Food | BulgingButtons

September 7, 2013
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Daily Prompt: Luxurious

Ah, the life of luxury. I wonder what THAT would be like? How many times has a thought like that crossed your mind? It’s not something I dwell on, but if I’m totally honest I have to admit that I’ve wondered it myself from time to time. A fancy house, fine dining, first class travel around the globe; it all sounds very glamorous. But then I stop and think about it, and realize that I really don’t covet those things. They sound great, but I don’t feel as though I’m missing out on anything by not having those luxuries.

Today’s WordPress daily prompt asks what one luxury I can’t live without. I thought about some of the luxuries I enjoy that I would miss terribly, but I would adapt, I’m sure. I love having access to the internet, but I suppose I could give up my connection. Fine chocolate is another luxury I enjoy, but if it was gone I’m sure I would find some other sweet to take its place. Likewise with my beloved Diet Coke. In fact it would be best for me to give up those particular luxuries in favor of fresh fruit and water, but I digress.

For me, the luxury that I would miss most is modern indoor plumbing. Yes, I’m serious. I would miss having hot water come out of the tap for washing dishes and warm for my shower. I would miss the ability to shower whenever I wanted to and to wash clothing inside my own home. Brushing my teeth would be a challenge, and the toilet? Well, I would miss that the most.

I’ve been camping. The real kind of camping where you get in a canoe in the Canadian wilderness with ten other little girls and a couple of hunky teenage counselors. The kind where you hike and cook over a campfire and swim in the freezing cold lake. With that type of camping, there are no air mattresses, no coolers, and certainly no toilets. Ew. Let’s just say I haven’t been camping in a very very long time.

Fast forward to modern times. Two and a half years ago I moved into my house. The master bathroom has a small room just for the toilet. For Christmas my sweetheart purchased and installed a brand new throne. It’s amazing. It has a dual flush, luxury height, and a non-stain finish in the bowl. The seat and lid don’t slam, and it never fails. It even has an impressive name, The Cadet Three. Some people may think it was an odd gift, but to me it is the epitome of luxury, and I would hate to be without it.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/daily-prompt-luxury/

September 4, 2013
by BulgingButtons 8 Comments

The Devil, Karma, and Frito Pie

You know those little angel and devil guys from the cartoons? The ones that sit on your shoulders? Well I think I have a pair of them hanging around me lately. Not only do I think I have them, I think they’re sparring like crazy. Recently it seems like when I do something positive, there’s something negative right on its heels. Maybe life is usually like that, but I’m just noticing it more, or maybe something is afoot in the cosmos.

Let me give you an example. The other day I did a favor for someone that involved a fair amount of time and effort. It wasn’t difficult, and I didn’t really mind doing it, but it did take a chunk of time that I would have rather spent doing something else. Regardless, I did it and was kind of patting myself on the back about what a nice person I was when I discovered, hours later, that I left my phone behind. Damn. It was nobody’s fault but my own. It took another hour to remedy the situation. Again, it wasn’t difficult, but it took time and effort. It made me think of the phrase, “no good deed goes unpunished.” Which I don’t even believe!

It got me to thinking. Is the universe attempting to achieve some sort of balance, or is it just me being an idiot?

The same has been true for my approach to diet and exercise lately. I’ve been doing my workouts with enthusiasm and gradually increasing their intensity. This is a good thing. I’ve also upped my intake of fresh fruits, and gotten in the habit of taking all my meds when they’re due. I used to forget doses, but I’ve changed the way I accomplish this task, and the new method has proven successful. I know what you’re thinking. So, what’s the problem? Well, it’s just that I can’t quite work out my portion control or say no to the delicious dinners my sweetheart has prepared. Recently we’ve enjoyed meatloaf, a shrimp boil, spaghetti, and fried chicken. It’s all delicious, and I’m truly grateful that he cooks. The thing is, though, that it’s so good that I have trouble limiting my intake of these wonderful foods.

And then there was the Frito Pie.

Have you heard of this? I hadn’t. And no, it’s not made of Frito’s and pie, just so you know. The recipe is simple:

1. Frito’s

2. Canned Chili

3. Cheese

Heat the chili, pour over the Frito’s, and top with as much cheese as you can grate. O. M. G. Yeah, it was that good.

Seriously, this girl does NOT need Frito Pie in her life. At all. Ever. (So says the angel on the shoulder) But, DANG, it was so yummy (the devil is enthusiastically nodding and grinning).

Maybe this whole plus minus thing is all the universe’s way of reaching for balance. I can respect that, but right now I need to shake off that devil and challenge the status quo.

August 18, 2013
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Fighting the Failing Feeling

I knew this was coming. I braced myself. I thought I was ready. Turns out I really wasn’t. My time off work ended and the last two weeks have been busy and hectic and a challenge. They have also been energizing and fun and satisfying, but they’ve been awful in terms of taking good care of myself. My sleep has been lousy, I haven’t exercised nearly enough, and I’ve been eating poorly. Turns out old habits are hard to break. I knew this, of course. I even tried to plan for it. The sad truth is, though, that at the end of a long and busy work day I find it difficult to exercise and prepare nutritious meals. I’m trying. And eventually I’ll get it, but I’m not quite there yet. In the meantime, though, it would probably help if I stayed away from cinnamon bears and beer. UGH.