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That Time I Ordered the Cheese Plate…

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hey there! I'm monica 

I pride myself on making amazing style and design accessible for everyone, regardless of location, budget, or ability! My design philosophy is rooted in authenticity + attainability - If I can do it, you can too! My work has been featured in countless publications, but I take the most pride in homeowners that have been personally inspired by my DIY ideas and have tried something in their own homes!

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I ordered a cheese plate this weekend…   it was really, really stupid.   Let me explain.

cheese-plate

(source)

Just the other day I was telling Eric that I really like my 30s so far (I’m 32 right now).  I feel like I’ve settled fully into who I am.  Not that I was ever feeling overly lost or unsettled, but I just think  that the past two years I know who I am and don’t feel much need to explain myself to people, or try to tweak who I am to fit a situation etc…  For some people maybe that’s how life has always been, but growing up I definitely was more of a people pleaser, so the change in my 30s has been nice.

 

Check us out…We look like straight up babies in this picture… Exactly 4 years ago this past week!

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This weekend we went on a triple date with Eric’s 2 brothers and their wives.  One couple lives in Ohio, so we make it a point to go out all together whenever they’re in PA.  We tried this new-ish place in Doylestown- The Hattery.  Sidenote: the decor is awesome and it’s a really cool place, check it out if you’re ever in this area.

 

content_hattery-stove-still

 

We were checking out the menu, deciding on some apps to share and I suggested the cheese plate.

 

I hate cheese plates.

 

Odds are I’d like one cheese out of them all, and only kinda like it, not really enjoy it.

 

I ordered a cheese plate.

 

Trying something new is fun and can be a good thing, but as I was going to sleep that night I felt like the biggest sell-out ever.  I hate cheese plates.  I thought about why I ordered it for a while and once I cut through the bs answers I was giving myself at first, I realized that I was trying to be someone I’m not.

 

sidebar-kids-menu

 

Here’s a little something to know about me… I have the palette of a 7 year old- For Real!  My favorite foods are mac-n-cheese, grilled cheese, pb&j etc… I like bland, plain, comfort foods. It’s kind of a bummer that they’re 99% carbs and SO not low cal, but it is what it is.  Cheese plates are not in my wheelhouse. Ever.

healthy_kids_recipes_playtime_recipe

(Source)

 

Working on “Knock It Off!” we’re often on the road filming episodes and eating out.  It’s definitely a perk of the job- we’ve tried so many awesome places.  Funny thing though… no one else on our crew has a 7 yr old palette.  Weird huh?  It’s totally a running joke that I’m such a picky eater and I don’t mind it at all.  I’ve been brave a few times and tried all kinds of things, but overall I’m like a little kid when it comes to food.

 

So why the heck did I order a cheese plate?  I don’t have to impress my family at all, they don’t care what I order, but somewhere deep inside I think I was trying to be “cool” or something ridiculous like that.  Did I really think cheese would make me cool? Who decided that a cheese plate has more of a cool factor than potato wedges (which I should have ordered!)??  Was I really thinking that cheese could help define me as a person?  So much for being comfortable and settled into who I am right?!?  I know my identity does not come from a plate of nasty cheese, but it seems I forgot that for a bit.

 

Why am I blogging about this?  I’m not 100% sure, but I’ve always promised to keep things as real as possible here on EC2 and I figured it would be better to just let you all know that sometimes I’m lameo and just when ya think you’ve kinda got it right, you go and order a cheese plate.

 

So, if we ever end up eating dinner out together, just know that I’ll be looking at the kids’ menu and if I ever order a cheese plate again, you have my full permission to punch me.  You’d be doing me a favor.

 

Have you ever caught yourself trying to be something you’re not?  Am I the only victim of a Cheese Plate? 

The comments +

  1. Nicole J says:

    Love this and love you! Thanks for keepin’ it real!

  2. Brady says:

    No! Let’s go out together and order the cheese plate and some mac and cheese. Chances are that I’d like all the cheeses you hate and I hate mac and cheese (I know I’m the only person in the world who hates mac and cheese, but it makes me literally gag. See, we all have our things.) So, you’re my ideal cheese plate date because I can order it all for myself and not look like it!

  3. Amye Mae says:

    Well, I can’t say I’ve ever met a cheese plate I haven’t liked…but I have definitely felt Menu Pressure before and suffered because of it! Mostly I’m excited to try this Hattery place next time I’m in town, because it looks adorable. Doylestown needed some new places to try!

  4. I used to be you! But it changed in my 30s. I have a really picky teen and having been one I find I’m always defending her while also trying to cram some health food down her throat or disguising veggies in mac & cheese, http://www.putterhome.com/2014/01/healthier-easy-mac-cheese.html

    You might get over it, you might not. Who cares? But I gotta say, the first time I had sushi, I was kicking myself for refusing to try it. I say as long as you try it, it’s fine if you don’t like it. But you’re going to miss out on some good grub if you don’t sample. Plusalso, mac & cheese tastes so much richer with some squash in it 😉

  5. Amber says:

    Oh my. I love this. I just turned thirty and I am with you! I feel like I’ve learned so much this year and I wonder how I made it this far and how often I thought I “knew” so much!

    P.S. I would totally eat off the kids menu with you because (gasp) I don’t really like any vegetables.

  6. Amanda says:

    I feel ya, girl! I’ve been the victim of “chicken tender judgement disease” for my whole life. As a fundamental lover of “kid food”, I totally relate! We don’t care if you eat your balsamic infused octopus compote, so don’t judge me for my grilled cheese! Picky eaters unite!

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