4/15/08

Cupcakes and Heartbreak Salad

Photobucket

When your relationship ends, the whole world comes to a stop. Minutes seem like days and its hard to believe that you will ever want to listen to music, read a book, or eat anything that doesn't come out of a box again. However, if you can drag yourself out of bed and away from the Jameson's, its possible that some sifting, chopping, and mixing could cheer you a little.

Well, it did for me. Just a little.

The cupcakes I made for a friend's birthday party which she conveniently held at my bar. They're both from VCTOTW. On the left we have the gingerbread cupcakes topped with lemon cream-cheese icing, and on the right the strawberry tallcakes (a variation on my favorite chocolate cherry cream cupcakes. While the tallcakes were good and very pretty, the gingerbread cupcakes were INSANE. Kind of spicy and slightly salty, topped with the most fabulous icing I have ever had, vegan or not. My roomate was furious with me when I polished off the last of those two babies.
Photobucket
Seriously, try them. Its always nice to be the one bringing cupcakes to the party. :)

After the rush of the weekend, I was still (understandably, I think) pretty miserable. On a whim I stopped into Wholefoods, vaguely planning to get something from the to-go section. But walking through the produce aisle, inspiration struck. Some bright and ripened mangos caught my eye, reminding me of all the mango trees in Cuba and what a wonderful thing it is to reach up and grab a juicy piece of fruit when its hot outside. Some avacado and fresh corn got tossed in, reminding me of a delicious guacamole they have at a restaurant in Atlanta that I commonly frequented when I was single. Some fresh cucumbers and tomatoes so red they made me smile. And finally, some wasabi dressing- to wake me up and work magic with the avacado.

Photobucket

So I chopped up all the veggie, sliced off the corn kernals, cubed the mango and avacado, and tossed it all the with dressing. (Actually, I made enough for two servings and squeezed some lemon on one so it would keep for the next day.) Maybe its not the prettiest picture, but believe me. This salad is magic. The entire time I ate it, the sun was shining in the window and all my favorite food memories were popping in my head. I couldn't think about the break-up for even one bite. Now that's a good salad. I highly recommend it next time you find yourself eyeing the boxed mashed potatoes and cookie crisp.

11 comments:

jd said...

Oh, I am SO sorry about your relationship ending. Seriously. It can really feel like things will never EVER get back to "normal" again.

Just trust that things happen for a reason - often to teach us something that we weren't able to grasp before for whatever reason. (I know it sounds stupid, but I've found it to be pretty true.)

I just hope that you realize what a great person you are, & know that you have a lot of positive things to look forward to. (i.e. An awesome summer trip, law school graduation - eventually! - and lots more, I'm sure!)

Your heart will heal, even though it'll take time. Cry, yell, & bitch as much as you want, because sometimes it really helps. (As does the addition of alcohol, like you mentioned!) However, don't forget that you were okay before him - so you will be okay after him, too.

On a side note (& sorry to talk about myself here), I find it really funny/weird that we both posted salads on Monday because of something negative that happened in our lives. I guess we're on the same wave-length, huh?

Vegan lawyers must all think alike...

Anyway, I hope things start looking up for you soon! Hang in there!

Alicia said...

I am also very sorry about your it, but the best thing you can do is try to continue with your life and routine, and after a while... it will be past...
I think you're on the right path, cooking for yourself such a nice salad!

J said...

I am really sorry to hear your relationship ended! I know if feels like things will never get back to normal, you will never enjoy the things you once did, but eventually, it will happen.

You've got lots of love and support from the veg*n blogosphere, if you feel the neat to vent, you can always email me.

You are such an awesome person, you will only become a better person as a result of this.

Those cupcakes seem like a great way to brak out of your funk!

That inspirational salad seems to me a sign that you are starting to feel more like 'normal'.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry!! I hope you feel better soon. I know how hard it can be to move on when someone becomes such a huge part of your life. I wish you the best of luck and send all my love. *hugs*

Anonymous said...

Break-ups sooo suck, sistah. I'm sorry, but you're totally moving on- and cupcakes are always good therapy in my book (and yours are beautiful by the way!)

Anonymous said...

wow, your cupcakes are so pretty!!! those ginger ones are my favorite recipe so far from VCTOTW. baking is a great therapy...i am sending you lots of happy goodness through the magic of computers...

Liz Ranger (Bubble Tea for Dinner) said...

I'm sorry about your breakup... you're making some beautiful food, though! Like transcendent salads! I hope you feel better soon. :/

trina said...

That's my kind of salad - minus the heartbreak - I'm sorry.

Anonymous said...

i'm very sorry to hear that your relationship ended - things seems to have ways of working themselves out, so i will send you some positive vibes on your way! i adore your cupcakes, by the way!

Lindsay (Happy Herbivore) said...

I feel for you. I send positive enery your way in hopes you feel better and heal quickly

Gauri Radha गौरी राधा said...

Your vegan cupcakes look fantastic.