by marionroach on April 20, 2011
LIKE GOOD WASPS, Paige and I really enjoy a Passover Seder, though we have our different reasons to love the celebration so much. Hers is food. Mine, well, it has something to do with an imaginary friend. Don’t believe me?
When Bibbi Geggy came to live with us, he showed up in all the best places, including the Passover table set by our dear friends. Had I known what Paige was bringing to the table, we might have snuck in an extra dinner with her before Bibbi moved on to points unknown. But all is not lost, since we’ve got Bibbi Geggy’s tale of Passover right here for you to read.
by marionroach on April 1, 2011
MAKING A LIST. That’s my duty, according to Sheilaa, everyone’s favorite astrologer. And it’s advice I’m comfortable with, since I love making lists. What does Sheilaa have in store for you? Are you brave enough to look? [click to continue…]
by marionroach on March 8, 2011
A RECENT STUDENT said simply, “I write to understand myself.” And I loved that. The world would be a better place if we all understood ourselves just the eensiest bit more, don’t you agree? Does it mean that all the people who are writing about themselves should publish? Of course not. In fact, this particular student has no aspirations toward publishing. And good for him. His aspirations delight me, as does his increasing awareness of the life he leads. How about you? Have you got something you’d like to examine about yourself? I bet you do, and that all you need is a little inspiration. Here’s some. [click to continue…]
by marionroach on January 28, 2011
A KITCHEN RENOVATION can go only one of two ways: either to transcendent awareness or to divorce court. And our renovation was not elective. Not a bit. Ours was thrust upon us by severe acute water damage, and suddenly I found myself saying the one thing you do not ever want to say in your own kitchen. [click to continue…]
by marionroach on January 26, 2011
FOR TEN YEARS I’ve been living on an anti-inflammatory diet. This was brought on by a friend’s suggestions, and since that friend is America’s premier science writer, I took the suggestion seriously. In the years on the diet, my cholesterol dropped, my blood pressure dropped and I lost (and maintained) weight — oh yeah, and my pain went away. Now, his advice is a book. By him. And sisters, you can throw away your other books on nutrition, health and weight loss, read this, and change forever how you live. I promise.
The writer is Gary Taubes, who for many years now has been an honorary Roach sister. It’s no small distinction, or so we like to think. Honorary Roach sisters are born, not made, and as the years pass, the fates throw us together and we delight in the understanding of what we have in common. We felt so when we met Paige and Anastasia, of TSP. My husband is an honorary Roach sister, and damn proud of it, as he’ll tell anyone who asks. Gary, the other honorary Roach sister of the male persuasion, is the author of the fine new book, Why We Get Fat And What to do About It. Just out by Knopf, you can get it here.
Gary has been causing a stir for years with his brilliant work on how what makes us fat also makes us sick. Or is that phrase new to you? It’s true: what makes us fat does also make us sick, though what it is that makes us fat may surprise you. Read the book. Change your life. It’s only sisterly of me to advise you to do so.
by marionroach on February 10, 2010
WHERE I COME FROM, the word “salad” means lettuce. Perhaps that lettuce will be accompanied by onions, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, crumbled cheese, or all of the above, but lettuce—and I believe I speak for all my homepeople when I say this—would be the foundation of all things “salad.” And, being a New Yorker, I went along thinking my way was the highway until fate stepped in and threw a man in my path some 21 years ago who, when he said “salad,” was speaking a different tongue. So we got married, and mixed things up. [click to continue…]
by marionroach on February 2, 2010
MUCH LIKE A PARTY at my house, the party in my mouth only goes well when some forethought is given to who sits next to whom. Chocolate and peanut butter? Hate ‘em as a couple; love ‘em alone, which is the same damn thing I frequently hear myself say about many of my friends.
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by marionroach on December 10, 2009
TWO-HUNDRED CHEESEBALLS. Not a phrase—or dish—to throw around lightly. But that’s what I made for our annual celebration of Emily Dickinson’s birthday, which is December 10. Not a big birthday this year, so I limited myself somewhat in the celebration, making the light fare myself so I can rest up for the huge blowout planned for Emily’s 180th in 2010. Once there was a time when my husband and I were a little torn as to which holiday to celebrate, and how. Long story, lots of history, but years ago, after being married only a short time, we compromised on one totemic holiday to appreciate: Emily’s birthday, and most years we have a party.
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by marionroach on November 12, 2009
IT’S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR for John, our beloved friend, and subject (as well as object) of our series, Teaching John to Cook. But a year it has been since his wonderful partner died, and since all of you, in response, took on the loving assignment of teaching him to cook. And look! Here comes Thanksgiving, that high holy day of recipes, and we’re asking you for some for a man on his own to bring to the table. [click to continue…]
by marionroach on October 13, 2009
TWO SISTERS PLUS ONE BOOK equals two soups. This is the sisterly cooking math we did when our friend and uber-agent Kris Dahl sent us both a new book, and two households went on a pretty much liquid diet. But oh, what liquid! [click to continue…]
LIKE GOOD WASPS, Paige and I really enjoy a Passover Seder, though we have our different reasons to love the celebration so much. Hers is food. Mine, well, it has something to do with an imaginary friend. Don’t believe me?
First time here? Here's the idea: 
