I'm still hungry.

Just because my leg is broken doesn’t mean my appetite is. In fact, I think that it has grown in hopes of healing my fracture with carbs, sugar and alcohol. I'm a bottomless pit. In the beginning I convinced myself that I was, in fact, getting a great core workout everyday lifting my leg, hoisting myself up, and hopping around. Awwwww the power of the mind. I’m very good at convincing myself of whatever I want. Too bad my mind can’t burn all of these calories, too (even though I often think really, really hard about working out and sometimes I even break a sweat).

So not only has this fracture changed the appearance of my leg (where did all of the muscle go?!?!) but the rest of me has changed, too. Ugh. Not enjoying this. I often tell myself that there is just more of me to love and I have a more womanly figure (the power of the mind...). I can’t wait until I can start hiking, yoga, and aqua aerobics again. Yes, aqua aerobics. The class consists of me, my sister, and tons of old people in swim caps. We enjoy it thoroughly.

Not so sure about returning to softball, though. Turns out that all my team needed to do was get rid of me and then they would start winning. Maybe this was a set up. It was the plan all along. Now I watch the games from the stands and cheer good ol’ Shake n’ Bake on to victory while I secretly question their motives...

Anyone have any good exercise tips or classes for when I can get back in the game? Even with this Debbie Downer vibe I’m actually feeling quite inspired to get back in shape and function again. I need suggestions! Doctor’s appointment Monday and I’m banking on getting the green light to start physical therapy and hopefully exercise again soon! Help me find my new workout!

Overrated.

Halloween isn’t my favorite holiday by any means, but I usually enjoy dressing up and celebrating. Not this year. Perhaps it’s the knee brace and crutches, but I couldn’t think of any costume that sounded even remotely interesting. And no high heels?! What’s the point of dressing up?! We had a wonderful pizza and pumpkin-carving party on Friday, but that’s it. Instead of a Halloween party on Saturday, I chose to drink multiple margaritas at El Conquistador with the gay boy scouts (there were tons and they were fabulous!). SIDE NOTE: If you haven’t had these incredibly strong margaritas in Silverlake then you are SERIOUSLY missing out on life.

Last but not least, Sunday night was spent doing laundry at my parents’ house and then taking a nice tumble down the stairs because I forgot I was on crutches. I know this may sound stupid, but I actually often forget that I can’t walk. It’s been 7 weeks now, but I still forget. I went upstairs to get an old college book to prepare for an interview later in the week, and I got ¾ of the way down the stairs only to then go take a step with my broken leg. I realized I made a mistake when I couldn’t reach the step and I was slowly tilting forward and downward. Then came the flying crutches, book, and flailing limbs. Well, hello floor. It’s been a while since I’ve been face down here...

Thank god I’m ok (I think). I just got more swelling and aching, but I don’t think I re-injured it. The doctor already added 3 more weeks on because my leg is “not where it should be after 6 weeks.” REALLY?! REALLY!? I’ve done everything he said! Ugh. This blog post has gone to a point of no return. I’m going to ice my knee and cry. Maybe eat a salad. Enjoy a picture of our pumpkins.

Counter-Necessity!

My parents have been such a great help since I fractured my leg. They do big grocery runs, take the trash out, help tidy my apartment (including doing dishes), among other helpful tasks. My mom came by the other day when I was having an ant infestation. We were killing everything in sight, and moving food, spices, and counter-clutter out of the way. My mother was a true saint that day, and together we got to the source of the troubles and the little army hasn’t come back (with big thanks to the magic chalk my landlord gave me). It wasn’t hard to find most things after that because I was a part of the reorganization process. However, I didn’t remember moving my wine opener. I don’t consider that “counter-clutter,” that is a “counter-NECESSITY!”

You can imagine my growing fear as I was tearing apart my kitchen looking for the key to my heart! My $5.99 bottle of Smoking Loon Syrah was taunting me! I knew it had to be somewhere so I tried to calm myself down so my search actually had a chance. Then, I opened the last drawer in the kitchen (the one next to the fridge, near the ant carcasses) and there it was. Like a shining beacon of hope that my night was going to turn out alright. That glass (or 2) of Syrah that night never tasted so sweet.

My mother, of all people, should know how cruel it is to misplace someone’s wine opener. From now on it will forever stay as a “counter-necessity” and never be mistaken for “counter-clutter.” I’m sure you are as happy as I am that this one has a happy ending. I hope something this terrible never happens to you.

Until today...

I’m actually a pretty good driver. I do suffer from intense road rage and swearing blackouts, but other than that I’m good behind the wheel. The only accident I’ve ever had is with this small 2 foot tall wall that I couldn’t see when I was backing out of a driveway in high school. Until today...

My parking spot at my apartment is quite compact and has a nice white pole keeping me in line. Every time I pull in I watch my passenger side view mirror to make sure I clear it. I usually just squeak by. Until today...

As I pulled in I commented to myself how crazy it is that I’ve never hit the pole! My mind was really on the delicious sandwich on the seat next to me that I had just picked up from Larchmont Wine and Cheese. Then I heard it. I can’t even quite describe the sound, but it was painful. My heart stopped. I grabbed my crutches and hobbled to the other side of the car and there it was: my lovely green car now has a new, white accent. Oh, and I got the door handle, too. Don’t you worry. The car WAS in perfect condition! Until today...

At least I stayed true to form and only hit sturdy, planted, strong objects! Shit.

P.S. Oh Heeeey Dad! Yeah...I’m gonna call you about this in a minute. I think they can probably just buff it out...? Sorry.

Sweet, or Savory—that is the question

I love breakfast food. I could eat it for every meal. Sadly, when my grandmother passed away my dad wasn’t able to get her recipes. But, the one he remembers is one of my absolute favorites: Matzoh Brei. For those of you who don’t know this dish, it is scrambled egg with matzoh. My grandmother’s recipe is perfectly savory and slightly sweet with the sauteed sweet onion, garlic, butter, salt and pepper. Being such a die hard fan of this savory dish, it has always been hard for me to wrap my head around the idea of a sweet matzoh brei. Syrup or jam on my matzoh brei!? No thanks!

My boyfriend and I have often have the conversation as to which is better, and neither of us has conceded. I was having a craving, and decided to make it for breakfast. Rather than deal with a cranky breakfast partner, I made it both ways so we could both be happy and enjoy our matzoh brei of choice. It was a little extra work, but well worth our happy tummies. I’m sorry to report that I didn’t even try my sweet competition. The thought of syrup on my matzoh brei confused my stomach and head so much that I didn’t want to create any waves. I stuck to my savory and he stuck to his sweet. Maybe I’ll try the sweet version next time. Until then, I will be in my savory matzoh brei coma and be thinking about what to make for dinner.

Banana Walnut Bread By Request

I’m not gonna lie, I’m really good at following recipes. Once I’m comfortable with a dish I can get creative and add my own touches, but that comfort level usually takes about three preparations. I do, however, go free-form when I cook a Pasta Party. I learned how to do this from my mother. You basically take anything in the fridge that can go with pasta and you cook it up, add some garlic and parmesan, and you’re good to go! I actually did this the other night. My lovely friend April bought some fresh veggies for me at the farmer’s market and I decided it was the perfect time for a Pasta Party. It was delish! I put sweet onion, red bell pepper, white and purple eggplant and zucchini in a pan and cooked it up with olive oil and garlic, then added salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the mix. I crisped up some chicken sausage in another pan, added everything together in one harmonious bowl, sprinkled parmesan on top, and was in Pasta Party heaven!

But I digress. I found a very simple banana bread recipe online, and it turned out perfectly! Out of the three loaves I’ve made in the past two weeks (zucchini walnut, pumpkin walnut, and now banana walnut—yes, I bought a big-ass bag of walnuts and intend to use them all), I have to say that this one is my favorite! My boyfriend actually put in the request for the banana bread. I don’t usually take requests. I feel that a true chef, like any artiste, needs to feel passion (or extreme cravings) for what they make. This one turned out so well, though, that I think I might be taking more requests in the future :)

Here is the recipe if you want to try it at home. It doesn’t call for walnuts, so I just put enough in until I was happy. Enjoy!

Banana Walnut Bread Ingredients

• 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• However many walnuts you want--maybe 1/2 cup
  

Method

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.