First, we only had one kiddo with us. I thought I'd lose her to friends, but teens are awful at planning ahead of time. This time, it worked to my advantage. D3 stayed home. The others were out and about.
Next, Doc H was on call. I didn't know if he'd be around or operating.
Yet, in case he was home, I had to cook something he'd eat. Currently, (in addition to juicing) he's trying to eliminate meat. *What?! No meat?!*
No lamb, either.
Which means....
No BBQ. That's right...no Fourth of July BBQ. Sac-relig and Anti-American, if you ask me.
Furthermore, we had no fireworks. Our city is in debt. Fireworks were cut from the budget. I don't think that needs any further explanation.
But, wait! Let me tell you what we did have:
A cold dinner. A pasta and a green salad. Nothing warm on the plate. I suppose that would sound just fine to the majority of the continental U.S. where record temps are being shattered and women everywhere are pooling sweat in their brassieres.
The quickest Fourth of July dinner ever recorded: 3.18 minutes. We scarfed our dinner down quicker than the new hot dog eating champion.
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| Joey Chestnut/Source |
Illegal fireworks. All night long, we heard them echoing through the neighborhood.
A dog convulsing from firework terror. For hours, our dog shook uncontrollably. She shook as she sat next to me. Her shakes resonated through my body. Oddly, I recognized that feeling... What was it? When have I experienced such an unsettling feeling? Oh, yes. Now, I recall. It's my ass. It's the way my ass shakes and jiggles when I run.
The Fourth was not with us this year. Hopefully, next.
eh..doesn't sound like expectations. But I do love a good salad!
ReplyDeleteIt's all about expectations... I try to keep them real low around here.
DeleteHow exciting! Another person that is getting off of meat. We gave it up almost two years ago. Dairy is the hard part for us, but it is SO worth it! (The Uncheese cookbook was a lifesaver.)
ReplyDeleteIf you want to BBQ, google for Vegan Grilling cookbooks...grilled portabella mushrooms are to die for, so amazing! Oh, and raw BBQ recipes, I have yet to try one I don't like. YUM! :)
Raw is awesome, but sometimes you need the cooked comfort food so stockpile some vegan cookbooks, especially for in the colder months. :)
Thanks for the tips!! Were still trying to find our feet and steady ourselves amid the fallout (kids). But, at least they are trying new stuff. It's a step in the right direction.
DeleteI actually read the "no meat" part in the character's voice! HA!
ReplyDeleteMe too. LOL
DeleteI was writing and it just came out!!! I was laughing at myself. Isn't that sad???
DeleteOh man, that cold dinner sounds amazing right now! Would Doc H be into Grillers or veggie hot dogs? I know he's probably not trying to put in substitutions for meat, but they're a great option on holidays where you want BBQ, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe problem there is I don't cook pre-packaged or processed foods. I've even minimized canned foods. I'm so crazy. I'm currently looking for a good tomato sauce recipe so I don't have to buy it at the store anymore. I don't know why I do this to myself.
DeleteI vote for the portabella mushrooms, too! Maybe you are set-up for a good Labor Day (because, yeah, that is exactly how the world works). ;) Ellen
ReplyDeleteI think we're going to try that sometime this week!!
DeleteThe fourth was not with me either...in bed all day with a migraine...yuck! As for the BBQ personally I grill pineapple rings - super yummy! Awesome post (but how could you go wrong with a BigFatGreek reference?!?!)
ReplyDeletePineapple! Yum!!! Thanks for the suggestion!
DeleteI did partake in a grilled kabob, but when we got home from the party we all had ice cream for dinner. I am considering making that a weekly tradition. Nothing like eating ice cream knowing it is dinner instead of ice cream after dinner. May not be the best for us, but it sure did taste good.
ReplyDeleteWhen the kids were little, I instituted the "Backwards Meal"- dessert first, dinner second...if you had room. They loved it and it was such a treat. It usually took place when Doc H was working real late and I knew he wouldn't be home for dinner. :)
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