Went to Mass and increased my offering significantly over what I usually put in. It’s coming out of the “I quit smoking” fund. Watched the Colts lose to the Jags and made authentic New Orleans red beans and rice. I rode my bike over to my brother’s house and took him some beans and rice, along with some fatback and collard greens. He had already eaten lunch but had them for dinner. He texted me that they were amazing. I have only eaten one meal at a fast-food joint since the first of the year. I was sitting with my mom and aunt Donna, her identical twin – they go to McDonald’s every day for lunch – and just got a McChicken and a large iced tea. It was less than three dollars. I still don’t want to give them my money. I’d rather eat semi-healthy things at home, made mostly from whole foods, along with cultural things based on our agrarian past (and future, I hope). I’m only eating Ezekiel bread, oatmeal with nuts and raisins or fruit for breakfast, trying to eat a large salad every day, or a greens-based smoothie. Collards are my first choice.
I want to rebuild connections around the dinner table by doubling down on cooking at home from scratch whenever possible.