Escape to TV Land: The Walking Dead, Orphan Black, The Americans, etc.....

Escape. Escape. Escape. This election has been so distressing to me. I mean, I don't think I have been this upset during an election year in my lifetime. I feel as though the country is in a very scary place and depending on who is elected president, it could get much, much worse.

Read the sentence I just wrote again. I feel as though the country is in a very scary place and depending on who is elected president, it could get much, much worse.

The thing is that most Americans might agree with that statement, but incredibly are voting for extremely different candidates. It will take a very long time to recover from this election, as a country. We are fractured.

So, aside from taking part in the solution or doing something responsible about where we are at, what do we do? What do I do? I escape, of course!!! Everyone has escapes, some more healthy than others - yoga, running, biking, cooking, drinking. My husband is an athlete - he runs, bikes and swims primarily. That is his stress reducer, his escape. He has been taking some pictures during his outings. They are so beautiful.

Personally, I like to do many things to escape. To take my mind off of the stressors that get me all wound up. I do love to walk most days. The one I probably miss the very most is yoga. I miss my studio in Needham (HYP) more than words can express. I  also love to read when I can shut my mind off long enough to get involved in the book I am reading. I love to cook but that should be obvious to those reading this blog by now. I wouldn't say I am a great cook, but I love to cook, to create, and of course, to eat. Things that force me to be in the moment. Right? So, in a way it isn't really escaping as much as it is not worrying about the past or the future, or even the current state of where the country is. It is being in the moment, in the now, which is almost different than the present in a way. The present has all the baggage with it. The now is just being.

Well, lately, TV has been my favorite escape. Yes, I know. It is sedentary. It is all sorts of things that aren't exercise or active. When radio was invented, people sat around and listened to stories on it. They were able to visualize and imagine what was happening. Then, television was invented and while you couldn't use your imagination as much, it still managed to bring people together. I have such vivid memories of living in Washington, D.C. after graduating from Colgate. There would be like 10-20 of us gathered around a television to watch everything from presidential debates to the cliffhanger on Melrose Place! We were able to share an experience together as a group.

It is fun and exciting to get so caught up in a story, and yes, binge watch all sorts of shows and talk about them!!! The Walking Dead, Bloodline, House of Cards, American Crime, The Americans, Stranger Things, Orphan Black, Broadchurch, Marcella, The Fall, Marseille, The Killing, This is Us. These are my recent favorites. A good escape, at least for 43 minutes, or a couple of hours!!!

Put on Flowers in Your Hair by The Lumineers and get cooking.

This is a very easy and very good recipe. Perfect for a weeknight. I will definitely be making it again and my children, especially Sage loved it.

Roasted Chicken With Potatoes, Arugula and Garlic Yogurt, Melissa Clark, New York Times
1 1/2 lbs chicken thighs and drumsticks
1 1/4 lbs small Yukon Gold potatoes, halved and cut into 1/2-inch slices
2 1/2 tsp kosher salt, more as needed (I used less)
1/2 tsp black pepper, more as needed
2 T harissa (or use another thick hot sauce, such as sriracha) (I used less)
1/2 tsp ground cumin
4 1/2 T extra-virgin olive oil, more as needed
2 leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1/2 tsp lemon zest (from 1/2 lemon)
1/3 cup plain yogurt (recipe says not to use Greek yogurt but I did- it was fine)
1 small garlic clove
2 oz baby arugula
Chopped fresh dill, as needed
Lemon juice, as needed

Combine chicken and potatoes in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together harissa, cumin, and 3 T oil. Pour over chicken and potatoes and toss to combine. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours in the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine leeks, lemon zest, a pinch of salt and the remaining 1 1/2 T oil.

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange chicken and potatoes on a large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Roast 15 minutes. Toss potatoes lightly. Scatter leeks over pan. Roast until chicken and potatoes are cooked through and everything is golden and slightly crisped, 25-30 minutes longer.

While chicken cooks, place yogurt in a small bowl. Grate garlic over yogurt and season to taste with salt and pepper.

To serve, spoon yogurt over chicken and vegetables in the pan. Scatter arugula and dill over mixture. Drizzle with oil and lemon juice and serve.

Yum! Enjoy and have a happy day, everyone!