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.

     By now you all know my love for farmers markets. Mid-summer offers up so many colors and textures and shapes and tastes! The more colors going into my bag the better. This slaw brings together bright, eye-catching purple, orange, and green with a beautiful, refreshing crunch.

     What's even better than how pretty it is? I never had to turn on the oven! And in this humid, sticky 90 degree weather that is a huge bonus.

     Happy 2015! I've been really getting into oatmeal lately (somewhat of a New Years Resolution of mine to eat more healthy grains). This is a first for me, as I never really was into oats like, ever. Perhaps because growing up I only ever had the single packet kind that cooked to mush and was loaded with sugar. That stuff actually made me gag eating it! But I can't deny that true oats have great nutritional value and I wanted to give them a shot. Now I am so glad that I did! The real deal is delicious.

     I like sweet sometimes, but I am much more of a savory girl. Oats are perfect for that savory flavor! I love that they are appropriate for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

     I don't know about you, but my grocery shopping gets done once a week every Sunday. Typically I plan out my meals for the week to buy accordingly, but sometimes an unexpected craving comes along that requires buying a whole new load of groceries and ingredients. Cravings like tacos.

     For whatever reason I never plan tacos, but when the desire strikes I MUST have them. But I had zero ingredients for tacos (well, okay I had two. Lime and avocado. Whatever.) so making them would require buying ground beef, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, cheese...you get the picture. An excess of food and a strain on my wallet. Too much when I already had plenty of food at home, but I needed to have tacos. So I stopped at the store to buy flour tortillas and headed home determined to make it happen with what I already had. Damn am I glad I decided to be financially responsible because Asian Pork Tacos were produced!