I fell more in love with my life on Monday.
I was feeling a serious need for “me time.” I’d been running myself ragged since the beginning of July, eating on the fly and hardly moving my body. So, I wandered into the backyard garden to see what had popped up: beans were in abundance, and I picked them in the exact manner I did when I was a child on the farm, tearing off the ends right there in the backyard.
The swiss chard was also out of this world, stretching its leaves across the right side of the garden, almost overtaking the fencing. I picked what I thought would be enough, but wilted greens never produce as much as I hope. I gathered them both into my metallic bowl, admiring my neighbor, who was preparing her own meal on the grill just beside me. I decided to channel Cafe Gratitude in San Francisco and make some sort of vegetable bowl.
In the mix: olive oil for healthy fats, the chard, beans, and some smoked almonds. I also used an all-purpose seasoning (was feeling lazy) and a few pinches of cumin. On the side, I cooked up a cook of couscous and added that to the pan toward the end. For protein, I cooked a Jennie O Turkey burger, slicing up half of it into bite-sized pieces. I’m trying to be more conscious of my protein intake these days.
A meal for me. A lunch for the next day. The night progressed from home cooking to a long walk by the Pittsburgh rivers and an eventual grocery store run for fruit. I made myself a fruit and yogurt parfait, eating while I read a new book.
See what I mean about falling in love? Sometimes, there is no better way to spend an evening than completely alone.
That really is true. I covet nights alone. I really like hanging out with me.
Your dinner looks great! I wish I had the capability to grow things.
I’ve just recently discovered the awesomeness that is kale. I don’t know how I’ve gone this long without trying it. It’s awesome! PS~ that swiss chard looks like it came from a farmer’s market.
Sounds like a lovely, nourishing evening–for body and soul. xo
That’s so great! The swiss chard in my garden is crazy too, and so beautiful. I love that cooking some home grown food made you feel so great.
Totally! I love the Boy, but every week he has his “hobby” night with the guys, and I love taking that evening for me…sometimes that means watching trashy tv and painting my nails…sometimes that means eating a light, easy, snacky dinner and heading to a yoga class….and other times it is doing a craft and maybe turning on a zen track and doing some stretching with the lights off and the windows open
I love having that time to hang with myself.
Love the fresh greens you got going on there… nothing like organic, home-grown garden veggies! (And as for the turkey burger [yum]- I am the same ! I need protein or I just keep snacking!)
Wishing you a great week, Rose!
xoxox
-GC
I love this! I think we all need reminders of how in love with our lives we are. It’s easy to focus on the challenges, but sometimes things just work out. Like those beans? You grew them! Totally awesome.
When I belonged to a CSA last year, I made so many green bowls like yours. I didn’t get a head start on the CSA this year, but I can still eat like I did!