Stuck inside this weekend because of an(other) excess of snow or lack of money? If you’re already missing all of that free wonderful food from home, practice your improvisatory skills with DIY Thai!

Featured Ingredient: Coconut

Coconut is rich in protein. It’s a favorite among fitness freaks (and CollegeCandy writers) for its ability to promote muscle growth. Coconut is also rich in Calcium, Vitamin A, and (good) fats. Studies show that it also helps maintain proper thyroid and kidney function. That makes it the perfect ingredient for a satisfying, tasty, easy, healthy meal!

You Will Need:

2 TBS coconut or sesame oil (or cooking oil of choice)
¼ cup shredded coconut
1 small onion
1/2 cup broccoli
1/2 cup carrots
1 Package firm tofu
4 TBS peanut butter (or tahini sauce)
1 TBS soy sauce (optional)
Ginger or coriander to taste (optional) Read More »

I scanned the menu of the dimly lit Thai restaurant where we had chosen to have lunch. It was really breakfast, being our first meal of the day. It was still only 11:30 in the morning.

My tongue ruminated on memories of peanut sauce and bean sprouts, quickly tasting each dish with which it was presented and re-shelving the phantom platter for a later craving. When my eyes came to rest on the Spicy Green Curry, I knew my mouth had found what it wanted.

Something in me was telling me that this was the dish I should order, despite the warning label under the menu description advertising this as a “very spicy dish.” Or maybe precisely because of that label.

As I barreled my way through that burning sensation that was my breakfast, I wondered why on Earth I was doing this to myself. There was so much spice that I could barely taste anything else. There were hints of coconut milk here, and eggplant there, but mostly my mouth was a wasteland of curry on fire.

That got me thinking about my whole relationship with spicy food. I can’t say that I really like how it tastes. So why do I love eating it? Read More »

(SARA, 23, sits with her DAD, 57, in a Thai restuarant near Sara’s apartment, waiting for her MOM, also 57, to come back from the bathroom so they can get this show on the road.)

SARA

(impatient)

What’d she, fall in?

DAD

You look…different.

SARA

Oh yeah, I’m growing out my bangs.

DAD

(brightening)

Oh yeah?

SARA

…Yeah…

DAD

You know I’ve never been a fan of when you have bangs. Even when you were a little kid.

SARA

Yeah, I know.

DAD

But something else too… Read More »

When I first moved after college I started talking to a nice boy. He eventually invited me out to dinner and we hit up this cute little Thai restaurant. It was a lovely evening that went on for hours before we both had to head home for the night. We did a little cheek kiss goodbye and promised to speak to each other soon. So, when he hadn’t called three days later, I called him. He didn’t answer. I called again. And again. I left messages and kept my phone close by (like, on my pillow as I slept) so I wouldn’t miss his call. Which never came.

I obviously should have gotten the hint, but I just couldn’t let it go. We had such a great date; how could he just stop talking to me? What did I do wrong? Why would he tell me he’d call if he never planned to? I needed to hear it – I needed to know he wasn’t interested. I needed that closure.

Eventually, which was far too long in any sane person’s book, I gave up and moved on. He wasn’t going to call. I had my closure. Looking back, I realize just how crazy I was. Literally, crazy. No wonder he never called back; he was probably at the police station trying to get a restraining order. But I was young and alone in a giant new city. That boy was the one thing I had to hold onto while I started a new job, found a new apartment and adjusted to life outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Read More »