Yes I can!

Hello out there in the cosmos, the realm of unlimited opportunities and possibilities. It's me. I am still floating around my kitchen, and I did accomplish something meaningful, something spectacular, yet so mediocre sounding. Now, you may not want to hear all this chit chat, but I bet you can definitely relate. Am I speaking to you? I cleaned out the fridge; we are finally rid of the rotten and useless condiments, the cling clanging jars on the door sitting in pools of sticky, sweet- sour syrup. Be gone, tired worn out gray-green celery stubs, flat cucumber sludge, and what I think may be cilantro. Yuk! The removal and recovery detail took just one day. All drawers, shelves in the frigid box scrubbed clean and organized. I wonder why I didn't do this sooner as I peruse about twenty five jars of rejected goods of various shapes and sizes sitting on the counter.

And just why is this so important to me? I want my refrigerator to be an honest reflection on how I want to eat. I would like to be more mindful about my food purchases. Is it healthy? I would like to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and less processed anything. Is this an impulse buy? Will we eat all of it? Most of all, I kept a promise that I made to myself. I valued my own feelings. Oh gosh, I just like puttsing around in the kitchen. It means that I just may follow through with other projects I have in mind.

OK, I saved myself a little pocket money this week too. That's good.

The gluten free flours like sorghum, millet, brown rice and such are in glass storage containers, along with their 'nutty and seedy friends', the walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, coconut, and the like. The fruits and vegetables are in clear view and less likely to get slimed.

With this small step I have changed a pattern. Now, as I open the fridge door for the thirty second time today, I breathe a happy smiling AAAAAAAhhhhhhhh. It's a feeling of contentment and new possibility (perhaps for a delectable Outer Mongolian feast or how 'bout a tropical fruit fest on the beach with watermelon mohitos?), rather than a wrestling match with the cold monster, to win a sub par, limp, but passable zucchini. A shift toward the positive in any facet of life and a renewed joyful outlook is most welcome...no blame or judgement towards oneself or others. Whew, I sure do feel lighter, freer!

Simple actions most certainly have far reaching effects throughout the galaxy. Really though, some ding dang good meals came out of that purge. I used up all the produce. No waste. Yea! I have renewed respect for the common little millet. Cooked and leftover, the yellow birdseed grain is transformed into a Middle Eastern millet pilaf. I am forever indebted to the earthy and rugged onions, which when fried are sublime. Did I even mention they are really healthy? They make you poop!

Saute a large finely chopped onion and some garlic, one or two minced cloves, in some extra virgin olive oil. Saute on low heat, add salt to onions and about a heaping teaspoon of dried dill. Cook the onions slowly. They will shrink and brown, but not burn. Stir occasionally. Add chopped greens such as kale, spinach and/or collards, and saute, stirring here and there until wilted. Add some cooked millet, or grain of your choice, like brown rice, quinoa... add handfuls of the following chopped herbs: parsley, scallions, mint. Heat everything thoroughly, stirring with a wooden spoon. Salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle generously with more olive oil and the juice of a lemon. Enjoy.

I served the greened up millet with a ratatouille, steamed string beans, some roasted potatoes, and a fresh salad with a dollop of garlicky hummus. So I do hope you will eat your food and have it too.


I encourage and celebrate all of your accomplishments. Three words...YES I CAN!!!