Eat To Live & Live To Give

Now that I have cable again (uggh!) I've been bombarded with cheery commercials all promising unparalleled holiday joy. As a wise woman once sang, “I am a material girl” and it’s painfully obvious that I am “living in a material world”.

Every year we spend billions “making merry”. As a culture we tend to overdose on materialism. I think it's okay to enjoy the finer things in life, but in moderation. After all, what are we working for if not to be happy, enjoying food and gifts with our loved ones? 

With that being said, I still empathize with those that have grown disenchanted by the holidays, those that look around and see selfish, instant gratification-obsessed, unhappy people. So while I think nothing wrong with the enjoyment of giving and getting the material things in life, it’s no secret that for many people, the holidays have become the least wonderful time of the year.

Keep Calm & Compost

With all the bad news this week (I think we all know what I’m referring to) it’s nice to take solace in the simple things, like fresh air, nutritious food, and getting dirty! I am scared of what the future will bring, or take away, but I’m trying to approach these anxieties in a Zen-like manner; this is my mantra: the only moment is the one I’m in, and the most I can do is what I can do with my two hands, right now… which is why it’s time to compost!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Earlier this week my friend Brian Muro (AKA Ms. Muro) came for a visit. With the sun finally shining, we hit the boardwalk on our bicycles and road all the way to Ocean City and back. Along the way we made time to stop for (my favorite) homemade ice cream at the one and only Margate Dairy Bar in Margate...

First taste of summer: homemade soft serve ice cream!

Taking a well earned break and enjoying the view...

After nearly 3 hours of battling the winds whipping off the ocean, ice cream never tasted so good! It gave us just enough energy to get home and cook dinner. In a rare reversal of roles, Ms. Muro took the lead in the kitchen and prepared an exquisite creation consisting of salmon, broccoli, string beans, onions & garlic bread...



For years now, every time I cook for Brian, he says to me: "I really have to cook for you" but talk is cheap my friend and as Ms. Muro herself would say, the proof is in the pudding, or haricots verts as the case was this week.

All is well that ends well though and my tastebuds would have to agree that this scrumptious chef d'oeuvre was worth the (oh so long) wait. But anyone who knows anything knows that perfection cannot be rushed, which is why freshly peeled and chopped garlic, hand prepped veggies, fresh herbs (more turmeric!), and patience were the key ingredients here. The result?

Pleasure of the purest kind...

As you can plainly see, our trip and cuisine were both phenomenal. And as usual, we enjoyed one another's company to the max! Most of our time was spent being silly, as was the case here:

Ms. Muro sporting the shirt I got him for his birthday

But what makes each others company so rewarding is that it exists as a dynamic balance between gay (pun intended) merry making and fruitful activity. Our friendship is a perfect coming together of imperfect and chaotic energies that have the power to excite, inspire and challenge our preconceived identities; this connection feeds off good fun, good food, and a willingness to explore the uncharted territory before us.

Life isn't perfect, but find a reason to smile (laugh, cry, scream, dance...) anyway and keep looking straight ahead, or as Brian says, "gayly forward".  There will always be time for work, but be sure to enjoy all of life's pleasures and the people you share them with, along the way.

Sometimes, girls (and guys) just wanna have fun :)