Simple-in-a-bowl: taco noodles

I like keeping things simple.

It seems like people overcomplicate things so much these days, especially when it comes to little kids.  I read this article about the decline of the children’s picture book and it just depresses me right out.  This whole push to focus on “book smarts”, particularly in the realms of mathematics and science, completely ignores that an interdisciplinary approach is imperative to true understanding of any construct.  As well as the fact that you’ve just gotta “let kids be kids”, and grow up and develop social interaction skills and all that, instead of forcing them to study for hours much longer that the average adult can stay focused on a topic, let alone a 5-year old.

My mom still gets on my case because I almost got into gifted as a child, and wails about how she didn’t push me hard enough, and how far I’d be now if she had.  Good lord, let it go.  I’m happy i didn’t make the final test, it was a reality check I seriously needed.  I mean, can you imagine what a 9-year old who already thinks too much of themselves, given a new reason to think they’re better than everyone, and having this idea supported during their most critical years, would grow up to be like?  If academic excellence, AP or not, is destined for someone, then that’s where life will take them.  But what’s the point in championing such a narrow-minded idea as learning facts an figures is the most important part of life?  Even if kids are meant to excel in that plane, they may never have a chance to display such skill thanks to a lack of communication or interpersonal skills (which of course they never developed thanks to their devaluation in society)?  As Hermione says, “Books, and cleverness?  There are more important things.”

That brings me to this dish.  It’s not particularly bright, and it doesn’t get the best grades in the school of taste.  But it’s food.   Simple, nourishing, good food (with a bit of wit and a good deal of agreeableness).  It’s creative, fun, and it understands you.  It’s helpful those weeks you’ve got a quiz, a midterm, two assignments, and two Hallowe’en costumes to make, and shows you that even in the midst of a complicated time, some things can still be simple.

This dish is honestly what you make it (mwahaha, control!), and is very sweet and compliant.  Lately I’ve been into eating less meat (even before Enviropig), so I chose to go with beans for protein, and tomato for the veggie factor.  Pile on top of a bowl of (unfried) insta-ramen, add a little cheese, et voilà!  Taco-in-a-bowl.

This dish was based off the taco noodles at A Food Lover’s Journey, so please go and check her out =)!