Watercolor on paper. Copyright 2011 Totsymae
I’m in a little jam, folks. I really, really am. You know, I kinda enjoy myself a good meal and I have to tell you, even though I have a pretty strict diet for health’s sake, I was able to enjoy food, all fresh that is, in the U.S.
Folks, being over here in the middle of the east, I’m so sick and tired of broccoli and lettuce, I could absolutely choke myself than take another bite. I mean, shit! There are only so many ways I know how to whip it up. To be honest, I almost hate food at this point. I hate when I get hungry, ’cause that means eating pretty much the same thing I had the last few days. It wasn’t so bad eating all natural when I had more choices but hell, I ain’t that creative in the kitchen and while I’ve been trying to work with what I’ve got, I ain’t got all that much to work with. I know I told you I wouldn’t moan and groan but actually, I started this post on Saturday, when I was moaning and groaning, and I need y’all to hear me out on account of me not having anything else to say right now. Okay?
Well, Friday, I ate apples, alright? All. Damn. Day! Oh, it was okay the first two or three times but it seemed like after the fourth and fifth, my stomach said something like, “Oh bitch, hell naw! You have got to be kidding me.” But I wasn’t.
I’m telling you, I’ve lost my enthusiasm to eat and a lot of times, I avoid it by drinking water. I went to the store Saturday and guess what? My ass bought more apples. Only this time, they’re the yellow ones. You see, I change up the colors to psyche myself into thinking I’ve got a lot more variety than what reality tells me. I tried to cook some fish but that turned out like shit. Twice. Two different types of fish, mind you. Suffice it to say, I won’t be cooking fish while I’m over here.
On a good note, I’m eating healthy. But that I’m disinterested in eating is a real trip ’cause you couldn’t make me believe it if I saw it in a crystal ball myself. Also, I have to work out whether I’m getting all of what I need to, you know, remain intact ’cause the folk here don’t eat all that well. Dressed under all this stuff, folk tend to let themselves go and and I mean GO! The food labels are so tiny, you need a damn magnifying glass to read the ingredients and I’ll be the first to tell you, that don’t work too well when your face is covered up. It’s an absolute bitch, really.
Anyhow, between me not being a culinary expert, my limited choices and diet, I’m very limited with fresh food choices in the desert. I’m wondering what’s gonna become of me, folks. Seriously. I mean, how many apples can I keep eating on a daily basis? I miss sweet potato souffle, squash, green beans and the like. You know, good ole southern cooking on the healthy side. I don’t even see brown sugar over there. Oh Lord Lord, woe is me! (Now banging my big head on the dressing table)
I'm an artist who's writing,mothering, blogging and doing a few other things under the sun. I buy toilet paper 99.9% of every trip I make to the grocery store. I'm a people watcher, so I know you're here but drop me a line anyway.
Hey! Brown sugar is the best! You just have to add a little more.
Yes, it is the best. So much the best that I’d eat a teaspoonful to satisfy sweet cravings.
I’ll make sure to save some for you then.
Do you want me to mail it to you? And do you prefer a ziplock back with the zipper or should I wrap it in foil? And what country in the middle of the east should I address it to? Oh right, you can’t say just yet. Ok. I’ll keep it a secret. 
Totsy, send me your address and I’ll mail you some brown suger. If you had brown sugar, you could bake your apples. Don’t they have sweet potatoes either? I’ll throw in a can. Now, Honey, look on the bright side. Keeping all covered up and modest is the best thing you can do for that pretty skin in that lousy climate.
It’ll take over 3 months to even get the package. I’ve been asking around though and a Syrian woman says there is brown sugar. You know, over here I can’t read and as for my looking, the pictures aren’t telling me ‘brown sugar.’ So, I may have to see when this woman is shopping so that she can help me out. I’m keeping covered as best I can. It’s getting hotter by the day. I’d rather see sandstorms. Safely from the apartment, that is.
Not having familiar food is one of the toughest things about being far from home. It always sounds like a great adventure, but after about a week, I want my usual favorites. I hope find a way to get a taste of home or that you get to come home soon.
I’ve managed to have two consecutive meals I was able to enjoy, so for that, I’m very thankful. I don’t so much mind different if I know it’s not going to cause issues for me, so there lies my challenge. It’s still early and I’m learning to figure it all out.
I am surprised to hear this. Although very different the stuff is supposed to be pretty good esp Lebanese.
I was surprised too. They don’t even exercise it off. Oh, it’s not a place that’s into physical wellness at all. Maybe Lebanon is a better option.
It doesn’t sound like you’re in Lebanon, Totsy.
No, I’m not in Lebanon. Carl says the food’s better there, so it may be worth the trip.
Sweet potato souffle….yuuuuuuuuuuum !
You WILL be a skinny minnie by the time you get back home Totsymae!
Yuuuuuuuuuummmmm is right!
But I don’t wanna be a skinny minnie. Maybe I can be her cousin with a few extra pounds.
I guess they don’t have watermelon where you are, huh?
I’ve seen something that resembles a watermelon but I’m not sure what it was. I may try it. Would be nice to have some with all the heat coming in. If it’s not watermelon, I won’t be too happy about that. But then, what can I do?
Thinking of the benefits of eating so clean!
I’m eating real clean. So clean that I hardly use anything to cook to mess up the kitchen. Looking at it that way is another plus since I don’t like cleaning. I mean, I will but I’d rather be doing something else.
That apple sure looks juicy! I’m going to start worrying when you start painting still lifes of broccoli and lettuce.
I’m gonna worry too.
Hi Totsymae … middle eastern food, well now, let me see – there are falafel rolls served stuffed in pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, tabouleh and hummus (mashed chickpea dip made with tahini, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice). There’s also ful medames (breakfast), cous cous, polenta, ezme salatasi, almonds, walnuts, cashews, dates, baba ghannouj, turkish delight! cheers catchul8r molly
I did enjoy humus and pita on the plane. I do have to watch the sodium, so there lies my challenge. I wish I knew how to make it myself. I love humus. I love cous cous too but I haven’t been able to identify it yet. I may have to shop with an experienced shopper here to get exactly what I need. I tried dates but I didn’t like them at all. I may give it another try. I hear fall is the season for them.
Red, green, yellow, how much choice in apples to ya want?
I don’t want anymore apples. I want food.
Girl, I was feeling really bad for you and yourlimited eating choices over there, until you started talking about the Southern veggie dishes you missed! I am so hungry right now for a good sweet potato casserole! Brown sugar–pure heaven!
I don’t know when I’ll see a sweet potato casserole, unless I paint one. The potatoes here don’t look as good but I may get a couple to see what I can come up with anyway. Hope it don’t turn out like the fish.
One of the things I like best about traveling is the cuisine of the country I’m visiting. Try some new things Totsy. There should be lots of markets with dried fruits and nuts and humus and baklava and lamb. Oh my! Then when you get home, have a big southern feast with all of your favorites. (I try to get my mom to cook the return meal.) Take lots of pics and be adventurous.
I’ve had health challenges so I can’t eat anything without knowing the details of it. Believe me, this is not a place where you’d wanna be sick. There is a market but considering where I am and men jumping ahead and telling you to move back so they can be serviced is not something I don’t look forward to, although I will make some trips to get things here and there. Maybe your mom should cook for me when I return.
You had best learn to cook fish, sweet peaches. You will need the protein after all the water and extra fruit. Meanwhile, stay safe. I know you are toting water. You have to keep hydrated.
I hope this trip is one with a finite end to it. Prayers for your safe return…and a good meal!
Red.
I tried so hard with making that fish. It started out nice but the things started tearing up in the darn pan. I am safe, actually. Fenced in and guarded. Can’t get no safer than that.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. More than six a day keeps the doctor asking if you’re okay!
I’ve had one so far today. I know they’re good for the body and all but I don’t wanna overdose.
You definitely need a care package. I’ve got such a variety of fruits here, I’m gonna send you some. And some fish, cooked, so you don’t have to worry about cooking. I think FedEx will deliver for you. I’ll check later. If they don’t, I’m going on an apple diet just so you’re not alone. My apples are a bit different but still nice.
Any sardines there? Or nuts? Two good sources of protein till FedEx arrives.
Totsy, I feel for you. I LOVE to travel but don’t much because of dietary challenges. Sucks and takes a lot of the fun out of it all.
How about if you tell us what is available, and we tell you how to prepare it?