Currently...
Welcome to my new series, Currently...
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I'm breaking from my typical food-only content to offer something a little more broad, and a lot more personal. This past year I took a step back from blogging to work on other projects, and in that time I remembered why I started doing this in the first place. I missed blogging. I really love this little space that I've created. I love making new recipes, I love writing about their inspiration, I love sharing them, and I love the conversations and community that form as a result.
I want to expand on that love by making this space about more than just food. I want it to be a real reflection of who I am by sharing other aspects and interests of my life. I was inspired by some of my favorite food bloggers who regularly post non-recipe content, like Joy the Baker with her Let It Be Sunday posts and Suwannee Rose with her Monthly In Bloom posts. I tend to enjoy these even more than their regular recipe posts, so I decided to start doing something similar. Currently... will be an every-so-often newsletter about the things I'm currently into, because let's face it, I'm into a whole lot more than just food (and I'm guessing you are too).
I hope to spark conversation, to inspire, to open your eyes (and ears!) to new ideas, and to share all the things that are currently adding value to my life. I hope you find it entertaining and/or useful and enjoy reading it, but if you're only interested in recipes, I totally get that too.
I'd love to get your feedback! Let me know what you think about this new venture - I always love hearing from you.
So without further adieu, here's what I'm currently into right now:
Currently Reading...
- Our food choices come down to three things: Conditioning, fear and need. I spend *a lot* of time thinking about food, diet and why we the things we eat. It's complicated, to say the least. This is an incredibly thought-provoking article from the always inspiring Lily Diamond of the blog Kale + Caramel: From Vegan to Omnivore: How We Choose What We Eat.
- The truth is unpopular. It's true. Conspiracy theories. Reality TV. Manifesting. Social Media. Snake Oil. Religion. Nobody wants the truth, but everyone wants a story: The Best Thing My Psychic Mom Taught Me Is No One Wants To Hear The Truth.
- It's been an unusually hot September which means there are hurricanes abrewin'. I stood in the eye of Katrina AND Sandy. I hope I never have to see up-close devastation like that again. Here's to hoping Florence stays out at sea.
- David Byrne is playing a concert on my birthday and Chaser got us tickets! Back when I still "wasn't really sure about this guy," I got into his car and the Talking Heads were playing. I looked at him and said, "YOU like the Talking Heads??" He said, "I LOVE the Talking Heads!" And suddenly I became a bit more sure. 9/20 at the Mann in Philly - Tickets still available if you want to join! The visionary David Byrne on chickens, sustainability and other reasons to be cheerful
Currently Listening To...
- I've always loved this song by the Foo Fighters, and this is a brilliant cover done in a totally different style. Check it: Matt Duncan - Everlong.
- I recently heard this song on Pat Carney (of the Black Keys)'s radio show on Serius XMU and it blew me away. Released in 1977, this song is nothing like "Whip It." It has major Talking Heads / B52's / punk rock vibes and I can't stop listening to it: DEVO - Smart Patrol / Mr. DNA.
- Joe Rogan interviewed Elon Musk on his podcast earlier this week. They smoked a little weed together, and everyones freeeakin'out man. I listened. It made my brain hurt. Artificial Intelligence is scary af. Joe Rogan Experience #1169 - Elon Musk.
Currently Watching...
- The new season of Ozark!
- Very funny comedian and hobbyist baker Tom Papa has a new show about baked goods on the Food Network. We no longer have cable, but if we did, I'd be all over this: Baked with Tom Papa.
Currently Cooking...
- Tonight I'm making Moussaka (only I'm using lamb instead of turkey) with all the eggplant from my garden. My brother and sister are coming over - something that happens rarely, but is always cherished.
- Tomorrow night I'm making Danielle's Crispy Coconut Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa. She sent me a box full of the most delicious mangoes I've ever tasted, and I sent her back a box of tomatoes. It's a really delicious garden pen-pal situation we've got going on, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
- Everyone's moved on from summer to fall, but I'm still savoring the last of the peaches, corn, tomatoes... literally everything is in season right now. It's the Best Time of Year to Cook and these 57 Recipes Prove it (Bon Appetit).
It's an honor to have you be a part of my world.
Have a wonderful week. <3
Hey Coley!
Check out a blog called "A cup of Jo".https://cupofjo.com/
On Friday's she has a weekend post with a similar theme as Currently. Just alot of links to things happening not all related to cooking.
Enjoy
Coley: Just happened by to see your new posting. Amazing idea. You are truly creative and beautifully gifted. How do you peel a mango?
Thanks Stephanie! If the mangoes are firm, you can use a vegetable peeler to peel them. Sometimes I cut off the "cheeks" and skin them like I would a fillet of fish - but I realize that isn't the simplest advice. I bet my friend Danielle has some even better ideas!
YAY! This is awesome. You always tie in a good story with your recipes, but it's nice not to be confined to a topic. I love a quick rundown, and especially love music and good reads (I'm jumping into that psychic lady story rn). I can't believe you put me next to Joy the Baker up there. Ha. I adore her. We should go to her Bakehouse one day.
So glad the mangos made it. Loved that you got fresh tuna from a friend to go with them. What a score. That just goes to show you are putting out some good vibes in this world.
Thank you in advance for the tomatoes. I can't wait for that true tomato smell. I will devour them.
I would LOVE to go to the Bakehouse together one day!! You two are totally in the same camp. We've been devouring the mangoes. They are unreal! So glad the tomatoes made it safe - I can't wait to see what you make with them!
Coley --: I think that this is a great way to expand your reach. You a far too bright to limit yourself - cf: Soulberri’s success and your food stylist skills. I’m sure that this venture is gonna be a hit as well. Relative to this posting: Reading about food is sometimes as interesting as making food for me. As soon as I read the part about from ‘Vegan to Omnivore’ I rushed over to my bookcases to get my well-worn copy of Pollan’s 2006 smash hit ‘The Omnivore’s Dilemma’. Sadly that gem and the equally great ‘The Soul of a Chef - The Journey Toward Perfection’ recently fell victim to my efforts at downsizing as we prepare to move into a condo in Nevada and give up all of this space. For the first time in 30 years I had to give away 325 of my favorite children - I mean books, of course - and sadly this one and Michael Rulhman’s incredible ode to cooking both fell victim to that massacre. I’m guessing that you’ve likely read Dilemma since parts of it blends so seamlessly with your sustainability interests. If you have not read it yet - I strongly recommend it. He takes you from a meal at Mickey D’s to one from Whole Foods to another from a glorious sustainable farm where pigs apparently are willing to die gladly since they were treated so well when alive. It really is a glorious book and one that I’ve happily read and re-read at least five times.
I hope that ‘Currently’ is a huge smash for you and leads to more writing. It is a rather strange coincidence that we happened to tune into 'Julie & Julia' last night (not for the first time…). And I think that very much like Julie, there is a writer out there just waiting to pop out from your blogs. You’ve exhibit that great blend of irreverent bitchiness with a sound foothold in the culinary arts and possess the knack of putting your thoughts on paper as if you were chatting on the phone. You could possibly possess that ‘inner Faulkner’ that I prayed that I might find in myself - and sadly never did. Good luck, young lady. Write strong.
Bruno - thanks for such an awesome and encouraging comment! Your comments always make my day. I LOVE Omnivore's Dilemma and should actually read it again sometime soon - it's been a while. I'm actually REALLY interested in reading Michael Pollan's new book - are you familiar?! Thanks for coming along on my journey 😉
Love this Coley!
Some of my other favorite blogs do the same type of thing with a weekly post of other interesting topics.
Keep it up!
Thanks for the encouragement, Jim!
Hey Coley!
Check out a blog called "A cup of Jo".https://cupofjo.com/
On Friday's she has a weekend post with a similar theme as Currently. Just alot of links to things happening not all related to cooking.
Enjoy
Thanks James! I actually have been to that blog before but didn't know about those Friday posts. Will definitely check it out!!