Tag: real talk

Thoughts on Food Traditions

LaurenLeave a comment

Here’s two things about me that I don’t think are any big secret: 1. I watch a lot of Food Network and 2. I read a lot of Bon Appétit.com articles.  I have a feeling that if my life was subjected to one of those analytic tests they use on suspected murderers (remember when they searched Oscar Pistorius’s entire text history with Reeva Steenkamp to see how many times “love” had been used??), “Food Network” and “Bon Appétit” would show up A LOT.

But embarrassing degree of obsession aside, I recently realized that something I truly love about the chefs/employees at both of these places is the way they talk about their food traditions.  Not just the ones they’ve formed themselves but the ones that were formed for them, by their parents and their grandparents before them.  As I read through all the “Road Trip Week” stories last week, I felt clearly and deeply the desire to have those types of traditions, not only for myself, but for my (REALLY REALLY FAR IN THE) future family.

I love to cook and I get SO EXCITED to make new things, but I’m trying to remember that it’s equally important (to me, at least) to have those things that you cook so many times you don’t even need a recipe.  Or those restaurants you always go to.  Whether I knew it growing up or not, those things — that your mother always cooks (red velvet, stuffing, corned beef & cabbage) or your grandpa always ate (frozen Sunny Delight) or your uncle always has the freezer stocked with (red beans, white beans, gumbo) — are what give your life structure, make your childhood feel safe, give you the comfort to know that even though life is always changing, some things remain the same.

So here’s to developing and fostering some food traditions.  I think going to The Med for my mom’s birthday tonight is the perfect start.  Also, I’m really glad we’ve graduated from celebrating all birthdays at The Olive Garden 🙂

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P.S. This Week

 

Corn with vegan sriracha aioli // Our garden game is strong

Saw this patch of grass and wondered if someone mows it // BBQ & trivia

 

Weekend Things

Lauren1 Comment

I’m never sure how to proceed in the wake of tragedy.  On the one hand, it feels wrong to go on with regularly scheduled programming when our nation is grieving.  But then, in a small way, it’s also symbolic of what we have to do in times like these.  GO ON.  Hate is not the answer.  Terror will not destroy us.  Fear will not win.  I choose to believe that there are far more good hearts in this world than there is hatred and senselessness.  And so I’m focusing on the good and this weekend was good.

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We tried out a new pizza place for Friday dinner and WHOA.  Cart-Driver can’t be beat in the thin-crust artisan category and Fat Sully’s is a showstopper but Blue Pan, I think you’ve won my overall pizza heart.  I didn’t even know what Detroit-style pizza was before this, but I think it’s safe to say it’s my new favorite.  Would you just look at those crispy edges?!

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The rest of the evening was spent at Coors.  Let’s not even talk about how we were up two, with two outs and zero on in the top of the ninth and somehow managed to lose the game.  Instead, let’s talk about how they do this Tooth Trot every game and Joey gets so into cheering on someone dressed as a giant toothbrush.  His maturity astounds me 🙂

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Ugh, Saturday was just the best day.  And not because of anything life-changing, but just because it was summer and I ate breakfast (AND LUNCH) in the backyard and got to ride my bike to the Farmers’ Market.  And really, that’s all I need in this life to be happy.  Union Station just started hosting a Farmers’ Market so we rode over to check it out and I was delighted (and sort of surprised) to see how much produce they had!  I’m all for tents selling breakfast and lunch options but let’s not forget that FRESH PRODUCE is actually the point of a Farmers’ Market.

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I was seriously only going to allow myself to buy one item (Farmers’ Markets are not always easy on the wallet) but then I saw bunches of the illusive garlic scape, big pink radishes and the most gorgeous heads of MINI lettuce and couldn’t resist.  Then Joey forced me to buy some cherries.  Twist my arm, why dontcha? 🙂  I made a pretty lunch salad with our loot and felt infinite happiness.  Plus it gave me enough energy to brave the grocery store during Rockies game rush hour.

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The rest of the day was spent outside (shocking, I know) reading, while Joey built our second garden box.  I’m a bad wife and forgot to take a picture but it turned out SO GOOD and only took him half as long as the first one, so he’s pretty much a pro now.  I can’t wait to get them primed and prepped for actual plants.  We saw all these cute veggie seedlings at the market and it got us so excited to plant some of our own!  While Joey finished up, I headed inside and made us a Rhubarb and Raspberry Crostata for dessert.  Served it up with some ice cream later that night and it was the perfect end to a perfect day.

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Sunday started with a walk and breakfast with my parents.  We took them to Bacon and hoped for a good experience since it’s been sort of a mixed bag the past few times we’ve been by ourselves.  It’s not so much the food that’s off, but the service.  Our food seemed to take FOR-EV-ER but luckily, we were all too busy talking to notice it all that much.  We hadn’t seen my parents since we got back from Chicago so we caught them up on our trip and gave them some tips for their trip to San Fran/Oregon later this summer.

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Afterwards, I hit up Whole Foods — every time I leave that place, I’m thinking “get me outta here!” — then walked to pick up some more coffee beans for iced coffee and helped Joey prep some salads for the work week.  Got to watch the beginning of the Rockies game before heading off to yoga.  Yoga is good any time of year, but when you get to park on the other side of the bridge and walk over in that summertime sunshine, it just feels that much better.  We learned some new poses and it felt good to try something different, even if I looked like a mess doing it 🙂

Ended the night with more reading on the porch, Game of Thrones and a veggie and garlic scape pesto panzanella!  I’m all for a salad that involves cubes of bread and I only kinda still suck at poaching eggs.  Meanwhile, it’s Monday but I’m still gonna act like it’s the weekend, if you don’t mind.  Sending you all love, happiness and sunshine this week!