Drowning in "what-ifs"

Don't you hate it when you're presented with so many options and don't know where to even start? If you think about it, we are presented with choices every single moment of every day. It can be simple things.What should I have for breakfast? What route should I take to work? What should I wear? Should I exercise? Should I eat that cookie that's just calling out my name? And then it could be complicated. What do I want to do with my life? Should I go to graduate school?

I am the most indecisive person ever. Unless I'm having a craving for something specific...don't ask me to decided where we should have lunch because it'll be dinner time before I make up my mind. I just think way too much. As soon as I make up my mind, I think of another alternative almost immediately and that is why it takes me forever to make up my mind. Sometimes I get so frustrated at myself when I spend all day trying to make a decision and by then it's too late to get anything done. Do you want to know what's even worse? I spend all day making a decision and then end up feeling guilty about my choices or second guessing myself. The dreadful cycle just continues and nothing gets done. Drives my sister bonkers.

Lately, I have been working hard to change this bad habit. If my mind starts to think about all the alternatives, I have to mentally remind myself that there's a reason for the decision I made and I should stick to it. I think that this has already made me into a more productive person. It's a work in progress though. For example, I had several tasks to complete today before going to work. I spent a few minutes trying to rationalize with myself and push some things off until tomorrow but then had to remind myself that it's important to finish things off my to-do list. I was pretty proud that I got everything that I needed to do completed before heading to work...even if that meant not being able to watch the new episode of "Once Upon A Time" lol, there's always time for that later before heading to bed this morning.

On another note, I have suddenly learned that if you don't inquire...you won't ever receive. So I took a chance and emailed someone a question because it was better than trying to plan my future based on what my assumptions are. I need to know what's out there before I can make a choice because it makes no sense to worry about options that might not even exist. There's another thing I need to stop doing...in addition to thinking too much I also worry way too much. I'm going to work really hard at this because life is too short to waste.

Ah...I'm going to be a quarter century old next month! I can't believe it. Excited but scared at the same time.

Thai Green Shrimp Curry

Ah...green curry. One of my favorite comfort foods and I didn't know how easy it is to make! Perfection at first bite and hits just the right spot when the green curry craving hits. This was my second attempt and because I followed the recipe more closely this time, my green curry tastes exactly like what I order at my favorite Thai restaurant. I felt like changing it up a bit and had my green curry with quinoa instead of rice and it was very delicious. You can use any type of protein you have on hand, I had some shrimp defrosted so that's what I used in this curry. Get creative with the veggies you want in the curry as well. The most important component is the flavor of the curry sauce and the rest can be left to your imagination. I think that eggplant and bell peppers would go great in this dish.

Recipe adapted from RasaMalaysia @ http://rasamalaysia.com/thai-green-curry-recipe/

1/2 lb shrimp (or your choice of protein)
3 tablespoons green curry paste (Mae Ploy brand)
2 1/4 cups coconut milk
1 can thinly sliced bamboo shoots
1 can straw mushrooms
3-4 kaffir lime leaves
1/4 cup Thai basil leaves
2 teaspoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
olive oil for frying

1. Drizzle some oil on the frying pain and saute the green curry paste until fragrant.
2. Add half of the coconut milk and stir it for 1-2 minutes until incorporated. Add the kaffir lime leaves after crushing them a bit with your hands to bruise them because it will release more flavor.
3. Rinse and drain the bamboo shoots and mushrooms. Add into the pot and continue to stir.
4. Add the shrimp and continue cooking until it is cooked.
5. Add the rest of the coconut milk, fish sauce and sugar.
6. Add the basil and remove from heat. (I didn't have basil this time but the dish still turned out great, but I know it will taste even better with basil added in)

I made all this is abut 30 minutes! Like I said...had no idea that it was so easy! If you are a green curry enthusiast, you  must give this recipe a try!