Crunchy Summer Salad with Peppers and Herbs
Leo season is all about what YOU want (gasp!) and also salad
things you’ll need: a variety of sweet peppers (mini, bell, banana, or whatever pepper strikes your fancy) as the base, everything else is a choice: crunchy veggies that please you (cucumbers, snap peas, radishes, celery, carrots, raw zucchini, corn, and so forth), the fresh green herbs you have or love (cilantro, dill, parsley, basil, etc), allium if you are into it, an acid (lemon, lime, or vinegar), a good oil, salt, pepper, and any add-ins that you want: lettuce, cheeses, olives, beans, quinoa, leftover dill rice (that’s a pro-tip), cubed bread (a la Panzanella), so on and et cetera. You get it.
If you aren’t into this, then try last year’s Corn and Tomato Salad or Asparagus Salad and my absolute favorite fallback salad for all seasons: Cucumber, Radish, Feta, Parsley, and Lemon. Keep it easy and do what you want.
incidentally gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan (without cheese)
Chapter 229
Maybe you were groomed to put other people’s needs ahead of your own. Maybe it’s how you learned to love or feel valuable or gain the favor of other people. Maybe capitalism, white supremacy, and misogyny encourage you to believe that your needs are not as important. Add it to the list of things you reject in the never-ending quest to be happy while human in this stupid timeline.
Make it all about you. Whether you are choosing yourself, pursuing your own joy, or indulging in pleasure, it will take practice. Maybe just try to do the least or make a big move to separate yourself from the places, people, and things that harm you. It’s going to take work, but it’s the Good Work. Remember that you deserve it.
Practice by making a salad entirely comprised of what you want. It can be hard to figure out where to start, so start this one with peppers. Choose your peppers entirely based on their color, shape, or how conveniently they come packaged and make the picking easy on you.
Chop your peppers. There might be a “right” way to chop peppers, but you don’t have to care even a little bit. Chop them however you want. Make a mess or maximize every cut. Whatever gets it done.
What other veggies do you want? Do you want to clean out your crisper? Did you go to the grocery store and fill your cart with an abundance of whatever you desire? Are you happy with the simple rainbow of peppers you’ve already chopped? You do you.
You like alliums so add some. If you don’t, then don’t. There is no wrong choice if it’s what you want.
Add some fresh herbs. Do you want cilantro, parsley, dill, basil, oregano, thyme, or something else entirely? Do you want a lot of herbs or a hint of herbs? Do you want to rip them into great forkable chunks or take the time to roll and chiffonade the leaves so fine that they cling to every bite? It’s all you.
If you want to keep it simple, dress your salad with a little lemon/lime, good oil, and salt and pepper to taste. If you want vinegar, use vinegar. If you want an avocado ranch, go for it. If you’d rather use one of the very many salad dressings that you keep buying, then that’s the correct choice.
Do you want to make it a whole meal? Are you practicing Advanced Thinking About Yourself First and prepping food to eat all week in an act of self-care? Add beans or chickpeas. Maybe leftover rice or quinoa? Maybe cheese and some salty olives? You are full of good ideas.
Eat your salad now or later, on your own schedule and at your own pace. You’re the boss.
Sort out what YOU want from the noise of what other people need from you. It doesn’t have to be radical or upend your whole life unless you want it to. Prioritizing yourself can feel uncomfortable, even selfish. Do it anyway.
Hey friends! I made an introduction thread where you can stop by and say hello!
I’d love to get to know you better.
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