Zesty Southwestern Egg Salad with Avocado (Paleo)

This week has been a great lesson in attitudes.

The last few days/weeks have brought nearly unbearable cold to not only the Northeast, but to pretty much the entire country. We’ve also had some incredible fodder to fuel our griping, if we’re looking for it. Iguanas and turtles are cold-stunned in the south, cities in the north are flooding and then freezing, and any time spent on the internet gets you incredibly upset, whether you’re looking at the news, Hollywood, or social media with people’s ridiculous antics.

If you’re like me, you’re thinking…

…So where am I supposed to go for some enjoyment? Good question.

I don’t really watch TV, but I’ll be darned if I don’t know who’s being chastised for taking misstep in attempting to stand for women’s’ rights in Hollywood. (I still like you, Justin)

I try not to watch the news unless it’s the weather, but wouldn’t you know it, The Trumpet is all about his fancy words and superior intellect… as is everyone critiquing him. (Not saying this is undeserved…)

I try to stay in my lane on Instagram and Facebook, but everyone’s either sick, depressed, or complaining. (I feel you, I do). Where to turn?

Well, I guess the easy answer is to unplug and ignore, but that’s a lot easier said than done… so I’ve adopted a different approach. It’s an unfavorable one, because it requires work on your own part rather than everyone else’s. It’s called an attitude adjustment, and I’ve been working on mine all year. Go me!

What do I really mean by this? I suppose you could take from it whatever you wanted, but it’s as simple as it sounds. Of course it’s easy to complain about how cold it is outside, but essentially, your complaining won’t raise the temperature. It won’t make you warmer, it won’t lower your heating bill, and it won’t make your friends happier by telling them you’re angry at the weather. Instead, make an active effort of something positive, such as “Wow! I’m really cold. At least I have this warm coat, though!” Sounds cheesy, yes? That’s because you haven’t looked at the positive enough recently to recognize that it’s always there.

Real life example… let’s say you’ve come across a cute video of a puppy and a parrot playing together on someone’s kitchen floor. They’re gently sparring and giving each other doe eyes, and suddenly your bubble is popped by the droves of comments from internet experts whose expertise seemingly includes canine and avian behavior, human social psychology, and they are also apparently attorneys when met with conflicting thought? If you can get over the surprise of how qualified these folk are in life and lucky you are to hear their riveting opinions and commentary, realize this: you’ve not yet stoked the fire in this conversation, and you have no investment in it. You’re lucky enough that their small actions have not genuinely impacted you, so keep on scrolling. I know very few people that actually get involved in these intellectual and emotional internet mud puddles, but don’t take it to heart what goes on. Make an impact in person, and make it a point that your next outward act stems from kindness and positivity.

You’d be pleasantly surprised by finding how much of a difference it can make in your life if you start by shifting your point of view on things. you’ll worry less, stress less, and won’t feel as bogged down by others’ energy. Try it out!

In the meantime, try my zesty take on an old classic — Southwest inspired (PALEO!) Egg salad. It’s got a great flavor… I hope you like it!