Reboot in the Time of the Resistance...Doing what makes you happy!

Ma ze?

Dear Friends,

It's been a minute, nearly 2 years to be exact. What'd I miss? Seriously, how is everyone? I've been toying with the idea of returning to this space for a while, but have not taken the leap until now. In any case, I felt like 2016 knocked me on my butt. Last year challenged and shook my confidence in myself and others frankly (hello, election). While I'm not going to spend time discussing that recent past, I know it, among other things changed me and how I view the world.

Now, for 2017 I have made the following resolutions (in no particular order):

1. Work out more consistently throughout the year (I'm down to 4 workouts/week now...meh). 
2. Travel more (3/4 weekends in Jan are booked).
3. Give fewer f@cks and live unapologetically AF. I am who I am...the end. 
4. Develop/refine my POV. Consistency is key making situational adjustments, as necessary. I'm most successful when I stay true to myself and I need to go back to 2015 when I was the realest.
5. Incorporate more cauliflower (non-riced) in my diet.

That's totally me!

My workouts are pretty solid now. I've even incorporated a little reformer pilates in as well. Nikhil and I are getting out of the house and exploring, which is cool. It's one of the major advantages of living in the center of Europe. Numbers 3 and 4 are still a struggle. I am trying to strike the right balance. Number 5 is all about the timing. Cauliflower is on my list this weekend!

Biryani, on fleek (do the youngins' still say that?)

After 1 month, I feel good about my progress, but I have this nagging feeling that something is missing. I have not engaged in enough creative self-expression (no dance classes for me) and sharing it with others. Mine comes primarily through cooking and I think that I got out of the habit with Nikhil's travel schedule. While I've been working on my biryani game for a minute and did some baking at the end of the year, I feel the need to do more. One of my greatest joys was sharing Sunday dinners with friends, because their frequency and lack of budget inspired creativity. The camaraderie and sharing a meal and the Sopranos (before heading back to work in many cases) was really fun. Plus, Manzini-lady can throw down like no other!

Shakshuka!!

So, I will use this blog to share more recipes (I'm on the gram and FB too). I will make more brunches for my husband (more shakshuka!). That was our thing and I miss it. I will also stop being so derelict in my pen pal activities (sorry, Irum). Basically, I'm adding to this list things that make me happy. In this new world order, as we all fight like hell, PLEASE DON'T FORGET ABOUT OURSELVES. If you can't take care of yourself how can you take care of others. I leave you with the seemingly immortal (he's apparently still with us) words of Frederick Douglass: "If there is no struggle, there is no progress."

I still throw a mean party.