Entertainment Weekly 2.10.18

As always, lots of work work work over here...I managed to do some socializing, too, the last couple of weekends which I'm totally using as an excuse for my lack of posting. Lately I've been

Reading: Alice Waters' Coming to My Senses: the Making of a Counterculture Cook. Obsessed. It's as engaging as a novel, inspiring as a cookbook (even without recipes). Even if you're not as into food culture as I am (or even at all), read it!

Listening: the Fearless Rebelle Radio podcast. I know I mentioned it before, but I just can't get over how amazing it is! This week Summer interviewed Tiana Dodson and she had some powerful words: "when I can see myself as someone of value, I can see everyone else as valuable". This was in the context of fat acceptance/activism, but 100% applies in all facets of life. LOVED IT.

Watching: Is it too embarrassing to admit I've been watching Pretty Little Liars? I needed another mindless-ish, pretty show to play in the background when I'm cooking, cleaning, etc. and it fit the bill...Highly problematic but oh so entertaining.

Finally tried Harpoon's pretzels last weekend-I've been missing out!

xoxoxo
Emma

2018 Goals

Wow, I did not mean to post an intense piece and then disappear for weeks...time really got away from me! I've been working nonstop, it seems-and the little bit of time I'm not working I've been trying to see more of my friends. I need to find a balance, but dang that's hard...

I originally wrote this post at the start of January, was going to post it, then had to write about that sermon. Then I apparently just didn't post for almost 3 week. So obviously I've already been working on these goals...

It seems that I'm in the same mindset as many people out there-resolutions just don't work for me. The minute I'm not following it, I feel like I've failed and I give up on it entirely. As a social worker, of course I'm big on reframing-so I decided to do that with resolutions and make them into goals instead! As goals, I can consider them as points to work toward, as opposed to immediate stagnant changes, and think of each time I act in line with them as progress, instead of each time I slip up as failure. I can also add new ones at any time! However, some things never change-and accountability is huge, so here were go.

1. Do the 30 days of Yoga with Adriene's True program. Note: I did it! It felt amazing to make that a priority. While I haven't continued to do yoga every day since that ended, I've definitely been doing it more and I can feel it. 

2. Try my best to take breaks at work. At Athleta, I'm forced to do so, and have noticed how great it feels to reset partway through the day. Doing the daily yoga practice from my first goal during the workday is a great way to actually take it!

3. Continue to go to Bar Method as much as possible. I love the workouts and the people-while it took me some time, I really feel a part of the community. I hit 250 classes just before the New Year and am excited to continue toward 500!

4. Stay away from gossip/negative talk about others. It's way too easy to get pulled into it. Whether it's someone in my professional life, an ex, or just a person I interact with in my life out and about, it's never actually helpful. 

5. Cook vegan. I'll still use up what I already had at home (honey, etc.) because I'm not trying to be wasteful, and when I go out to eat I will enjoy my beloved cheese, but at home it's plant-based all the way. Going vegan is something I've debated for a long time and struggled with (honestly, mainly because of how much I love all cheese-based dishes). However, it's in line with all the reasons I became vegetarian over 15 years ago. Opposing animal cruelty, eating more nutritiously-and yes, I know Oreos are vegan, but most of the junk I enjoy is not-reducing my impact on the environment are all incentives to be at least more vegan than not. 

6. Take breaks...not just at work. If you know me, you may have noticed my slight obsessive tendencies (see Bar Method goal above?) and do not like to feel like I can't do something-miss a day of barre when I have time to go, not hit my 10,000 steps, have an actual day off from both jobs, cancel social plans when I'm just too wiped out...recently I had a day where I actually let myself be lazy. It was a little weird, almost anxiety-provoking, but so. good. I did yoga at home, then drove to Providence and only left the couch to go out to eat (twice, ha). 

7. Get the damn boxes out of my apartment. I moved in April and have boxes just sitting that I clearly don't need anything from-so I need to sort, store, donate, and toss. It will feel so much better!

8. Prioritize the relationships in my life as much as I do everything else. I am terrible at staying in touch with people I don't see regularly (also, I need to reframe this) and often make my extroverted-introvert excuse to stay in. But I love my people and need them to know this!

What goals do you have? Are they new, ongoing, shifting? Let me know, and good luck!

xoxoxo

Emma

Eating Elsewhere: Greensboro (Part 2)

The time I ate everything in Greensboro, continued...
For my birthday, I may have sort of taken over the kitchen...I might be the only person I know who prefers to cook their own birthday meal, ha!
Mom and I started the day before with a trip to the farmer's market, where we picked up fruit, vegetables, and maybe a pastry or two. I always love to explore different cities' farmer's markets (Madison is definitely a favorite if you ever have the opportunity!), and this was no different. There were a number of stands selling the plants themselves and I lamented that I couldn't take them back with me-and to be honest, probably wouldn't have been able to keep them alive even if I had. I do not have a green thumb. at. all.

There were also ridiculously beautiful-and creative chocolates!

Savory cheese croissant-beyond delicious

However, we were able to find the most important ingredient of all-rhubarb! Rhubarb custard pie is my absolute favorite dessert and it is so rarely available. Strawberry, I'm looking at you-stop trying to hog the spring stage!

We had a rhubarb pie-off consisting of a rhubarb custard (mom and me) and a rhubarb pie with meringue (Grandma and Aunt Sandy). I wanted the rest of the meal to feature seasonal veggies, so we decided to stick with the pie theme and made a galette and frittata, along with big salad and good bread. All my favorite foods!

The next day was my actual birthday-and of course the only really yucky one weather-wise. Mom, Alvan, Grandma, and I made the best of it by having a giant breakfast at Scrambled. I was pretty pumped to have vegetarian biscuits and (mushroom) gravy, but was slightly disappointed at how over-salted I felt it was. Thankfully the cheese grits lived up to my memories-I gotta get my grit fix! Next time I'll probably go back to my tried and true favorite of the OMG scramble skillet over grits (minus ham, of course).

Mom, Alvan, and I then spent quite a while just reading and writing while sipping on some delicious flavored iced coffees at Common Grounds-I had the Bill Murray, a latte with chocolate and pistachio. I hadn't simply sat and read in a long time-it felt good!

They also serve wine-but we were not yet at that point, ha!

We did our best to work up an appetite for a late lunch and headed over to Hops Burger Bar, one of our go-to spots (along with everyone else in Greensboro) and lucked out with them being weirdly empty. I got the spiciest (nutty patty) burger they had, the Diablo, with fries and a Lagunitas Sumpin' Sumpin'. Since they have an upcharge for the veggie burger, even if you don't want the bacon that comes on the burger, I asked to have it on the side so the carnivores could enjoy it.

We had to be sure to fit in one last meal the day that I left, just to make sure I couldn't fit into any of my pants upon my return, ha! We always love Freeman's Grub & Pub, but they really amped it up this time. Their focus on local and seasonal products is one of my favorite things in any restaurant and they rock it. I was a little disappointed that the only vegetarian main being offered that day was a jerk "chicken" sandwich, so the chef himself came out to ask about my preferences...I was totally overwhelmed and vague, but he did a great job! I simply requested some sort of sandwich that did not include eggplant or green peppers, and he made the most delicious black bean burger-clearly with fresh ingredients and interesting toppings. Starting with the pimento jalapeno poppers and a Bloody Mary didn't hurt either!

I really don't think I exaggerated when I talk about how much I ate-but to be honest, I had just as much fun! I've got one or two other things to feature eventually, but if you're headed to Greensboro any time soon this ought to give you a good start!

xoxoxo
Emma

Entertainment Weekly 4.1.17

You'd think with all the traveling I've been doing I would have a lot more to contribute to this-but somehow no. I think my addiction to catching up on Mad Men and Grey's Anatomy has put a serious damper on it...oops!

Reading: more cookbooks, as always! My lovely friend Georgina gave me a copy of A Lebanese Feast after I admired it at her house during a small dinner party. It is all vegetarian (and a lot of vegan) Lebanese recipes. Not only do the recipes look delicious, but the stories behind them are lovely as well. Stay tuned to see what I make from it!

Listening: the soundtrack to Newsies. I couldn't tell you why I've suddenly been in the mood for it, but I'd forgotten how great it is! I think as I've been running more outside I've been in search of (largely) upbeat musicals-they hold my attention while the beat keeps me amped up.

Watching: Like I said, I've been making my way through Mad Men-Netflix allows it to be downloaded, so it's a frequent commute companion. I had started it long ago when it was first on the air and stopped for some reason, so began from season one. What I wouldn't give to have been the stylist on that show...

Happy weekend! And to all my fellow Northeast residents: stay warm out there! Spring will be here any moment, I swear...

xoxoxo
Emma

Magazine Meals: Potatoes and Greens

I love trying out new recipes, and thankfully Dad is always game. I'm getting spoiled here-it's going to be hard to stay motivated when I move out and am only cooking for myself! In the meantime, I'm enjoying making my way through many of the recipes I've saved from Real Simple, Bon Appetite, cookbooks, and other resources.

Dad always loves a hearty meal, and in the winter I definitely want to hibernate with comfort food. In this vein, I opted for Southern Living's recipe for twice-baked green potatoes. My goodness they were delicious-and reheated impressively well. When done in the oven, the skins stayed crispy-key to enjoying a baked potato! Adding greens (I went for kale, my go-to) made it feel very slightly healthier and added some needed texture and flavor.

We (ok, I) felt it needed an accompaniment of something light, crunchy, and (more) green. Bon Appetit's broccoli and brussels sprouts slaw fit the bill perfectly. I left out the anchovy, of course (vegetarian here!), and actually the olives as well-I am not a fan of the green ones, though put a dish of kalamata olives in front of me and they will be gone in a flash.

I must admit, however, by the time I finished off all the leftovers I was ready for something new-anyone who wants to come for dinner sometime just let me know! I love having guinea pigs-I mean guests :)

xoxoxo
Emma

Super Bowl LI

Now, I don't claim to be a rabid football fan...by any stretch of the imagination. I care about Michigan football (a lot) but that is due almost 100% to growing up in Ann Arbor and working at Michigania. However, you can't live or work in the Boston area and not get caught up in the excitement.  Or at least the excuse to eat delicious cheese-based treats (pretty much anything not meat is cheese) and drink beer. This year I'm breaking out of my usual assignment to bring dessert in order to make a savory thing I can actually eat. I had to still work baking in there so I'm making Half-Baked Harvest's Buffalo Cheddar Pretzel Twists with Everything Spice. O.M.G. How in the world could I pass up the cheesy goodness once I came across it? The answer is: there is no way.

Y'all need to make these immediately. I was rather intimidated, as I had never made pretzels before and it does require the whole boiling in baking soda water thing. But hey, guess what? It's not actually hard! The trickiest thing was not overdoing it on the buffalo sauce, but even the ones that looked messy going in were pretty good at the end-and they all definitely tasted delicious.

I had slightly mixed feelings about the Patriots' win-Boston friends, please don't hate me! I was rooting for them, but I couldn't quite separate Tom Brady's politics from his performance, just as I can't with musicians or artists. Even giving him the benefit of the doubt, wearing a "Make America Great Again" cap is at best thoughtless, and I have higher expectations.

I am still glad they won, if only for how much better work will be today for it. It's funny how reminiscent South Boston is of Ann Arbor when it comes to the feeling of the city depending on the success of the athletics. Thank goodness the Celtics won both games this weekend too! I actually got to go to the first half of the game on Friday with some of the kids I work with and two other staff. I had the most sports-filled weekend I've had in many years-a big change for this arts-focused girl!

baby's first NBA game

xoxoxo
Emma

P.S. There's always more to do. Take care of yourself, but keep fighting!