I’ve been single for two years.
Sure, I’ve gone on dates, and even a blind date.
But it’s been quite a while since my last serious relationship. I kinda like being single! (Not that I want to be single forever, but it’s fun for now.) My roommate is single at the moment, too, and so we were each others’ date for Valentine’s Day—for breakfast, at least.
I made us each a bowl of this: Hot Fudge Oatmeal.
It was a very low-key Valentine’s Day. Emily cleaned around the house, and I did blog work (including dealing with a giant tech-issue headache. Running this blog takes a lot more work than it might seem!) I also tested a few recipe experiments. The best one of the day was peanut butter maple fudge. Yummmmm…
Later, I incorporated the leftover strawberries into my lunch:
Double-Decker Coconut Berry Sandwich
(Really more of a concept than a recipe.)
- Fresh strawberries, sliced
- Soft coconut butter or Homemade Coconut Butter
- Bread of choice
- optional: jam, chocolate chips, etc.
To assemble the sandwich: Spread a layer of coconut butter on one or both slices of the bread (or pita, sandwich thin, etc. Optional: layer on some jam and/or chocolate chips. (You can also opt for a sprinkle of sugar or stevia if you have an extreme sweet tooth and want more of a cake-like sandwich.) Slice the strawberries on top and close up your sandwich. Eat!
For this particular sandwich, I used a Mrs. Bairds whole-grain grillin thin. They’re vegan, and they’re really good! (I’d originally bought the package so I could have a bun for my Amy’s Bistro burger at a party last week.)
That’s my giant salad in the background, with a boring (but delicious) olive-oil vinaigrette. Not the prettiest background choice for a photoshoot, but when I am hungry I don’t want to bother with a photoshoot. I just want to eat! (It’s one of the reasons I rarely post about my savory meals. Who wants to stop and take photos while your dinner gets cold?)
Question of the Day:
Would you rather be single or in a relationship?
Being single is definitely easier, but I don’t want to be single forever… I’ve set such high standards that sometimes I worry I will be! The things you have to work for are the most rewarding, and I guess it depends on the other person in the relationship. I’ve had some really fun, meaningful relationships and one that was not-so-great from the very beginning. (It was a high school fling, though, so maybe it shouldn’t even count!)
My favorite Valentine’s Day was when my boyfriend surprised me.
But this year, my single friends and I had a “girls-only” night, and that was pretty fun too. I made a chocolate truffle pie for the night… the recipe will be in tomorrow’s post!
I just bought some strawberries, im excited to try this oatmeal recipe for breakfast tomorrow!
I was thinking, you know, it’s beautiful for people in relationships to use V-day as an excuse to dote upon eachother, but I think the true meaning of Valentine’s Day is about being open to the love all around you, particularly between you and people who you’re NOT in a significant relationship with, but more like how you relate to the rest of the world. So many people regard only small groups of people as worthy of attention and love and allow the rest of the world to pass by while others (you for instance!) are so full of love and openness for the world around them, it spills over everything they do.
i’ve been in a relationship for 15 years, but before we met i was single for a long time and my longest relationship was 2 months. don’t settle – you’ll meet the right person eventually so enjoy your bachelorette days while you can!
Great sammie idea 😀
I’m married, and I absolutely LOVE married life. It’s like a sleepover with your best friend that never ends. I think it is awesome that you set high standards when it comes to dating. No need to settle!
Coconut butter is the best – I ate it on a sweet potato last night.
I’ve been single my whole life. Unless you count one really (really really) short stint where I guy I liked said he also liked me. This was right before he moved halfway across the country. Better to have loved and lost, I suppose? Girls’ night is DEFINITELY fun though. I’ve been having pudding-and-movie nights with other girl teachers I’m friends with, recently ^_^ Your recipes have been a hit with them!
This recipe amuses me because you see concoctions like this in the convenience stores, here in Japan! They’re usually cream and strawberries, and maybe custard too. Sometimes they use mikan (mandarin oranges), and/or other mixed fruit. It’s almost a standby.
Ahhhhh mikans! Those were my absolute favorite things when I was a little girl in Japan. Thanks for mentioning them and bringing back the memory :).
The hot fudge oatmeal looks delicious – I am so going to have to try that.
I too am single and loving it (right now at least)! Sounds like you had a great Valentine’s Day with your roommate…that is my favorite way to spend the holiday also, with friends!
Great breakfast idea here!
I have been married for 8 years (together 11) and I am so super lucky. I truly believe it happens when you least expect so keep that in mind. 🙂
My guy is the best, but he is lucky too… I make bake and cook because I love it, BUT this means he is stoked too.
We went to dinner last night, I opened his card and burst into tears AT the resturant! So UNLIKE me but what he wrote was so meaningful and romantic. ahhhhhh. 🙂
Mmm, yum!
Loved what you said about being single vs. being in a relationship. I can so relate…Glad to know I’m not alone in my thoughts! 🙂
Being married is the ultimate best! (Is that redundant?) Being single is next, then dating or exploring relationships. Dating is full of highs and lows and a bit stressful, but it’s fun when it’s working well. Once you get married, you look back to those single/dating days and think, “I’m so glad I’m not there anymore.” It can be fun though! Enjoy whatever mode you are in! (which it sounds like you are :))
That’s my idea of a sandwich. It looks awesome!
I’ve been married for what feels like a lifetime…oh wait, it has been 🙂 I love my husband and feel blessed that we’ve made it work for a decade and a half of either being married or being together, and we have a beautiful daughter and I couldn’t imagine my life any other way!
Comment, comment, comment. (Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!) : ) Relationship? I’m married, so I have to go with yes, relationship – although I admit that sometimes it is really hard. My husband and I are almost total opposites on most things – except our faith. That one thing is enough, though, to help us through the tough times.
I am single for 2 years also. Like you also, my best friend is single too. We are having a great time together. But I know if she wasn’t single too It would be harder.
I know what you mean about setting yourself high standards…but there is just no point in settling for anything less? i’d rather be single than in a relationship because i ‘feel as though i should be’. I’m single at the moment and to be honest that’s pretty ok with me because i have so much more of me to figure out and another person would be a distraction, but i have to admit there are times when i’d like a soulmate. when it happens it happens…c’est la vie! I belive in the whole ‘be happy with yourself and the rest will fall into place’ philosophy.
I have been single for way too long following the principle “Better off alone than in bad company” but I am not a teenager anymore and I feel like being in a peaceful relationship that gives more meaning to my life. Unfortunately, I still cannot find Mr. Right. I would be happy to share the Valentine’s day treats with him.
Peanut butter maple fudge? This sounds good. I can’t wait to see the result.
I love my husband, so it was definitely fun spending the day together. But back when I was single I never did anything fun on Valentine’s Day. I might actually have enjoyed the day if I’d planned to get together with my other single friends back then.