"My life as told by food"

Alright Jessica, you're on. I thought of all these during my incredibly ridiculous, mandatory-attendance lecture I had this morning. I think I'll do 12 so I can respond about cauliflower.

1. I love cauliflower and broccoli cooked not raw. When I was living with my mom and sister for a little while a couple years ago my mom would occasionally steam some cauliflower for no reason and Amelia and I would fill a bowl with plain steamed cauliflower, sit down in front of a Project Runway marathon (confession!) and eat it with our hands like popcorn until the whole pot was gone. See if it works on your kids.

2. I used to make the best garbanzo bean spread with a pastry cutter but haven't bought any good garbanzo beans since I've lived in Eugene, which seems weird. I don't use any oil or water, just tons and tons of fresh lemon juice - it's so good.

3. I hate to admit it with my natural food and local shopping advocacy but Safeway brand ice cream is so so good for the money. Mocha Almond Fudge and Cherry Almond Fudge especially. I also but Ramen when I'm there (I am just spillin' my guts today!) Let me tell you, though, if you get sick go buy Ramen, carrots, spinach (whether they're available in season locally is between you and your God - you don't need them) and ginger root. You can make it in like a half second when you feel crappy and starving and you'll feel so much better. You just have to cut the carrots thinly so they cook fast with the noodles and spinach. The ginger takes the most effort but it's the thing that makes you feel better so quit whingin'.

4. Lane and I need no freezer. We've been known to eat an entire box of Tofutti Cuties while on a walk in good weather. Needless to say, none had the chance to melt.

5. On my 19th birthday Tom and I had been dating for 2 weeks. He made up this ridiculous and totally believable story to surprise me with an indoor picnic (February). We ran up the stairs to his apartment "so I could see the insane pamphlet the trucker had given him while he grabbed the wallet he'd forgotten". Instead there was a cardboard box-table laid with everything we'd ever eaten together. He'd run all over town buying wraps, pot stickers, olives, salads... it was such a feast! and so adorably romantic. We believe in eating well on birthdays - it is the best way to celebrate and there are far to few birthdays to worry about the cost of one meal. This year we're going to Cornucopia as we've signed up with them for a free meal on your birthday! I recommend this as that place is delicious (though I've only tried their hamburgers... because once you do you'd never order anything else).
6. I love the taste of coffee but it will never compare to the smell - I think it's the best smell in the world. It's so incredible but so entrapping! I hate the way that coffee makes me feel: Nervous, jittery, stomachache-y. Especially Mattson coffee because Tom and I make it as dark and thick as an abyss - an abyss full of caffeine and acid. I average about 8 ounces a day (more on Sundays, less every other day) on days I have more it's not made at home, so less deadly. Sometimes I stop for long periods of time but that smell! That damned smell! It always brings me back.
I love to drink it with lots of cream now because it's gentler on the stomach, cream tastes good, and I figure I'm restoring some of the calcium that being leached out of my bones.
The bed and breakfast we went to on our honeymoon was the perfect combination of old beauty and charm and modern style and convenience. They had an Italian coffee machine you could help yourself to that made the best cup of coffee and at breakfast the husband would bring you cups of coffee so you didn't have to get up. I want one.

OK, now I want some coffee. Six more to come in my next post.