Summer Days
Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there 🙂
Dad, we need more (recent) pictures of the two of us.
And also…
I now have a niece!!
I’m off meeting her as we speak (hopefully), so in the meantime let me share some summer Saturday moments.
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I generally consider myself to be a happy person, but there are times when I feel especially happy.
Whenever I’m in Disneyland, for instance.
This is the face of someone who’s a little too excited to have just ridden Indiana Jones.
And summertime in general is another one of those happy times. Once the warmer temps show up and school is out, I shed my sarcastic winter skin (oh, who am I kidding, I’m always sarcastic) and turn into full-time happy Lauren.
You’ll like her, I promise.
Yesterday, while trouncing around at the Boulder Farmer’s Market, I felt full-time happy Lauren mode setting in.
Maybe because locally-grown, fresh, gorgeous produce makes me happy.
Or fresh made pastries.
Or seeing the Justin’s nut butter tent.
And snagging some sweet stickers. Hello, advanced alliteration!
I also got to watch a cooking demonstration!
I’ll admit I was not all that excited when I learned that the chef would be demonstrating how to make hollandaise sauce. I know I just posted about not fearing food, but hollandaise scares me. Not because it’s made of butter and egg (fat and cholesterol?? the horror!!), but because the way it looks really grosses me out. It’s kind of jiggly, no?
I stayed because blanched asparagus was on the demonstration list as well.
Clearly, I was really into the asparagus.
Pass those samples out already, will ya??
But as it turns out…
When made well, hollandaise can be pretty… okay. I won’t say good, the look of it still scares me.
Restaurant hollandaise has never tasted (or looked) like this!
And I can’t even describe the happiness this little basil plant has given me.
I cannot wait to have fresh basil on hand all the time!!!! Like I said, I’m happy.
I took it home to sit in an empty peanut butter jar until I get a real pot.
This just further proves how useful empty pb jars are.
And the day ended beautifully with a nice walk home from work and this sunset.
Check out those mountains.
Yep, my blissful mood is still in full force 🙂
Here’s to a wonderful Father’s Day!
What makes you felt truly and deeply happy?
Fabulous Friday
Y’all are so fabulous. I loved reading all your comments on my last post. I knew you’d have my back on the whole gluten/dairy thing. And I’m glad I ignored Joey when I asked whether I should publish the post and he gave me the “aren’t you afraid you’re coming off as bitchy?” look.
And for the record, sounding bitchy is not on my list of things I’m afraid of.
Anyways, you know what else is fabulous?
Dinners home-cooked by yours truly.
Jess’s “Mind Your Peas and ‘Shrooms”
That I doubled and have been feasting on for dinner when I work late.
Is it just me or do my photography skills need some work lately? I think they’re getting worse, instead of progressing…
So excuse my plate of grey mush, it really was good.
Also fabulous,
Sandwiches.
Seriously, sandwiches never get old.
Especially when they involve sprouts, eggs, pickles and mustard.
And yes I did need to cut that egg into triangles then immediately take a bite out of two of the pieces. I could say it was for practical purposes but really, I was just hungry.
And no lunch is complete without…
A fabulous salad.
There’s almonds, raisins and basil hiding in there. And for the record, basil added to a salad is, you guessed it, fabulous.
Hiking with your sister in Boulder on a Friday morning = fabulous.
Getting lost and finishing a hike that’s supposed to take 2 hours in 45 minutes is slightly less fabulous, but at least we still saw some fun things.
Like deer.
I had this feeling that it could sense my fear and that if I stared at it in the eyes any longer, it would assume I was trying to challenge him to a duel. One in which I would inevitably lose.
It’s safer to look at them from the car.
Hello, Boulder, you’re looking beautiful today.
Looking fabulous in that tie-dye, sister.
And one other thing that’s fabulous?
Sandwiching peanut butter and raisins between two halves of a banana.
And anything so peanut buttery it requires a fork to eat it.
Oh yes I did.
Other things that have been fabulous today?
The nap I just took and the fact that it’s Friday! <— I don’t know why I just linked this. Click at your own discretion.
What are you doing this fabulous Friday?
When Did We Get So Scared?
I grew up in a normal household. Sure, we had the occasional food/drink rules, like no cereal with sugar as the first of second ingredient, poptarts had to be unfrosted, Kool-aid only made it home when Dad was in charge and those sugar wafer cookies were out altogether (you know the ones I mean!).
But really, I don’t feel like I missed out on anything growing up. And I don’t think I was taught to fear any foods. Dairy and gluten were all normal parts of my life, so maybe that’s why I’m so bothered by how these foods are so taboo lately.
When did we get so scared of certain foods?
**This is the part where I tell you that I know many people have serious allergies to dairy and gluten and I am not attacking anyone who does or suggesting you eat anything you’re allergic to!
Also, I understand veganism is personal lifestyle choice and I would never insult anyone who has made the choice to eliminate animal products from their life. If you truly believe in something, all the more power to you!**
Maybe it’s because so many people are being diagnosed with sensitivities/allergies that dairy and gluten have gotten such a bad rap, or because they’re associated with the the carb monster and fat monster respectively, but I’m here to tell you I don’t subscribe to those fears.
In fact, I love dairy.
Always have, always will.
And guess what else. I also love my health, so maybe I’m not eating all three of these products in one meal, but I don’t believe in making things off limits.
This includes fresh, crusty gluten-y bread.
With cheese.
And maybe even some meat. Because when you’re body craves something, you should listen and give it what it needs.
Hello, yogurt, I know you’re hiding under there somewhere.
All I’m saying is that while many people suffer from dairy and gluten intolerances, many others don’t. Don’t get caught up in the dairy/gluten-free hype. If you don’t have an allergy don’t feel pressured into eating a certain way just because it seems like everyone around you is.
(Oops, there’s that stripped towel…)
Hi, my name is Lauren and I eat gluten and dairy. And the occasional meat product, when I crave it. And I drink almond milk because I think it tastes better, not because I think it’s better for me than real milk.
And I fear nothing.
Except bees. And public speaking. And my sister’s driving.
I digress.
What taboo foods do you eat?
Lauren Loves Good Food 