This week in personal growth:

• I ate a large piece of mushroom, by itself, not chopped and mixed imperceptibly with other foods, and the word "delicious" actually popped out of my mouth. 
• I decided to stop counting on my daily commute for all my exercise, so I rejoined Class Pass. So far this has only shown me exactly how many push-ups I cannot do and just how much it can hurt every time I laugh or sit or move or breathe or generally try to be a person. On the bright side, I made these and ate all of them myself, but I can totally burn that off in one class, right? "See. Want. Eat. Yoga." That can be my new personal motto.

This week in personal non-growth, aka things I'm putting in my day planner under "Goals":

• I did not have a breakthrough with any other gross foods. Unlike the mushroom, they cannot be redeemed by a little soy sauce and honey glaze.
• My photography skills are...not there. I'm going to be mature about it and blame my camera.
• I have a tower of books on my nightstand threatening to concuss me in the event of an earthquake. I should probably read at least 3 of them by July. Some of them are young adult novels which helps my chances.
• I want to go buy everything gummy at the new candy store that opened near my apartment.
• Also I should try to get less excited about rose champagne gummy bears and focus on what's important. Like this.

(So, next week I officially enter the last year of my 20's. Judging by the list above I will be saving the real life goals and reflections for 30.)

Speaking of avoiding terrible tasting foods, I riffed on that classic Italian dessert, affogato, which is maybe the only thing that has ever made me wish I liked coffee. Not enough to actually try it, of course, because ew, espresso, but pouring a hot, fragrant liquid over cold, creamy gelato definitely sounds like a good idea to me (although milk in my tea has never appealed). So I decided that even as a tea drinker, I would not be left out of this business. The best part about this version? No specialty coffee equipment required.

Earl Grey Affogato

For 1 serving

2 scoops vanilla gelato
small cup of brewed, high quality Earl Grey

1. Scoop gelato into a tea cup, mug, or glass
2. Pour warm tea over gelato (see note).
3. Eat. 

Notes:

• Definitely let your tea cool down a little bit before pouring. It's really fun to pour tea directly out of a teapot onto gelato, but the result is a cup of melted gelato, as pictured above.
• The tea should be very strong, as the flavor will be diluted by the gelato.