Are We Really Connected?

Being single does carry a certain amount of freedom. You reorganize, develop a new playlist to jam to, revisit old hobbies or even create new ones. It’s almost as if this sense of freedom is what draws people in. But suddenly men come out of the woodwork…

There are those that want to commiserate and feel your pain…
Thanks but no thanks. I know what you’re looking for…

Ex-boyfriends who found out through Facebook that your status has changed from “in a relationship” to “single”…
No, we can’t hook up again…we’ll only ever be friends…

And those who pop up out of nowhere and make you wonder…
Why haven’t we gone out sooner? Brunch? Ya, for sure…let’s do it up.

The common thread that weaves everyone together these days seems to be via text, Facebook and Twitter. And truly, I believe it’s a social networking trend that’s still in its infancy stage and that makes talking so yesterday. It’s like what my friend Ammie said to me the other day…

Melissa, it’s all about “he texted, she texted” versus “he said, she said.”

So are we really being brought closer together or is this type of communication broadening the gap between us?

Are we really connected?

Don’t get me wrong I am not anti-Twitter or Facebook. In fact I am glued to my iPhone and have even named it Baby. I coddle it, stroke it’s wee little scratches and panic when I can’t find the umbilical cord…er…charger. I love Twitterific which auto updates my Twitter and Facebook and promotes everything I do right down to Sexy Food Therapy.

However the other day while walking across the street, my hands were motoring a text when a car horn brought me back into the present. Swerving around me a haggered man yelled out from his beaten down gas guzzler…

WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING PRINCESS!!

I looked up in disbelief with eyes widened and thought…
Yes, I am a Princess and you’re a wind blown chicken. But thanks! I’ll look both ways next time when crossing the street…

Yet again, your Sexy Food Therapist almost died. How many lives does a cat have again? I think I’m past nine already…

With all the texting I have to admit that sometimes I do miss talking on the phone and wonder why we don’t call each other anymore? Are we simply hiding?

Mind you I do understand that this new form of e-communication gives us a non-intrusive way of contacting someone, grows us a set of balls to say things we normally wouldn’t say over the phone and provides the e-courage to contact someone out of the blue. Maybe it isn’t so bad.

But I’m a girl who likes it old skool sometimes…

Some of my music standards include the likes of Miles Davis, Nina Simone, The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac…and ya, if I had it my way, I’d prefer it all on vinyl…

I like hardcover books versus the newer, lighter paperback versions because they look nicer on my bookshelf…

And I drive stick, not automatic. As my South American papa always said, you need to drive standard Meh-leesa, or you handicap driver.

When it comes to food, I don’t like people messing with it and creating Franken-food (in other words, processed junk). There are certain things where the wheel simply doesn’t need to be re-invented…or destroyed.

One of my favourite dishes is one that I make to compliment chicken or even a little red meat (which no, isn’t bad for certain people in moderation). Greens always pair really well, and digest better (according to food combining) with protein. When I want to feel connected to my own health and vitality, one of my favourite avenues is to cook.
SEXY GREEN CONNECTION
1 head organic kale thinly sliced
1 organic avocado cut in chunks
1 organic apple cut into chunks
2 tbsp goat cheese
Handful pecans and sunflower seeds
4 cloves garlic minced
1 tbsp organic olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Saute garlic, nuts, apple and olive oil on medium heat until garlic softens. Be careful not to burn garlic.
Add thinly sliced kale and saute until the amount of kale reduces down to half.
Transfer onto plates, add avocado chunks, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and top with goat cheese.
Serves two.

People sometimes get a little scared with kale. It’s a tough little cookie of a veggie that you really have to know how to work with. For starters, it will always shrink down to half its size, so make more. Also, roll up the leaves, fold them and slice them as thin as possible. This allows them to cook faster and easier to eat. Otherwise, large slices of the stuff will have you chewing for a little while longer. I love to eat this stuff all year round, but specifically in the winter since the touch of frost makes it that much sweeter. So don’t be intimitated by it, it eases lung congestion, and it’s dark green colour fuels our liver. It’s one body strengthening veggie that shouldn’t be missed.

In the meantime, I’ll admit that I’m not calling people either that much anymore. In fact, I could probably out beat just about anyone in a texting match as my fingers go into fifth gear. My textmanship in short hand is superb and I incorpate numbers and letters that at times may require certain people to take a step back to decipher. Damn it…I’m good.

And no, I’m not hiding from anything or anyone. As you can already tell, this blog puts me right out there. Although I also can understand that it’s a great way to retreat at times. But always remember that when it comes to this type of communication, exercise etiquette. So here are some quick don’ts:

1. Do not text while out for dinner with a date/friend
Your friend wants your undivided attention and really, as much as you think you can multi-task…don’t. Unless of course, it’s an emergency. But the constant interruptions are not sexy.

2. Do not ask your friends to read a long thread of texts between you and a boy.
I don’t care to read your dirty texts or fight matches and I prefer to keep mine private. You can ask for an opinion on a couple texts, but who has the time to read a novel?

3. Do not text while asking for advice from a retail sales person or from your waitress.
They don’t have the time and just want to know what you want…truly.

4. Do not drink and text.
Really…if you’ve done this before you know EXACTLY why. ‘Nuff said.

So in the meantime, while I’ve been a huge follower of this trend I still question the direction on where we’re going when it comes to communication. As I ponder this, I also have to remember that I had a fabulous 4-hour brunch date with someone I’ve known for ages all compliments to Facebook.

Then, while shoveling some Sexy Green Connection in my mouth, there it was, a follow up Facebook message from my brunch date…

I think I can easily be distracted for more fun and merriment.

Looking at my screen, I smirked and thought to myself…
Hell it’s summer and I think I could use a little fun.

Hmmm I do believe I’m about to go on date #2.

Actually on second thought I am digging this type of communication. In fact, I’m feeling more connected already. Friday night, here I come…

Thank you Facebook.