It's been a long time since I last posted. Here's the dish: I got diagnosed with another autoimmune disorder, which explains the weight gain and lethargy. I started targeted steroids and lost ten pounds in the space of three weeks: feeling better means having energy to cook in ways that are good for me, eating food that fuels me so I feel better, and exercising. I also gave away Squeakazoid, the little kitten occupying most of my non-work waking hours. She is settling into her home in Atlanta like she was meant to be there. I miss her, but it's freeing to not be responsible for socializing a seven-month-old kitten! Maybe I'll have time for the gym. My evenings and mornings are freer now, so I'm trying to cook more. Tonight is beef kabocha stew with vegetables, kombu, coconut milk, and Thai spices. I also baked sweet potatoes into fries and the other kabocha half. Maybe it'll last for the week. I also made a coconut and almond flour Dutch baby, which demonstrates that my cast iron pan needs more seasoning. Why not be decadent. Returning to Arecibo provided two upsets in my food routines: no more "whole grain" Udi's gluten-free bread at Pueblo (if I can make sandwiches that makes food easier when I'm sick) and no goat yogurt at Econo in Aguadilla. I try to take it easy on lactose, so the latter is especially frustrating to my breakfast and snack habits, especially when I lack energy to properly cook. Last week I visited my old co-op at MIT and made my standby New York Times turkey chili, blanched collards, sweet potato fries, glazed butternut squash with pecans and sage, and a pledge made a vegan, wheat-free carrot cake. It's good to be back in the kitchen. Now if only this migraine would disappear.
