I've been blogging frugal food in a frenzy, when I'm not posting signs of hope for something or another in the Levant. This weekend I feel the contrast between what I say online about frugal food, and how I'm living my life. Yes I ate a meal of quinoa and sweet potatoes on Tuesday, and turned the leftovers into soup on Wednesday. And the truth is, I am not being frugal at all these last two days. My husband is having a birthday and he just got a bonus. I have metastatic breast cancer to the liver, lung and spine. I get chemo weekly. I don't know what the future will bring for me. I don't want to be so damned frugal, austere and virtuous all the time.
So last night we took the children and met our friends with the new baby at a very trendy restaurant in downtown Oakland, where we ate bronzino filet with a leek/mussel sauce, and french fries seasoned with truffle oil. The dessert I chose was a chocolate mousse with olive oil (???) and chunks of espresso-infused chocolate, the richest such mousse I've ever eaten, served with pumpkin seed brittle.
Tonight we're going with other friends and my brother to yet another chic restaurant in Oakland, featuring French style cuisine with California and Asian influences.
None of this is frugal. I am just glad that I have the appetite and the energy (barely). Life is indeed short, and while the planet may be falling apart, and my peak oil and sustainability blog buddies might not approve, I just have to seize the day. I have to have pleasure and company and indulgence in this life of mine. Maybe if the economy collapses and we're broke and starving, I'll be sorry that we went out to these wonderful restaurants this weekend, but it's too hypothetical. I only have today. And today I'm going out.
Bon appetit!
This peak oil/sustainability buddy not only agrees but salutes you. Life is short - and it's complicated, which you've become intensely aware of lately. There's a time and a season for everything as they say. Enjoy going out, and thank you again for your inspiring posts on living frugally in difficult times.
Kelli
Posted by: What We Need is Here | February 24, 2008 at 07:30 AM
Bless you! and be strong.
Posted by: Abe Bird | February 24, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Bon appetit indeed! I am thinking of you and sending you good positive thoughts. If you ever want to break out of your frugality again, I am up for a decadent lunch with you someday. :)
Posted by: C(h)ristine | February 24, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Thank you, Kelli, Abe and Christine, and thanks for dropping by...
Posted by: Leila | February 25, 2008 at 05:34 PM
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No you won't...or at least I'm rooting for "no" - on all counts! Perhaps carpe diem lives on the other side of frugality's coin. I find your perspective on both counts inspirational!
Posted by: la fourchette | February 27, 2008 at 01:26 PM
ooops! for some reason, the first post deleted the quote from your post...sorry!
"Maybe if the economy collapses and we're broke and starving, I'll be sorry that we went out to these wonderful restaurants this weekend..."
Posted by: la fourchette | February 27, 2008 at 01:27 PM