My boyfriend, Zach, and I have been spending our quarantine over the last 6 weeks (woah it's been that long?) in Pennsylvania with his family. For the past couple of weeks specifically we have been at his dad's lake cabin enjoying the peace and quiet. I've been especially enjoying time spent in nature and learning about the plants around us. It is very different from what we are used to living in Brooklyn, but I am grateful to have this time to pause and reconnect with trees and streams and grass and moss. Plus I found the mother lode of RAMPS(!!!) which is incredibly exciting. Not finding ramps growing in the wild on Myrtle Ave anytime soon, after all. 

     Anyway, when I think "cabin by the lake" I think campfires. And what goes with campfires? Marshmallows of course. Every good cabin will have a supply. Just our luck that we are spending this time in a good cabin.

     How's your quarantine going? If it is anything like mine, you've been cooking A LOT. After all, I've got a lot of time on my hands. Though I am doing my best to eat healthy (I would say I am succeeding for the most part), I need those comforting and indulgent meals, too. AKA not entirely healthy AKA who cares it's quarantine.

     That's not to say this meal is totally bad for you. I mean, sure, there's a whole stick of butter involved, but damn it is good for the soul and your taste buds. Right now "good for the soul" is a definite win.

     I have to admit, this whole quarantine thing is really bringing me to a place mentally that I haven't been to in years on top of giving me totally new anxieties. Every other hour I go from being okay to convinced I have or am going to catch this virus. All this during spring allergy season when my breathing is already sub-par? Ugh. And don't get me started on thinking about my friends and family at this time. It feel like everything is just so out of my control! And in a way, it is.

     There are a few things I find comfort in during this time, however. Knowing I'm not the only one experiencing these overwhelming feelings of anxiety and depression. Reintroducing calming self care like yoga and meditation back into my daily routine. Cooking for and therefore caring for my boyfriend and his dad (I LOVE cooking in general, but cooking for the people I love is my absolute favorite). This time has allowed me to get creative with what's on hand knowing that a grocery store run isn't so easy to do. And while we may be stuck inside for who knows how long I refuse to let it stop us from enjoying every meal.

**NOTE: Truthfully, I wrote this post before all of the crazy events that have taken place over the past few of weeks. Sure, coronavirus was a concern then, but it hadn't kicked into full gear. I thought about rewriting this to be more appropriate to the time, but decided it best to keep it as is. After all, there was an authenticity to it when it was originally written and why would I want to take that away from it? In all seriousness, I hope this recipe serves you all well while we are quarantining. Stay safe, eat good food, and enjoy.**

     When it comes to meat, fish and seafood tend to be my favorite (sorry, pork, you are close but not quite #1). Yet every winter my fish consumption drops as I tend to crave heavier, filling meals. But who is to say I can't enjoy a hearty fish dish? Why does my brain automatically pass it over as if it won't be satisfying?

     When people turn 30 it usually goes one of two ways - they either have a mini crisis because they can't fathom that their 20's are over, or they are ready to take on adulthood by the horns. OK - maybe that is a bit of a generalization. A stereotype at best. But there is some truth to it! I recently turned 30 and I'd say I landed somewhere in the middle. I was SO excited to turn 30 (bye bye 20's) and didn't necessarily have a crisis but I made a lot of change happen (because who wants to waste their time doing things they don't care about anyway). I moved into a new apartment in a new neighborhood, quit my job to pursue my dreams, and decided to take better care of myself and my health. After all, I'm not getting younger. 
     I'm stretching and meditating *almost* daily. I'm being good about being less negative and having more gratitude in my life. I'm trying to sleep at least 7 hours a night. I've already cut back on/virtually eliminated gluten because it is inflammatory for me. I eat significantly less dairy because, well, same. I eat way more vegetables. And now I'm trying to really get some whole grain balance in there.