Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of dining with Gena uptown at the Peacefood Cafe.
This meal has been a long while in the making – Gena and I have been discussing a dinner date for quite some time, and Peacefood has been on my must-try list ever since it opened. Considering the fact that I’ve made probably half the recipes on Gena’s site [highly recommend her gazpacho, raw tortilla soup, cucumber and coconut salad, and mushroom and walnut stuffing - for starters], and considering the fact that Peacefood’s menu boasts simple, yet innovative takes on my favorite foods [An entire menu section devoted to humble vegetables? A miso-tahini-poppy seed sandwich spread? Chickpea fries? Cashew cheese? I could go on...], this meal really needed to happen.
asian greens salad with tempeh and sesame-cilantro dressing
With a table full of pure vegan tastiness, our conversation covered all manner of topics, from work and play, to our pasts and futures, to the blog world and all the different ways we seek to live our lives. We ate, of course, and most deliciously. I was craving greens and bulked up my Asian tempeh salad with a side of chickpea fries; Gena went a similar route with a quinoa salad and double side of roasted kabocha squash. She shared a piece of roasted perfection with me, I shared chickpea heaven with her, and we took part in one of my favorite life activities: getting to know each other better over a spread of real, wonderful food.
Gena and I are different people with some mutual loves: vegetables, culture, and New York, for instance. But perhaps most importantly, I think we both embody independence, embracing exactly what it is that brings us our individual brand of happiness. That could be the type of food we choose to eat, the relationships we have, the work we do, the goals we set, or the balance of it all. When it comes down to it, we do our own thing.
chickpea fries, otherwise know as total genius. imagine hummus with basil and oregano, a crisp exterior, and a creamy, moist center. heavenly.
More and more throughout the past several months, I have been discovering [and rediscovering] who it is that I am and wish to be. That definition is unique to me, as it is to each of us, and I’m finding how wonderful it is to be able to talk about it with confidence and conviction. If this is what coming into your own as an adult feels like, then I know why I have always wanted to be here.
As I work on this adulthood thing, sometimes I feel like I’m running through life in the dark. I hit walls and can’t see where the path in front of me is leading – or if the path is even in front of me at all. Yet with every month that goes by, I seem to be growing. My eyes are adjusting. It’s easier to see at least a few steps ahead. I might not be able to make out the whole picture, but perhaps the unknown is half the fun.
Each day, I’m figuring out how to be my own person, and I’m realizing: finding my way in the dark isn’t so scary after all. And when it is? Well, there’s nothing more grounding than dinner dates with friends.
What makes you your own person? A few of my tidbits: I dress up unnecessarily almost every day, I get cravings for kale and avocados, I hate cars, and I know nothing about music – but sometimes I shamelessly put musicals on repeat for weeks at a time.
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How great that you and Gena got to meet up! Man, I wish I lived in NY.
I have to note – it’s amazing to me how much you’ve found your voice through blogging (or so it seems). When you say things like “figuring out adulthood,” I often forget that you are younger than me, and it surprises me. I feel like you have such a strong voice for your age – and your writing reflects someone who’s gained a lot of wisdom along the way.
Man, is it ever possible for me to not pour sap all through your comments section?
As far as other tidbits about me: I am a perfectionist who rushes at the last minute (thus, “happy” flaws). I am small but my heart is large. I am a sucker for emotional sap in any form.
I adore those chickpea fries. Last time I was at Peacefood in December, I quite literally bumped into Mira Sorvino…gracious soul. :)
I second Rose’s comment. I feel the same exact way, as I know there are several things we have in common vs. others of our generation. If you ask me, you’re doing a mighty fine job navigating, so far.
Tidbit: I always, always have a hat with me if it’s not already on my head. People always tell me that I’m the only one they know who can truly pull one off. Oh, and I also dress up daily, depending on my mood. :)
yeah, uh you sold me on the chickpea fries. YUM.
I definitely get kale cravings! Especially for steamed kale or massaged kale. I love your vintage style I’m sure you’d make a great thrift store hunting partner! Man, I can’t believe I’ll be 20 this month. Is late teenage crisis a thing? Because I think I have some of that!
I feel like I’m still trying to figure out who I am and I’m starting to rebuild my life after finding treatment for some health issues. thank you for sharing this post
“be who you are but share food” reminds me of couples who insist on ordering different things haha once I was with a couple and the wife insisted on changing her order because it would be too embarrassing to order the same thing for some reason. I say: be who you are and order to your own taste buds!
Katherine
Wow such a lovely meal with a great gal! I think what makes me my own person is the little things I like to the big things I dislike. Every little quirk makes me who I am. Right now I live for cinnamon suntea in glass jars and banana pepper sammies!
Maggie
LOVE the title of the post! im still building and finding my own person but i think my honest and love for others is what makes me unique. i have a passion for creativity and fairness and honesty… and im very strong and secure in who i am that i think im proud of who im becoming. great questyion and post love <3 xoxo
Holler at Peacefood being divine. My friend got those same exact chickpea fries and I remember them being all sorts of impressive.
It’s the way to be, to love what makes you…you. I love my (mostly) fearless attitude–I love to do things if only for the story.
Amen! I think I’m also in the process of reckoning with my own sense of self right now. You’re right, it’s not easy but the support of others makes it infinitely easier.
What makes me my own person? I’m a vegetarian who actually isn’t much of an animal lover. I listen more than I talk. Community is important to me.
I love Peacefood Cafe! The service is sometimes a little sub-par, but the food is delish.
Interesting tidbits about me: I can easily finish a jar of peanut butter in 3 days and I love wearing dresses :)
I am appalled that it took me this long to catch up on your bloggie!!!
I loved our dinner, and we are indeed our own people — who happen to be very similar :)
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