Warped Priorities

A lot has been made in the news recently about the lipstick effect, the tendency of consumers to buy small luxury items during a recession instead of purchasing high ticket items.

Apparently, the recession has hit me hard:

Behold the infamous “Tackle Box”. This carrier houses my not-so-secret shame and the pinnacle of my girly indulgences. I am not even going to try to defend this frivolity on my part; every woman deserves to feel like a pretty, pretty princess. I fully recognize I don’t need this, but I like it, and that is enough for me. The thing with makeup is this: it can tweak who you are and how you see the world. A smoky eye leaves me feeling vampy and flirtatious; a light wash of pink blush and sheer lip gloss results in a sweet and innocent reflection in the mirror; and taupe lids with a nude lipstick are all I need to be reminded it is time to get serious. I’ve been obsessed with make up since high school, which isn’t shocking. It is the time in everyone’s life when they desperately wish they were anyone but themselves; my kohl rimmed eyes told the world not to screw with me and served as a layer of protection.

So when economists talk about the lipstick effect, I get it. These little pots of powder and jars of paint are a luxury I could never imagine relinquishing even in the toughest of times. Take away my vacations, President Bush, but you cannot take away my Lancome.

Of course, all this money going to make up has to be taken from somewhere else. It’s okay to pluck from my food budget to subsidize my material lusts, right? Right? Well, I am the boss around here and what I say, goes. Out with the steak, in with the ground chicken… These chicken burgers were made solely from things already in my pantry and came out shockingly well for being thrown together on a whim. The sesame oil added moisture to the ground chicken, which can often become dry. The red pepper flakes offered a touch of heat without becoming too overwhelming and the soy added a touch of sweetness. Had I been thinking (I am often not), I would have added some ground or fresh ginger; it would have added a nice element of depth. Oh well; they still tasted great.

And I am still left with enough money for a trip to Sephora…

Asian Chicken Burgers

Lemmonex Original

1 package ground chicken meat

1 1/2 tablespoons seasame oil

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 medium sized shallot, mined

1 garlic clove, minced

1 pinch crushed red pepper

Salt and Pepper

Combine all ingredients together (will form 4 patties). Cook until no pink remains in burger.