Every year I attempt a spiritual/material/house spring cleaning in the fall. I do not celebrate most holidays. At least not in the same sense as every one else seems to. I use them more as a moment to take a pause and to reflect. Reflect on my goals – past, present, and future. Reflect on my finances. Reflect on past resolutions – what happened to that fitness I was all about at the beginning of the year.
I usually start on Thanksgiving and my reflections begin with cooking, a lot. I tend to gain about 20 pounds this four day weekend. Each day is focused on a theme – traditional, Italian, Mexican, and a random…probably will be German this year. I cook the traditional but without the turkey – Cornish hens for me…I’m a single dude living by myself, turkeys are too big and provide too much, a Cornish hen – just perfect. Some mashed potatoes (probably from out of a box because of utility purposes), some veggies of the green variety, a nice salad and a butternut squash soup. (Grocery list pending.)
Italian Food Day – An attempt at a homemade Alfredo. I have never done this before. I’m already excited about it. How messy could it be? It’s just a bunch of cheese, right? Some research on this will definitely need to be done. Do Italians eat veggies? Caprese salad? That counts…
Mexican Food Day – Posole… I’ll need to start this on Italian Food Day, slow cook the meats and bones until the meats melt off. I have to get some red chili. And oregano…a ton of oregano. Maybe make some chili rellenos – soooo good!!!
German Food Day – …..Brats. Sauerkraut. Goulash? Is Goulash German? I need to look into that.
Four days of cooking. Four days of reflection. Four days of meditation.