Spicy Cold Tofu. 5 minutes and you're done! No "cooking" required.
Spicy Cold Tofu, Gratitude vs Toxic Positivity, PollyAnna, Marnik, & Chopin
I'm a pretty positive person. Like most people, I can get into a funk but my best traits are (definitely) laughter and resilience. (I can basically make a funny joke out of anything... with silly humor and a sly smile). Unfortunately, I curbed it for most of my professional life, so much so that only my really close friends and family knew I was a hoot (and hilarious at night)! That hidden, strident optimism, has gotten me labeled a "Pollyanna", one that I relish with indignant bewilderment and pride.
Where is the fine line between gratitude and toxic positivity? Here's one opinion.
Unfortunately, we've all encountered or dismissed someone who is "naively optimistic." Here is an account of when a writer's "positive thinking" ended up becoming detrimental to her health. Here's to understanding and knowing the fine line between "positive thinking" and speaking up when something is excruciatingly wrong. It's unreasonable to think that a medical professional can diagnose you accurately in less than 15 minutes when in many ways, you know your body.
As a mom, I try to be highly attuned to being aware, present, and "vibing" on the same plane as my daughter. It makes for a more peaceful household. When I was a teenager, I used to play this in order to make myself happy. The melodies, beautiful and inviting, coax support and comfort… as if everything will be alright! (You know…. brooding teenager in an all girl school whose experience with the real world was through TV and Vogue. Lol!) My poor parents!
Her passagework is absolutely stunning.
CHOPIN Nocturne in E flat ,op.9 no.2 ORIGINAL LATER VERSION Valentina Lisitsa
She claims she didn’t invent the passagework. Take a look at this printed edition! Totally not what most musicians are teaching their piano students.
And yes, I am still a staunch "Pollyanna" and I will always be. Here's to embracing your inner optimism and laughing through life's ridiculousness, irregardless of the peanut gallery!
Marnik - Made of Stars ft. PollyAnna
Thanks for reading! I hope this helps you laugh, think, and hopefully enjoy some of life's funny moments with gratitude and not, "toxic positivity!" Have a wonderful week! Xo, Melissa
Spicy Cold Tofu. Easy, peasy deliciousness in under 5 minutes! (Please eat this with rice...)
Spicy Cold Tofu
Adapted from “The Woks of Life”
I basically used this recipe as a starting point. I like things a bit more assertive so I doubled the quantities and added more garlic and green onions. It takes only five minutes! Throw in some rice in the rice cooker an hour before serving and chop this up 5 minutes before lunch or dinner. (I did this during an insane work lunch during the week!) You got this! Enjoy!
Ingredients (adapted by moi)
2 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoon spicy bean paste
3 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1/4 cup scallions (chopped)
1 pound firm tofu Directions
1. Put the soy sauce, bean paste, sesame oil, and sugar in a small bowl. Add half the garlic and half the scallions. Mix it all together.
2. Slice the tofu and lay it in your serving bowl.
3. Drizzle the sauce over it and garnish with the rest of the garlic and scallion on top. Pat yourself on the back and enjoy!
#spicycoldtofu, @thewoksoflife, #gratitude. #toxicpositivity, @chopin, @valentinalisitsa, @marnik, @pollyanna
