One of the best things a person can do when in a rut is to get out of town. I didn't even realize how much I've been in a rut until I left for Boston and came back. Suddenly, life in Cleveland is normal. Before the trip, everyday was a bit stressful as I struggled to figure out where everything was, what I was doing, not to mention getting the house in order, finding new care providers, and somewhere in all of the trying to finish my degree. I still felt like a fish out of water. I came back from the trip suddenly feeling confident in where places are in Cleveland, confident that I'll finish my degree, and not feeling so pressed to get things at home all settled. Besides, with the perspective granted from time away from home, I realized things are quite settled.

With the trip to Boston fresh in my mind, and not wanting to cook, we finally went to Great Lakes Brewing Co. the day after I got back. Several of you have suggested I go there, and I was not disappointed. They serve locally grown foods, mostly meat-based, but again, that's just Cleveland. It is a meat and potatoes kind of town. I'm learning to embrace the carnivorous options anyway; when the meat is locally raised and prepared it just tastes better than when it's prepackaged and flown in from miles away. So I came back home, and had perogies and sausages and it was heaven. Steve had the great local brew, which I understand I'll love once I'm drinking again. So to all of you who said to go, I did, and was rewarded. It was the best local food of the week; better than anything I had in Boston (other than the home-cooked food of course).

I'm feeling more at ease at home. We've been out and about a few times since then. Once to the local sausage factory, this town loves sausage, and once to the local Mediterranean market. We may not grow chickpeas in Cleveland, but the humus is freshly made and the pita is made here in Cleveland, not far from my new favorite tofu. This embracing of the local food culture rather than making it conform to my previous food culture coincides with my midwife telling me to eat more iron. Between the sausage and the chickpeas, I think I have my iron back up to happy levels. And, most of that iron is locally sourced or at least locally prepared. Next week I have some observations about farmers markets- yes, I'm finally getting to some! Slowly but surely I'm settling in, and eating more locally.