Always looking for fun

Should I see the doctor?

I don't know if it's because I've been exercising or just because I'm slightly deranged but I've been having one of the oddest food cravings possible. I've been going to Jazzercise consistently for eight weeks now and I feel a lot better, I'm not tired and I don't have a muffin top anymore. But I have not changed anything in my diet. I still eat whatever I want. I went through a brief cheeseburger and french fry craving and if the mood suits, I drink a martini or a beer. So I really can't understand this new craving. Thomas does not like it, not one bit. I keep serving it to him, meal after meal. Today when I heaped it on his lunch of flat bread and bleu cheese, he made a point to come over and stare at it. "What is this stuff?" That stuff? It's LETTUCE. I can't get enough of it. The cool, crunchy bitterness of fresh lettuce is so appealing recently. What does that mean? Chocolate cravings mean low iron, but what could a lettuce craving mean? Hopefully it means something other than severe instability.

Pasta Tapenade

Today my lack of groceries had me digging through the cupboards to find something remotely satisfying for lunch. Here's what I put together.

Pasta Tapenade
Serves two

1/2 jar Trader Joe's Roasted Red Pepper & Artichoke Tapenade
3 Tbsp finely grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
black pepper to taste
8 oz dried shell pasta

Cook pasta following package directions.

In a medium bowl while the pasta cooks combine tapenade, 2 Tbsp cheese, curry powder, cayenne powder and black pepper. When al dente, drain pasta and add to bowl. Mix throughly and dish onto plates. Sprinkle remaining parmesan cheese even over each serving. Enjoy!

Magic Mint

About a week and a half ago we were riding in the car on our way to Los Angeles, the radio was tuned to its usual NPR. Thomas was driving so my thoughts were drifting back and forth from radio to imagination as I watched the Orange County scenery coast by. A report came on talking about teens who use a native Mexican plant as a hallucinogenic. I perked up a little when I heard the plant name, Salvia. "We have that," I say quietly.

Thomas jerks his head toward me with such force the rest of his body and the car follow in turn. "We do?," he asks nearly veering off the freeway.

Sadly, honey, it's not the right variety. It flowers.

A nerd at heart

Even though we have the world's largest television and full surround sound, I think I might want to go to the theater to watch the new X-Files movie. It doesn't come out until July 25 but I am already excited! As an added bonus the movie poster is really nice.