NFR: Goodbye for now

This has been a long time coming. And while I could give protracted explanations, excuses, or whatever, I'd like to think that it's not really my style. I'm going to take some time away from here, from this space, from TWD. Hopefully it won't be forever, but I just need to get the rest of my life straightened out first.

TWD: Chocolate Pots de Creme

If you didn't know, one of my favorite blogs to read and use as dinner inspiration is Bridget's. The number of times I see things she has made and go - yep, that's dinner tonight! ... Well, it's an embarrassing number. And even more impressive, I actually make them! You see, I read a lot of blogs, and a lot of them post dishes that make me want to make them, but they just don't end up getting made. Either it's too time intensive, or I forget about them, or they call for ingredients I don't normally keep on hand, and they just languish in my Google Reader. But Bridget's - they're accessible, they're full of pantry staples, and they always work. Now that, friends, is an impressive feat.

But that's just an introduction. Why am I mentioning it when I'm supposed to be talking about chocolate pots de creme? Well, it all comes back to this post from her, just a couple weeks ago. Yes, it's about fettuccine alfredo, which I love. But it's also about Bridget, striking a balance between health and happiness. It's hard, right? Everywhere, you see those two extremes - on the one hand, cream and butter and chocolate and ohmygodweightgain. On the other, applesauce for butter or oil, flax seeds for eggs, and ohmygodletsrunforamarathon. And it's hard. Yes, you can cut out a daily wine habit, only eat dessert once or twice a week, and work out every day for at least an hour. You can eat your vegetables, eat less red meat, and substitute whole grains for pasta. But how far do you go? When do you reach the point of diminishing returns, where the worry and the healthy habits intrude on your ability to have a happy, healthy life? At what point is it just no longer worth it??

 
I was so happy to see Bridget acknowledge that tug-of-war. It's hard. It's hard, after doing all you believe to be reasonable, to sit back and say enough's enough. I will have that cookie. I will drink that glass of wine, even though it's Tuesday, because damnit, I want a glass of wine with dinner! It's hard to look in the mirror and realize that in fact, you are doing everything right. Crazy how difficult it is to accept that fact, isn't it? To say, as I did just last week - no, I don't fit into those jeans from high school, and that's okay. I was underweight and overtraining then. I ran 40 miles a week. Of course I was skinnier! But it's not worth it to strive for the unattainable now. Instead, I'll be okay with my body as it is, because it gets me through 5 mile runs with (relative) ease. It gets me through hikes with minimal soreness. And hell, J thinks it's damned attractive, and really - guys have better perspective on our bodies than we do.

 
So yes, I will eat these chocolate pots de creme.

 
Not only that, I will be super excited that they were chosen by Christine, who is the friend I miss the most from my years in Wisconsin. Thank you to all of the TWD hosts this month for letting her pick first, since her actual pick was to fall on her due date. Yeah. Her due date. Go to her blog and wish her luck, because she's going to be one kickass mother and I'm beyond thrilled for her. Oh yeah, and those cats her blog is named after? I miss them. Bonks and Rosey are almost as incredibly adorable as Annabelle is.

Last Week: Toasted Almond Scones
Next Week: Corniest Corn Muffins