Favorites (And a Recipe)
November 14, 2013 § 9 Comments
Favorite Things
Sometimes, Aiden and Lindsey post about their favorite things, and I love these insights into what people love or a fabulous thing I have not yet encountered. To be honest, I feel a bit silly doing this myself, as I don’t quite trust my own tastes enough to think that anyone else might share them. Let’s be clear: I am not a fancy person. I am a grilled cheese and tomato soup sort of person. Maybe organic grilled cheese and tomato soup, but still.
Nevertheless, I thought I would do a Fall Favorite Things post about a few things I am loving lately.
1. These little boys: The first two favorite things are in the photo below, doing their homework, each telling each other how easy it is. Well, Oliver is doing his homework, and Gus – who doesn’t have homework because he only goes to school for 2.5 hours a day – is doing a kindergarten workbook I bought for him, mostly to keep him from doing disturbingly accurate Danny Divito impressions from The Lorax (which I love but which drives his brother crazy).
“Homework” time
2. This recipe for tomato sauce which is the best I’ve ever had, and this soup recipe*, which I have adapted from Eating the Alkaline Way (see note below). For breakfast, I highly recommend this smoothie, which is fabulous, although you should probably like beets before you try it. (I also adapt this by nixing the ice. Brrr.) The reason I love these recipes so much is because I have been a bit stressed out lately and ate way too many sandwich cookies and Halloween candy last week, neither of which I even like. (Ah, emotional eating. Just when I thought I kicked you to the curb). The soup is like a big warm hug, which you might need in November.
3. This top from Prana, (which also feels like a hug) this top from Lululemon in aquamarine, and these jeans from the Gap, because I have no idea how to wear skinny jeans and I don’t like the way boyfriend jeans fit. Also, after buying tops from Lulu and Prana, I can only afford jeans from the Gap.
4. These books: The Good House, by Ann Leary and Cuckoo’s Calling by JK Rowling, both of which I listened to on Audible. Oliver and I are also reading Rowling’s Chamber of Secrets, so I am getting a double dose of her fabulous writing, which is always incredibly soothing despite the dark topics on which she writes.
5. And these books: Kings of the Road and Thank You For Your Service, and Living Your Yoga, all of which I am reading.
6. These trees. 
7. Country music. Whhhaaatt? But seriously. Having spent two summers in The South, I can now understand most of the words. I also love this song by Boy, which I sometimes play in yoga classes, and this song by Jeffrey Foucault.
8. This post from Katrina, this post from Lindsey, and this poem from Jena. Also, this post from Jen, whose yoga class I took a few weeks ago when Scott and I went to Charlotte.
9. These words from (the other) Pam. Last summer, when we were living in a crappy hotel, I lost my ability to read and watched 5 seasons of The Office, which I hadn’t ever seen (I warned you I wasn’t very cool). I know there are way better shows on TV, but The Office now has a permanent place in my heart.
10. This interview with Dani Shaprio on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday. I love, love, love that she said what kept her stuck in the beginning was permission. So much of what I struggle with is whether or not I am allowed to have something.
11. This guy: I am doing my 500 hour teacher training with Rolf which is pretty magical. Although he now has me meditating for 30 minutes a day, and I swear, that stuff should come with a warning label.
At the end of 200 hour teacher training
Vegetable and Tofu Hot Pot (adapted from Eating the Alkaline Way), by Natasha Corrett and Vicki Edgson
1 tablespoon vegetable or coconut oil or ghee
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1/2 onion, diced
2-3 carrots, in rounds
2-4 new potatoes, in small cubes
1 cup diced butternut squash (or more depending)
1 cup diced red peppers
3 2/3 cups vegetable broth
2 sprigs thyme
4 ounces cubed tofu
miso to taste
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan and sauté onions until translucent. Add rest of vegetables and sauté for a minute or two. Then add broth and thyme and bring to a boil. Then turn heat to low, cover pot and let simmer for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add tofu and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Dissolve desired miso in some warm water. Serve soup into bowls, and then add miso to bowls. Don’t add the miso when it’s too hot or it will destroy the digestive properties. Enjoy!
Walking on My Hands 
Thank you for this feast. I can’t wait to start sampling.
Oh, you! Thank you for giving yourself PERMISSION to do a “Favorites” post! (Honored to be included in your list, and will click every link by the end of they day, I’m sure!). I’ve been thinking of doing a “favorites” post myself, as my “love” list gets longer by the day — and what’s better than sharing what we love with the people whom we love? You have inspired me! As usual! xo
I love that you did this, and I think you are so cool. I also love those jeans, and have some delicious new recipes. Will click on the other links when I am not at work. I have been thinking of taking Rolf’s teacher training. Someday I may just do that. In the meantime I write five things I am grateful for every morning (and have been doing for the last 2 plus years, am drinking less caffeine, and have started doing a little yoga again. Plus, have brought it to work to share at groups, chair yoga that is. All that to say I am a work in progress and your posts are always inspirational that there is always more to explore. Thank you!
PS Two things I am loving right now are two books by Anne Lamott. Help Thanks Wow. Read that. Awesome. And Stitches. Listening to that today on my hour commute, driving over the mountains with tears and laughter to accompany me.
THank you! I just ordered those 2 books. Can’t wait!!!
I love this list!!! And I love your taste and your favorites. xoxo
Anyone who describes herself as a grilled cheese and tomato soup kind of girl is the ultimate tastemaker, as far as I’m concerned. Thanks for this delicious list today, my dear friend. xoxo
You are amazing! Thank you for loads of new nourishment and for being such an inspiration. XO.
I like how you are putting your likes front and center, especially following “Choice.”
Oh, another favorite post!!! I love Lindsey’s and Aiden’s, and love your writing, so this is a perfect combination! Will try both recipe’s (not sure about the beet smoothie though). I understand the country thing. I’ve come to love bluegrass, when – being from Europe – seven years ago I did not even know it existed… 🙂