Day 18

Day 18. It’s fun to keep track of the good times and most of this has been positive, but there are some moments of struggle. To try to not appear ‘pushy’ to The Boys, I make sure if I don’t at least add some meat to their dishes I put on some cheese. The cheddar isn’t so bad. But the parmesan. I miss the parmesan. And there is a pause every time I grab a fistful to sprinkle on everyone else’s dish and stare down at that salty, nutty deliciousness in my hand. It’s not often but it’s strong during those flash moments when I think what I’m doing is ridiculous. It’s hard to remember 100% of the time why I even started this when it feels like no one else is. It seems like everywhere there are instructions to add cheese, add milk, messages that it’s good for you, ‘you need protein, so adding a lean meat is important and much healthier option’. But just as quickly as I think I might just throw in the towel, I think of how much better I’ve felt, how much more ‘pure’ my food has been, how much I’ve learned, and how there’s one less chicken on a conveyer belt.

So, on a lighter note – an even BIGGER victory tonight! Made Eggplant Pasta Marinara, not something we have every week but still a common dish here. I thought this was an easy shoe-in to make without feeling like the dish had been altered much. But…UGH, the egg coating!!! How to mask that?! How do I get the breading to stick?! Thankfully I was introduced to this kick ass blog with an AWESOME recipe for the same dish. And the verdict? From the teen, meat-loving boy: ‘This is the best eggplant dish you’ve ever made, mom’.

I can’t make this stuff up.

 

 

Eggplant Pasta Marinara with Roasted Red Pepper
http://ohsheglows.com/2011/11/08/eggplant-parmesan/