Episode 27 - Hotdish; Make & Execute Plans to See Friends; Superstore; Puppies
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Topic of Discussion
In this episode, we discussed Hotdish.
For those of you who don’t know what a “hotdish” is, here’s the breakdown:
A protein of your choice (think: can of chicken, can of tuna, ground beef, etc.)
A concentrated soup (usually from Campbell’s, like cream of chicken)
A starch (that usually goes on top, like tater tots)
A vegetable (in the canned variety)
Let’s clarify: if you just read the ingredients above and thought, Wait, that’s a casserole! you would be wrong. “Casserole” is the type of dish it goes into; a casserole that is a food item is a side dish. But a hotdish is an entire meal in one.
What we love about hotdish is how much nostalgia it brings with each bite and how filling it is. This is food Lueda and I grew up on! So how could we not feel with every bite that the food we’re putting in our bellies isn’t special and soul-filling as well as belly-filling? In addition, the barriers to entry to making hotdish are quite low: you don’t need a lot of money; you don’t need much talent; it’s customizable to what you like; and it’s pretty hard to mess up a hotdish.
Make sure to listen to the episode to hear my favorite hotdish story!
What I love about hotdish is getting to share it with others who are not familiar with it. Not only is the term a little weird (“You mean you normally eat cold food?!”) but the concept of a meal-in-one baked in the oven isn’t necessarily common for many. For me, I particularly love sharing Tater Tot Hotdish with hotdish newbies because by the end of the meal, they’re licking their plates and requesting the recipe! And, because it makes so much food, it’s a great meal to have with friends or to take to share at an event.
Want to try this Tater Tot Hotdish we talked about during the episode? Try this recipe. This isn’t the traditional recipe that I’ve followed in my family (we don’t do corn) so feel free to customize! Here are the results from my Google search “Minnesota Tater Tot Hotdish.”
Have something you’d like to add to the conversation? We’d love to hear it! Send it to us at areyoutwostillfriends@gmail.com
Friendship Tip
In this episode, we shared the friendship tip of make and execute plans to see one another (virtually or in-person).
While long-distance friendship is mainly not-in-person (duh) we’ve found over the years that it’s crucial to make plans to see one another on a regular basis. What might that look like for you? It depends! For Lueda and I, that means meeting up at least once a year in person. Doing so not only provides us the opportunity to reconnect but reminds us of the joy we often experience in one another’s presence. When you can be completely authentic in the presence of a friend who loves you, sees you and hears you -- what a gift!
Even if you can’t see your friends more often, making plans to get together virtually counts, too! It can be amazing what a difference it makes to talk with your friend on the phone versus on a video call. Getting eyes on your friend also gives you the opportunity to ensure they’re doing okay -- that nothing seems amiss (something that is very easy to hide if you’re only chatting via text or phone call).
Additionally, as Lueda pointed out, making and executing plans to see one another creates trust within the relationship. If you make and execute plans to see your friend, and follow through, what a great message you send to your friend! You communicate that you do want to see them; that you do want to spend time with them; that you have their back and that they are important to you. All of that and more is communicated by showing up when you say you’re going to show up (and even being the instigator of making plans to see one another).
What questions are we pondering this week?
Alexis: How can I get settled in the midst of so much change?
I’m nearing the end of my international move (from Japan to Virginia) and it’s been a long process. As I move into my new home and eagerly await all of my household goods to arrive, I’m pondering how I can get settled in the midst of all the physical and emotional upheaval I’ve experienced this summer. As Lueda pointed out, even good change is change. And change is hard!
Additionally, because I’ve moved before in a similar manner, it’s easy for me to fall into the trap of thinking, This should be easy! No slack for me. I’ve done this before! But the truth is, I’ve never done it at this stage in my life, under these conditions. Yes I’ve moved before, but this time is unique, as were the others.
What content are we consuming this week?
Lueda: Superstore
Lueda is hooked! The scenarios in the show are so real and they speak to the time she spent working in retail in her younger years. And, she loves how all of the characters in the show are well-developed; it’s not just the main character that gets all the love.
What’s interesting is Superstore makes Lueda feel seen in the experiences she had working in a large retail store (shout out to Herbergers!). However, sometimes, people cannot even watch shows that too closely mirror their experience because it’s too real and it hits too close to home. A great example of this is The Office. My mom didn’t find any part of that show funny because as she put it, “I work with a ‘Michael.’ This is my life.” Lueda, too, had the same experience with The Office. But maybe because her time in retail is further back in her history she can now look back at it with a sense of humor?
What’s something uplifting we’d like to share with others?
Alexis: I got a puppy!
I think the pictures really say it all. He’s a Red Merle Australian Shepherd and in these photos is about two and a half months old. His name is Heath — like the candy bar or, more importantly, like the dreamboat Ledger. We’re totally in love with this ball of floof! The Blue Merle is our girl, Josie, who is a mini-Australian Shepherd. He will very soon be bigger than her!
What’s something that’s sparked passion in us recently?
Lueda: The Lake
Every year, Lueda and her family make a pilgrimage “up North” to a lake. They’ve done this every year since Lueda was six years old and have stayed in the same cabins every year. This is one of two major events around which Lueda’s world revolves (the other obviously being her birthday). This is a week that allows Lueda and her family to connect and spend quality time together. Over the years, the number of family members has expanded from just the nuclear family to the extended family, which makes it even more fun for Lueda. It’s incredibly refreshing, rejuvenating and joyful for her and something that she looks forward to every year.
Her one request? Shakes every night. Her dad makes delicious raspberry and Butterfinger shakes. Sounds reasonable to me!
In friendship,
Alexis & Lueda
