The Lively Kitchen

Back in the days that I got paid actual money for my time and efforts (i.e. had a job), we often had big meetings to brainstorm new food products, concepts, marketing strategies, line extensions and the like.  After the brainstorming meeting (often called Ideations – which I think is one of these made-up corporate world words) there would be a re-cap meeting, usually called a Dump Session.  It was a time to (1.) wish we could just go back to our desk and do all the actual work/emailing that hadn’t happened all day because we’d been locked in a conference room ‘ideating’, (2.) eat even more and (3.) get the key team members in the same room to compare notes and key takeaway points*.

* ‘Takeaway Points’ is another one of these phrases thrown around like ‘Ideation’ Go ye forth to a big company interview and work those words into your answers…..  also include ‘cross functional collaboration,’ ‘ margin management,’ and ‘lowest hanging fruit.’  

Now that I get paid in valuable intangible currency, like hoping my children don’t grow up to be ax murderers because they had a mom who stayed home with them, I don’t do too many Ideations**.  Nor do I identify the lowest hanging fruit** for cost saving efforts with my cross functional team** in order to practice responsible margin management.**  But, I can still do Dump Sessions.

** see how I did that?  ps, to any of my food industry friends who read this, we all know that the low hanging fruit is long, long gone.  Heck, the whole fruit tree orchard is picked dry….

Official Dump Session List for the Last Few Days in My Horribly Exciting Life

1. I got to meet the very sweet Lindsay from Cotter Crunch last week white I was en-route to the Dallas area.  We met at the original Whole Foods, which was almost orgasmic (not the meeting Lindsay part, because that would be weird, I’m referring to the sacred (and overpriced) ground of the flagship Whole Foods store).  Lindsay was kind, funny and earned high marks in my book for not batting an eye (at least that I could see) when my little guy sneezed and sent snot flying out of his nose and down his face.  That, my friends, speaks volumes about her character.  I just hope it didn’t serve as unintended birth control….
2. I managed to spend less than $20 at the flagship Whole Foods.  If that doesn’t deserve a spot on this list, I don’t know what does.  Self control, people, self-control. That and shopping with a runny nosed 3-year-old who needs to go to the bathroom.
3. I got to meet up with some friends from my short-lived second job in Ft.Worth at the wonderful Yucatan Taco Stand.  While the job left something to be desired, those two ladies did not.
4. A delicious lunch with a long time friend at The Spiral Diner, a vegan restaurant, in Ft. Worth featured one of the best salads I’ve had in a long time.  Post coming soon.
5. My kids got to experience their first trip to Chuck E Cheese.  If they could write, they’d definitely include it on their weekend Dump List.
6. I got another one of those heavenly tamales at the San Antonio Quarry Farmer’s Market.  Mmmmmm.
7. I finished my second batch of kombucha and started my third brewing. I’m a fermenting machine I tell you.
8. I went to an Athletic Interval class at the gym today and I’m pretty sure I pulled a muscle in my abs.  I didn’t even know that was possible, but I don’t think it’s a good sign when your abs are numb/sore immediately following the class and you have to move around for the rest of the afternoon like you’re 9 months pregnant.  Has anyone else pulled an ab muscle?