Honestly, I haven’t wanted to write this post.
But here we are. And we’re fine, and the coffee is hot, and sugared and creamed… the toast has extra avocado and spice and alright… here are some thoughts:
• This is real and true and has changed my stressy-anxieties for the past few years… if I can just remember to do it when I need it most. Breathe. Exhale. Repeat. The Benefits of Controlled Breathing.
• “We can practice kindness, we can pay it forward, we can volunteer, and we can serve. We can respect one another. We can always get each other’s backs. That is what Veterans Day asks all of us to think about.” President Obama urges a disgruntled and divided country to practice kindness.
• Denounce the hate, Mr Trump (and all of us).
• Where you put your energy and where you put your money makes a difference in the world. That stays true. If you feel motivated to put your money in pro-women, pro-immigrant, pro-earth: Put your money here.
• I think it’s important to continue looking at both sides of things: The Case Against Cats. “What makes an animal a pet—a creature to which our emotions attach, sometimes in logic-warping ways—is surprisingly difficult to pin down. Cats are a particularly puzzling case.”
• Meet Tito Superdude Jackson.
• 86 burglars on how they broke into homes. Alarm on. Music on. Ferocious Tron on watch.
• I made this Lentil and Ginger Soup a very long time ago and it remains a very fine and good soup / life decision.
• Something from Food52 I want to make this week: Pasta e Fagiole. Back to basics.
• I made Deb’s Pumpkin Bread this week, added an embarrassing amount of chocolate, and I’m much better for it.
• This three-tiered oven rack is a Thanksgiving hack I can get behind.
• I’m not ready for Christmas music but I am ready for a Christmas Candle, I mean… right??
I love you, ok?
xo Joy
Elana Goldberg
I am looking for a fun thanksgiving dessert to make that the “kids will love”. That is literally my assignment from my hostess friend. I found this post of yours to be relevant even a year later. I don’t mind reading bloggers that get political. In fact, I feel as though we are human beings who ought to be sharing dialogue on important matters such as chocolate and who’s running the country! What I don’t understand is the whiplash response to cutting you off because because a Republican reader can’t abide by your comments to “be kind” to one another. You said nothing derogatory or inflammatory and certainly showed restraint at such a difficult time as that week. Since election night, the one lesson that continues to resonate is that we all need to learn more about one another, listen to differing opinions than our own and keep things civil. None of us should change who we are because of this administration but continued dialogue is needed. Thank you for your honesty, humor and love of all things food!
joythebaker
Thank YOU for your thoughtful comment Elana! I really do appreciate you.
kriegerkate
Thanks for this post, Joy. Hugs, Kate.
Edlyn
You have such a great platform and you use it and use it well. I come for the food but I always stay for the heart.
Kate
I remember making the lentil and ginger soup when you first posted it, the kitchen smelt so garlicky and I’m pretty sure there is still a tub of it in my dad’s freezer! It was such good comfort food, especially covered in cheese :)
susie
Hey Joy, I have a food-related question for you!
One of my favorite ways to eat banana bread is to toast a slice up with some butter in a hot skillet and then top it with a fried egg and a little S&P
I don’t indulge in that treat quite as often as I enjoy myself a slice or two of avocado toast, also topped with egg
I was thinking about the two at the same time and was wondering…..have you ever made an avocado bread? Since it is such a delicate flavor I’m not sure how successfully it would come through in a quick bread, and how it would even look baked up….but then again I don’t know enough about baking to even know where to begin inventing such a thing as avocado bread. I think I wouldn’t want it to be sweet though because I feel like sugar would make it hard to taste the avocado.
I think part of the joy of the usual avocado toast is all the textural contrast — warm runny yolk then cool creamy avocado then crunch exterior of toast then creamy interior of toast … and I guess avocado bread would throw some of that out the window. But new is exciting! Fresh is fun!
Okay I’m done. You’re great, thanks for the inspiration and the love. Keep doin what you do because you do you the best.
Paula
Love you too, Joy. Thanks for all the beauty. xo