up to no good

Well, I didn't have blogger's block for that long, but 6 days kinda seemed like a long time. I've had the same malady on books for calvin for 2 weeks now. Geez. Some writer I am.

As for this week, the inspiration just wasn't happening. I'm not depressed; I am worn out physically, and sometimes emotionally. I hope this isn't vain, but I'm tired of looking sick, and I've got a high school reunion next month. The dying yeast's newest trick is dizziness which is annoying and a little scary. It goes away, then returns at inopportune times - like, when I'm taking a glorious walk around the neighborhood, not anywhere near my house. Or, when I'm driving by gorgeous trees en route to the library. And, this morning - first thing, even before a cup of tea. Yay.

In light of my predicament, I'm taking these verses to heart:

"God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling."
[Psalm 46:1-3]

So, I'm just hanging out today. Johnny's been in San Angelo, TX this week. He'll be home tomorrow, thank goodness. Here's how I've kept myself occupied the past few days....



Eating cumin chicken w/black beans leftovers. We totally copied Laura after I saw that recipe on her blog. We didn't have all the ingredients in our pantry, but I'm a fan of using what you've got to make a recipe work. To be honest, I didn't do a thing to prepare the cumin chicken. I had planned on me and Johnny cooking together (more fun that way), but he offered to whip up the recipe while I took a late shower that night. A kind man.



I did drive safely home from the library (with God's help). Before doing so, I hid poetry in several books, and checked out The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters. I love the book for its title alone. I haven't read it yet, but the outline on the back cover contains true goals of mine:

* Eat locally & sustainably.
* East seasonally.
* Shop at farmers' markets.
* Plant a garden.
* Conserve, compost & recycle.
* Cook simply.
* Cook together.
* Eat together.
* Remember food is precious.

Speaking of simple food, I was thrilled to find a recipe for kale chips over on Half Pint House. Have you ever tried kale chips? They are so good; I used to buy 'em at a local farmers' market. I'm very excited to try this easy recipe. I won't use nearly that much salt, though - I prefer sea salt and it is potent. I think this snack will help me cut down on my consumption of taro chips, too.

While a yeast-free diet is challenging, it has made me truly appreciate real, whole, fresh foods, and the natural sweetness in vegetables. I do look forward to adding more typical treats back into my diet, but they will be just that - treats. I don't ever want to overload my body with too much of something again. It's all about variety and food rotation and even now, I'm enjoying a bounty of food. But just so you know, plain Greek yogurt & local raw honey is the treat I look forward to the most. Mmm.



Yesterday, the dizziness took a hike for awhile, so I hopped in the car to pick up prescriptions + vitamins. Next, I stopped by Target for the likes of a small iced coffee, Burt's Bees orange essence facial cleanser, Fancy Feast for the cats, and paper towels. I also caved and purchased a bamboo tray to organize The New York Times on our coffee table since I never finish that wonderful, mammoth paper on Sundays. I plan to use the tray to serve beverages to guests as well.

....I can't recall ever purchasing Lucky before, but while waiting in line at Target, Zooey Deschanel's cheerful face caught my eye, so the magazine went into my basket. I was hoping for an actual article, yet the spread of Zooey is merely clothes, beauty products, and a New York store that she likes (Geminola). Only semi-interesting - I was bummed by the lack of info..



And speaking of magazines, new issues of dwell, Paste, and Organic Gardening showed up in our mailbox earlier this week. Then, a Room & Board catalog arrived yesterday - I like. I'd forgotten that my subscription of Organic Gardening is for two years. It's a good thing because as I get healthier, I want to learn more about gardening and plant new things. My Mom thinks we should plant star jasmine and allow it to climb up our front door's brick archway ~ my nose already loves that idea. I want to grow tomatoes in the backyard, too, and plant a crepe myrtle tree in the front yard. My Nina and Johnny's Dad loved crepe myrtle trees, and so do we.

Oh, and this week has been full of great music. Coldplay's Viva la Vida sounds freaking amazing. I've always liked Coldplay songs here and there, but for whatever reason, I never purchased an actual album. However, I heard all the talk about Brian Eno's involvement with Viva la Vida, so I was quite curious. I'm happy to say the hype is true. I also downloaded my pre-order of Ben Shive's record - The Ill-Tempered Klavier - which you can purchase in The Rabbit Room store. Initially, this video intrigued me and made me laugh. Their crazy hype is true, too.

That's about it, other than reading good books, of course. Now, it's time for lunch and an afternoon movie ~ Paris, Je T'aime.