giada I am not

Up to this point in my life, I did not (really) cook at all and basically watched the Food Network as an activity when I was hungover and laying in bed on Saturday and Sunday. There is just something about Barefoot Contessa, Paula Deen, and Everyday Italian that is very calming to me. Perhaps it goes back to constantly having the Food Network on as background noise at my college house, Grattan, or maybe it is the soft way that Ina, Paula, and Giada seem to speak to me.

My mom has constantly been telling me that I need to cook... it is healthier, saves money, etc etc. But, it is also a lot of effort and you spend about 2 times longer making dinner than actually eating it. When my parents come to my apartment, they are very perplexed about the complete desert that is my refrigerator. They always ask what I do for dinner being as there is only condiments and two bottles of wine in my fridge at any given time... until now!

Yes Mom, I went grocery shopping on Sunday (for the first time in months) and yes Mom, I cooked Sunday and Monday night... and have pictures to prove it!
Sunday I made guacamole. Okay so maybe this isn't really cooking but more preparing, but my boyfriend said that it was "unbelievable." Again- probably a stretch but it was pretty yummy if I do say so myself. I sent this picture to my mom and she replied with "ew, what is that, it looks like yellow vomit." Thanks Mom, see how often I invite you over for fajita night.
Last night, after an hour long spinning class, I decided to keep the rhythm going and make something healthy for dinner. I marinated chicken in balsamic vinegar, olive oil, pepper, and garlic salt, cooked it, and put it on top of a salad. Again, I forwarded this picture to my mom and woke up to a response of "What is the deal with this domestication?? Not only does it look good, you are saving a ton of money by cooking at home and you will lost weight."

Thanks Mom... really, thanks.