by Sam Tackeff | Nov 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
It’s just barely before midnight, so I’m about to put myself to bed. But I promised to linger here for a few minutes every day in November, so I’m doing my duty to myself, my brain, the words that have been asking to get out onto the page, and I’m showing up.
Puptron had a long day – as did I.
I got a special delivery from Sephora. I’m not usually fussy with my face, but I needed some spa-type face masks because I’m inspired lately to indulge in these things at home.
My mother enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with her grand-dog while I was out and about. We haven’t spent to much time apart yet (me and the pup), and she did a great job putting my crazy puppy parent anxiety at ease.
I got to treat her to lunch at home – an omelet, roasted eggplant, fennel salad with raita and gouda. She came with the roasted eggplant and gouda, so really, she was treating me!
I finished reading #Girlboss.
Dinner was salad, grilled chicken, and mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes came from Whole Foods. No shame – I’m happy with semi-home made when it means dinner in 15 minutes… and really any excuse to have some mashed potatoes.
There was a small slice of almond cream cake for dessert.
The weather was in the 70s on November 5th.
New England, you confuse me.
by Sam Tackeff | Nov 2, 2015 | Uncategorized
Much of my free time these days is spent on adventures in the outdoors, adequately tuckering out Bertram the Frenchie! Here he is with a neighborhood friend Caesar! We do about two miles a day, sometimes a little bit more, and he’s a great walking partner.
This morning I opened my fall course – the Secrets of Self Care. It’s one of those twinkling moments – a mix of fear and excitement, launching something you’ve worked for a long time to build. And then… like that, it’s out in the world!
I’m keeping the program open for a day or two if you decide to hop on – 6 weeks where we turn inward, focus on taking care of ourselves, and bolster ourselves for the holiday season and the new year! Just send me an email – sam@samanthatackeff.com, and I’ll get you started!
Success!
by Sam Tackeff | Nov 18, 2014 | Uncategorized
Last night I waved a coworker off wishing her a great weekend. On a Monday. It’s safe to say that this week is already feeling long. The temperature has dipped to almost freezing, and every time I come back to the house, I’m reluctant to leave again. Life would be better in some form of hibernation over the winter, and while I’m not a bear, I’m doing my best to replicate the cozy cave thing here on my couch. Tonight I’ve been curled up, wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, drinking the Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend Herbal Tea (thank you, Alexann!) in the brand new mug that Devon gave me.
Can we speak about this mug for a moment? When I came home from my race, it was waiting for me – not only is it one of my favorite colors, but the Frenchie looks suspiciously like our RunKeeper office dog @frenchiedijon. Yes, we’ve become those people. Totally lusting after the dogs of coworkers and friends. Dijon’s mom already knows that if he goes missing she should probably call me.
The mug was part of a two part wonderfully thoughtful gift – the second box was filled with two special bags of coffee from Blue Bottle, which means that my mornings for the next week or two are going to be stellar.
So about this gift giving business. I’m notoriously bad at it. But because I’ve resigned myself to the holiday season being here, I’ve been putting together a Pinterest board of food gifts so I don’t forget about all the things that I’d like to acquire. (Mostly for myself.) I’ll be adding to it over the next few weeks. Take a look!
Follow Sam’s board Foodie Gift Guide on Pinterest.
What’s on your wish list?
by Sam Tackeff | Nov 4, 2014 | Uncategorized
I’m sitting on the couch, procrastinating, as I should be packing for my morning flight to Savannah. My thoughts feel disjointed, there’s so much to do before I leave. For November, I’ve committed to writing in this space every day, but writing isn’t easy when fatigue sets in, and somehow I’ve found myself attempting (and struggling) to be coherent well past my bed time. Will you forgive me? Perhaps this ridiculously adorable stuffed animal will make up for my fumbling?
On voting day, I find myself thinking about service to others, wondering how best to build a life that impacts others in a meaningful way. I’m not sure why I didn’t take a photo of my “I Voted!” sticker, but it’s stuck proudly to my jacket tonight. The television is on mute in the background, as I watch the poll tickers flash silently. It’s a waiting game. I can’t listen to the commentators without wanting to throw something at the television. On any channel, regardless of partisan leanings. Tomorrow we’ll know the names of those who will be serving as our leadership, and hopefully they’ll consider putting away the politic-ing, and get to down to business governing.
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I read a biography of William James, and was particularly drawn to his meticulously kept reading lists. I’m fascinated by how curated reading can shape a person, and I really like the idea of an organized pursuit of knowledge, a deeper dive into a subject. I read an article in the Millions a few days ago, about a woman reading through the biographies of our United States presidents in order of their presidency, and thought that it might be a fascinating project.
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Photographs today are from home – I spent most of the morning working from the couch so I could go vote during lunch time, and avoid the lines. Tea at White Heron, highly recommended if you are traveling through Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The front garden persists, despite first snow, and harsh conditions. Bright red pineapple sage blossoms, a budding rose, ornamental kale, and parsley that is still growing like a weed. It seems like the plants aren’t quite ready for winter either.
by Sam Tackeff | Nov 3, 2014 | Uncategorized
Leaving work tonight, I walked to the train with one of my coworkers, but then had to miss it because I didn’t have enough loaded onto my Charlie card. I trudged up the stairs as the train slipped away, and had 12 minutes to wait on the platform. “C’est la vie!” – I texted to Devon, but of course I had Laurie Colwin’s ‘Home Cooking: A Writer in the Kitchen’ to keep me company on my Kindle, so I’ve learned that a few extra minutes to myself are always welcome, and nothing to get frustrated about.
My reading was stalled however, as across the tracks, an unstable woman railed on about Menino, his wife, and Caroline Kennedy’s entitlement, and how they aren’t “of the people”. A cloud is over Boston, I should note, for those not living here, as the loss of Mayor Menino was truly devastating news to anyone who has lived in the city. He was a kind and giving man. As she yelled on, a man with a thick Boston accent stopped to disagree with her, and we all watched agape for some minutes until a train rolled in and they both got in and left. I put away my Kindle, and waited for the red line to Alewife to come.
There was no broccoli tonight. I had the best intentions of broccoli. Something green, a little bitter. The truth is, I was tired, and I wanted hot dogs and beans, one of the dishes I’ve been craving since childhood. My grandfather used to make them – he always kept individually saran-wrapped hot dogs in the freezer to microwave in a pinch. For many decades, he was in the meat business, and you could say that hot dogs, in a way, are a sort of family legacy.
I used to favor exclusively Pearl’s, a family owned business in Massachusetts that boasts the best: “Once you have them you will agree that Pearl frankfurts are the frankfurts that all others should be measured by”; and I still keep my eye out for them in the store. But now I’m more likely to pick up a package of Applegate organic uncured beef hot dogs, and the organic baked beans from Trader Joe’s, which are sweet, but not sickly so.
You’ll want to warm your hot dogs in the pan before heating up the beans, otherwise you’ll have cold hot dogs, and boiling hot beans! And instead of vegetables, there were warm, buttery crescent rolls. The kind that come in a can, and give you a tiny heart attack when you break the seal and the dough bursts forth from the cardboard with a large pop.
I’m not particularly nervous about my race on Saturday, but I know that I need to be well hydrated all week long to deal with the potential heat in Savannah. So I’ve been drinking water like a boss. And then there are the sneezers, and the snifflers, who have breeched my safety bubble while packed like sardines on the red line. I’m starting to get a little paranoid – is that a scratch in my throat? Am I going to get sick? Tonight I went to the store to see if I could find a packet of Dr. Dahl’s ColdChaser, which I got in my head was going to ward off all possible sickness, but I’m pretty sure that they are only available at Whole Foods and other stores in California. So I’ll keep on hydrating, and hope for the best.
by Sam Tackeff | Oct 26, 2014 | Meat, Uncategorized
The second month of my Walden Local Meat share arrived on Thursday, and I find myself with a freezer full of meat of all types that need to be used. Every month Walden sends out a survey that allows you to mention your preferences and order any add ons. You can order the amount of meat that you’d like – starter packs start at $49, and I pay $129 a month for a full share with 10-11 pounds of meat, with several pounds of ground meat (lamb, pork, beef), sausages, bacon, and other charcuterie. This month I added a few extras: two dozen fresh eggs, a pound of chicken livers, and a tube of home made liverwurst. Liver and other offal are such nutrient dense foods, and I’m a firm believer in eating the best quality you can find – it’s a relief to be able to source high quality from my CSA!
Dinner tonight was with some of the leftover beef from last month that I reluctantly took out from the back of the freezer. (My first month I opted not to specify what cuts I wanted, and just hope for the best. I was 90% satisfied, and made sure to make requests this month!) I wanted this to work a little bit better than it did – I think I’m just not a fan of certain roast cuts of beef – despite cooking in the pressure cooker in a good amount of liquid, the meat always ends up a little bit dry. Alas, not every dish is a winner. Nevertheless, this was an easy dish to make, and with better beef, and a great barbecue sauce, it makes for a decent dinner.
Barbecue Beef with Sauerkraut. I started with a few pounds of beef (I had a 2 lb. thawed round roast, but this would be much better with brisket or chuck roast) which I seasoned with salt and garlic powder, and put it in my instant pot with a cup of barbecue sauce, a cup of apple cider, and a little bit of stock. I set it on high pressure for 45 minutes on the meat/stew setting.
To eat, pull the meat out of the liquid, and serve with extra barbecue sauce, sauerkraut, and pickles.
Pro-tip: eat your meat stew with pickles! (Turks do this, and it’s one of my favorite additions to stew or beans. You immediately get something salty, crunchy, and sour to help balance out what might be a lackluster stew, or take a great one to even greater heights. I like sauerkraut with pickles, because of the added fermented benefits!)
Walden Local Meat, Carlisle, Massachusetts.
Free delivery to the Greater Boston Area. If you commute into Boston, you could get the shipment delivered to work, and it’ll stay conveniently cold in the reusable freezer bag packed with your frozen meat and some dry ice.
