can food incite feelings of naked-ness?

Or, rather, the lack of food?

OK, what I’m really getting as is that feeling you get when you forgot to wear your watch. You know, that naked/’I forgot something’ feeling? I was thinking about it the other day, and I feel that way about my fridge sometimes. As in, if I’m out of certain things, all is not right with the world. I feel like we have no food. I feel like I cannot cook or clean or anything until I get to the store. Most are probably obvious, but others, not so much. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Spinach – I probably eat this stuff at least once a day, if not more. I’ve started trying to eat my salad FIRST, because I think if I did that, I would eat even smaller portions for dinner. The trouble is, it makes sense to eat the hot food first, as it will eventually cool down, whereas the salad won’t. Dilemmas, dilemmas.

2. Yogurt – I make my own, which means I need some leftover yogurt as well. Andrew is a huge fan of Kefir, so I like having that around for his breakfasts.

3. Bananas – I use half to sweeten my oatmeal and have been known to slather them in peanut butter, too. I used to hate them once they got really ripe, but now I don’t mind so much.

4. Fruit – Right now it’s citrus, as well as these tiny organic Honey Crisp apples I found awhile ago. They are THE BEST. I don’t care that they are $5.99 a bag.

5. Coffee creamer – Duh. Although, I’m seriously entertaining thoughts of switching to one of the Silk or Coconut Milk flavors once I finish this bottle, or even one of the more “natural” ones. Anyone have any thoughts?

6. Eggs – I don’t eat them very often by themselves (although I LOVE a good omelette!), but the lack of them means no baking, which would put me in a tailspin.

7. Cheese – I usually have a block of parm, as well as a container of something else like feta or blue or gorgonzola. They go in eggs, on top of salads or even with fruit. Cheese sticks are an essential item; I pair one with an apple for a snack.

8. Nuts – I have a giant bin I keep in the freezer of just about every nut around (three varieties of almonds, walnuts, pecans, pine, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds…) for baking, making granola or topping salads and oatmeal.

9. Seltzer – I’ve started drinking flavored seltzer sometimes when I just want something other than water. I used to absolutely hate the “flavor” (it’s carbonated water with a tiny hint of flavor, but not sweet), but it’s something I’ve gotten used to. I’m vehemently opposed to drinking my calories (except infrequent sodas and small amount of honey in tea, and, of course, beer and wine), and at 89 cents for a large bottle, I figured I should try to like it.

10. Ice cream – I’m actually on the fence about this one. I am an ice-cream-aholic. I am. Except that I don’t eat it that much; if I did, I’d have more room in my freezer! Seriously, I have like five pints of Jeni’s and Graeter’s ice creams we’ve brought back from Ohio, plus a christmas flavor of Perry’s I bought thinking Andrew would like it. He doesn’t, which means I’m stuck finishing it. What I need to do is learn to have just a small scoop each night–the problem is that even when I use a small bowl, once I start scooping, it’s like I can’t stop. I think I need a 12-step program…

Well, that’s probably about it. I also like having the ingredients to make things like hummus and granola on hand at a moment’s notice, so I guess I could include oats, real maple syrup and honey on that list, too. Oh and dried cranberries (as well as other fruits) and nut butters. I guess I could just keep going…

The good news is that I’m all stocked up right now and feelin’ good!

yup, it’s winter out there

For awhile now, I’ve been hearing a lot on the radio and from other people about what a mild winter it’s been so far. And it really has been–we’ve barely had any snow and we’ve had a few upper-40’s days–which has made me a bit sad.

Well, I am sad no more! Pretty much since my return home from Ohio last week, it’s been pretty white around here.

I think we’re in the “constant snow” part of winter here… It seems like almost every day the weather calls for snow, or cold enough temps to keep it around. It’s not usually more than a couple inches, but it piles up and piles up and then we get hammered. I’m excited, although a little anxious about Andrew’s lack of driveway-clearing motivation. So far this year, I get the brownie points for shoveling, not him!

I also broke in my new trail running shoes I got for snowy runs. While they do have some arch support, they aren’t as “motion-controlling” as my other shoes (Saucony Hurricanes) and I could tell right away when I started running. Because they’re trail shoes, they have a bit more support on the balls of my feet. For most of the run the roads were pretty clear, but there were a couple spots in which I was glad I had them on! Also note the wool socks–they definitely make a difference in keeping my feet warm. Thanks Nicole! Now I just need to find somewhere to buy them that doesn’t charge $14 per pair…

I really bundled-up; I wore three layers on top and two pairs of gloves (my MO now) and a hat and was QUITE toasty, except for my legs! I have running tights, but neither of them are very thick, so I might have to be on the lookout for a more heavy-duty pair. Speaking of heavy-duty pants, I need some for the gym! I’m an early bird (5:30 a.m.!) and man, is it COLD and WINDY out there sometimes! I’ve been wearing the same pair of wind pants EVERY DAY to the gym (don’t worry; I was them weekly) and they’re from college and not that warm. HELP!

Forecast calls for more snow tonight–yippee! Except that with our tandem driveway, I have to take the outermost vehicle to the gym in the morning, which isn’t always the Pilot. Andrew cautioned me about driving the truck in the snow but I took it this morning anyway. Thankfully, the roads were fine, but I wouldn’t want to be driving it while it was actually snowing. I’m counting the days until we have a REAL driveway (and hopefully an attached garage)!

where we live, pre-snow

This is our neighborhood. I walked (HA! WALKED!) to the hardware store to buy a lightbulb shortly after moving into our rental house in October and snapped a few photos along the way. (Somehow, they never actually got published… Life happens, I guess.)

This is the top of our neighborhood where the road meets up with Quaker (a.k.a. 20A) which is the road that takes you to East Aurora. It extends east that way (the way you’re looking, above) and west through Orchard Park and further past the Bills stadium and, eventually, turns into Southwestern Blvd., which is a main thoroughfare here and also the street on which the Y resides.

Here is this adorable little gift shop on Quaker called the Lemon Tree. I finally went in once when Emily was visiting and it’s definitely your typical gift shop with kitchen items, kitschy items, papers, baby stuff, etc…

And this even more adorable children’s bookstore called “B is for Books.” The name is interesting, though, since I came to find out through writing an article for the paper that the owner’s last name actually starts with a ‘B,’ so I thought that was neat. It’s the kind of place I can envision myself going once we have kids, although by that time I’m hoping we’re settled in East Aurora! There is a used bookstore in EA, as well as the library on Main Street, so those will have to do.

Here’s a shot from the intersection of Quaker and Buffalo Roads, the main intersection of Orchard Park. I love the lampposts–they’re the kind that play music, too.

Here’s the hardware store, around since 1907. It’s no Lowe’s, but it has the necessities and is way closer (and walkable!), which I love. And I love shopping locally. I think it’s becoming more and more important these days to do that. I’m not saying I’m ready to swear-off my Honda Pilot or other foreign-made goods (I’m all for good, old-fashioned capitalism), but when all things are equal, I’d rather support the local economy and reduce my carbon footprint.

And we’re back! Here is our actual street and our house is about two past the stop sign on the right. It’s a cute little street filled with cute houses and youngsters. Ours, as a rental, leaves a bit to be desired in the curb-appeal category, but it gets the job done.

Now, imagine all this under a blanket of white. That what happened yesterday just before class, and by the afternoon, it was all gone again. I’m thinking my snow boots are going to get a run for their money this winter…