Shirking My Health Responsibilities

Last month, after at least a year of being too exhausted for normal life, I finally found a naturopath in my small Louisiana city. I won’t go into all the reasons I don’t trust doctors, but let’s just say instead of the normal 5 minutes (maybe) with an MD, I spent nearly 3 hours with the naturopath, and for about the same price. Not all naturopaths are angels, of course, but this one I listened to, namely because she didn’t try to sell me anything froo-froo or push her own supplements on me. I “simply” needed to go on an anti-inflammatory diet, drink more water instead of wine, take probiotics and other supplements I could get at one of the stores in town (or through her), get more rest, do some light exercises and not push myself so hard. Sounded sorta doable. Anything to feel better. And guess what, it worked! … for a few weeks. It stopped working not because of anything wrong with the diagnosis, but because of holiday parties, and then running out of my supplements, and of course my own weaknesses. I gave in. I was doing so well too. I even found myself craving fruits and vegetables. Wha?! But little by little the oozy, creamy, cheesy dips, the cascading wine and champagne, the toasts, the cakes, the the the … Ahhhhhh. And in Louisiana, the fun doesn’t begin with Christmas and end with New Year’s Eve. There are the epiphany king cake parties, then the ooooh-it’s-kinda-chilly-out-let’s-have-gumbo parties, and the cochon de laits, and the boucheries, and the we-haven’t-hung-out-in-sooooo-long get-togethers and so on and so on. Alas, I do so love the food and the libations. However, aside from getting healthier, another of my must-do’s this year is not feeling guilty. That adds weight and exhaustion too, n’est-ce pas? Check! Check! and Check!

I know, I know, I am starting to feel like shite again and I do need to take care of myself, starting today. Even with Mardi Gras coming up. Even with a nearby trip to NYC, my favorite place to eat EVER. Seriously. But in the meantime, take a look below at all the fun délices I’ve been cooking, eating, drinking and/or giving in to during the past month. Bring on the carrots and herbal tea! Bon appétit!

1. Tarte Tatin (Came out great!)
2. Cheese, Bacon and Sweet Corn Scones (I added the bacon to the recipe. Not as light and fluffy as I wanted them to turn out, but if at first you don’t succeed.)
3. Frying up bacon for the Scones.
4. Champagne Tea Party where we enjoyed the above-mentioned Goodies along with Miss Emily’s scrumptious Blueberry Scones.
5. Impromptu Escargots, Brie, Martini and Champagne soirée with the lovely Miss Michelle.
6. Bacon-Wrapped Chicken, Radishes with Anchovy Butter Toasts, etc. at Miss Emily’s.
7. Blistered Shishito Peppers, Escargots and Citrus Marmalade-Olive Oil Cake.

8. Baked Goat’s Milk Brie
9. Orange Slices dipped in Chocolate and Pistachios
10. Stuffed Radicchio and Mini Cheese Shells at Miss Abi’s, pre-New Year’s Eve tea party.
11. & 12. Country lakeside home and elixirs: Setting for a sacred New Moon ladies’ soirée.
13. Wassail though it looks more like a furry wool something or other.
14. Taking a tea and digestive Hygge breather.
15. Being a good girl and buying an array of veggies at the market.
16. My supplement cocktail. Oy vey.