Southern Nuggets

I'm going to come clean...I haven't been cooking. I know, the shame! As much as I'd like to say that I haven't fell victim to holiday gluttony - that would be a lie. In addition, I knew before arriving into the Land of Enchantment that the battle to cook for myself was an uphill, if not, losing battle. My mom has been known to cook seldom as it is. I forgot that her new condo, as cute as it is, lacks a kitchen. I helped her moved into this new place last year and when I left there was a refrigerator, a sink, and a microwave. Not much as changed upon my return with the exception of a conventional oven. But I suppose that this is part of the journey. This won't be my last time to New Mexico or my final trip anywhere. It's important that I learn to navigate restaurant menus, including recognizing sacrifices when menu options don't satisfy my appetite as it used to. I live in the most gluttonous country in the world, I really should doubt I'll starve. Ho...

I understand that my excitement within having a complete vegetarian friendly day might get lost in translation. It's just vegetables, right? Right. As I am sure many of you can understand, I love meat. It sounds weird, I know, that I'm in such rigorous pursuit for a diet of mainly vegetables, fruit and starches. I love sandwiches, supreme and pepperoni pizza, pork chops, cheeseburgers, steak, fried chicken - I could go on and on. I really do love eating meat. When I report that I'm doing good on the vegetable streak, I really am excited because this is a journey! Now that we're all on the same page. Lately I have been doing rather excellent on the all veggie mission. I'll admit that every so often I might dig into the bag of deer jerky that's sitting on the counter. It's not the same as we make it back on the reservation, but it's jerky. Who doesn't love jerky? But just a nibble here and there. And last night I did pop three small pigs-in-a-blanke...