The other night, Bill and I ventured out to a place where we often order Indian take-out: Ghar-E-Kabab. We’ve never actually been to this place, but we’ve driven past it regularly since we moved to DC. It’s one of those hole-in-the-wall kinds of places, sandwiched in between random salons and shops.

It’s very small inside but delicate. That’s the best way I’d describe it. You feel very cared for upon entering – the wait staff seated us nearly immediately and were attentive from the get-go.

They brought out some spicy crisps at first, which were good – but too spicy for me.

Bill and I were a little too adventurous when it came to appetizers. We ordered vegetable samosas and each had one. Unfortunately, this sort of filled me up from the get-go.

Bill ordered a dish that was homemade cheese fried in CHICKPEA batter. Yes, you heard right. I ate one – and it was fantastic.

And of course, you knew I’d have to order chana masala. It was much better than when we order take-out – I think because it was immediately fresh and delicious. I loved the presentation too. Check out that little candle!

I’d highly recommend this place if you’re ever in Silver Spring!

[Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post. Your thoughts and prayers were deeply appreciated by a number of people.]

Here’s today’s thought:

There are few other months like February. Sandwiched in between winter and spring, January is the last month of cold. Plus, it’s the shortest month of the year which inevitably makes everything seem to move fast.

Welcome to my February. Unexpected happenings (think: snow), tight deadlines, scattered days. February has certainly tested my strength.

I think that’s why they threw Valentine’s Day into the month. It’s a pause, a moment of a relief, a reminder to love. (Plus, I’m pretty sure it helps stimulate the economy at a time where it’s down). It’s ironic to me that Valentine’s Day falls in one of the coldest months of the year.

There are three days left in February, but I’m pretty sure I survived it. I’m not wishing the month away (I try not to wish any time away), but I am looking forward to March showers, followed by April flowers.

Tell me about your February.

[source]

Hi, friends. I feel the need to ask for your thoughts today. February 25 is a heavy day for my family. Today marks the two-year anniversary of my uncle’s sudden passing.

I realize that “life goes on” and that we are not immortal, but some lives feel taken too soon. I don’t mean for this post to be filled with emotion and sadness, but every day we feel things. And in my life, I’ve discovered that sharing those things – and looking for any positive vibes – can provide comfort to those in need.

I don’t remember many moments with my uncle, but I do remember one:

My mother remarried when I was young, maybe about 5. There are two things about that day etched into memory: My red dress with white tights and my uncle. I’ve been told that he watched over me that day. He may have even danced with me. Either way, he was around to make sure I was ok.

It’s the kind of memory I only remember because it’s been passed down in stories and photographs. It’s the kind of thought I hold onto because there is little else. It’s the kind of story I remember because, to me, it’s the definition of truly caring.

I often think about the misfortune of never getting to know my uncle properly. But somehow, I think he knows the mark he’s made on me. He may not have known it while he was here, but I certainly hope he can feel it now.

If you could, please send positive vibes in my family’s direction.

[I love you, Mom.]

Do you have trouble letting things out? Take a tip from Larry Lemon, who finally broke through his shell.

He’s usually the kind of lemon that keeps it all inside. But deep down, he has a warm, yellowy heart.

The key to his success? He starts every morning with a good breakfast and a smile. It gets him ready to share himself with the world. And he’s doing a pretty lemony job at it.

Recently, Larry Lemon encouraged me to make morning oatmeal. Since then, I’ve been reminded of all the fun stories that can be shared and the metaphors that can be made with simple ingredients. My good pal LL agrees; oatmeal and I shouldn’t be separated.

Are you open to a good breakfast? What’s in your stomach today?

Welcome to the Worker Bee series – a weekly feature that will highlight food bloggers who are also full-time working professionals.

Today, we have Yelena from One Healthy Apple who balances working at an agency while also going to school. Check out her story!

1) What is your profession?
I work as a Project Manager in San Francisco for an advertising agency that works primarily with pharmaceutical companies, putting together print pieces and planning meetings.  I work with clients on a daily basis and I’m glued to a Blackberry from the moment I wake up until the moment I get home.  I am also pursuing my MBA and go to school twice a week, including a riveting Accounting class on Friday nights.  Yep, I know how to have a good time!

2) Did you see always see yourself in that field?
Although I studied Marketing and wanted to do something in the healthcare field, I never thought I would find something that is such a hybrid of the two disciplines as it is a very specialized industry.  After working in the field for over three years, I’ve learned a lot about the good and bad aspects of the corporate world and a little bit about friendly and not so friendly professional competition.  My job is certainly not my dream job, but I have appreciated the learning opportunity.

3) Does your day job incorporate healthy living?
The nature of any advertising agency is long hours, high stress, and results in high burnout.  I think that healthy living is hard to come by in the traditional aspects of work-life balance and breaks.  People rarely take lunch, and I have developed the poor habit myself in an effort to meet deadlines and get home in time with my hour long commute.

4) If so, how? If not, how do you incorporate healthy living into your job?
Although my company is high stress, we have a program called ‘Fit Foods’ that provides us with mostly healthy snacks.  We have a fruit delivery service, a cupboard full of healthy snacks including cereals and almonds (my favorite), and a choice of five different kinds of milk for our Peet’s Coffee.  See images below:

Of course they do it to keep us energized and caffeinated, but I rely on the snacks if I forget my lunch or have to eat dinner at work.  It also gives me the added obstacle of keeping my hands out of the chocolate and fun snacks they get!  While diet is a huge part of the health equation, I make time to go to the gym 4 to 5 times a week and try to incorporate any movement I can while sitting at work.  I walk to speak to my colleagues instead of emailing them and I take the stairs whenever possible.

5) Can you provide readers with any tips on how to balance healthy living and working? What are some tricks you’ve picked up along the way?
As my husband and I both work full time and go to school, I have made Sundays my official food prep days.  I will roast full trays of veggies, cook grains, bake chicken, and hardboil eggs so that we both have something we can enjoy.  I will make lunches and dinners through Wednesday and then either replenish the stash or wing it for the rest of the week.  I find that a couple of hours on Sunday saves me time during the week to get to the gym, study for school, and even enjoy a little time with my hubby.  I also make sure that I fit in time for myself to get to the gym to keep myself moving and challenged.

6) Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope to be right here in the San Francisco Bay Area because I love it so much!  In terms of my career future, I am still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up!  I hope that I can incorporate my MBA and my love for healthy living into a career and I also hope to be able to be competitive enough to work less hours so that I can raise a family and/or finally get a puppy!

Do you want to be featured in the Worker Bee series? Email me at onalobsterplacemat AT gmail DOT com.

Ohhhhh, Sweet Clementine!

[wa wa wa]

Good times never felt so good.

I’ve been inclined….

[wa wa wa]

to believe it never would…..

………………

… Oh, orange, touching orange. Reaching out.

Touching me, touching you. …….Ohhhh sweet clementine!

This bowl of oatmeal felt so good, reached out and gave me the perfect way to wake up. I hope your breakfast did the same.

Tell me about a good time you’ve had recently.

Oh, and in case you don’t know the song referenced above, here is a video. NEIL DIAMOND!

My stomach felt quite upset today, so I needed something to soothe it. The food that gives me the most satisfaction comes in liquid form, it seems. Using a few various recipes as reference, I concocted a cheesy sweet potato kale dish that put me into a warm, fuzzy soup coma for hours.

I almost always buy kale, lettuce, spinach and/or chard when I go to the co-op. There’s something about the display of fresh, crisp greens that sucks me in. The low prices and nutritional value don’t hurt either. Plus, items like kale always seem to make main courses better and side courses more exciting.

I still haven’t found the right trick to mashing potatoes by hand. But let’s just say I’m getting a little closer. Each soup experiment gets a tad better.

I tasted my soup and knew it needed some flavor. I immediately went to my cheese drawer, which is always stocked. This is one big change in my life since I started dating Bill. I no longer fear the fat or calories in cheese but try and use it moderately for flavor.

Cheddar Dill? I think so.

I’m not going to tell you about the process because I wouldn’t say it was entirely successful. Let’s just say it involved a lot of stirring to get these ‘taters to the right consistency.

In the end, it was well worth it – because it presented me with this.

… which I must admit that I enjoyed while watching the last episode in the John Adam mini series. I was hooked to this special for the past few days, and when John and Abigail passed (as you know they did), my heart certainly yearned. That is no exaggeration.

Remember that you can still ask me anything! Questions are starting to roll in more slowly, so perhaps this might be the end? We shall see.

Many people asked about living in DC throughout this process, and here are two more questions related to living in our nation’s capitol:

What are some of your favorite things to do and places to see (or eat!) in DC?

I think the best way to answer this question is by neighborhood.

I really like the eateries and vibe in Dupont Circle. I’ve recently discovered the perks to Cleveland Park. I like Adams Morgan when I want to party. Chinatown feels like a sports street to me. Takoma is close to me, and if I had to pick anywhere to live long term – it’d be there. Restaurants I’ve loved: Granville Moore’s and Zaytina.

My favorite music venues are the Black Cat and 9:30 Club, though I also like the Rock n’ Roll Hotel.

I’d recommend driving across the bridges and see the monuments from there; it’s my favorite view rather than up close. I’d also recommend taking advantage of the hidden trails in DC. I like the Capitol Crescent Trail and Rock Creek Park, especially.

My most favorite moment in DC was probably going to the inauguration.

PS: Quinn has a great list of things to do here that I’d highly recommend.

How did you make your DC friends? I’ve lived here for a little bit and am struggling. It seems like people here are so caught up in themselves that they have no time for real friendships.

I met most of them through friends of friends. Some from old college connections. Some from work or new school connections. Others from friends of friends. Mostly just through other people though. I understand your struggle. I think DC tends to get a bad rap because people are very focused on their profession or school. I know that I am both, and it’s tough. But there are people here just as down-to-earth as anywhere else. My friends seem to be really understanding of my schedule, as I am with theirs. That’s half the battle.

They say good things come in small packages. I say small packages present good things. Tomato, tomato.

First: an art-related item. I received a save-the-date magnet for my cousin’s wedding, and I’m loving the photoshop work on this sucker.

So many small touches working on big levels. I’ve only met Kristin once, but after seeing this magnet, I can tell she is the woman for my cousin. We need more creative souls in the family. And if cousin Ryan was the one to come up with this? Well, I’m impressed.

Second: A perfectly rounded bowl of garlic-soy tofu with broccoli and pasta.

Bill cooked dinner tonight, and thankfully so. He has a way with tofu that I don’t. I think it has to do with impatient. My tofu always comes out squishy and watery. His seems to always have the right amount of crisp and moisture.

How can a small bowl contain so many good things at once? A creative cook at the stove will do it every time.

Third: Someone got a special birthday present today.

No, today is not Bill’s birthday. But yes, we do have a habit of giving gifts as soon as we buy them. I ordered him a concertina about a week ago, and it arrived in the mail today.

He now has all three free reed instruments (harmonica, melodica and concertina). I now must come up with another small gift so his birthday has some sort of surprise come March 11.

What good did you find today?

I realize there hasn’t been much on the blog in the way of food lately. It’s been a tough week. Writing has been put at the forefront. Fortunately, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I miss not being able to cook every day, but it’s nice to get together with a group of writers – like I did today. I went to Kelley’s house for a workshop this afternoon, and she had a nice spread of food out for us. Perfect for talking about characters, structure and tone

I was happy Kelley had this spread because I was certainly hungry – but not starving – so I did a lot of nibbling throughout our discussion. I’m such a sucker for a good cheese plate. Delicious.

She also made chocolate covered strawberries! Do I have good class friends or what?

My plate, which I ended up reloading a good two or three times. Sitting atop Kelley’s manuscript.

Plus, we had to have some wine. That always gets the discussion flowing. Especially when we’re trying to figure out what stories go where and what characters need to be (unfortunately) cut.

I’ve realized that I haven’t been writing much about my writing – other than to say I’ve been working on it. It’s been an intensely fun process: learning about my style, my characters, what title would best fit and what form. We took some time the other night in class to list adjectives for our collections. Here’s what my group said about mine:

Some of the words I expected: coming-of-age, regional, experimenting. Others I didn’t expect but didn’t surprise me either: melancholy, stoic, solemn and reflective. It’s interesting the way my writing doesn’t necessarily mirror me as a person. I don’t think I’m solemn or sad, but I’m a very muted writer. My main characters don’t tend to act much – but instead take everything in and reflect on what he/she sees.

Also, I’ve been thinking a lot about titles lately. I know you haven’t read the book, but I thought I’d share some titles I’ve been considering, and get a blog world opinion.

• Chewing Metal
• In Metal
• Metal Moving Bodies
• A Metal Moving Body
• A Metal Moving Bodies
• Muted Metal

The book is about a coming-of-age story set in Pittsburgh, Pa., and is highly influenced by the region. Hence all the metal talk (steel town, etc.)

Thoughts?