Oh the things you'll learn...

Two years ago this past weekend I moved back to Buffalo.  I drove back home in my trusty Honda Civic, the backseat overflowing with kitchen gadgets and cookbooks and sweaters and history texts, all the while singing Ani DiFranco songs at the top of my lungs. The previous two years of my life had been rather transient, moving from one coast to another, from a smaller apartment to a larger and in a sense, this felt like just another move. It wasn't until I got on the open road that the magnitude of this move really hit me.  I was leaving and not going back.  Whoa.

As with many things, what was one of the most emotionally trying experiences of my life was also one of the most educational.  In the intervening years I have learned a number of lessons  but as I reflect on where I've been and think about where I'm going the following three truly stand out.  I realize they may sound cheesy and more than a little cliche that is sort of my point.  To me, they were just words I had heard 4 million times before until I lived experiences that made them oh so real. So then, without further ado...

It's just cruel to deny a Polish
Buffalonian her butter lamb. 

1.)  Never say never.  Or always say maybe. Simply put, anything is possible. Things are going to happen that you may not want to believe--"jeggings" for example, or the fact that your dad wanted sushi for Easter dinner ("no butter lamb?!?"),  but you must push through and remember that every challenge could be an opportunity.  However you think about it, keep your mind and your heart open, go with the flow and don't fight the universe.  For reals.

2.) Love is love.  I can't take credit for this gem--this is the punch line from a story shared between one of my closest friends, his bestest bestie and a Rite Aid clerk. Intriguing, right?   The point is, it doesn't matter if it's your partner, your siblings or best friends, if you have love in your life, you are lucky and should be grateful.  If you waste all of you energy searching for what you think you want, you will miss out on what you have.  Tell those you love that you love them.

3.) And last but certainly not least, ladies, your 30's rock. They flat out rock!  When I turned 30, the quality of my life improved so substantially, I kind of want to write a song about it.  A kick ass song about aging!  Doesn't that sound fun! Well, maybe not, but seriously, my decision making abilities improved, and I became a  much braver, more emboldened sassypants who learned to like her body and ask for the things she wanted.  Well, some of the things she wants anyways.  Though, all of this does not happen over night.  One must learn from the mistakes of their 20's (mistakes like almost marrying the wrong guy) in order to reap the rewards of their 30's. And, here's hoping our 40's and 50's continue to shine :)

So yeah, you may be able to find these ideas on the front cover of any women's magazine, but for me their discovery was hard won. And on days when I want to celebrate a victory I turn to red meat (how's that for a segue!)  Today's recipe is for grilled flank steak, one of my very favorite cuts of meat.   Also, this is so damn easy, it's barely a recipe. If you don't a have a grill, or during the winter months when you are too wussy to use your grill, this can be done on the in a pan on the stove top.  If cooked and sliced properly, it is delicious.  If not, it tough and chewy.  You can serve this on its own or in sandwiches or tacos. Yum!

Grilled Flank Steak--serves 3-4
1 flank steak (about 1 pound)
Extra virgin olive oil
salt
pepper

Heat grill to high.  Rub both sides of steak with olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.  Grill 5-7 minutes per side for medium rare.  Do not overcook or steak will become tough.  Let steak rest for 10 minutes under tented foil.  After meat has rested, thinly slice steak across the grain (I cannot stress the importance of this step enough) and serve.