Let’s Talk About FOOD

Good afternoon and hello! Hope you all are staying healthy, positive, and staying sane 😉 If there is one thing that my blog can possibly offer you, it is minutes of doing SOMETHING. My sister this morning sent me a link that helps your body mentally and physically, and it last for three minutes. What exactly is it? It is laying on your back with your legs against the wall. Easy enough. It is said to help blood flow to your core, ease stress, help you sleep, calms your nerves, relives swollen ankles, relives headaches, and improves digestion and for that, I am ALL here for it! For the benefits, of course, but also for the three minutes that take up my in home order days- yes, yes, and yes! I’m making jokes about this, not about what is currently going on in our world and what is surrounding us but making light of what we are being *temporarily* put up against. I realize that being told to stay at home, is absolutely nothing in the big picture. We could be ordered to do a whole lot worse. In just my opinion, we need to laugh. Especially during times like these when that is all that is left to do, and all that will keep us going. So with that said, no matter what the position you are currently in, and I know everyone is a different place in all of this, I think AND hope we can agree to take a happy dose of laughter, and own it!

Moving on to what has my heart and also what I said this certain blog was about… before I got side tracked. FOOD! Food I think is one of the most comforting things that is out there. For me, it brings back childhood memories, it holds traditions, it has religious values, and goes from generation to generation. It makes you feel good even when you may already be feeling good- Yes food is that powerful. I personally have always loved cooking starting around the age of 17. My first memory of making a dinner was a complete and full on DISASTER. I think my family could agree on that, although they all said it was “good” (bless their hearts)( Also, sorry, 13 years later.) Basically I was following a recipe that was online. It was a garlic Italian pasta dish. Garlic was the main highlight of it. So here I am, reading and seeing three bulbs of garlic. I had JUST started cooking. I did not know a bulb from a head which looking back, silly, SILLY, Abby. So, I asked my sister, Maggie, to help me peel all three garlic heads (again, supposed to be bulbs). She did. She even questioned if this was right, imagining how can all of this garlic possibly go into one dish. I vaguely remember her even asking “are you sure we need all this garlic?” She trusted me and if she didn’t (I’m almost positive she did not) , it was all out of love for her little sister who was trying to figure this cooking journey out and letting me take the lead. I did not realize bulbs and heads were different. As you can only imagine, we had three heads of garlic, not tiny bulbs like they had recommended, in our family dinner. It was awful. Insanely awful! Not one person in my family complained. They took bites. I even got compliments which, if you know my family, even if it is down right disgusting, they will give you props. They probably either went to bed really hungry, or had some food later. Years down the road, we still laugh about that. My mom always said she just wanted to support my interest in cooking and for that I am grateful. In the comments below, what is some of your first time cooking memories? I would love to hear about them!

Sunday night dinners, Saturday afternoon cookouts have always been a thing. In my family our Sunday dinners consist of typically, some sort of pasta (nope, not my 17 year old version of pasta), bread, meatballs, salad, and a dessert (or multiple if I’m being honest) In my earlier blog post, I said I can not wait for those gatherings to continue on. It will! I cant wait! Right now, my mouth is watering for my moms meatballs. Out of this world. BBQ’s and cookouts, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, brats, ribs, the list goes on. When you think about getting together, food is at the center of it. If you’re hosting, the question will always be “what can I bring?” Its the foundation of parties and or just small get togethers.

Who has ever heard of the 7 fishes? That is what my family does on Christmas eve. Granted it IS hard to get all of those fish dishes cooked to your exact liking, we manage and it is delicious! We do a pasta dish as well for those that do not care for fish, or simply want both- don’t blame ya! Aside from my family, there is so many traditions that many families have and I would love to hear about them. There is so much to learn through people, some traditions might just stick with someone that is reading this or YOUR comments.

On the topic of food, food is so versatile! Add ingredients or seasonings to recipes, take them out, make your own creation, follow a different idea. On that note, starting this Sunday I will make public my menu plan from Monday- Thursday. I’ll let you know what I’m making each day, along with the recipe link that you can follow. If it is something that I have my own recipe to, I will give instructions on here how to prepare and cook. I will provide you with a full grocery list. I encourage you to change it up! Monday maybe you aren’t feeling like grilled fish (for example), do something that maybe was meant for another day. Eliminate stuff you do not prefer, OR try something new. The worst? You don’t care for it and that is okay in my book. I encourage everyone reading this and if following this, leave comments. If there is anything that I could talk about, throw it out there. Tell me some of your BEST and WORST food experiences. Whether it was in your home, in a restaurant, in a different state, or even country let me know! If you have pictures, makes it all the better! I hope you keep cooking through this, keep making those awful mistakes and ruining dinners, turning back around and making the most fork or spoon licking meals, and enjoying the process as it goes. With all my love and foodie love,

Abby