Burrito Backslide

After three dark days of rain, life was beginning to feel quite gloomy yesterday.

Because of daylight savings time, it felt early and dark when the alarm rang. We struggled to get up and ready for school and work. And then I hurried off to Manhattan to get a cavity filled. And then I rushed back to Brooklyn to get to Jesse's school in time for "Take Your Parent to Lunch" Day in the school cafeteria. And then I hurried back home to cram in some work before school pick-up.

Sensing my grumpiness, the kids bickered and I barely managed to keep my cool. It was a long, difficult afternoon.

So when Avo got home, I did not have dinner on the table. All I had done to prepare dinner, in fact, was turn on the rice cooker. So we had a lot of rice and not much else.

"I could make some tempeh with broccoli," I said.

He looked disappointed.

"Don't worry. I'll come up with something," he said.

"Why don't you run out and get burritos?" I suggested.

He agreed to pick up Mexican food as long as I promised to steam the Haricots Verts so we could eat when he got back.

"Sure," I said.

Fifteen minutes later, I heard the door open. I was so busy on the computer that I hadn't even begun to steam the veggies. Busted.

I could actually hear him scoff.

"I'm sorry. You asked me to do one little thing and I couldn't do it."

In that moment, I forgot everything I've learned about cooking. I needed Avo to hold my hand and show me how to steam the Haricots Verts.

"I can't believe I'm backsliding," I said.

"You're having a little meltdown."

"I'm just beating myself up for not making dinner and then not steaming the Haricots Verts."

"You're just looking for something to beat yourself up for," said Avo. "It's a rainy Monday. Cut yourself some slack."

I chowed down on a massive grilled chicken and corn burrito and felt much better.

And today the sun is out and I plan to make pork chops for dinner!