Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A Simple Meal


Top Ramen, yogurt, and an apple. This was the usual meal I made for myself in my "struggling artist days." Sometimes I miss it. It was simple, affordable, filling, and nutritious (if you don't count the MSG in the ramen flavor packet, and the fact that the ramen noodles were fried). I loved eating cold cereal late at night, too, three or four bowls full, right before going to bed. I swear it gave me more energy the next morning.

I didn't cook much in my early twenties. I mostly just warmed things up. I almost never bought meat, so I never really had to cook. I wasn't vegetarian back then, meat was just too expensive. I ate a lot of fast food hamburgers, too.

I remember these simple meals fondly because I was eating them when I was going to dance classes almost every night, and to various dance auditions, waiting for that first big break that would grant me the status of a working dancer, a paid dancer. Those simple meals represent the days when I was dreaming of becoming a Real Dancer.

Even though I can afford more groceries and better meals, now, I miss those meals a little, and those days. I still save money where I can, including taking my lunch to work five days a week. I'll usually chop up a MorningStar veggie patty and scramble that with eggs. And I still include yogurt and fresh fruit with my lunch.

I'm not struggling as much as I used to, financially, just struggling as a novice writer, attempting to get a first novel written. Maybe I'll look back fondly on my take-to-work lunches, too, some day.

12 comments:

Lori said...

I've always hated ramen. I don't know what it is about it but even the smell repulses me.

Peter Varvel said...

But, Lori, you HAVE to love it if you're going to be honorary-Japanese!
;-)

the Constantly Dramatic One said...

Ramen, spagehtti anything noodle related is not my thing. I dont like noodles. For some reason they just dont click with me.

I rather not eat than eat noodles, it is that bad.

Peter Varvel said...

Wow, TCDO, you're not "really Asian," either LOL!

quin browne said...

we lived on ramen... when i was a struggling mom o'five, we ate ramen like it was, well, ramen. when i had money, i'd chop up a chicken breast and add it to the noodles, and there you had a savory meal!

i still love cereal at night, or fruit..



ps i told hrh you and i were determined to do tar, and she said, "mom, what if you have to eat grasshoppers?" i said, "honey, that's why i'm bringing peter".

the last noel said...

I love eating ramen raw--just like chips! Ur, you miss those struggling artists days? Are you crazy?

Cheryl said...

Isn't it weird how you can become nostalgic for things that weren't even good? That's how I feel about certain pop songs that were played on 98.7 a lot during my crappy freshman year of college.

Peter Varvel said...

Q, but I thought we agreed that I would do the more physical, strenuous stuff . . . what would that leave for you? ;-)

N, I have seen dancers who were down to their last nickel snacking on dry ramen like that, during rehearsals! (and honestly? had I known how good if felt to be able to pay bills on time, I might have finished school and gotten a regular job YEARS ago)

C, I know! I changed my mind about several songs that I couldn't stand when they first came out because now, they remind me about very specific times in my life.

contrarymary said...

Oh Peter., I love reading your words. I haven't been blogging because I was having problems with my garden and it made me sad. I am visiting your blog for the first time in a few weeks and it made me smile.
I LOVE cold cereal and ramen, especially late at night.

Peter Varvel said...

CM, I'm sorry to hear your garden made you sad :*-(
Would you have wanted to blog about it? Even the disappointments?
Or would that have just been salt on open wounds?

Hey, start another blog, a general one that wouldn't have to depend on such a seasonal subject, perhaps. You've had a lot happen in your life, which = tons to blog about!

quin browne said...

well, peter... that would leave me to, um...

mr jp said...

This sounds like my diet now !