I wish I could say that I haven't had anything to write about the past few weeks which would explain the lag in blog space. But that is not the case. I've had plenty to write about. I've been cooking quite a bit, wanting to post a hot chocolate recipe, yearning to brag about what I like to consider my now famous Krispy Kale Chips, and talk about my trip home for the holidays from where I am definitely going to steal my father's Spinach and Cannellini Bean dish. (More on this to come) But the truth is, I've been sad. Just before the holidays, the BF and I decided to take a break, or as most people would say, simply, break up. My heart has felt heavy and I've also felt very lonely. Oddly enough, work is going great but it's difficult to get excited about anything when you all of a sudden stop sharing your life with someone you've spent the past nine months getting to know. Becoming close to. Opening up to. It took me a long time to allow myself to be open and vulnerable to this relationship and then POOF! Before I know it, it's gone. No more considering someone else when making travel plans or figuring out social arrangements. It was the holidays, and I was heart broken. No secret smiles across the dinner table when a family member says something crazy. No snuggling by the tree. No sharing all the insanity of being home with the person I love. All the romantic scarnarios I so looked forward to that seemed easily within my reach were gone in no time at all. I can feel the lump in my throat as I type this and small tears filling my eyes.
So yes, I have been spending more time on my own, trying to get back to what I used to know as me. Cooking more. Filling up time and space. So I have plenty to share as far as recipes. However, the plain old truth is I haven't felt like sharing anything.
But every day gets better and I get more and more used to being on my own again. I took a trip to the Greenmarket in Union Square this afternoon. After the rush of the holidays it was fairly mellow and I basked in a late afternoon glimpse of the sun. Followed by a trip to Trader Joe's, which is always a test of patience and determination to get through the lines, to stock up for the week on healthy, wholesome items like brown rice, spinach, light coconut milk, sweet potatoes, almond milk, etc. Plus a last minute purchase, the only carbonated sweet beverage I will buy (I refuse to call it 'soda'),
REED'S EXTRA GINGER BREW. This stuff is the real deal. Like they make in Jamaica, 'mon'. Imagine standing in a line wrapped all the way around the store for a half hour. You're bound to pull some items off the outer rim shelves that weren't on your list.
Then off to a hot, sweaty, lovely and divine yoga class at NewYorkYoga. It was the first time I had been to this studio and I loved it. My friend and amazingly beautiful and talented teacher, Rachel Page was leading this class and I love her flow and sequencing. It always feels so right on my body. I came home to cook and enjoy an evening with a little Monday Night Football, a little chat with Mom, and this blog entry. I'm getting back to me. Slowly but surely.
Here is what I made tonight, which I thought was lovely and simple. I 'cheated' and used a bag of pre-washed and pre-cut root vegetables consisting of parsnips, sweet potatoes and butternut squash that I picked up during my Trader Joe's visit. And I couldn't be happier about it.
ROOT VEGETABLE ROAST:
Variety of root vegetables cut in cubes (Parsnips, Sweet Potato, Winter Squash, Rutabaga)
Brussel Sprouts (washed and halved)
4-5 Garlic Cloves
Yellow or Red Onion
Olive Oil
Quality Sea Salt and Pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 375*. Place all vegetables in large mixing bowl and pour olive oil liberally over vegetables. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and stir and mix with hands (I've said this before . . . it makes an AMAZING salt scrub for your hands! Who needs a manicure?!?) Dump mixture into baking dish or casserole dish large enough so all are touching bottom of dish. Bake for 35-45 minutes, depending how thick your cuts are or how well done you like your vegetables. Serve warm. Excellent side dish for hearty winter meat dishes. But me? I just dumped them over a wild brown rice mix. To me it was heaven. Simple and beautiful.
All is quiet in the apartment. My phone doesn't ring as often and my messages are fewer. But I have many more recipes to post and blogs to write. This is the healthiest way I can think of to help myself and help others, too. Thank you.