A Poem By Blue

Thank you for

The food you give

Without it

I cannot live

The cheese and broth

Are a great fix

But what are those brown morsels

In the mix

You say its food

I disagree

You don’t eat it

So why should we

I’ll take my chances

For crumbs on the floor

Maybe you’ll be kind

And feed me yours

I know the drill

I sit and stare

My big brown eyes

Full of despair

You can’t resist

I will win

One more look

You will give in

My plot works

I get a bite

And then it’s gone

Chewed faster than light

I am back for more

And you say no

But guess what sucker

I will never go

I know the drill

I sit and stare

My big brown eyes

Full of despair

You can’t resist

I will win

One more look

You will give in

I will never leave

Even when done

There's always a bite

To find when you’re gone

So thank you for

The food you give

Without it

I cannot live

And just remember

The food you eat

Will be mine

Or guilt you’ll meet

Lucky Me!

August 20, 2009

I recently returned from a business trip to Denver, and I must say, as beautiful as Denver is, I am glad to be home.

I arrived Sunday evening to a plethora of wags and barks, my dogs excited as if it was the first time they ever saw my face. It is that kind of greeting that can make a bad day seamlessly disappear. The absolute joy I felt was quite hilarious since I thought I would be happy to have a few days break from all their doggy madness. Alas, I was wrong. I missed it. I missed Roscoe tearing the stuffing out of toys, Lucy’s little tantrums when she needs attention, Blue’s incessant whirring in circles for no apparent reason, and Charlie following me around because where else would he rather be than under mommy’s feet? All their idiosyncrasies, good and bad, have become such a part of my life; to interrupt the status quo is a difficult adjustment. I even place a pillow across my chest to substitute the weight of Lucy who normally is using me as a plush pillow for bedtime.

Of course, I missed my husband too. Once a trip goes beyond 2 or 3 days, I start to feel that separateness. I think I take advantage of the fact we are together quite often since his business travels have declined. Even more, all it takes is to see another couple with not so perfect relations and I think to myself, I am one lucky gal. Actually, I even think that just simply on a daily basis. He chooses to put up with all my quirks and habits, and I am not sure why on Earth he does or where he got that ability. Better, he does it with little complaint.

So, Sunday eve, as I relax on my couch, surrounded by six dogs (yes six!) and a wonderful husband, I think to myself, I am truly blessed and thankful for the life I have in front of me. Even if it could get better, I am quite content, and that is such a good place to be.

Do You Tofu

July 31, 2009

Tofu. Tofu has little calories and fat. It also has little smell, taste, and color – boring. The thought of eating coagulated soy milk is not so appetizing in my book. In fact, the expression “blowing chunks” comes to mind. However, being a newbie vegetarian, tofu can be a good staple for protein as well as numerous other nutrients my body needs to be healthy. It is also supposed to help lower cholesterol, which could be useful since high cholesterol is a genetic factor in my family – thanks mom!

Yesterday, as part of my new vegetarian journey, I decided to dive into the world of tofu, trying to forget the image of a funny textured, unappetizing rectangular block of curd I would see at the grocery store. I kept saying to myself, “it has potential, it has potential. Try it, you’ll like it.” From what I have read, tofu tends to take on the flavor of whatever you cook it in. Me, I love spicy food. I love the sensation of my lips burning, my tongue swelling and my forehead sweating. Masochistic? Maybe. But who cares. I love it. So, I ordered take out General Tso’s Tofu from a local Chinese restaurant. I was excited. Hot red chili peppers, dark soy sauce and garlic - yum! I could hardly wait.

I opened the container, a wafting scent of General Tso permeating my cubicle. That was good. To my surprise, the size of the blocks of tofu were enormous. I am guessing a pound, and only wish that were an exaggeration. Not good. Not good at all.  I ventured to take a bite, and was incredibly disappointed. Though the spicy taste was there, there was too much tofu to absorb all the delicious rich spicy flavor I built myself up to be excited about. The texture, part melted, part firm, but distinctly like the big green jello mold my grandmother used to make. I mean really – ewww! Could it get more gross?! Saddened by my first experience with tofu as a veggie girl, I dug all the gelatinous mass out of the container, and ate just the rice, broccoli and sauce. Defeated, I asked myself, is this what I have to look forward to?

I didn’t want to let that experience get me down. I thought the dish might have had potential if it were better made. I let my thoughts go to work. Smaller bits of tofu, and less, seemed to be a good idea. Maybe more peppers, less water? Yes, I can do this. I can make good tofu. No problem. I just need direction. I decided to look online and find recipes from more experienced tofu cooks. There had to be something better; I did not want to give up hope I can have (and make) a yummy tofu meal.

I logged onto my “go to” recipe website – allrecipes.com. At first, it was a bit overwhelming. I typed “tofu” in the search menu and hundreds of recipes popped up. I then sorted by rating, thinking if others liked the recipe, good chance I will too. Even better, having the ratings and commentary only help make a dish better, adding loads of advice on how to improve on or make a dish more interesting.

Knowing my love of spicy foods, it was no surprise the recipe for tofu tacos caught my eye. Even more appealing was a picture of the finished dish, which I like to have when I look up recipes because it gives me something to aim for. I was excited. I read the ingredients, instructions, and the first page of comments from readers who tried the recipe. I figured, it has more than 4 stars, so it has to be good – right?

I will soon find out. I am cooking tonight. Stay tuned for the outcome – glorious or not, I will give the lowdown of my first veggie girl tofu cooking experience. Wish me luck! Beleiveme, I need it. As much as I love to bake, my philosophy has always been, why cook when you can pick up a phone and dial a number for food?

No Privacy From Wet Noses

August 21, 2009

I am starting to wonder how long it has been since I have been able to go to the bathroom without interruption. You see, every time I close that door, my dogs start to whine, bark, howl, and then scratch at the door hoping they can somehow dig their way through to the other side. I imagine they think there is a magic portal inside that will transport me far, far away, never to see me again. Anxiety kicks in and the ruckus starts. I have not determined what is worse, Bode’s howling or Chloe’s scratching. Both are detrimental, one to me and the other to my newly painted white bathroom door. I sometimes wonder how long would it actually take Chloe to claw her way through? Or would she eventually get bored and simply walk away to find another distraction, like her favorite ball that somehow always winds up under the couch.

Of course, I always give in. Who can resist the painful cries of abandonment from so many dogs? Tails wagging in success, their big brown eyes and long panting tongues are immediately in my face as soon as I open the door. Blue twirling again and again, only to the right, and Lucy desperately trying to jump on my lap just to get one of her sneak attack licks in. All this and I am still sitting on the toilet. I tend to get stage fright with so many eyes staring at me.

Two minutes later, after all the drama they can produce, and my having said hello as if I have not seen the in 10 years, something always distracts them and they are gone. As long as the door remains ajar and they are able to check in on me, they seem just fine to go about their daily routine of wrestling, napping, and tracking crumbs left behind from food and treats. As if nothing ever occurred, they fall back into their own little doggy reality.

I, on the other hand, am still on the toilet, still having stage fright, and still want to desperately close the door. Maybe it is OCD, but I need that door closed. Most often, I leave it opened just a crack, enough for a wet nose to push open if needed, and then quickly go about my business.

I have resolved, I will never get that 5 minutes of privacy. Eventually I will have kids, and that will only lead to even less privacy in my life. I will always have dogs, so I bring that part on myself as well. I couldn’t imagine life without them I do have to say, I am starting to enjoy public restrooms more. ;-)

Tofu Turned Tornado

August 4, 2009

Last Friday, as I prepared my shopping list for my first foray into cooking with tofu, I was shocked by the dark and heavy mass of clouds gathering outside the view from my office window. Soon to follow was thunder and lightening, a deluge of rain, and nickel sized hail. Forget going to the store. I just wanted to get home without being pummeled by the rain and hail. I also had great fear that Roscoe, my Border Collie, knowing his challenges with loud noises, may already be hiding under the bed, panting furiously with anxiety. I had to get home.

Winds were strong enough to push upon my car, forcing me to hold the steering wheel tight as I ventured home. No one was moving faster than 40 mph in the 65 mph zone. The weather was ominous, leaving a veil so thick; I could hardly see that car in front of me.

Upon arrival home, to no surprise, Roscoe was not to be seen. I called his name, and the mostly obedient dog that he is warily peered around the corner of my upstairs bedroom door. I could tell it took great courage to get that far, and when thunder ensued, he ran back into the room. I went into the kitchen to let my other dogs out side for their break, only to find they looked at me like I was nuts. Just Charlie, my 8 lb Chorkie, ran out the door, only to relieve himself on my deck and quickly run back inside his safe domain. Happy he at least did it outside, I stared at the others – pee in house and die. They didn’t respond – I am not that crazy!

Once I knew my furkids were safe, I went upstairs to check in on Roscoe. Surprisingly, he was not in his usual spot under the bed. He had found safe harbor in the very back corner of my husband’s closet, burying himself in a pile of dirty laundry. As much as I love my hubbie, no way did I want to sit on his dirty t-shirts and boxers, but I did want to console my little boy. Pushing the pile aside, I crawled into the space and propped myself against the back wall. I softly pet Roscoe, reminding him he is safe and trying my best to keep him calm. My goal in this situation is always to try to clam him, then coax him out into the open and remain calm. I want him to be confident, no matter what the situation. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but I never stop trying every time there are fireworks or thunder.

Soon enough, we were downstairs, Roscoe chewing on a enormous beef tendon bone like nothing ever happened. Bribery can be good, especially for a dog who will do anything for even the smallest speck of food.

The next morning I received a call from my brother in law. The weather was worse than I experienced in my town. 40 minutes away, a tornado devastated the neighborhood in which my in-laws reside. A neighborhood once filled with trees now sparsely covered in several areas. The damage was assessed and the township started cutting down everything from broken limbs in electrical lines to whole trees barely standing tall. Once cut, the debris lay one the ground, in yards, roads, lakes, ditches, all the responsibility of the property owner to clean up, and no help from the township.

For those of us in good health and able to attack the massive amounts of debris in our yard, the task was daunting but doable. For people such as my in-laws, over 70, wheelchair bound, and without electricity to get even a few minutes cool air, the task was impossible. My in-laws were lucky, having family nearby to help in their time of need, but what about those people who are older or sick, live on their, and cannot fathom tackling the aftermath of the tornado? Is it not the responsibility of the township to aid its citizens?

Fortunately, the community has a strong bond, neighbors helping those in need to clean up the mess left behind by the storm and the township. I love to hear stories about neighbors helping neighbors in need, seeing communities coming together in crisis. This was a happy ending. But I still question, where was the township when the elderly needed their help? What if the neighbors or family were not there to assist? I feel let down. We pay taxes, elect officials, yet from a small scale crisis such as this, to a larger scale crisis such as the floods in New Orleans, I wonder, where is our government?

By all means, I am not an active political debater. I vote, but other than that, I avoid most political discussions unless it includes some juicy gossip. But I had to blog about this. I was simply disappointed.

The Turn

July 30, 2009

I used to say "If God wanted us to not eat cows, he would have made them run faster." Cruel but funny, a very good example of my often-sarcastic response to things I simply found strange, like vegans. I was brought up with a meat and potatoes mentality and thought cow huggers didn't know what they were missing when I ate my big, fat, juicy bacon cheeseburger. I was also under the impression that all vegans are hippies, ate granola, and wore Birkenstocks. Okay, so some actually do, but for the most part, vegans and vegetarians are just like the rest of us carnivores, just with a more compassionate sense of diet and nutrition.

The day I learned about factory farming and how animals were slaughtered for our consumption is the day my thoughts (and stomach). It was like a great big slap in the face. It was not words but pictures that through me for a loop. Not that I was completely clueless, but I chose not to think about how a cow, for example, was transformed from grazing the open green pastures of a farm to the pound of ground beef in the cellophane wrapped package at my grocery store. I don't want to delve into the descriptions of the photos I witnessed, keeping them as far from my thoughts as possible. I will however say anyone with compassion, carnivore or herbivore, would be greatly affected whether his or her appetite changes for meat or not.

For several days, I could not look at meat. I could not stand the smell of meat. Every time I saw meat, photo or real, my stomach turned. I had to put my Bon Appétit away for fear I would barf on the lovely cover of the grilling issue. I could see pictures in my mind vividly, full of blood, parts, and death. And that’s when I turned.

So I now venture into the unknown world of vegetarianism. Vegan, not quite...it is all a matter of steps, and I plan one taking it slowly. I have already been without the consumption of meat for several days, but today I made the conscious decision to go without. It is not just dietary for me. It is also a lifestyle choice. I want to make well-informed decisions about what I buy and eat. I already took the steps months ago the convert my home and my business into an eco friendly environment. The process is ongoing, but incredibly fulfilling. Why not take it a step further and with my compassion for all beings, start making better food choices? Vegetarians - here I come!