As I've turned the corner on 40, I've found myself willing to take short cuts that would have been inconceivable to my earlier self. A few prime examples:
I wasn't sure how many stores I would have to go to but as luck would have it, I struck gold on my first try. Safeway has a small specialty produce section stocked with things like tomatillas, shallots, etc. That's where I found fresh okra. Victory! I grabbed what looked to be about a cup's worth and proceeded on my merry way to finish my list.
At the check out, the cashier didn't recognize okra. She asked me what it was, so I told her. Then she asked me to spell it for her. This is the ultimate foodie badge of honour - when your ingredients are so obscure, the staff don't even know what they are. High-five! Now, I know there are gradients of foodies out there and the ones that make deep-fried crickets or sea urchin stew would probably find my okra quest more than a little banal. It's all in your frame of reference. Compared to my friend Deb (who thought I should look for okra in the spice aisle) I'm a wild adventurer. And really - for me it isn't about making the weirdest thing I can but about enjoying the comfort of good food. Food that tastes good and food that feels good. If that takes some extra effort at times that's okay because to me it's worth it. I don't feel like I get much ROI from sweeping the floors but having nourishment for the body and the soul is an investment worth making.
Oh and the gumbo - it was delicious!
- I have been known to run errands after a run or gym session, still wearing my sweaty disgusting workout wear and with my hair looking hobo-esque. (Inevitably these are the times when I will bump into people from work or casual acquaintances from my social circle.) I know I should care more (or at least enough to bring a change of clothes with me) but I just can't muster up the energy to make myself fresh for Extra Foods. (Because let's be honest, it's not the poshest place on the planet. It might be different if I were schlepping to a Whole Foods.)
- I used to sweep the floors daily, which morphed into weekly and now...honestly, I'm not even sure. I just kind of wait for the dust bunnies to get big enough so that I can pick them up because it seems much more efficient that way. And speaking of floors....one time Dennis threw out my mop and I couldn't even pinpoint when it happened, that's how often I scrub the floors. I figure between the dog and the occasional swipe with a wet paper towel, I should be good. I just don't see the point of floors that are so clean you can eat off them. If I wanted to eat off the floor, I wouldn't have picked out that nice dining room set.
- I routinely bypass sorting the laundry. I know there are some people who meticulously separate into lights, darks, brights, delicates, etc. Not me! I grab the handfuls closest to the top and throw 'em in. That's right, my washing machine is like a beautiful melting pot - no segregation, just harmony. Now, if I have something that's a bright colour and I haven't washed it before, I will throw it in with other brights or towels/sheets. But for the most part - it's all mingling together. And 99.9% of the time this causes absolutely no problems.
I wasn't sure how many stores I would have to go to but as luck would have it, I struck gold on my first try. Safeway has a small specialty produce section stocked with things like tomatillas, shallots, etc. That's where I found fresh okra. Victory! I grabbed what looked to be about a cup's worth and proceeded on my merry way to finish my list.
At the check out, the cashier didn't recognize okra. She asked me what it was, so I told her. Then she asked me to spell it for her. This is the ultimate foodie badge of honour - when your ingredients are so obscure, the staff don't even know what they are. High-five! Now, I know there are gradients of foodies out there and the ones that make deep-fried crickets or sea urchin stew would probably find my okra quest more than a little banal. It's all in your frame of reference. Compared to my friend Deb (who thought I should look for okra in the spice aisle) I'm a wild adventurer. And really - for me it isn't about making the weirdest thing I can but about enjoying the comfort of good food. Food that tastes good and food that feels good. If that takes some extra effort at times that's okay because to me it's worth it. I don't feel like I get much ROI from sweeping the floors but having nourishment for the body and the soul is an investment worth making.
Oh and the gumbo - it was delicious!