Uova All’inferno

Buon giorno! Sundays have always held a special place for me when it comes to breakfast, and I’m excited to introduce you to my unique take on a classic dish, Uova All’inferno. This breakfast creation combines fresh zucchini, ripe roma tomatoes, onions, and Italian sausage, simmered down into a sauce that bursts with delightful flavors. You have the option to poach the eggs separately, allowing you to perfect that ideal yolk consistency. Alternatively, you can nestle the eggs directly into the sauce, that’s my preferred method for a warm, rustic dish. My version of Uova All’inferno, or eggs in purgatory, has been customized over many mornings in my kitchen, often shared with friends and loved ones. To me, sharing recipes is a way of expressing love through food, and I hope you find joy in savoring this dish as much as I do!

Matt’s Uova All’inferno

Ingredients:

For the Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 zucchini, diced

  • 4-5 ripe Roma tomatoes, diced

  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 4-5 Italian sausage links, sliced

  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (I was out today) 

  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

For the Eggs:

  • 4 large eggs

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.

  • Add the sliced Italian sausage links to the skillet and cook them until they are browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove them from the skillet and set them aside.

  • In the same skillet, add the diced zucchini and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the zucchini starts to soften.

  • Add the diced Roma tomatoes, and season the sauce with paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook down the mixture for about 15-20 minutes, or until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens.

  • Create small wells or indentations in the sauce using a spoon. Carefully crack one egg into each well. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper over each egg.

  • Cover the skillet and simmer for about 5-7 minutes or until the egg whites are set but the yolks are still runny. If you prefer firmer yolks, cook a bit longer.

  • Once the eggs are poached to your liking, return the cooked Italian sausage slices to the skillet.

  • Serve the Eggs in Purgatory directly from the skillet, making sure each serving includes a portion of the rich, homemade sauce, a poached egg, and some sliced Italian sausage. Enjoy your delicious and spicy Italian-inspired breakfast or brunch!

  • #ArchiveWasPublic_ #Breakfast #BreakfastIdea #BreakfastRecipe #Brunch #BuonGiorno #ComfortFood #CookingAtHome #CookingWithLove #DeliciousBreakfast #FoodLove #FreshIngredients #HomemadeSauce #ItalianBreakfast #ItalianCuisine #ItalianFlavors #ItalianRecipe #ItalianSausage #ItalianInspired #MattSUovaAllInferno #MovingToSubstack #PoachedEggs #poetryAndCookingSubstack #SharingRecipes #SpicyBreakfast #SundayBreakfast #UovaAllInferno

    Good Morning! Greetings from Washington DC, and the White House!

    I sent this to the hundreds of Jehovah’s Witnesses I was hiding from.

    Good Morning! 

    It has been so long since I have talked to any of you, and to be honest, I was shocked that so many reached out to me to invite me to the memorial. Perhaps that was an indication of your love. This message is an expression of my love; for justice, ethics, and standing for the correct thing.

    One of the things that woke me up and motivated me to leave was how in-depth the elders focused, obsessed, and oppressed those who were experiencing an LGBTQ+ crisis. I felt this personally, and I wish I had not been afraid to displease them.

    Do not be on the wrong side of history. Do not allow someone who has no stake in the fight for authenticity to establish your feelings towards a world that you do not know, as they do not have the credentials to do so. And if you know these worlds and the hell that they can be, choose to be kind and show beauty and love. And even if you cannot do that, then just remain silent and do not add to the problem. 

    If you are facing an LGBTQ+ crisis yourself, know you are whole, beautiful, and loved. Attached are some pictures and links to my new family. 

    https://mattdobbins.com/2024/06/26/we-are-what-we-are/

    I won’t bore you with what I have been doing in life, but know this: I have been building something beautiful and bigger since I left, and I don’t sit idle. I hope you have grown and improved since we parted ways. Your sons and daughters and loved ones will remember how you behaved, how you loved, and how your love is conditional. It won’t be forgotten by anyone.

    Oh, and if any of you choose to invite me again to the memorial, it isn’t appreciated. Never do that again. I never even considered sharing my values back until you all reached out to invite me to the memorial. I realized I had just as much right as you do to communicate my truth. We can both proselytize and express our ideals, and that’s exactly what I have dedicated my life to now, in part because of my experiences with you. So thank you for empowering me even if you never intended to.

    Goodbye, and please reevaluate your life. Perhaps in time, you will find that your ‘best life ever’ will change to ‘I thought that was my best life? Whatever!’

    https://mattdobbins.com/2024/06/26/poetry-pride-united/

    #Acceptance #activism #ArchiveWasPublic_ #authenticity #buildingANewLife #challengingNorms #communicationRights #communityImpact #communitySupport #diversity #EmotionalHealing #Empowerment #equality #ethicalChoices #Ethics #evolvingBeliefs #ExJehovahSWitness #expressingIdeals #FamilyDynamics #findingVoice #historicalPerspective #humanRights #inclusion #justice #leavingACommunity #LGBTQCrisis #LGBTQRights #LifeTransformation #loveWithoutConditions #PersonalEmpowerment #personalEvolution #PersonalGrowth #PersonalJourney #personalLiberation #personalReflection #proselytizing #reclaimingIdentity #reevaluatingBeliefs #ReligiousUpbringing #SelfDiscovery #selfExpression #sharingValues #SocialJustice #speakingTruth #SpiritualAwakening #standingUpForBeliefs #supportiveNetworks #unconditionalLove

    Poetry: Pride United

    What we all shout is our desire to fly
    and see our potential grow higher,
    without being bound by chains with no key.
    We require the determination and power
    to live our life uniquely and free,
    preventing our hearts and souls from fading
    and wanting to retire under the weight of a lord and sire.
    We have had enough of being routinely slurred
    and left in the gutter like a flea.
    We will cast these chains off like the bird of fire
    and seek victory on plains far higher.
    There are many who choose not to understand us
    and instead conspire.
    We need not worry when our rainbow array
    is united as a choir;
    it’s then our voices have better chances of being heard,
    preventing our freedoms from being deferred, deterred,
    and left in mire like an unloved herd.
    We demand to have the basic rights as a bird,
    for now many of us must fly away from all that is absurd.
    Yet we refuse to allow you to steal away
    and then hide our identity & dignity
    and gaslight us into thinking that never has occurred.
    We will be strong to the last fight
    because in our hearts we know we have grass roots might.
    Here’s the take away, many of us have lost everything already,
    be careful when you chose us as an opponent,
    there will be nothing you can say or pray
    that will make us disappear and go away
    because you forget one small component.
    You forget we are actually your sons and daughters,
    it is us who need waters of life now,
    yet I promise we will remember that you chose to shun
    and at times even slaughter with us with your own guns.
    So take a moment and think,
    when you stifle and attempt to destroy us
    you won’t avoid being indicted,
    you forget you harm your future, your legacy and everything
    because you refuse to be reunited,
    yet we have hope, for the colors of our rainbow
    transcend every party, creed and race,
    so while we won’t forget that you have left us blighted,
    we have far greater hope because within us something has been Ignited,
    our hearts are already freed
    because we live the dream and values of these states united.

    #Acknowledgment #Appreciation #ArchiveWasPublic_ #BeautifulHumans #BirthdayCelebration #CelebratingFriends #CelebratingLife #CelebratingMilestones #CelebratingSuccess #EmotionalAppreciation_ #EmotionalGrowth #EmotionalJourney #EmotionalMilestones #EmotionalSupport #ExpressingGratitude #ExpressingThanks #FeelingSeen #Friendship #Gratitude #GratitudeExpression #GrowthJourney #HeartfeltGratitude #HeartfeltThanks #HumanConnection #Journey #LifeAppreciation #LifeCelebrations #LifeGratitude #lifeJourney #LifeMilestones #LifeReflection #LifeSupport #MakingUpForLostTime #PersonalAchievements #PersonalCelebrations #personalDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #PersonalJourney #PersonalReflections #PositiveChange #Reflection #SelfAppreciation #SelfDiscovery #supportSystem #SupportiveFriends #SupportiveRelationships #ThankYou #ThankYouMessage #Thankfulness

    Poetry Journal : Rising Joy

    In shadows cast by life’s cruel hand,I stand alone on desolate land,
    Lost, forsaken, my heart bereft,
    In a world where bonds I once had left.

    With weary steps, I tread this path,
    Where laughter once danced, now silent wrath,

    Isolation’s cloak tightens its hold,
    As sorrow’s whispers pierce my soul, bold.

    Longing for connections, lost and gone,
    Yearning for love, yet feeling withdrawn,

    But though the world may turn its back,
    Within me flickers strength, never to lack.

    In solitude’s embrace, I find my voice,
    To rise above, to make a choice,

    To seek solace in my own embrace,
    And rewrite the narrative, with grace.

    Embracing my essence, proud and free,
    I discover strength that resides within me,

    In self-acceptance, I find my worth,
    A radiant spirit, embracing rebirth.

    Through the open doors of vulnerability,
    I find kindred souls, a shared affinity,

    In diverse voices, a symphony of care,
    Friendships blossoming, connections to share.

    And as the echoes of laughter resound,
    Love’s gentle arms wrap me around,

    In chosen family, a haven of light,
    Together we conquer the darkest of night.

    The past may fade, but hope shall remain,
    A beacon of love, erasing the pain.

    So, let the wounds of yesteryear heal,
    With each sunrise, a renewed zeal,

    For in the depths of despair, I find,
    Strength to rebuild, and leave pain behind.

    #ArchiveWasPublic_ #family #journaling #poem #poetry #PoetryJournal

    Rosetta Stone or Philosophers Stone

    In 2015, I began exploring an idea that had been forming in my mind, a project focused on philosophy, religion, and universal concepts. It stemmed from the realization that much of my thinking had been shaped by the JW framework I was exposed to as a child. I wanted to understand these concepts more deeply and objectively.

    By 2016, I started gathering data, organizing my thoughts into spreadsheets to make sense of the patterns I was observing. Over time, this evolved into several large files. What I have now is a pared down, consolidated version, a proof of concept that represents only the most coherent pieces of that initial work.

    The table I have created attempts to show how certain concepts are built upon more foundational ones. In some cases, these relationships form feedback loops, leading to the development of entirely new beliefs. While this draft has been polished to some extent, it remains highly subjective, riddled with errors, and far from complete, if completion is even possible for something like this.

    My goal is to move beyond subjective interpretations and toward a more objective, fact based framework for understanding universal concepts and perspectives. Ultimately, I envision this project as a kind of Rosetta Stone to help understand philosophy, a tool that bridges concepts of understanding and fosters deeper insights. I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this work in progress.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kk5_9ywIK1cK3ObkKyVAMJ4PTyNvn8S1kJxYzyJ8W0w/edit

    #ArchiveWasPublic_ #BeliefSystems #conceptualDevelopment #conceptualFramework #exploringIdea #factBasedFramework #feedbackLoops #JWPerspective #patternsInThinking #Philosophy #proofOfConcept #Religion #RosettaStoneOfPhilosophy #subjectiveVsObjective #understandingBeliefs #universalConcepts

    Compound Concepts Related to Other Concepts

    Google Docs

    The Blue Screen of Death

    The blue screen of death, the universal sign of a system failure, strikes a particular chord with me. It takes me back to my own internal system crashes, those of belief, expectations, and self-identity. There were times when I felt like a computer crashing, overwhelmed by demands and tasks that I simply couldn’t process or fulfill. This blue screen of emotion was something I was familiar with. It signified a state of my well being.

    Growing up in a high-control environment, I was often seen more for my function than as an individual. My value was tied to my performance, to how well I adhered to the expectations and roles laid out for me. I was expected to operate smoothly, to comply without question, to be a cog in a larger machine. When I couldn’t meet these demands, when I “malfunctioned” because I was trying to be something I wasn’t, it was like hitting an internal blue screen of death.

    The frustration wasn’t just my own. It spilled over from the people around me, those who couldn’t understand why I couldn’t just ‘reboot’ and run the program as expected. Their impatience was a dangerous force, it was a pressure that compounded the sense of isolation and failure.

    I still have that blue screen of death pop up from time to time.

    What happens in that blue screen of death in my mind? Chaos, that’s what. My brain tells me that a situation is not sustainable, it activates rapid coding of a need for emergency response, it tells me that there is imminent danger and threats to me that I have no way of navigating. It’s a system failure that bypasses fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses.

    When my internal blue screen of death pops up, I simply want to turn off the computer permanently. That’s a scary realization when we think of what that means for a person rather than a computer.

    The blue screen represents a total shutdown of my internal code. It acts as a self destruct mode when there is no apparent escape. Except when I do face the blue screen, I do actually have a choice and an escape.

    Here’s the thing about the programming of humans, life can be rebooted, and sometimes, it needs to be. Sometimes, the only way to fix the problem is to start fresh, to build something new that doesn’t crash under the weight of old code and outdated operations. That’s what I had to do. I had to leave the system that was never really designed for me, to stop being a computer malfunctioning under others’ commands, and start being Matt, a person with his own will and desires, ready to write a new code for his life.

    #ArchiveWasPublic_ #Cults #ExJehovahSWitness #exjw #FamilyAndReligion #HighControlGroup #life #MovingBeyondReligion #ReligiousBeliefs #ReligiousTrauma #ReligiousUpbringing

    You Are Enough

    Reflecting on it now, it seems rather astonishing that I was taught by a religion that we are inherently sinful and wicked, and that we need someone else to make us whole. This teaching emphasized our flaws and imperfections. It’s understandable why so many people feel unable to meet such incredibly unattainable standards.

    Just a reminder: you are amazing just as you are. You are enough. And you don’t need validation from those who don’t appreciate you for simply doing your best.

    #ArchiveWasPublic_ #Autonomy #CriticalThinking #happy #Kindness #life #PersonalGrowth #PsychologicalSupport #ReligiousDeconstruction #SelfCompassion #Shunning #SupportNetwork

    Being Congruent with Our Feelings, Thoughts, Words, and Actions.

    I’m finding more and more that great things happen when our feelings, thoughts, words, and actions are congruent. When these aspects of ourselves align, happiness is found. 💙

    When my internal dialogue is in turmoil I often find that one of these: my feelings, my thoughts, my words, or my actions has deviated from the others and harmony has been lost in my mind and if enough time passes my life.

    In my opinion the journey towards congruence begins with acknowledging feelings. Emotions are often the first warning system that guide us through life’s complexities. By understanding and respecting our feelings, we can make choices that truly resonate with our outlook. This emotional honesty is the foundation upon which we can build a life of authenticity.

    Our thoughts are powerful forces that shape our perceptions and realities. When our thoughts align with our feelings, we can achieve a sense of clarity and purpose. This alignment is crucial for making decisions that reflect who we truly are and what we genuinely desire. It is about having a harmonious internal dialogue where our thoughts echo who we truly are as a person. I imagine our thoughts as the love child of our desires but tempered with logic and awareness.

    Words are the expressions of our inner world. They have the power to manifest our thoughts and feelings into reality. When our words align with our internal states, they become tools for authentic expression and powerful communication. Speaking truthfully and respectfully, in a way that reflects our true thoughts and feelings, strengthens our relationships and enhances our integrity.

    Finally, actions must mirror our feelings, thoughts, and words. This is where the essence of congruence lies. It’s about actually walking our talk. When our actions are a true representation of our inner self, we live a life of integrity to self and respect of others. This congruence in action ensures that we are not only true to ourselves but also to the world around us.

    The congruence of feelings, thoughts, words, and actions is a path towards self discovery and authenticity. Each aspect plays an extremely important role in shaping a life of happiness. As we align these facets of our existence, we not only find inner peace but also bring a positive impact to those around us.

    #ArchiveWasPublic_ #Autonomy #BreakingFree #BrighterFuture #CriticalThinking #Cults #Deconstruction #EmotionalHealing #EmotionalSupport #ExJehovahSWitness #exjw #exploring #FindingInnerPeace #happiness #happy #IdentityNegotiation #Kindness #life #LifeReflections #mentalHealth #mentalhealth #MovingBeyondReligion #OvercomingFear #PersonalFaith #PersonalFreedom #PsychologicalSupport #QuestioningBeliefs #SelfCompassion #SelfDiscovery #SelfReconstruction #Support #SupportNetwork

    Relationship Complexities

    Navigating the complexities of relationships has been an intriguing and often challenging journey for me. My upbringing in a conservative Christian community deeply influenced my understanding of love, embedding a notion of conditional affection that hinged on strict adherence to certain rules and norms. This form of love was like a double edged sword, it offered warmth and belonging as long as I walked the perfect path, but turned cold and distant the moment I strayed.

    This early exposure to conditional love has significantly shaped my approach to relationships in adulthood. As I wade into the world of forming new friendships and relationships, I often find myself in a state of constant fear and over awareness. This vigilance manifests in two conflicting ways: an over sensitivity to the dynamics of my relationships, leading me to question their authenticity at every turn, and, paradoxically, a tendency to miss or overlook critical signals that should capture my attention.

    The process of unlearning the principles of conditional love and embracing a concept of unconditional love is similar to navigating a maze(I know I love comparing life to a maze). Each interaction becomes a lesson, a step towards understanding that true love and affection aren’t tied to a set of conditions or expectations. Instead, they are unmovable, not falling in the face of choices or actions that go off the path only slightly.

    This time has been about discovering that genuine relationships are built on a foundation of trust, understanding, and acceptance. It’s about learning that love, in its purest form, is about giving without the expectation of receiving something in return. It’s a gradual realization that while the love I knew in my youth was contingent on compliance, the love I seek now is about mutual respect and understanding.

    Each day presents a new opportunity to understand love and relationships better, to distinguish between the conditional love of my past and the unconditional love I aspire to both give and receive. This ongoing evolution of my understanding of love is not just a path towards healthier relationships but also a journey of self discovery and growth.

    #ArchiveWasPublic_ #ChristianUpbringing #ConditionalLove #EmotionalAwareness #EmotionalConnections #EmotionalDepth #EmotionalHealing #EmotionalIntelligence #EmotionalResilience #EmotionalStruggles #EmotionalSupport #EmotionalVulnerability #EmotionalWellbeing #FamilyBeliefs #FamilyDynamics #FamilyExpectations #FamilyInfluence #FamilyPressure #FamilyValues #FindingLove #Friendship #GrowthAndLove #HealingFromThePast #HealthyRelationships #LifeLessons #love #LoveAndAcceptance #LoveAndGrowth #LoveJourney #mentalhealth #NavigatingRelationships #PersonalChallenges #PersonalGrowth #PersonalJourney #PersonalTransformation #RelationshipAdvice #RelationshipChallenges #RelationshipGoals #RelationshipInsights #RelationshipLearning #RelationshipReflections #Relationships #SelfAwareness #SelfDiscovery #SelfHealing_ #SelfImprovement #SelfReflection #TrustInRelationships #UnconditionalLove #UnderstandingEmotions #UnderstandingLove

    Winter Moments

    In the winter, when the days are short and the nights long, it’s easy for anyone to feel a bit lonely, especially during the holiday season. This time of year, even during celebrations, one can fall into a quiet introspection.

    There’s something special about this quieter time. It’s an opportunity for personal reflection, much like nature itself in winter. This season encourages us to slow down, think about where we are, and where we’re heading.

    One way I find comfort and perspective during these moments is to pay attention to the beauty of the world around us big or small. For instance, the intricate patterns of ice up close. It’s incredible how something so simple can reveal such complex designs and artistry. The delicate details in ice crystals can be a gentle reminder of the beauty of life.

    While the holidays are happening around you, remember to take a moment for yourself, I’ve taken a bunch of moments just to reset. Look at the beauty big or small of the world. It’s a way to connect with the here and now, to find calm and in the peace of nature. This can be a source of strength and energy. Sometimes we just need that reminder that sunnier days are ahead.

    #ArchiveWasPublic_ #Contemplative #EmotionalHealing #EmotionalWellness #FindingPeace #HealingNature #HolidayReflections #HolidaySolitude #IceArt #InnerPeace #InnerStrength #Inspirational #InspirationalThoughts #IntrospectiveJourney #LifeJourney #LifeLessons #LifeReflections #MacroPhotography #MindBodySoul #MindfulLiving #MindfulMoments #Mindfulness #NatureSArt #NatureInspiration #NatureLovers #NaturePhotography #PeacefulMoments #PersonalGrowth #PersonalJourney #QuietContemplation #QuietMoments #ReflectiveMood #SeasonalBeauty #SeasonalChanges #SeasonalMindfulness #SelfReflection #Serenity #SimpleBeauty #SolitaryBeauty #Solitude #SoulSearching #ThoughtfulLiving #WinterContemplation #WinterMeditation #WinterMindfulness #WinterReflections #WinterSolace #WinterSolstice #WinterWonder_