Report | Oct 15th
Reading
I got a little carried away and read, “finished”, three books this week. So let’s get into it!
We’ll start with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, her first autobiography. It is an uncomfortable and necessary read. Racism, rape, discrimination, molestation, it really is a deeply raw and heavy book, but something we should all read. Her resilience through her upbringing is truly inspiring.
"My race groaned, It was our people falling, It was another lynching, yet another Black man hanging from a tree. One more woman ambushed and raped. A Black boy whipped and maimed. It was hounds on the trail of a man running through slimy swamps, It was a white woman slapping her maid for being forgetful... We didn't breathe. We didn't hope. We waited."
Next, we have another tough memoir, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land. I don’t know why I read these back to back, they were both so intense. I watched the show first but it did not take any of the sting out of reading this book. This book recounts a single mother's experience with an unexpected pregnancy, government assistance, domestic abuse, homelessness, poverty, and social judgment. The storytelling of this book illustrates that this does not only happen to people who have addictions to drugs or gamble their money away. This could happen to anyone. The snowball effect of getting deeper and deeper into debt while having no way to pull yourself out is a possibility just around the corner. Hearing this first-hand account makes you not only appreciate the life you have more, but makes you have more compassion for those who do struggle.
“When people think of food stamps they don't envision someone like me, someone plain faced and white, someone like the girl they'd known in highschool, someone who'd been quiet but nice, someone like a neighbor, someone like them. Maybe that made them too nervous about their own situation. Maybe they saw in me the chance of their own fragile circumstances, that with one lost job, one divorce, they'd be in the same place as me.”
Last but not least was my comedic break from all the real-life hardships! Chelsea Handlers, Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. I read some of her books in high school and it is safe to say after reading this one that I will go on to read the totality of her work. A collection of personal essays that touch on her career, romantic life, family, and general shenanigans. And I do love shenanigans. Her dad in particular is one of my favorite parts of the book since he really seems to be living on his own planet.
Eating
I love a good food combo, to date, my favorite duo has been lemon and kale. Something about those two together is just right. And I cannot confidently say this one knocks that one from it’s first place spot, but it definitely deserves its recognition. Peas & Mint. They’re just so cute together!
Smashed Pea Toasts with Ricotta
Makes 4 medium toasts
1 c frozen peas, completely thawed (you can run under warm water in a strainer to expedite)
2/3 c loosely packed fresh mint leaves
2 tbsp fresh Parmesan
the juice from 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more drizzling (i personally only used about 1/8 c olive oil since this seemed like a lot to me)
1/4 tsp kosher salt
crusty sourdough
topped with ricotta
freshly ground black pepper + salt
Playing
I have no common theme for the music this week. Just tunes I really like (:
Stick Season x Noah Kahandirty dancer x Orion SunRose Colored Lenses x Miley Cyrus80 Degrees x Isaac Lewis & My Favorite ColorIMPATIENT x SEBASTIAN PAULObsession
My cat! I am always obsessed with all of my babies so this does seem like a cop-out but it’s not. My youngest, Honey, had a bladder infection and had to go through the stress of car rides and the vet for two days!!! I think she got stuck with at least 3 needles and if I think about it for more than 30 seconds I will cry. But she was SO brave and the vets said she was great and she got so many compliments on how cute she is! So she got extra, extra cuddles this week.
Recommendation
Le Fat Bastard. I was originally drawn to this wine because of the incredible name and fantastic illustration, obviously. Luckily, it was also delicious! Even if it wasn’t, that hippo is enough to make me purchase it again.
This was the cabernet sauvignon but they have other varieties I will also be trying. I am trying to expand the wines I try since I do have a habit of only eating and drinking the same things over and over again but how basic is that shit.
Ruby red color, beautiful deep carmine notes. Opulent aromas of chocolate and black cherries. Flavors of stone fruit with hints of grilled red pepper and spices (vanilla, cinnamon, pepper spices). Long-lasting aromas on the finish.
Food Pairing: Easy to drink with hearty grilled meats or roasts, cheese, and dark chocolate desserts.
Treat
I have recently joined a wonderful co-op in my area that provides wonderful local produce and goods. However, one thing really does stick out above the rest for me and that would be amazing little chocolates. From Kalona Chocolates, I have been getting the Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels, and there are no words. I do have to share my package with my boyfriend every week which is the only down side.
Just kidding I will always share my treats with him.