The Coconut Gouda

July 16, 2017 by still a dreamer

We can be so hard on ourselves sometimes. As if a small amount of a delicious cheese would really push our cholesterol seriously over the edge. Or that we don’t deserve an occasional taste of the sublime.

My friend and I were enjoying a petite celebration in Frenchtown today. After a wonderful meal at Pulp, a vegetarian restaurant and juice bar known for its cleanly grown food and fabulous smoothies, I’d wanted to make two stops, one at Minette’s, a chocolatier, for a gift, and Olive with A Twist, a store that specializes in the most vast array of oils you could imagine, specialty cheeses and other delights. Minette’s was closed for vacation, so we moved on to our next stop. The sandwich board out front advertised “Watermelon Balsamic” and “Coconut Gouda”. An unusual combination to be sure, but how bad could it be?

The shop owner happily shaved us each a sample and I was immediately in love. The coconut was bright but subtle, and the gouda smooth and a tad on the sweet side. Did I – do I – really need a cheese high in fat and at a price that made me gasp to myself and momentarily think of starving children in the world? Before I backed down, I requested between 1/4 and 1/2 pound.

I reminded myself that life is short and to be enjoyed, and small treats here and there are good for the soul. Besides, I would hate to think, in my final moments on earth, “Why didn’t I buy some of that coconut gouda?”

The moral of the story? Be good to yourself. You deserve it.

Posted in food, Home Stuff, Life, Reflections | Tagged celebration, cheese, coconut gouda, Olive with A Twist, Pulp, treats | 19 Comments

19 Responses

on July 16, 2017 at 8:21 pm Lavinia Ross

It is important to be good to ourselves, too! 🙂

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- on July 17, 2017 at 8:29 am still a dreamer
  
  Indeed. Sometimes we get so busy and caught up in life’s “stuff”, we forget. But it is never any the less important.
  
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on July 17, 2017 at 5:06 am Andrea Stephenson

I very much agree Jeanne. I don’t like cheese so this particular treat wouldn’t have appealed to me, but yes, we all need a little bit of luxury now and again 🙂

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- on July 17, 2017 at 8:32 am still a dreamer
  
  Hmmm … how does it happen that one doesn’t like cheese! LOL In my efforts to eat as little animal products as possible, it will, however, always be cheese that tempts me.
  
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on July 17, 2017 at 5:20 am Patricia Koelmel

I love this post, Jeanne. I must say, too, that the coconut Gouda cheese looked deeee-lish on that cracker. I’m glad you treated yourself too! Like you said, we all need to remember that a little more often.

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- on July 17, 2017 at 8:33 am still a dreamer
  
  It IS delish, believe me! Maybe I should count myself lucky that Minette’s was closed! 🙂
  
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on July 17, 2017 at 6:59 am home, garden, life

Sweet! Glad you are out smelling the roses AND cheese!

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- on July 17, 2017 at 8:34 am still a dreamer
  
  Diane, you would love, love, love this. I hope you’re well, and I have no doubt you’re keeping very busy! 🙂
  
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  - on July 17, 2017 at 4:56 pm home, garden, life
    
    Busier than a one-armed paper hanger…
    
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    - on July 17, 2017 at 5:32 pm still a dreamer
      
      That’s good – it means you’re making hay while the sun shines!
      
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      - on July 17, 2017 at 5:44 pm home, garden, life
        
        Too bad expenses are SO high…plumber, new eyeglasses…the list never ends!
        
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      - on July 18, 2017 at 9:39 am still a dreamer
        
        Yes, and then there’s that. Life does not get any cheaper … 🙂
        
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on October 13, 2017 at 12:58 pm Cynthia Reyes

I’ve lost the link for your other blog – please send!

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- on October 13, 2017 at 1:03 pm still a dreamer
  
  I am most happy to. But I do believe you’re following me – have you not gotten a “New Post” notice from WP? Here it is with my new (and second) post on Self-Publishing – https://jeannebalsamgraphics.com.
  Here also, is a link to my website, where both graphics samples and my Fresh Bulldog offerings can be found – http://www.jeannebalsam.com 🙂
  
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  - on October 13, 2017 at 6:02 pm Cynthia Reyes
    
    Well, my brain stopped working for a bit there! Thanks. I wanted to give you a shout-out on my blog and couldn’t remember the URL.
    
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    - on October 13, 2017 at 7:22 pm still a dreamer
      
      No problem. Mine stops, too. Nowadays, when I’m on several of my big jobs at the same time, at the end of the day I truly feel like I’ve lost some of my memory, so much does the intensity and juggling of what I’m doing take over. That, I know, is also not being 25 anymore. (Ssssshhhhhhh!) 🙂
      And thanks again.
      
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      - on October 13, 2017 at 7:23 pm Cynthia Reyes
        
        Wot? You’re not 25 anymore?
        
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      - on October 14, 2017 at 12:00 pm still a dreamer
        
        Just turned 30! Big LOL!
        
        LikeLiked by 1 person
      - on October 14, 2017 at 12:14 pm Cynthia Reyes
        
        Tee hee….
        
        LikeLiked by 1 person