K.I.S.S.

Just when you think this is about rock stars dressed in leather with pounds of makeup on or about the do’s and don’ts of locking lips, think again.  This is about one of the most important things I’ve learned in my life – the K.I.S.S. theory.  Keep It Simple Stupid can be applied on all levels of life:

You’re feeling down and you want to gorge on chocolate and wine. Suddenly, you’re surprised when you realize that instead of one of Lady Gaga’s songs on repeat, you have the Prozac commercial running through your head like the Devil’s jukebox.  The solution?  Laugh at yourself, even if it means making a complete ass of yourself in the mirror (please see above Exhibit A: me sporting a hat head which appears to look more like a Donald Trump impression – but slightly cuter).

You’re on a date and you’re scrambling for things to talk about, so you begin to ramble. The solution?  Sit back, ask HIM questions versus telling him your life story and keep it simple stupid.

You’re getting ready and throw on a bunch of accessories.  You take a look at yourself in the mirror and realize that you resemble a Christmas tree. The solution?  Take off some of that ornamental jewelery and keep it simple stupid.

You come home, you’re exhausted and begin to flirt with the idea of ordering greasy won ton noodles and chicken balls from the Chinese take-out joint from up the street.  The idea of cooking seems complicated and exhausting at just the thought.  The solution?  Take it from the Italians, because some of the best meals are the easiest. Keep it simple stupid.

SEXY PRANZO FOR SHARING!
2 hard boiled eggs
Small bunch of broccolette or asparagus sauteed in olive oil and chopped garlic
Small handful walnuts
5 kalamata olives
3 small wedges of tomato
Several slices of a baguette
Olive oil, salt & pepper

Combine all pieces on a large plate and sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Enjoy.
Serves 2.

I suppose this dish was inspired when I was reminded of Italy after watching Eat Pray Love with the girls.  I loved the simplicity of Italian dishes and the passion that went in them.  Their food is fresh and more importantly, people sit together and savour it.  There’s no running around trying to balance your purse with your sandwich, there’s simply love for the whole ritual and process of eating. And generally when I’m here in North America, I have to be careful with some of the major allergens in fear that my tummy will reject it.  However somehow, despite the copious amounts of cappuccinos, pastries, pasta and wine, I had never felt better.  Which goes to show that stress plays a much larger part in how we digest then we think.  So instead of becoming neurotic about what we eat, maybe our focus should be on keeping it simple stupid and addressing the stress that taxes our second brains…our digestive system.

In the meantime, the secrets to life just might lie in laughter as medicine, simple foods and the realization that you just might not need eyeliner or eyeshadow to complete your look.  Because you already are complete just the way you are.  So remember, keep it simple stupid and realize that simplicity in every aspect is beauty.