One of the first cookbooks I started cooking from was a 640 page Martha Stewart Living Cookbook. Though it’s a great resource, it probably wasn’t the best cookbook for a beginner.

Each recipe I tried called for about 40 different ingredients, most of which were totally new to me. Cardamom? Creme fraiche? What the hell are those? I didn’t know enough to be able to make substitutions, so gathering the gourmet ingredients for each meal would easily cost me $100. Since I was a poor college student, my cooking escapades were rare.

This was probably my Junior year of college. I lived with 3 other girls I was happy to feed. And, of course there was A who usually had a couple of roommates in tow. So, I commonly cooked for 7. Not exactly the best number of guests to have when you’re learning to cook.

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It flusters people when they find out I don’t eat meat. First, there’s silence and a curious look. Then, the 20 questions ensue.

‘Why?’ is always the first. I can’t really claim it’s because I’m against killing animals. I love a good steak and I think the venison from my dad’s hunting exploits is better than any gourmet delicacy. Not to mention that I love leather shoes and purses (and maybe even pants, skirts and dresses). So, it’s not about that.
I will say, however, that the beef industry and corn-feeding completely gross me out, sadden me and make me very picky about beef when I do eat it.

Why don’t I eat meat then? Honestly, I just feel a lot better when I don’t. I don’t get the meat coma or the overly full feeling and I feel a lot leaner. When I do eat meat more than occasionally, I notice the difference. In spades. And, I realize that’s how I felt before I stopped eating it. So, for me, being veggie (with an occasional meat indulgence) is a much healthier option.

Another question I’m commonly asked is ‘how do you get enough iron and protein?’ Simple. I eat foods that contain iron and protein. Contrary to popular belief, meat is not the only carrier of either.

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‘Um, Crystal…is there butter in this soup?’
‘Maybe. I mean, it’s quite possible.’

I shared this soup with my book club last week. We meet once a month to (sometimes) discuss the book that we (sometimes) read. Mostly, we just chat, eat good food and drink copious amounts of wine.

Last week’s meeting was special not just because we ate amazing soup. It was also our 2 year anniversary meeting–the meeting where we chose and planned books for the following year. We’re a militant…ahem…I mean organized group. Before meeting, we compiled a list of book recommendations. Then, we met to vote and organize hosting dates. Due to the large number of members, we found ourselves planning until March 2011. It was somewhat surreal.

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It rained in Austin the other day. A rainy day didn’t used to be so rare. This drought we are in, paired with the insane heat, has made Austinites praise the heavens every time this unfamiliar wet stuff falls from the sky. The rareness of rain in Austin and the smell of rain on dry, hot asphalt reminded me of the desert rain I grew up with.

Rain in the Nevada desert is also quite rare. It is the desert after all. Rain was so rare, our family had a ritual when I was little. Nevada thunderstorms don’t sneak up on you like Texas thunderstorms do. You can see them coming for a while. Any time the sky would begin to darken and lightning would flash behind the mountains, my dad would pull lawn chairs out onto the front lawn. We’d sit and watch the light show over the mountains, counting the seconds between lightning and thunder to determine the distance of the storm. Even as the storm rolled in, we’d sit in the rain for a bit to revel in the amazing smell of cool rain on desert dirt and plants. It’s one of those memories you have that other people might not even remember. It was a sweet time with my dad. For that reason, every time I smell a good Summer rain, I’m transported to that spot on the front lawn, admiring the flashes of lightning over Nevada mountains, counting ‘one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand…’ until we heard thunder. (more…)