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Eat Your Feelings_Recipes for Self-Loathing

Page 11

by Heather Whaley


  Warmest Regards,

  Heather Whaley

  Some places to eat your feelings:

  Bathroom

  The office

  The White House

  Hallways

  Public toilets

  Airplanes

  A stairwell

  Across the street from your ex-boyfriend’s house

  Across the street from where your ex-boyfriend works

  Across the street from where your ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend lives

  Under your ex-boyfriend’s bed

  Church

  In midair while skydiving (not recommended)

  Criminal courthouse

  Halfway inside the refrigerator

  The Laundromat

  The DMV

  Food court (preferred)

  In your parked car

  In a friend’s parked car

  The attic

  In bed

  Parole office

  Window ledge

  Floor of the stock exchange

  Bus depot

  The prom

  Some books to read while eating your feelings:

  War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

  The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

  You’ll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again by Julia Phillips

  Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi

  People magazine

  Don’t Make Me Stop This Car: Adventures in Fatherhood by Al Roker

  Flowers in the Attic by V. C. Andrews

  Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

  Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself by Alan Alda

  Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

  User’s Manual Guide to Troubleshooting iMac and iPhone

  Don’t Let Your Kids Kill You: A Guide for Parents of Drug and Alcohol Addicted Children by Charles Rubin

  Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book by AA Services

  Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (good for unattractive teens and stay-at-home moms)

  Classified ads

  Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix

  Class with the Countess by Luann de Lesseps

  Racing forms

  Talking with Serial Killers: The Most Evil People in the World Tell Their Own Stories by Christopher Berry-Dee

  Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

  Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg and Melinda Blau

  Justin: The Unauthorized Biography by Sean Smith

  Sex for Dummies by Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer

  Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

  Some people with whom to eat your feelings:

  Stranger resting on a bench,

  Stranger hiding in a trench.

  Stranger sitting on a box,

  Stranger winding up the clocks.

  Stranger swimming in a tank,

  Stranger working at a bank.

  A baseball coach or Phyllis Diller,

  A crossing guard, a serial killer.

  Someone who is very fat,

  Someone who just stole your cat.

  Someone who is nice and lean,

  Someone who will stop and clean (your dishes).

  Someone who is feeling cozy,

  Barney Frank and Nance Pelosi.

  Someone who knows all your flaws,

  Jack and Jill and Santa Claus.

  A friend you’ve known for very long,

  Someone who makes egg foo yong.

  The president, a Minotaur,

  Mr. T, Pat Benatar.

  A hot dog man, or Peter Pan,

  The troll inside your garbage can.

  You, yourself, and no other,

  Definitely not your husband’s mother.

  Someone small or someone tall,

  Anyone and one and all.

  Some music to listen to while eating your feelings:

  “I Am a Rock” by Simon and Garfunkel

  “Blue” by Joni Mitchell

  “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” by Air Supply

  “Another Saturday Night” by Cat Stevens

  “Send In the Clowns” by Melissa Manchester

  “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” by Elton John

  “I Am . . . I Said” by Neil Diamond

  “I Got a Name” by Jim Croce

  “Womanizer” by Britney Spears

  “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon

  “Don’t Look Back In Anger” by Oasis

  “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley

  “I Ain’t Missin You” by John Waite

  “Take This Job and Shove It” by Johnny Paycheck

  “Lookin’ for Love” by Johnny Lee

  “Fooled Around and Fell In Love” by Elvin Bishop

  “Never Surrender” by Corey Hart

  “The First Cut Is the Deepest” by Cat Stevens

  “Wave of Mutilation” by the Pixies

  “Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover” by Paul Simon

  “Creep” by Radiohead

  I’m a Loser by Doris Duke (whole album)

  “Not the Girl You Think You Are” by Crowded House

  “Raining Blood” by Slayer

  Nothing by Michael Buble

  Nothing by Josh Groban

  Nothing by Celine Dion

  Nothing by James Blunt

  Nothing by Dan Fogelberg

  Nothing by Steely Dan

  Nothing by Bruce Hornsby

  Some things to avoid while eating your feelings:

  Conversation

  Confrontation

  Competitive fencing

  Cage fighting

  Cage diving with great white sharks

  Utensils

  Mirrors

  Clothing

  Paparazzi

  Children

  Skiing

  Performing in the ballet

  Making important speeches

  Getting married

  Filing taxes

  Choking

  Newscasting

  The man

  Children

  Space flight (zero gravity not conducive to rapid eating)

  Forensics

  Scales

  Video cameras

  Tricky wrappers or child-proof containers

  Traffic accidents (especially when eating on the go)

  Acknowledgments

  There are a number of people I need to thank, as this book would not have been possible without the generosity and humility of a lot of people.

  First off, I am truly fortunate to have a husband who is as supportive and awesome as mine. His advice and guidance have been, and continue to be, invaluable. Thanks, Frank. To Buster and Tallulah, thank you for being patient while Mommy is immersed in the computer, and for being so hilarious and enthusiastic and imaginative and inspiring.

  The rest of my family: Jason Bucha—everyone should be so lucky as to have a brilliant attorney in their family, but my brother is the best. For real. Lindsay Bernsohn and Becky Bucha helped with so many of the photos and read so many drafts and, most of all, provided inspiration for many of the recipes (not saying which ones). I love you guys. My grandmother, Mary Bucha, bestowed upon me many of the recipes herein. My mother, Carolyn Bucha, imparted still others, as well as ideas and encouragement. You used to say one day I would write a cookbook, but I bet this isn’t what you had in mind. My father, Paul Bucha, and his wife, Cynthia, took part in a hilarious impromptu photo shoot at a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike. My mother-in-law, Josephine Timilione, has the most obscure and wonderful cookbook collection and was kind enough to lend it to me. Matt Bernsohn didn’t mind me exploiting him or his employees and hooked me up with so many people to photograph. Chris Baran not only gave me photos, but drew me a super-excellent chupacabra to boot.

  Many people helped me with either time, inspiration, photographic excellence, or by allowing me to take pictures of them in compromising positions, they are: Stefanie Badwey, Seth Bardelas, Nicole Brodeur, An-drew Kirk, Tuki Lucero,
Kelly McCann, Marianne O’Brien, Michael Pam palone, Matthew Rudnicki, Ella Solomons, and Sophia Wood.

  And finally, to my very dear friend, Luke Dempsey, who can’t get rid of me as easily as he thought; the amazing Erin Malone and Jennifer Walsh at WME; Clare Ferraro, Anna Sternoff, Elizabeth Keenan, Alexandra Ramstrum, Caroline Sutton, and everyone at Hudson Street Press, thank you for making this dream come true.

  Index

  Aging

  Bad Botox Bolognese

  Caught Mom and Dad in the Act Tater Tot Casserole

  Cereal Snack for Aging Potheads

  Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Fritter for When Your Husband Ran Off with the Babysitter

  Forty Years Old and Fired from Starbucks Chewy Fruit and Nut Cookie Stack

  It’s Time to Settle Spaghetti Carbonara for Women in Their “Thirties”

  Midlife Crisis Rib Eye

  Stir-Fry for Stretch Marks

  Twenty-nine and Still Can’t Pay Your Rent Veggie Sandwich

  Valentine’s Day Party Ryes for Divorcées

  You Were a Bully in Middle School Banana Bread

  Your Decor Hasn’t Changed Since College Pizza Loaf

  Alcoholism

  Breakfast Sandwich for Morning-After Regret

  Cocktail Nibbles for Alcoholics

  Double-Detox Milk Shake

  Drunk and Disorderly Donut Pudding

  The Slammin’ Chick from the Club Was Not at All a Chick Chicken Club

  You Got Drunk and Called Your Friend a Slut in Front of Her Father Cheeseburger Soup

  Apples

  Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Fritter for When Your Husband Ran Off with the Babysitter

  Double Crust Apple Pie for Recreational Bulimics

  Bananas

  Moving to Russia to Look for Work Chocobanbutt Panini

  Sky-High Banana Cream Pie Because You Are Dating a Married Guy

  You Were a Bully in Middle School Banana Bread

  Beef

  Bad Botox Bolognese

  Dumped on New Year’s Eve Meatball Sandwich

  Found Out Your Birth Mother Was a Carney Hot Beef Sundae

  Hamburger Casserole for When Nobody Loves You and Never Will

  Midlife Crisis Rib Eye

  Rejected by Skidmore and That Was Your Safety School Chicken Fried Steak

  Single Mother Beef Stew

  Three-Alarm Chili for Bad Mothers

  You Got Drunk and Called Your Friend a Slut in Front of Her Father Cheeseburger Soup

  Your Decor Hasn’t Changed Since College Pizza Loaf

  Your Dreams Will Never Come True Hungarian Goulash

  Your Marriage Is a Disaster Sicilian Lasagna

  Betrayal

  Breakfast Sandwich for Morning-After Regret

  Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Fritter for When Your Husband Ran Off with the Babysitter

  You Did Not Sign Up for This Crap Crêpes Suzette for Wives of Former Bankers

  You Got Drunk and Called Your Friend a Slut in Front of Her Father Cheeseburger Soup,

  Beverages

  Double-Detox Milk Shake

  Biology

  Caught Mom and Dad in the Act Tater Tot Casserole

  Found Out Your Birth Mother Was a Carney Hot Beef Sundae

  Home Fries for the Uninsured

  It’s Time to Settle Spaghetti Carbonara for Women in Their “Thirties”

  Midlife Crisis Rib Eye

  PMS Pot Stickers

  Stir-Fry for Stretch Marks

  Totally Bowlegged Double Deviled Egg(ed) Salad

  Unwanted Pregnancy Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

  You Farted Loudly in the Elevator Green Curry Chicken

  Breads

  Corn Cake for Indigenous Peoples

  The Whole Office Read Your Journal Yummy Oatmeal Muffins

  You Were a Bully in Middle School Banana Bread

  Your Dad Is a Scumbag Monkey Bread

  Breakfast

  Admonished by Male Stripper for Inappropriate Behavior Tarragon Scrambled Eggs

  Breakfast Sandwich for Morning-After Regret

  Cereal Snack for Aging Potheads

  Double-Detox Milk Shake

  Gravy Cheese Fries for a Big Fat Fatty

  Reluctant Breadwinner’s Quiche for Resentful Wives of Stay-at-Home Dads

  The Whole Office Read Your Journal Yummy Oatmeal Muffins

  Who’s the Daddy? Flapjacks

  You Did Not Sign Up for This Crap Crêpes Suzette for Wives of Former Bankers

  You Were a Bully in Middle School Banana Bread

  Your Dad Is a Scumbag Monkey Bread

  Cake

  Your Birthday Is September 11 Chocolate Mud Cake

  Candy

  Evil Stepmother’s Rock Candy

  Cannibalism

  Emergency Food Source for Plane-Crash Survivors

  Casserole

  Caught Mom and Dad in the Act Tater Tot Casserole

  Hamburger Casserole for When Nobody Loves You and Never Will

  Cereal

  Cereal Snack for Aging Potheads

  Cheese

  Alopecia Pizza

  Cheese Fondue Because Your Therapist Fell Asleep on You

  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ’n’ Cheese

  Gravy Cheese Fries for a Big Fat Fatty

  Little Sister Earns More than You Ham and Cheese Toastie

  Slept with Your Professor and He Still Gave You a D Baked Brie

  Ugly Baby Cheese Sandwich

  Worst Date Ever Nutty Cheese Ball

  You Got Drunk and Called Your Friend a Slut in Front of Her Father Cheeseburger Soup, You Stopped Sleeping with Your Husband Years Ago Provençal Tomato Tartlet

  Cheese Ball

  Worst Date Ever Nutty Cheese Ball

  Chicken

  Chicken Teriyaki for When Your Career in Advertising Has Destroyed Your Soul

  He Only Married You for His Green Card Chicken Salad

  Mom’s Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup for Closet Cases

  Staying Together for the Children Chicken Tetrazzini

  Stinking No Good Brokedown Car Buttermilk Fried Chicken

  Stir-Fry for Stretch Marks

  The Slammin’ Chick from the Club Was Not at All a Chick Chicken Club

  You Farted Loudly in the Elevator Green Curry Chicken

  You Walked All the Way to Your Office without Realizing Your Skirt Was Tucked into Your Underpants Sesame Chicken

  Chimichanga

  ¡El Chupacabra Ate All the Chickens! Chimichanga

  Chocolate

  Cereal Snack for Aging Potheads

  Lonely Christmas Pudding

  Manic-Depressive Brownies, Two Ways!

  Moving to Russia to Look for Work Chocobanbutt Panini

  Your Birthday Is September 11 Chocolate Mud Cake

  Cookies

  Forty Years Old and Fired from Starbucks Chewy Fruit and Nut Cookie Stack

  Not Even a Total Loser Would Sleep with You Oatmeal Cookies

  Corn

  Corn Cake for Indigenous Peoples

  Crêpes

  You Did Not Sign Up for This Crap Crêpes Suzette for Wives of Former Bankers

  Dessert

  Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Fritter for When Your Husband Ran Off with the Babysitter

  Double Crust Apple Pie for Recreational Bulimics

  Double-Detox Milk Shake

  Drunk and Disorderly Donut Pudding

  Evil Stepmother’s Rock Candy

  Halloween Costume Proved Offensive to All Your Coworkers Chocolate Smorgasbord

  He Likes Your Roommate Key Lime Pie

  Left at the Altar Petits-Fours Log

  Lonely Christmas Pudding

  Manic-Depressive Brownies, Two Ways!

  Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Sweet Potato Pie

  Rainbow Sherbet ’Cause Your Boss Is a Pervert

  Sky-High Banana Cream Pie Because You Are Dating a Married Guy

  You Did Not Sign Up for This Crap Crêpes Suzette for Wives of Former Bankers, Your
Birthday Is September 11 Chocolate Mud Cake

  Your Brother Really Was Mom’s Favorite Peach Pie

  Your Dad Is a Scumbag Monkey Bread

  Disappointment

  Failed the GED Creamed Spinach for Idiots

  Found Out Your Birth Mother Was a Carney Hot Beef Sundae

  He Likes Your Roommate Key Lime Pie

  It’s Time to Settle Spaghetti Carbonara for Women in Their “Thirties,”

  Not Even a Total Loser Would Sleep with You Oatmeal Cookies

  Perfect Mashed Potatoes for Disappointed Parents

  Reluctant Breadwinner’s Quiche for Resentful Wives of Stay-at-Home Dads

  Ugly Baby Cheese Sandwich

  Worst Date Ever Nutty Cheese Ball

  You Stopped Sleeping with Your Husband Years Ago Provençal Tomato Tartlet, Your Dad Is a Scumbag Monkey Bread

  Your Dreams Will Never Come True Hungarian Goulash

  Disorders

  ADHD Alphabet Soup

  Alopecia Pizza

  Double Crust Apple Pie for Recreational Bulimics

  Manic-Depressive Brownies, Two Ways!

  OCD BLT

  Pepperoni Pizza for Agoraphobes

  Postpartum Potato Pierogies

 

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