Delicious Greek Orzo Salad

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of chaperoning Kenzie’s fifth-grade camping trip.

Wait. What?

If you’ve been around here for a while you’re probably scratching your head a bit. Me? Camping?

Sure, I like plants and all, but as far as camping and outdoorsy things, I am only outdoorsy in that I like eating tasty things on patios. So it’s kind of a strange idea, isn’t it? That I would volunteer to chaperone a trip infamously known as “outdoor university.”

But parenting makes us do crazy things. Not like Will Smith crazy things, but actual crazy things like camping and chaperoning nine (yes, NINE) 10 and 11-year old girls for three days in the East Texas woods. And when my daughter turned to me on the day we had to submit our names for the chaperone pool and said (with those gorgeous green eyes shining with hope), “please, Mom? It will be so fun and I want you there,” there was obviously no way I would turn her down and say “no thanks. I’ll pass.”

So into the proverbial sorting hat went my name and out came a big “Thank you for agreeing to chaperone” email which listed all of the things I needed to pack for three days and all of the chaperone responsibilities I would need to execute. Oh, and also there was a giant section about “lice and bedbug” prevention that sent me into a little bit of a tailspin, too. Yet, I digress.

So eventually I ended up in the woods with my daughter and her besties and two amazing co-chaperones, camping it up.

And before you even begin to question it, I’m going to tell you that I had an amazing time.

No, really. I did.

Sure, it was exhausting. Sure, we did about 17,000 steps a day. And sure, I drew the short straw and took the top bunk in the chaperone cabin with (wait for it) NO RAIL which led to a long night of not sleeping because I convinced myself the moment I closed my eyes and relaxed I would roll off to certain death. Needless to say, the next night I slept on a bottom bunk in the kid’s room and had a much better experience. However, there were definite drawbacks like dirty hair, smelly shoes, and splitting headaches from all the screaming.

But, y’all, I really did have a blast. And here’s why…

I went ALL IN.

I didn’t just exist as a chaperone. I lived it up as a chaperone.

See, there really were only a few choices on how to play the chaperone card I had been dealt. I could be a strict all-business, no-party chaperone who was like Captain Safety. Otherwise, no fun but really good at my job. Or, I could be too cool for it all. Still in it to supervise, but treating it a little bit like child’s play with a standoffish, I’d rather be instagramming way. Or I could go all freaking in and be ridiculous, have fun, laugh, dance, engage with the kids, and play (while being a good chaperone and responsible adult too, of course).

Guess which one I did. And guess which one was more fun? Maybe you need wildly unflattering picture evidence. Well, here you go:

I’m sorry. You’ll never ever be able to unsee this image. And for that, I am truly sorry.

Y’all. I danced like a fool. I looked like a fool. I laughed and joked and talked, really talked, with my daughter and her friends. I served lunch like the best most animated lunch lady I could be. I lost my phone somewhere at camp doing something ridiculous and was subjected to tremendous mockery from the teacher who found it. And I almost died of happiness when my daughter leaned her head on my shoulder on the first night and said “I’m so glad you’re here with me, Mom.”

Did I look cool? Nope. Not for one second.  (see above)

Did I want to pass out from exhaustion multiple times during the three days? Absolutely.

But living it up and being fully, completely present and an active participant in life and all the craziness that comes with it made this camping trip one of the most memorable experiences of the past few years.

I am often more of an observer in life. Maybe it’s the writer in me, or my inner introvert tendencies taking over, but I feel like I spend an awful lot of time on the sidelines watching other people do life. I let fear take over more than I care to admit and have an almost unnatural aversion to looking stupid in front of people. Call it pride or self-preservation, but I don’t often put myself out there unless I am certain I am going to nail it (whatever it is).

This small swatch of time, though, where I was 100% in it, participating, looking stupid, and just doing it (not thinking about doing it) taught me something. It’s so much more fun to do. It’s freeing to give zero actual cares about what you look like or if people think you’re ridiculous or if you fail and look like a big fool. I had so much more fun being alive than I would have staying on the sidelines. And I cherished every single second I shared with my girl and her friends.

Also, her friends said I was “lit,” and just how I don’t want to be cheugy, I do want to be lit (apparently).

So my only recommendation is this: the next time you have to make the choice between participating and sidelining–participate. I promise it’s so much more fun that way.

For the record: my other chaperones were right there with me, dancing it up and being the best dang co-chaperones a girl could ask for. Without them, I don’t think I would have had the guts to let loose like I did and we had an amazing time together. Ladies, I will chaperone or girl’s trip with you anytime, anywhere. You are amazing. And I’m grateful we were together.

Delicious Greek Orzo Salad

Given the number of recipes I have on this blog with the word “Greek” in it, or simply the number of recipes that include, on some level, olives, tomatoes, and cucumbers, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I am sharing the recipe for this delicious Greek Orzo Salad. Or, in other words, it should never be a surprise when I combine any of these flavors in any way. Because they are my favorites.

So it goes without saying that I think this recipe is delicious. And it goes without saying that you will too.

The great thing about this Greek Orzo Salad is that it’s easy to accommodate to fit your needs. It can work as a side dish for a light spring or summer dinner. (it goes really well with my Rosemary Lemon Chicken). If you are a vegetarian but still want more protein to round it out as a complete meal, add chickpeas or white beans and you’ve got it. It can work as a “picnic” salad in a pinch because it doesn’t have mayonnaise in it, or it can work as a hot side dish or lunch main.

Basically, however you want it, it works.

Enjoy this one, friends. And remember to take the time to be ridiculous once in a while. You might just find that you love every single second of it.

Peace, love, and letting it all hang out,

Meg

Delicious Greek Orzo Salad

April 8, 2022

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By: Meaghan Dawson

Ingredients

• 1/2 large seedless cucumber, halved and quartered lengthwise, then sliced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup kalamata olives, rough chopped
• 1/4 red onion, diced
• 1 lemon
• 2 sprigs of fresh oregano, stems removed, lightly chopped (or a teaspoon of dried)
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3/4-1 cup olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 8 ounces orzo pasta
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

• Step 1 In a large serving bowl, combine juice from the lemon, chopped oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. Then slowly add olive oil, whisking continually to combine. Set aside.
• Step 2 Cook Pasta according to package instructions, reserving a cup of pasta water before draining.
• Step 3 While pasta is still hot, pour into serving bowl with the dressing.
• Step 4 Top with cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and onions.
• Step 5 Stir well to combine.
• Step 6 Add pasta water if you need extra liquid to coat pasta and veggies.
• Step 7 Top with feta, taste, and add salt and pepper if necessary.

PS: The top I’m wearing above is by my absolute favorite brand TROOP. This tee is butter soft, warm, and sustainable. I highly recommend grabbing yourself one (or two, or three). You can find them HERE. (affiliate link)

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