It was funny how similar in sentiment Hugh and my Valentine's cards were. They essentially said "I don't know how the hell we are going to pull all of this off, but I have you, and that's the only reason I believe we're capable and I won't die in the next few months." We get the keys to our house tomorrow and it's safe to say both of us are equal parts scared and excited. This apartment, my first home with Hugh, is tough to leave. I'll miss the excessive pantry space here and my favorite routine beach walk. There are quirks here that in their own weird way contribute to it feeling known and ours - like all the stray cats that hang out in the front area, especially when they're mating (it's true, we call it the cat brothel, you've never seen anything like it), or the little old lady whose kitchen window looks right into ours who I try to not make eye contact with while I am eating something standing over the sink. We made our first book here and I showed Hugh my long awaited positive pregnancy test on those front steps. I just wrangled down the Christmas lights we've had framing our front door since our first month here, which we intentionally left up year round because every once in a while it was nice to come home to a sparkly welcome. The ice cream truck that consistently makes a neighborhood round at about 6pm. I assume it's his second job with those hours. They aren't exactly prime time for street-side ice cream purchases. I wish I had bought something from him just to show support. We built a life here and established roots in our first few years of marriage. I know this home well and in the throws of change, it makes leaving the familiar that much harder. We are on to new pages of another chapter, and moving forward offers its own set of rewards I'm looking forward to knowing. My thoughtful friend posted this quote on her blog and I love it, I keep going back to it. I am a lady who likes a plan, a substantial nest egg and having a general grasp on what to expect. They're bad habits, really, when you hold on to them too tight. I think there will be some sort of freedom from releasing those safeties as this settles into my bones.
"We think the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It's just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, room for relief, for misery, for joy." - Pema Chodron
Because this week will mostly be between places, moving and cleaning and painting and such, I tried to stock the fridge with foods that can be assembled in five minutes. Sandwich goods, granola bars, cut fruit and veggies and a salad like this one that will hold up well for a few days of quick meals. It's crunchy and filling, and while simple, is just the thing I need on hand right now. It takes about 7 minutes to put together and maybe that is the sort of time frame you're cooking in these days, as well.
It may be a little snoozy around here for the next couple weeks as we get things up and running in a new kitchen but we're excited to emerge on the other side. Until then.
POWER GREEN SALAD // Serves 4
Inspired by An Edible Mosaic
This salad is pretty crunchy. I'm still eating from the bowl on day three and don't find it soggy at all. That said, it would be great for a plane ride or delivering to a new mom/sick friend etc. It's a sturdy one. I added parmesan because it holds up, but feta or goat cheese will work here too. It's pretty simple, change as you wish.
- 3 cups ribbed and chopped kale
- handful of chopped parsley
- 1 cup cooked black lentils
- 1 green apple, diced
- half an english cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup toasted pepitas
- 1 cup shaved parmesan
- dressing
- one clove garlic
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 1 Tbsp. dijon
- juice of one lemon
- 1/3 cup pumpkin seed oil or extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper
In a large salad bowl, combine the kale, parsley, lentils, apples, cucumber, pepitas and parmesan.
For the dressing, blitz everything in a food processor or blender, with salt and pepper to taste, until the garlic is smooth.
Pour the dressing on the salad and toss well to coat. Garnish with more parmesan if you wish. The salad will keep in the fridge for a full day and slowly loose it's crunch from there.