Wishing on Pennies - Weekend Thoughts

Image unrelated; just enjoy it you fools

Let me begin by saying I am one of the most cynical people I know. I come in second after my own father, whose dry sarcasm and cynicism makes me sound like an optimist.

So of course I began my Saturday at work dreading the inevitable tourists asking the same questions: "Were you on Cupcake Wars?" "Do you have red velvet?" "What is the lemon cupcake filled with?" "Where's the bathroom?"

But before the influx of stupid, repeated questions, a mom popped her head in and asked if I could break her $20 into change, providing her with a few pennies her daughter could throw into the fountain. I pulled a few pennies out of their secret hiding bucket and handed them to the mother, who tried handing back all but one.

I said, "Honestly, I have a ridiculous amount of pennies. Please take them!"

"I'll tell my daughter to make a wish for you," she responded with a smile.

A few minutes later the daughter, who looked about 7 years old, shyly approached the counter and said, "Hi Kelly, thank you for the pennies." and proceeded to run back to hide behind her mother.

"Tell her what you wished for her," her mom coaxed.

In my head I was thinking, I hope she wished that I didn't have to work and could be outside in the sun. She wished I would give her a free cupcake.

"I wished for you to have a really good day," she said.

My heart melted. "I will now!" I answered, truly touched by how thoughtful she was. The mother thanked me again and they left, and everyone who was in the store felt a little bit brighter.

Of course soon after, we became busy and I began to stress out a bit. My friend who happened to be visiting me, and witnessed the little girl's wish, gave me a hug as she was leaving and said, "Just remember, you're going to have a good day. It was wished for." I took a deep breath and smiled. How could I stay negative?

Although the store remained busy and filled with impatient customers, I didn't let it effect me too much. Despite the fact that a majority of people are mean, greedy, and ignorant, my faith in humanity can be restored through moments like this.

That's a Wrap!

Arguably my second favorite food after sandwiches, wraps have been my current lunchtime go-to. This past week I made quinoa wraps with sauteed mushrooms, roasted peppers, greens, and a miso dressing. The dressing is what ties it all together really, but that recipe is for another post.

Today I had the day off (a Saturday off work?!), and took advantage of the ability to 1. cook a hot meal and 2. photograph the shit out of it before chowing down.

This one was a riff off of Healthy. Happy. Life.'s vegan breakfast burrito. Instead of spinach, I blanched some kale and tossed it in with the tofu (sauteed in tumeric, cayenne pepper, and minced garlic). Then I topped it with Daiya's vegan pepperjack, roasted red pepper, and cilantro.

Fucking yum. Vegan cheese doesn't melt as quickly as regular cheese, but it also doesn't stick to the skillet as much. I also can't make wraps look as pornographic amazing as Kathy from Happy. Healthy. Life., but it's a start.

Going vegan has been one of the best things I could have done. Sure, I still drink too much alcohol to reap all of the benefits of being vegan, but I'm going to play the "Whatever, I'm young" card. I feel healthier, and being able to have the will power to not eat cheese or cupcakes feels empowering.

Also, my mom has been surprisingly supportive. She used to hide meat in my meals during my vegetarian stint in high school (don't hate her, I don't blame her for worrying about my protein intake during those years), but now she always finds a delicious vegan dinner recipe for when I visit home.