What have we learned?

I take in useful information all day, every day.  I listen to NPR and learn about world events, new medicine, and new perspectives.  I read blogs about personal finance, cooking, technology, business writing, DIY, the local scene, and even a blog by and about my fiance.

(Side note: I hadn't actually been to several of those URLs in months.  I read most of my blogs through Google Reader, which you should use because it's fantastic.)

So I take in a lot of information and ideas every single day.  Creative recipes, building plans for furniture, financial advice, which new tablet is best, etc...  The challenge I set for myself is sifting through all of it and figuring out how to use these ideas to best live my life. 

So that said, I love those moments where I'm able to use several ideas at once and make a really good decision, even a simple one.  These are the moments when I really feel like I'm following through on my beliefs - which otherwise seem to go so easily out the window in favor of convenience and/or money.  (I know, I know - it's terrible.)


This is all to say that last night I had one of those "on" nights, and all it took was making dinner.  Basically I wanted to use the vegetables Ceejus and I got in our first CSA share of the season, and so I made a garlic scape pesto, using CSA veggies and some basil from our balcony garden.  I put the delicious sauce over some fish and jasmine rice, and used the remaining vegetables for side salads.

Simple enough, right?  So why did I feel so good about it?  Well here are some principles I was able to stick to through my homemade masterpiece:

• I used the resources available to me rather than spend time and money getting new stuff.
• I ate healthier.
• I prevented my veggies from going bad, so I didn't waste food.
• I gained the satisfaction of making a delicious dish.

...I have officially lost interest in this entry, so I'm cutting myself off.

Random things I like...the first edition

John Cusack said it best in High Fidelity:

"...what really matters is what you like, not what you are like... Books, records, films -- these things matter. Call me shallow but it's the fuckin' truth..."

I think people have a natural need to belong to social groups, and this leads people to define themselves by things they're into.  "I'm a runner," "I'm into horror flicks," "I only eat at independent pizza parlors."

I see no problem with this whatsoever.  The world is awash in stuff that we've created (and stuff that we haven't), and with so many things to try, I think it's cool to consider the items that have really made a positive impression on your life - even at a superficial level.

So without further adieu, I present a random list of things I've found in the world that make me happy:

• Mountain Dew - mostly the original, but LiveWire's great too
• Taco Bell
• RC Cola is totally underrated, but that's what I like about it
• Frisbee - I can play for hours and somehow I don't get bored
• Winnie the Pooh
• Vibrant colors - really in any context other than my own clothes
• Rich desserts, specifically Chocolate Mousse, Lemon Meringue Pie, and Key Lime Pie
• Early Grey tea with milk and sugar
• Sour gummy candy
• Telling a good joke - a rarity for me
• Picking and using aromatic hand or body soap - I get wayyy too excited when it's time to pick a new one
• The beginning of a road trip
• Long-form snack time
• The feeling of having "earned" a meal, usually from intense or extended physical activity

So a lot of this list turned out to be food.  I guess I take a lot of joy from eating.  It's true, actually.  I love to eat.  Usually after a meal, it takes about 45 minutes until I'm wondering about the next one.

Also, I will start posting more than once a week.  I just need to get in the habit of "just doing it."

Which reminds me...

• Nike running shoes...mostly because they run narrow with good arch support