Notes from Steve

I wouldn’t make a good vegetarian because I’m a fan of meat.  I definitely would not make it as a vegan - no cheese or butter? I wouldn’t last an afternoon … but I’ve been rocking the vegetable lane lately.  Ratatouille* and hummus** … because I’ve had access to eggplant, and the hummus because I like my recipe better than store-bought.  Problem is - I like to make stuff, but not necessarily to eat it.  So, I’ve been giving a lot of it away.  Everybody wins!

I like that I can cook. I like that I enjoy a variety of foods.  I like that I’m not picky.*** I’ve tried to counsel the picky before and let them know about how they are missing out on some of life’s great pleasures, but it never works.  (I’ve told Jordan that mushrooms are wonderful, but she says that when she’s tried them, all she can think about is earlobes.  sigh …)

The “missing out on life’s great pleasures” thing is real, but lately, for me, it’s about how I can eat something that is not chips, ice cream, and junk food.  The older we get, the slower our metabolism and the harder it is to stay healthy.  It’s all about drinking water and lifting weights and walking and eating healthy.  At some point - we all have to reflect and ask if the Ruffles potato chips and onion dip are worth it.****

*roasted eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, tomatoes, garlic, onions, herbs
**garbanzo beans, tahini, garlic, lemon, spices
***except cantaloupe, honeydew melon, black licorice, and Twizzlers - yuck to all that.
****usually, the answer is yes, depending on whether I’ve met my daily stress quota.