Peanut Butter and Stained Glass

I'm usually running late on Sunday mornings, between the subway commute and my own laxity. This means I'm frequently snacking/breakfasting between choir practice and the church service, if I get anything at all.

Yesterday, I gave myself enough time to swoop into a bodega and grab a Vitamin Water ("Defense"), a banana, and a pack of two beloved no-frills granola bars. Nature Valley's Peanut Butter are the best. They just barely border on greasy, but come down on the side of rich and filling. A 2-pack is inexpensive, too -- 89 cents in inflated-price-central NYC means it's probably cheaper elsewhere (or bought by the box).

Adding to the grounded opulence of eating something so simple under stained glass and soaring ceilings? While snacking, I was able to listen to a cellist and pianist rehearse their special music for the morning's service. Perfection.

I've done a lot of eating in sanctuaries in my life (a pastors' kid learns the skills), but these granola bars remain a favorite choice.

Triumph over the rot.

I always feel incredibly accomplished when we manage to finish a family-sized yogurt tub before the yogurt in it gets moldy. It's not that I don't like yogurt; I get distracted and forget it's in the refrigerator.

Last week, there were several mornings of yogurt-themed breakfasts. The one pictured here was yogurt, granola, pomegranate seeds (harvested from the whole fruit by Dan), and flax seed. An accomplishment, to be sure!


p.s. I just hit 550 blog posts! I should celebrate by finishing off the yogurt that is currently in the fridge.

Happy Easter!

I thought it would be appropriate to post this in time for sunrise services on the east coast...

I had another snackreligious experience this week, facilitated by The Journey church in NYC. A young woman from the church handed me a granola bar on the street last week as a promotion for their Easter services. I'm not able to attend, but I imagine they wanted me to enjoy the chewy treat either way.

I suspect this bar is more like candy than true granola, in terms of how healthy it might be, but it's heavenly.