Healthy Options

And now, like the weather lately, I am unsure. Of course we do dinner. First date is dinner-casual.

But the meteorologist called for rain this evening and I dress the part. At dinner, my rain coat rests on the back of the chair. The soft white linen napkin drapes my lap. The date sits across adjusting his arrangement of forks and sips the wine we ordered. A waiter comes by to inform us the meal will be out shortly. I can almost taste the filet melt in my mouth.

I bite my tongue instead. The dinner is all imagined. Rather I sit on the couch contemplating. Shall I eat out tonight? Or make something? I must make a choice. One is healthier than the other. I know what goes into the meal at home; I am unsure of the restaurant food. My tongue continues to throb.

The sky is full of clouds. Tonight no stars shine. The humidity hangs in the air, right there with my decision. I have gone out to this dinner numerous times. It finishes with a garnished dessert and cordial. The driver's seat in my car is soaked with rain in the morning and I feel empty.

Studies show that eating a healthy breakfast helps you to perform better throughout the day. But what about dinner? Does it make a difference if you eat healthy at night? Might it eliminate nightmares?

I open the cupboards. Canned fruit, dried meat, condensed soup, and broths fill the space. Oh the choices! My stomach wrenches in hunger as I dig through the stored food. I am not sure what I want. The thought of having to chose plagues me. I know it is not a major decision and I know the right choice would be the fruit. But I cannot seem to make it final.

Plus, fruit for dinner?!? Yeah, no. I need something more. Scouring the fridge I discover dough, soppressata, and cheese. A pizza it will be! Yet again I contemplate for a brief moment...pizza - how healthy is that? I suppose because it is homemade, it is healthier. Right? Perhaps. I can tell you in the morning if I had nightmares.

The dough spreads nicely. I roll it and top it without rise because I prefer the thin crust. No one in town has it quite right yet. I do. Twenty minutes later bubbling and sizzling, the fresh pizza comes out of the oven. The rain begins to splash against the kitchen window.

Steam rises and the dough slides off the stone. The cooling rack catches it. I am fascinated by the grease the pizza created on its own. I did not put any oils on it; just garlic, cheese, pineapple, and soppressata. I slide the pizza onto the cutting board and begin slicing it. The slicer breaks through the layered pie. Sixteen clean pieces.

I turn the oven off. I grab a plate with a few slices and a glass of beer. The show is starting on television and I place my meal on the table beside the couch. I shiver as I settle into my seat. This storm has chilled the air and I reach for my throw. The warm pizza relaxes my stomach as the cold air permeates.

I recognize this homemade pizza is just a temporary solution to the storm outside. It is just enough though to get me by in the night.

In the morning I awaken to the glow of the sun through the window. Already I can feel the warmth of the large star above. The storm and nightmares have passed and today is a new day. The best part? I have fourteen pieces of pizza left over!