Posted in A Moment in My Life

“When You Get a Craving”

A Moment in My Life –Thursday, August 13, 2020

For the last few days, I have been craving something but have no idea what. I wanted something different and flavorful. Preferably healthy. I’ve been throwing meals together using what I have in my fridge, freezer, and pantry. Once SiP happened, like most people, I began stocking up on staples, and now I’m trying to use up as much of my stock as I could. Since my refrigerator fix, I’ve been enjoying a sparsely packed fridge and freezer. I plan to maintain it this way. With that said, I try not to overbuy groceries. I buy just a few items each week and try using everything up before I replenish my groceries. That is a doable plan; however, it requires that I eat the same foods for days until I deplete what I have. You probably know what I’m going to say next, and you’re right. I got plenty tired of eating the same old, same old.

Now you know why I’ve got this craving. My takeout options are limited due to availability and to my heart-friendly diet. I wish Mark were here to brainstorm on what we wanted. You’d think that being my own person gave me more freedom to decide what to eat, but it doesn’t make it easier. Having someone to banter ideas back and forth, even if that meant a compromise, would be better—more ideas available to choose. 

I was unable to arrive at a decision, so I planned to see what was on my errand running route that I could swing by at. The first order of business was Trader Joe’s in SSF for flowers en route to the cemetery where I would drop off the flowers at my mother’s grave for her birthday the next day. Ideally, it would have been nice to know where I wanted food from and place an order ahead, then, after my errand run; I could swing by and pick up my food on my way home for lunch. I thought of a King Arthur from Round Table Pizza, but it was too much of a hassle to place the order, besides that’s not what I should be eating. 

What I craved were chow mein noodles. Maybe I’d head over to Panda Express at Tanforan for a quick pickup, but that was out of my way. I suddenly remembered Andy’s Café, which was perfectly on the way. I headed there after Trader Joe’s to place my order before continuing up Hickey to the cemetery. That plan failed when I found a darkened storefront and a sign saying they are closed on Tuesdays. Rats. So much for that perfect plan. I guess I will jump on the freeway and go to Panda Express anyway. 

After my cemetery visit, I headed to Tanforan. Since the mall is closed again, I knew my best bet was to park near the food court, but it didn’t look right when I drove over there—too few cars. People were loitering outside the entrance. The lights were on inside, too. That was a good sign. I parked and followed the signs on the glass doors, making it to the opened door. When I arrived at the door that appeared open with the security guy on the other side, I yanked on it, but it wouldn’t open. The security guy was doing some dance with his hands, but I didn’t understand his wiggling fingers. He finally opened the door and told me that everything was closed. Oh, okay, I figured that the food court would remain opened for takeout only, but I was wrong.

By this time, it was 2:30, and I was famished and needed nourishment before I passed out. What are my quick options? I racked my brain. I finally decided sashimi always works. Lucky’s was close by, and that’s how I resolved my craving for something different and flavorful, yet staying within my heart-friendly diet preference. 

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