m trying to be more mindful of exercise, and what I’m putting into my body… and if I’m not getting enough starchy vegetables… well I’m ok with that. (vodka is made from potatoes right? Does that count?)

Closet purging, and the potential for some amazing spring time ensembles...

I've had the entire weekend off... something that doesn't happen often. I think I can count on one hand the number of full weekends I've had where I didn't have to go into work for at least a few minutes. Hello Free time! I was amazed at how much I got accomplished. I taught a yoga class, had a leisurely coffee, cleaned my entire closet, made a collage, got drinks with friends, had brunch,did laundry, made dog treats/ fixed dog toys, made lists, (ok,ok I even went into work for a few minutes out of guilt and sheer "I'm not entirely sure what I should be doing, so maybe I"ll just stop in and make sure that I'm really not needed, but the internet was down, so I ran away happily.) I've walked the dog, and even took the time to do an olive oil hair treatment!  A girl could really get used to this "normal" weekend business.

I usually spend at least one weekend day working in a blaze of glory, the other weekend day recovering from the work day, and then a frantic Monday trying to squeeze in exercise, grocery shopping, a weeks worth of laundry and cleaning, and desperately trying to mentally prepare for going back to work the next day.  Not this weekend! In large part because my boss is out of town, so I've been spending less time at the office (not less time working mind you, just lest time putting on real clothes, packing a lunch, and spending a full day at work...frankly I'm way more productive at home in my yoga pants with a pot of coffee).

Perhaps the biggest accomplishment was cleaning out my closet. I have to fully admit, when I moved in about a year ago, I pretty much just threw everything in the closet and said "I"ll organize later"... it was functioning, but was in desperate need of a little purging. The end result is a completely re-arrange, color coded closet, that is just bursting with potential. The weather has been so dismal that my outfits have essentially consisted of jeans and tee shirts, sweaters, and sweatshirts... lots of layers, not a lot of dazzle. I am one of those Oregonians who actually enjoys the spring rain, but enough is enough. We got robbed of a real spring last year, and I refuse to be held hostage by the weather again! I want to garden! I want to frolic! I want to not have to wear 3 layers of clothing to work everyday!  While I was cleaning out drawers, and folding and sorting I realized just how many colorful clothing items I have... and yet my fairly constant clothing pallet consists of grey and neutral hues.. I essentially mirror the weather with my wardrobe.  That ends.... well ok when the weather does. I have so many cute springy things that I have had tucked away in a chaotic closet for so long, and I am so inspired to put together some sassy outfits! But I am also a little too practical to be prancing around in spring time outfits while freezing my ass off. (talk to me at the end of April, I'll probably be singing a different tune... but right now it feels like WINTER. WINTER people, its cold and gross)  I'm excited to break out the rainbow of cardigans, the cute blouses, the tunics, and ballet flats... and dare I say, even open toed shoes. I am looking forward to the actual arrival of spring. I'm excited to be able to walk the dog around the block without galoshes.

Look out McMinnville... you just might see me this spring in something other than yoga pants and jeans!