Pathetic Snack Discoveries, Ch. 1

Dear Mouse,

Ok. I'll admit it. I have nothing to say. This is a first, and also probably not true. But the Blog Must Go On.

Turns out that in DC Theatre, Previews (as you know, the week of shows before opening night) are actually taken seriously and treated as a week of continued rehearsal and fine-tuning with the benefit of an audience.

I mention this not to bore you into submission but in order to paint a picture (read:excuse) of why I have not been blogging. We have been called to the theatre for 6 hour rehearsals daily during Preview week in addition to the shows at night. Today is an exception only because we have a matinee as well as an evening performance. Added to this are one back injury sustained during movement rehearsal (almost healed and then unfortunately renewed with vigor due to prematurely attempting the "8 Minute Pilates" video sent to me by The Date) and the strange (probably related) phenomenon of never.really. going.out.anywhere. I have not really left this 10-12 block radius since arriving. Because I am living with nearly all my coworkers, we usually just retreat to our living room and the several brands of bourbon currently on the kitchen shelf. I buy groceries, I eat the groceries, I run out of groceries, realize this halfway through rehearsal, scrounge for snacks that can be eaten on a five minute break or prepared with 1.5 hrs for dinner & digestion. Here are a few of my discoveries.

* Cocoa Roasted Almonds. Surely a snack of the gods. Almonds dusted with cocoa. They come in a shapely canister and have no more calories than regular almonds.

* Salt-Free rice cakes drizzled with honey. Yep, that's it.

* Dill Pickle flavor Pringles. Yes, these are real. No, I do not like them. My dressing room-mate keeps saying "But it tastes like a hamburger!" This does nothing for me.

* 1 Package Amy's Organic Brown Rice & Vegetables Bowl. Microwave while ch0pping up a precooked chicken sausage. Pick out the four thin tofu slices if, like mine, your body rejects soy, and discard. Add sausage. Mix. Eat.

* 1 Can Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup. Heat on stovetop. Chop up a big handful of kale, 1 tsp fresh ginger, maybe 1/2 clove garlic. Add to soup. Eat.

* Instant Oatmeal w/Peanut Butter and sliced banana. I have not eaten this myself -- I don't do instant - but people here swear by this as an energy-packed, lifesaving breakfast food and a great way to avoid hotel breakfasts on tour.

* Regular Oatmeal with rice milk, walnuts, and dried cranberries. This is my breakfast of choice. Boil the rice milk in place of water, and cook with the walnuts and berries in from the beginning. This will get you through at least a couple of hours of "Hold! Take it again."

*Good Stuff Eatery. The only really blogworthy local dining establishment so far. Brainchild of Chef Spike from Top Chef, it is down the street on Pennsylvania Ave. I have had the turkey burger twice (comes with guacamole and muenster cheese). Both times I have been appalled by the length of time waiting for food, and both times I have forgotten my wrath instantly as I bit into my burger. "Village Fries" are coated in rosemary and salt, and the 'Snack Fry' size is enough for one.

That's it for now... off to our first matinee. Gotta grab a rice cake.

Love,

The Boo.

P.S. On another note, as I spend my evenings lamenting the corruption of democracy in Ancient Greece, The Date is spending his days in Haiti with this organization probably cutting someone open (you know, for their own good) as we speak. I have also linked to it in our 'Things We Like' sidebar for anyone looking to donate/support/learn/whatev.