Christmas Eve

We are trying to figure out what to do with our night. We spent our day shoveling, listening to carols and in wonder at the snow. Another foot has fallen since Sunday's foot and a half and the city has shut itself down.

We went for a snowy walk earlier, and built a magnificent looking Snow Lady holding a baby. Not related to Christ at all, mind you. Perhaps we were just missing our own mothers.

Sipping eggnog, warm by the fire, but missing home.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Recession Foods: Comfort for your Wallet and your Belly

(also posted here)

In many ways I have been lucky during this economic melt down. In order to lose money, you had to have had some money to lose. Though I may have quit my job just as things started to really get bad in the US, the few dollars I had in my bank account are more are less still there. (OK, much less than more)

Lucky for me I've spent the last few months rent free, relying on loved ones for a warm bed in exchange for my engaging, graceful, hilarious, fun and humble company and dog walking skills.

I enjoy an excellent meal out as much as the next girl. Fancy, filling, frilly foods with local ingredients will lure me to any restaurant in the most dangerous part of town. Due to my lack of income though, I've made an honest attempt in the last few months in steering clear of meals that may break the bank.

Here are some tips I've learned along the way.

1. Get cooking. Easy for me to say, as I've grown up helping in my mother's kitchen. Many people are scared off at the idea of putting a meal together from scratch, but in reality it is much simpler, and much more fun than you think. Investing in a basic cookbook like How to Cook Everything or Better Homes and Garden's New Cook Book will get you on your way. These both have recipes covering the classics with simple, easy to follow instructions as well as food terms, ratios and substitution information if you get stuck. There are also numerous online websites with videos and Q+A sections. Before you know it you will have a full on relationship with epicurious.com and you won't be missing those dinners out quite so much.

2. Buy recession friendly foods. Pasta, rice, canned goods, potatoes and frozen pizza dough all can be filling base ingredients for inexpensive dishes. Now is a good time to learn how to cook your grandmother's famous macaroni and cheese or that three bean chili your tried at your crazy uncle's house last year. Make your own spaghetti sauce with canned tomatoes and your own hummus with a can of chickpeas. Once you know how easy it is to make your own, you'll never go back to spending over five dollars on something that cost you 99 cents to make.

3. Host a potluck. In troubled times, nothing is better than having a supportive community. Not only will you get a fridge full of leftovers, (even if you try to send them off with food, I guarantee you will have enough left behind to feed you for a week) but you will also have time to connect with people that are going through similar situations. Make sure you ask each participant to bring a specific course (you don't want 15 lbs of pasta salad in your fridge) and to bring a few copies of their recipe to share. With friends and family around, I am sure by the end of the night the economic crisis will not seem so bad.

4. Eat your veggies. Don't skimp on the important things when prices are going up. Most people don't eat enough fruits and vegetables anyway, but with added costs you may feel the need to cut back. Instead take a look at what you are spending your money on that does not add nutritional value to your day. Processed, pre-packaged foods are expensive and often offer little nutritional value. Put your dollars towards healthful foods and you will come out of this recession feeling healthy and maybe even dropping a few pounds.

5. Treat yourself. (And do it locally!) Don't forget to take yourself out once in a while. Not only will it make things feel not quite as desperate, but it will also maintain the community that you call home. Whether it is the multi-generation owned Italian joint where you first held your husband's hand, or the falafel stand that got you through your late night undergrad binges, be sure to choose for the people behind the counters as well as for the food, and in a few months they will still be there to thank you

And now I am sharing my favorite soup recipe. Use it, share it, eat it, sell it. I don't care, as long as you enjoy it.


Squash-Ginger Soup

1 large butternut squash
2 yellow onions
3 cloved garlic, chopped
3 potatoes
2 cooking apples (mac's work best)
2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
1.5 tablespoons fresh chopped rosemary
crushed red pepper (to taste)
salt and pepper (to taste)
4 cups water, or veggie stock (will be saltier)
1-2 cups milk, apple cider, or OJ*

1. Cut squash in half and roast in oven for 45 mins or until soft and skin easily is removed.

2. While squash is roasting, sautee onions in a tablespoon of butter in large pot until translucent. Add garlic and cook for a few more minutes.

3. Peel and cube potatoes and apples and add to onion mixture. Add ginger and rosemary and stir to keep from burning.

4. Add 2 cups of water and let simmer on medium heat until potatoes and apples soften.

5. When squash is soft, remove skin and seeds and cube. Add to potato mixture. Add the rest of the liquids and seasonings and simmer for half an hour or so.

6. Add soup to food processor or blender and blend until smooth.

* I used some cream and OJ and it turned out really well. There are multiple ways to adjust the recipe though. I believe I used to add carrots as well which enhanced the color. I probably used more than two tablespoons of ginger because I really like ginger, but it does have a lot of heat to it. I sprinkled with some Parmesan cheese, and YUM! Parsley garnish would probably taste good too.

Back to work

So my first partial week back in the partial workforce is over. Phew! I'm exhausted! Well, maybe not. Actually I am really enjoying having some purpose to my day. Even if it is only for five hours of the day and for minimum wage. And interning for a news type organization means that I am, as a result, much more in tune with what is actually going on in the world. And mostly, as you may know, what is going on is not good. The US has surpassed its lowest employment rates in 34 years, (whew! glad I'm not there!), there are wars being threatened on almost every continent, there is a global energy crisis, cholera outbreaks, HIV epidemics, not enough clean water etc. But I am learning other things too. (Like how to suck up my pride?) And it seems an appropriate time for me to be reading The Grapes of Wrath. I am keeping in mind that it is not just my situation that seems dour, that in fact, people have gone through similar and much worse situations before, and prevailed. I just need to surround myself with happy people, and so the story goes, I will be happy too.

Eric

Every day, at random hours of the day, there is a man who will call to someone in a third floor apartment across the street, at the top of his lungs "Eric! Eric! Eric!" until he is heard.

On this street, with nighttime neighbors whose professions are questionable at best, one may wonder at the inconspicuousness of this "Romeo".

Will work for food.

Here I am, back in Vancouver, with visa in hand and a desperate willingness to find work. I'd forgotten how difficult, and disheartening it is to look for jobs. The economy doesn't help. As the temp agency said “There really isn't much out there. Companies aren't hiring full time employees and aren't offering benefits. Everyone is waiting to see what happens...” meanwhile, I am waiting to hear back from someone, anyone! I've also realized that I've dug myself into a hole these last few blissful years. I am more than qualified for cafe positions here in the city, of which there are many, but what about trying something new? I am no longer a recent graduate, entirely moldable and naive. I have skills and experience doing a variety of things, but nothing that translates all that well to a resume.

While perfecting a rosetta in hot milk is no small feat, most offices don't appreciate a decent cup of coffee when it spills on their lap.(Speaking of excellent coffee, one of the many toys Bryan bought while I was gone was a new Capresso Burr Grinder. The thing rocks! It makes the most satisfying grinding noise, not that obnoxious, heart pumping high pitched whir. The conical topper means beans don't get stuck and you don't have to shake the living hell out of it to prevent the motor from over heating. We make French press coffee, so the grind is large, but the espresso grind looked fine and consistent. There really are few things better than having fresh coffee in the morning.) So I find myself applying for anything I think I am remotely capable of. Urology reception, perhaps? Starbucks manager? Janitor? OK, so I didn't apply for any of those, but I did think about it, and this fact is depressing and causes all sorts of “what am I doing with my life?” mini panic attacks.

And I've had serious bouts of homesickness. Thanksgiving in Canada was a strange experience. Vancouver does not feel like a different country. But for the subtle annoying differences (you can't watch The Office online, or download music from iTunes, and I get charged each time I use my credit card, a thing I am doing quite frequently) the city just doesn't feel foreign. I spent Thanksgivings in Italy and New Zealand, and each time I missed home, but the reason for missing it was more obvious.

The good news though, is that I got an internship! Back to square one for me, but it is in an interesting environment with good seeming people. I won't make much money but I will get some experience that may open doors for me in a few months. And Bryan is being supportive and understanding as usual and he hasn't asked me to leave just yet.

But for all you folks back home, envious of my moments of freedom, be thankful for your paychecks, and save them up for a trip out west. I miss you.