WIAW: Comfort Foods
Happy Wednesday, all!
Maybe it’s the encouraging and heartwarming comments I got on yesterday’s post, or the Christmas stuff that’s out at work, or the fact that I have today off and have plans for baking cookies and curling up on the couch with my book, but today has me positively giddy.
And you know what else has me giddy? Comfort foods.
As the weather slowly changes, comfort foods become more and more appealing to me. I’m embracing it whole-heartedly.
Wanna see?
Pre-yoga snack:
White chocolate always says comfort.
I got the prime spot in class — right in the corner where the two mirrored walls meet — which means I actually got to see my poses. I’ve seriously lost all former dancer flexibility. I’m pretty sure I can’t straighten my legs during any pose. C’est la vie.
Breakfast:
Earl Grey tea.
Topped with some hot frothy soy nog.
If you want to see a girl’s eyes light up, direct her to the soy nog. Or is that just me?
Next up, chocolate mint milk!
A modest pancake stack.
Or should I say a modestly topped chocolate chip mint pancake stack?
There’s nothing modest about chocolate and mint.
Lunch:
Leftover BBQ Chickpea Pizza.
Green beans on the side.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.
I.LOVE.PIZZA.
But what’s not to love about soft pillowy dough and melty cheese?
Pizza = comfort.
Dinner:
Chickpea Potpie with Cornbread Crust
Last week, I passed up buying a large bag of cornmeal because in the past 4 years that I’ve really been cooking, I’ve never needed cornmeal.
In the past week, I’ve made cornbread, cornbread stuffing and cornbread crust.
Maybe I should have just bought that bag.
But then I wouldn’t have any excuse to make multiple trips to Whole Foods. Solely to get cornmeal out of the bulk bin, of course.
This recipe was really easy, really quick and really delicious.
I’m a fan of anything that actually takes as long to bake as the directions say.
Quiche does not fall under that category.
Oh and in case you need some convincing to try this one, Joey told me “it’s better than Marie Calendar, it tastes like those $1 pot pies I used to eat!”
I’m not sure what’s more alarming, that my cooking tastes like it cost a dollar, or that Joey used to eat something that cost a dollar.
Neither are very comforting, but that’s why I have pizza and pancakes.
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What are your favorite comfort foods?
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten today/yesterday?
Thanks to Jenn of Peas and Crayons for hosting the WIAW party — head on over for more foodinspiration <— I just made up a word.
And thank to you all who read everyday and left such nice comments yesterday. Seriously, they made my heart melt 🙂
Thoughts on Discouragement
I’ve been writing this blog for over a year.
Don’t get me wrong, I love what I’ve created. I love that I get to share stories, food, photography and happiness with everyone and anyone who has ever read a post, but sometimes I can get a little discouraged.
I would be lying if I told you that I don’t have days where I see how much others’ blogs have progressed, how they have hundreds of comments, are asked to do product reviews or host giveaways and get down on myself.
In fact, I’d by lying if I said I didn’t say “I quit, I’m not doing this anymore,” just a couple days ago when I looked at Friday’s post and had 3 comments total. Then the doubt sets in.
“Was that a bad post?”
“Should I just take it down?”
“What am I doing wrong??”
Then I read posts about someone trying my recipe, or have someone tell me at a bar that they made my cookies or get a comment from a family member in another state and it all seems worth it.
I don’t have a fancy camera.
Or a self-hosted blog.
Or a giant fan base.
And I don’t host giveaways.
Or pump out 10 awesome recipes a week.
Or get voted into food blog competitions.
But that’s okay.
I do this because I love to write and share those stories, food, photography and happiness (and sometimes sarcasm :P) with anyone who happens to come across my little spot on the internet.
And if one day, someone asks me to host a giveaway or I blossom into a famous blog writing dynamo, it will just be an added bonus.
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How do you combat feelings of discouragement?
Do you ever compare yourself to other bloggers?
Lessons from the Weekend
#1 I don’t like cappuccinos.
Ordering a cappuccino might make you feel sophisticated, but drinking half a cup of foam will make me feel like… well like you just drank half a cup of foam.
#2 Bloody Mary > cappuccino.
Especially when it’s extra spicy.
My desire to drink a BM was foiled by the fact that I was about to go to work, but I’m coming for you next time, Spicy Mary.
#3 Wind sucks.
I have no picture proof of this, but the fact that I had dirt all over my face, plus leaves in my purse and my bra can attest to the fact.
#4 I’m never grocery shopping at Safeway again.
Reasons being: worst produce ever, worst organization ever, worst organic supply ever.
Never again, never again.
#5 If you’re short on time, don’t try shopping at the grocery store that has just been remodeled, is hosting a grand opening, and has a line outside the door.
I don’t know what that line was for, I just knew I wasn’t waiting in it.
Hence the trip to Safeway.
#6 If you’re short on time, and because you have to buy groceries at Safeway, slightly irritated, don’t bring your significant other.
Despite what you’d think, having twice the number of shoppers, doesn’t mean it takes half the time.
In fact, it’s probably just the opposite.
Joey gets an A+ for being a good boyfriend, an F for being a good grocery shopper.
#7 There’s a new pancake in town.
Red-Eye Velvet Pancakes Red velvet buttermilk batter topped with espresso infused maple syrup, a touch of cream cheese frosting and chopped pecans.
I die.
And because there was also an Ichabod Crane pancake and a sweet potato pancake on my plate, I was okay with having waited 45 minutes in the wind for a table at Snooze.
Ichabod Crane’s Pancakes Our buttermilk pancakes sprinkled with streusel and topped with pumpkin cream, candied pumpkin seeds, and a chili-spiced Vermont maple syrup.
Which brings me to what is probably the most important lesson of the weekend…
#8 When you wake up to someone whispering “Snooooooze” in your ear, toss all previous plans out the window and go get you a big plate of pancakes.
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What lesson did you learn this weekend?
Are you a fan of all things red velvet? I think we all know my answer.
What are the names of your grocery store? Anyone have a Winn Dixie or a Piggly Wiggly??
Lauren Loves Good Food 