People and Food

Today I was out and about running errands, and I happened to run into some very interesting people.  Even as I am sitting here reflecting on my day, these encounters make me smile.  It's true what I've heard people say, "If the world was filled with people like me, it would be a very boring place."

I visited my favorite thrift store to check on deals this morning, and an 89 year old Korean veteran walked through the door.  The first thing he said that I thought was funny was an observation.  "Why is everyone into leopard these days?" Then as we were talking, he randomly started talking about prison uniforms.  He asked if they are still black and white, or are they orange? He asked if we knew if there was a difference between federal and state prison uniforms.  This cracked me up! I loved this guys curious train of thought, and I confess I ended up going home to research prison uniforms on the internet.  yep, I did.  As he was walking up the flight of stairs to more stuff, he asked the manager if there were cameras in the store.  It was a funny connection with the previous prison uniform. 

Later in the afternoon I got on the bus and of everyone on the bus, the man turned to me to tell me his jokes.  "What kid of tea did Moses brew on the mountain?" I don't know, I said.  "He- brew".  The man had more jokes up his sleeve, but I had to get off the bus.  I spent a lot of time on the bus today- going to my bank, searching for Trader Joes, and taking in new sights.  I looked out at the beautiful University of Arizona campus, downtown, new areas of town, and I watched people.  I wondered about the depressed looking man with the Tao of Writing checked out from the library in his hands.  What are his dreams, I wondered? I saw a youngish looking guy with baggy jeans, nothing on him but a black and white checked notebook.  I was curious what he was writing.  It's so rare to see people writing on the bus.  So many people on their phones, even here in Tucson.

I am trying to make sure to eat.  Don't get me wrong.  I love food, and I have a definite sweet tooth, but sometimes, I just forget to take care of my health.  Breakfast becomes a latte, lunch is a bag of chips, and maybe a few snacks through the day.  Snacking is okay, but I've been making a conscious effort as I settle into my new home to cook really well for myself.  Not only do I love cooking and benefit from the nutrients of a home cooked meal, but I am also reminding myself that I am valuable each time I prepare a meal.  I also have to admit that I love cooking and baking for others, but it can be such a gift to cook for yourself.  Other people can be so picky about their food- too much of this, too little of that, but I don't care.  I'm cooking for myself, and I'm happy and delighted with the love and care I give to my preparation. 

Here are some simple meals I've been making lately!

Eggs in a hole or Bulls Eye.  So easy.  So good.  And my first smoothie- banana, strawberry, kale, and Greek yogurt.  yum! That was my Sunday brunch... oh yeahhhh

A simple salad with kale, chard, spinach, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, celery, cucumber, and homemade croutons.  I also cooked a corn on the cob, but I confess I didn't like it very much.  The white corn felt heavy and starchy.  I think I'm used to sweet corn.  I drizzled balsamic vinaigrette on top. 

 

 

 

I made another quiche! I don't make pie crush (not yet anyway), so I had another pie crust in my freezer to use.  I decided to use up some kale, tomatoes, feta, mozzarella, leeks, milk, and I have no idea how it will taste.  But I hope it is good.  I like quiches because I can eat them for three or four days afterwards, and they are pretty darn easy to make.  And the option is also there, that if I'm utterly bored with quiche, FREEZE it, baby!

Maybe it's weird that I post pictures about the food I make for myself, but I like doing this.  I am not sure why except that I think cooking like photography and writing are creative expressions that I find enormously fun.