I have often thought of having separate blogs for writing about yoga, writing about food, writing about parenting, and writing about writing, but the truth is I’m way too lazy for that sort of organization. While I enjoy reading blogs that stick to one subject, and I believe that is the conventional wisdom for increasing your readership, I could never do that. I don’t have enough coherent thoughts on any one subject to merit separate blogs. Some might argue that I don’t have enough coherent thoughts on any subject to merit blogging at all, but to them I say: Whatever.
So what you are getting around here these days is the gumbo: the delicious mixture of everything that is my life! Today some beets arrived in my organic produce box, and I am inflicting them on my family for dinner, with a recipe that Wayne sent me. My mother-in-law agrees with me that beets taste like dirt. We are going to try to open our minds to beets. All we are saying is, give beets a chance. I will report back tomorrow if we have been converted to beetlovers. If not, I will try the beet and sweet potato chips that Lilalia suggested, and if we don’t like those, I will sadly declare my home a beet-free zone.
I have been thinking about my novel-in-progress a lot, and when the kids go back to school on Monday, I hope to get back into the swing of it. I think I have a better sense of where it’s going…for now…until one of my characters decides to take a u-turn and do something completely unexpected.
My husband pointed out to me this morning that blogging about yoga, reading blogs about yoga, hanging out on yoga websites, and looking at yoga books do not actually constitute a yoga practice. I have not actually been on the yoga mat today, due to various appointments and things, but I am planning a lazy restorative practice later this evening.
And now, to peel the beets!
January 3, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hey, wait a minute — how is being immersed in yoga not practice? It may be the mental side instead of the physical, but isn’t that true of mediation as well? OK, so it sounded good in my head….
And hooray for gumbo! For myself, I like one-note blogs for professional stuff but much prefer symphonies when hearing about a person’s life.
January 3, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I agree with Kirsten – it certainly is Yoga..isn’t it?
Although I do split my blogs, somedays I find it so difficult to do and my attention sometimes just stays at one of them (usually Yoga!)
I love gumbo so please do not change…you’re great as you are
January 3, 2008 at 5:35 pm
beets – yum! Seriously, the first few times I had them I swear I was drinking dirt…. but I kept at it, just knowing how good they are for me. Strangely enough, i know adore them!
(if only I could say the same for peas!)
xx
January 3, 2008 at 7:03 pm
i once had a cold beet salad at a restaurant in Portland. the salad was delicious.
and i like the gumbo-i get bored easily
January 3, 2008 at 9:29 pm
If the gumbo keeps you writing, bring it on home. Ever try beet salsa? A++!
January 3, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I chuckle each time I see Eden’s cat in your sidebar. My favorite for beets (and I’ve never seen them down here in Mexico, so I’m totally jonsing for this now) are salads. Boil the beets. Let them cool. Beets, feta cheese, maybe some greens and maybe mandarin oranges. Or maybe just beets, slices of onion and big chunks of feta. Then drizzle oil and balsamic over it all. Try that and tell me you hate beets! And if you are fool enough to dismiss the beet, send it to me.
January 3, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Ooooh, isn’t it interesting when husbands get all oracular like that?
January 3, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Give beets a chance!
I love them, here’s my favorite recipe, super easy.
Equal amount of beets, sweet potatoes (or yams), and new red potatoes (or fingerlings). Cut in equal bit size pieces and put in a large baking dish, toss with olive oil so that everything is covered. If you want you can season with thyme or you can throw in a leek. Put in over at 375 or 400 if in a hurry, for around 45 minutes (no need to cover with lid), every 15 minutes or so mix it around. Enjoy! Seriously even my 6 year old nephew loves this dish.
I really enjoy reading your blog – keep the gumbo.
January 4, 2008 at 9:04 am
i always thought beets were so beautiful – but i can’t stand to eat them. i love cooking them, though, and putting them on a plate!
as for your gumbo of a life… that why i keep coming back.
January 4, 2008 at 9:13 am
Life *is* a gumbo. Beets also pair well with jak jerky.
January 4, 2008 at 9:14 am
er, YAK jerky…
January 4, 2008 at 9:58 am
Are they door to door organics beets? They ROCK! I pink puffy heart beets. We slice ours about 1/2″ thick, sprinkle them with rice wine vinegar and herbs de province, wrap them in foil and toss them on the grill for 10 minutes ish. Unwrap and eat.
January 4, 2008 at 9:59 am
Whoops, it’s more like 30-40 minutes on the grill. Not 10
January 4, 2008 at 11:56 am
Did I mention that you have to use a bit of coriander, pepper, and a dash of nutmeg on the beet and sweet potato chips? Keep the salt for the end. Beets have to be cut thin, sweet potatoes at least three times thicker. Beets have to be cooked more than the potatoes. Like Liz’s idea of including red potatoes in as well.
January 4, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I love gumbo! It’s perfect.
I love beets. My daughter loves beets. My husband hates beets. Catherine’s idea sounds like a lovely one. I wonder if I could do that in the oven? I like Kittykat’s idea, too. I’ll have to try these (when my daughter’s here, that is).
January 6, 2008 at 9:24 pm
hey ~ i just ran across your blog and wanted to tell you i dig it. i’ve added you to my reader! yay for gumbo and beets and yoga *and* writing *and* everything else that goes on in life!
happy new year
namaste.
January 9, 2008 at 3:55 pm
“blogging about yoga, reading blogs about yoga, hanging out on yoga websites, and looking at yoga books do not actually constitute a yoga practice. ” It doesn’t? I’m gutted! I kind of use that technique for pretty much everything…