#25 Springing into the Unknown
Celebrating the greatest generation of our time, barely cooking but definitely eating, and a gender-neutral nursery
Bored in the Suburbs is a monthly newsletter sharing topical recipes, home design moments, and recommendations for curing boredom.
These past few months have felt like I’m in fight or flight mode on repeat with exhaustion hitting me at any moment. Being pregnant certainly doesn’t help the physical side of this experience but my mental capacity and nervous system’s ability to absorb the political events happening at lightning speed leaves me nearly sputtering and gasping for air on a daily basis. Living in America right now feels like an alternate reality, one in which I so desperately would like to turn the clocks back or spring forward to the end of it all. But then I find myself in a doom spiral, unsure of what we would have done differently over the last decade and afraid for the future, unsure of what we will be facing two to three years down the road. I have been inspired by the resistance of universities like Harvard and Princeton, disappointed with the deal-making of law firms like Skadden and Paul, Weiss, and then neutralized by the defiance of court orders from the current administration.
But alas, you do not read this newsletter for political musings and this outlet has always been a place for me to step away from the stresses of work and the DMV freeways. So let’s get into the food we’re barely cobbling together over here as we prepare for birth three weeks or less from today!!
Julia Turshen Nong's Khao Man Gai: In Portland, there are several Nong’s locations where you can pop in for a simple but oh so delicious chicken and rice specialty. It comes with an umami-like sauce and a chicken broth from the poaching water where the chicken slowly cooked to a tender consistency. Julia Turshen developed her own recipe for this in her cookbook, Simply Julia, and it’s one of my tried and true comfort meals that doesn’t take too much effort.
NYT Paprika Chicken: Another easy chicken dish from NYT, chop 1 1/2 lbs skinless boneless chicken thighs into 2 inch pieces sprinkled with S+P and marinate in a combo of 1/4 cup kewpie mayo + a 1/2 TBS of paprika. Mix another 1/4 cup kewpie with paprika and set aside. Cut a pound of baby tomatoes into thin rounds and roast on a baking sheet with paprika, EVOO, and salt. Scatter chicken on top and roast at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Add drizzle of olive oil, lime juice and salt to the mayo and serve with cooked chicken/potatoes.
Lunchie Snacks: I’ve been trying to make more balanced lunches rather than grabbing a yogurt or handful of crackers in the middle of the day. Last week I made a nice little cheese quesadilla with jalapeños, a honey dijon slaw from leftover veggies in the fridge, and cut up some fruit.
Crib: Nestig Wave Crib | Glider: Babyletto | Dresser/Changing Table: Babyletto | Moses Basket: Design Dua | Laundry Basket: Babylist | Toy Chest: Babylist | Linus not for sale
Well the nesting bug took hold and Ryan and I spent the last two weekends cleaning out the office/workout room downstairs to turn it into a nursery. We are still waiting on this Babyletto glider but otherwise, the nursery is organized and ready to go. It suddenly feels like the most peaceful and organized place in the house and I keep going in there just to sit and enjoy the plushy rug.
As of late, Millennials are being celebrated. Maybe we’re celebrating ourselves. Maybe we’re stuck in a nostalgia loop for the years 2012 - 2015, when we were young, free, poor, and Barack Obama was president. We’re the most progressive generation in history and we’ve also encountered the most “once in a lifetime” shock to the system events in the first 35 years of our life than any other generation (e.g., 9/11, Iraq War, 2008 recession, Trump, COVID, Trump again…). And lately Millennials are being celebrated on the internet and perhaps, envied, by poor Gen Z. My favorite article on this is Millennials were the Last Generation to Have it All by Liz Plank. I was nearly brought to tears while reading it.
In honor of my Millennial status (nee 1988), I bring you a few of my favorite 2012 - 2015 photos and memories and a few things to watch/read/listen to that remind me that we did have it all.
Throwbacks:
Watch: 30 Rock
Read: Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation
Listen: 2010s Frat Rap Spotify Playlist