One of my recent posts was on the topic of what it means to be a woman who wants it all.  I received a wide variety of responses, and not all of them were what I would have expected.  If you haven’t read the post, you can read it HERE.  I’d love to get your insights on that post before you watch this video! 

When you’re finished, please share your thoughts below!

http://www.averagegoddess.com

I just wrapped up my interview with Doreen Orion, author of Queen of the Road.  What a phenomenal gal.  She really drove home a lot of wonderful points… many of which I often try to convey, although perhaps without the pointed wit so evident in her story. 

We discussed the idea of spending 365 days in 340 square feet… with one’s husband…. EEEEEEEEEK!  Essentially, it could be the best or worst idea you’ve ever had.  (I believe I got her to reveal that the secret ingredient is…shhhh… laughter!)  We talked a great deal about the value of relationships in general, the role they play in a balanced and contented life, the importance of taking the time to maintain them, the richness they add to life’s experiences, and how they helped her to establish her priorities. 

Another of Doreen’s transformations in the course of her story is that of being a material girl (well she IS a princess, after all!), to a girl with… rather different priorities.  She explained how this came about for her, and gave some suggestions on how others might change their view for a much more relaxed, uncluttered life.

Finally, we explored the idea of taking risks… getting out of your comfort zone.  (I love this girl – we may have been sisters in another life!)  Do you suppose it’s more likely that you will learn your most valuable lessons doing the same things you’ve always done, or by embarking on a new adventure - perhaps driving your own “inner bus?”

Most importantly, we talked about pajamas, martinis, and shoes.  (I DID say she established her priorities, right?)

The interview will be available soon at http://www.AverageGoddess.com  Sign up to receive the free weekly ezine now, and be the first to know when it’s ready, as well as receive the great special offer that comes with it!

Find out more about Doreen and her adventures at www.queenoftheroadthebook.com

Get this week’s issue of the Secrets of the SIsterhood ezine at

www.averagegoddess-freebook.com/newsletter7.htm

and find out why fear can be your best friend when following your dreams.

Wishing you a passionate, prosperous, and powerful day!
Kristy
a.k.a. The Average Goddess

Soy.  As long as you’re not allergic, is it evidently the best miracle food since… whatever last month’s miracle food was.  While I am not a vegetarian, I am a bit of a crazy health nut, and if I can eat a food that lets me save a cow, GREAT!  I’ve done the soymilk (or as Lewis Black aptly declares, “soyJUICE”), and while I didn’t hate it, I’ll stick with good old-fashioned cow-boobie milk, thank you.  Edamame was great.  Tofu was my last major unexplored soy frontier.  As you know, Ian and I recently went to the farmer’s market, and CLEANED UP.  I was dying to make a stir-fry, and I says to myself, “Self,” I says, “this is the perfect opportunity to meet tofu.”  So on my next trip to the grocery, I hunted down what looked to be the ideal candidate:  organic, extra firm, “Chinese Spice” flavored.

I got home and opened the package.  As I found myself eye-to-eye with a swimming, slimy, Sponge Bob Square Pants creature in serious need of some exposure to daylight, my thoughts now became something more like, “Errrmmmm……. now what?”  Google that shit.  (Thanks Dane Cook – you’re my hero.)  Here is what I quickly discovered:  Tofu is a pain in the ass.  Why does no one ever mention that??!?  Open it, drain it, squeeze it for 15 minutes, slice it, pat it, dry-fry it, marinate it…  THEN it may actually be edible.  I got a kick out of one website mentioning that kids will eat tofu right out of the package.  I figured if kids will eat it, how bad can it be?  After all, I got a pre-flavored version, so maybe I can skip some of those steps.  I tried a bite.  Ok, DON’T DO THAT.  Oh my god, I had to go rinse with Listerine to get the taste out of my mouth.  Well, too late to turn back now.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

I was intimidated by vegetarian accounts of slimy, tasteless, restaurant tofu experiences, and was determined not to replicate those mistakes.  These were the guides I followed:  savvyvegetarian, hubpages, cooks.com, and youtube.  Prepping the tofu was an hour and fifteen minute extravaganza, and I still had to prepare the rest of the stir-fry!!  I have to admit, the tofu smelled really good while it was frying… a little like pancakes.  Actually, it kind of looks like pancakes as it turns golden brown.  (Resist the temptation to take a bite.  Trust me.)  At long, long last, I had the tofu marinating in a blend of balsamic vinegar, ground mustard, minced garlic, onion powder, ginger, a dash of salt and pepper, and ¼ cup of brown sugar, while I proceeded to the relative simplicity of chopping, seasoning, and sautéing the veg.  It hadn’t occurred to me to pick up any chow mein noodles or rice (der), but I discovered some whole wheat spaghetti hiding out in the cabinet.  What the hell… noodles is noodles, right?  Miraculously, the timing of this whole three-ring-circus turned out perfectly once the tofu was in a submission hold in the marinade, and as I dumped the sponge-now-masquerading-as-meat into the frying pan, I prayed just one quick Hail Mary that this whole food triathlon would not be a total loss.

As husband looked on skeptically (and who could blame him?), the items from the pans were loaded onto plates, and suddenly looked surprisingly like, well, food.  Smelled good, too.  As I took a cautious bit from a fork loaded with noodles, beans, peas, and a bite o’ the ‘fu, my eyes, which I realized I had painfully squeezed shut, began to relax, then open in surprise.  I looked across the table to see what must have been a mirror expression on Ian’s face.  This was… edible!  …   …   …   VICTORY!!  I would have done a little celebratory funky chicken, but by this time, I was starving and couldn’t be stopped. 

So how was it?  Honestly, on a scale of 1-10, it might have been about a 6, but I am exceedingly  proud of this accomplishment!  I actually think I did a pretty good job with the tofu, although I didn’t have any experts available for confirmation.  On the other hand, I would have liked some soy in my marinade; I forgot to add pineapples to the stir-fry; and rice might have been a better complement (although the whole wheat noodles weren’t bad).  My first reaction was that I could not see attempting this again, when god has seen fit to give me chickens.  Having had a few days to reflect, however, I find time has somewhat dulled the memory of the stress involved.  In my efforts to green my life, I like the idea that I can occasionally spare the life of a creature.  I also believe that there MUST be easier ways to prepare tofu, or it could not possibly have gained its current popularity.  I don’t know ANYONE, vegetarian or otherwise, who has an hour a night to prepare dinner.  Plus, I’m stubborn, and I don’t like the idea of being defeated by a lump of… of… squish.  So I shall probably try again. 

Help me out here, people.  What’s your favorite tofu prep?  Use small words please, because while I may turn out to be a prodigy, I’m still in the remedial cooking class!

All my love, Kristy