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Life, NYC

To You, New York

December 14, 2017 By Robyn 31 Comments

In May of 2014 I packed up a rental Subaru and drove my entire life from cozy, familiar Charlottesville 7 hours north to frenetic and very unfamiliar New York City.

It has now been two weeks since we packed up our home in Battery Park City and I said goodbye to my fifth apartment in Manhattan. Five apartments in 4 years.

The space between that sunny spring day in May of 2014 and the crisp November day of 2017 can be described as nothing short of unexpected, magnetic, sanctifying, exhilarating and sharply transformative.

nyc weekend

I remember unpacking the Subaru with my new roommate outside our apartment in Harlem and feeling an overwhelming sense of anticipation as I thought, “I’m actually living in Manhattan. I’m HERE.” Since my senior year in college at Indiana University, I had dreamed of living in New York. Making it to the city, in my mind, felt like accomplishment and courage. It felt distinct and full of opportunity. It felt the complete opposite of Indiana where I grew up, or Charlottesville where I had waded through the murky waters of my early twenties. And something about the discomfort, uncertainty and stark contrast captivated me.

When I chose to pursue my nursing career at Columbia over Emory in Atlanta, one of the driving factors was that New York was the scary, unknown choice. I knew not a soul besides a couple college friends that I occasionally kept in touch with, I was now a flight away from home, and Manhattan was a place where I would initially feel anonymous instead of known. Columbia was a reputable school where I believed I could become a well educated nurse practitioner, but something about all the unknown drew me in. So I went.

Almost four years later, as I type this, it’s hard to find words to describe what happened in those 43 months. What I do know is that New York uncovered the worst sides of myself. I can remember dry heaving with thick, wet tears streaming down my face on the D train on a commute from Soho to the Upper West Side in the winter of 2016 because I stood on the platform for 30 minutes waiting for the train and was now incredibly late. Not because I was late, but because the train not coming sucked the last bit of tolerance and emotional stability right out of me that day. I can remember making short tempered comments at strangers on the sidewalk because they pushed past me or because they were walking too slow. And with sadness I would realize New York was hardening me, and I hated that.

But New York also revealed the best sides of the person within me. I remember multiple conversations I had with strangers at coffee shops or the person squished next to me on the subway car about faith and life and hardship. I can remember walking through the East Village on a Friday night with my friend Nancy from nursing school, eating cupcakes from a nearby bakery and laughing so hard it felt visceral. I can remember meeting a man without a home outside Beth Israel hospital on one of my nursing shift breaks who told me he tried to kill himself 2 hours prior and was now looking for help. We spent the next 20 minutes talking about if we believed in God and then I walked him into the psych ER. And I remember the warm spring day in April of 2015 when I strolled through Central Park for 3 hours on my first date with the man who I knew would become my husband and in that moment life felt enthralling.

theproposal

New York for me, can only be described as a roller coaster. The rollercoaster you wait hours in line for because you just have to do it once. But after the the first climb and then drop, you’re screaming to get off, but you can’t because you’re buckled in until the ride is finished. Yet when the ride finally stops, you’re thankful you got on in the first place. The first drop for me was in the winter of 2014 after my first two semesters at Columbia. New York was hard. Way harder than I ever anticipated. And it was lonely and I felt like nobody really knew me. I had been to about six different churches and nothing seemed to fit. Home was far away and I ached for the friendships and community I had back in Charlottesville. In November of that year, I made the hard decision to finish up my BSN year at Columbia and then transfer to Emory and move to Atlanta.

What I learned is that I can make all the plans I want, but God plans are sometimes different. In January of 2015 I finally found and settled into a church that would become home with friends that felt like family. And as the months neared closer to May when I was suppose to pack my bags and move south, I felt a strong pull to stay put. Leaving felt too soon, it felt unfitting and even though I desperately wanted out of the fast pace hustle and grind of New York, I stayed.

New York has always been about the people. From the people you only meet once that are so unlike yourself and teach you about humanity and diversity. To the people you meet and go on to develop deep friendship with that make you feel known and seen in the deepest and most fierce ways. New York has always been about the people.

New York taught me to be vulnerable. In a place where almost everyone is a transplant, if you want to feel deeply known, it takes becoming deeply vulnerable. Laying your soul, your deepest wounds and your most broken places into someone else’s hands. And while it felt unnatural and scary at first, it led to friendships that felt decades long within a few months. My friends from New York know me in ways very few people do. Learning to become daringly vulnerable didn’t just help me develop meaningful relationships, but I think it helped me love others better. Because when I unhinged my soul, it often gave others permission to do the same. And sometimes, it was other people becoming wildly vulnerable, that helped me to share myself back.

New York taught me to be bold. I’m an innate people pleaser. If I sense you’re disappointed in me or that you don’t like me, it causes my body to tense up and a nauseating feeling of shame whips throughout my body. Being around millions of people, the majority vastly different than myself, taught me that I’m not for everyone and that’s ok. That it’s okay to be opinionated and it’s okay if people don’t agree with that opinion. It’s okay to say no and disappoint people. It’s okay to speak up and assert myself. Because I quickly learned if you don’t own who you are, while also having humility to change and grow, you will be figuratively and literally trampled on.

New York taught me to be okay with discomfort. 80% of life in New York is uncomfortable. The subway is almost always delayed, packed with people and dirty. Your apartment is the size of your parent’s master bedroom and you may or may not have countertop space in your kitchen. Commuting is long and unpredictable so when you leave your apartment at 8am, you’ll pack 50% of your life in your tote bag because you don’t have time to go home during the day. Grocery shopping is an endeavor that requires a therapy session and a nap afterward. Navigating a cart through Trader Joe’s simulates bumper cars and you’ll carry $80 worth of groceries in two 30 lbs bags 1/2 mile home. The bag handles may or may not break on you. I still idolize comfort, but New York forced me to wrestle with that idol and tolerate discomfort.

New York taught me that absolutely anything is possible and fear is a four letter word. People come to New York with few possessions, but dreams too big to fit inside a 30 foot moving truck. I can remember walking in Union Square feeling insecure and unsure of myself, and then a half naked sixty year old man in a pink bikini flew by me on a skateboard. Anything is possible and you can be who you want to be and do what you want to do. People will do almost anything to achieve their dreams, to pursue their passions and to live out their calling. When you’re surrounded by people like that everyday, it’s infectious.

New York has always been about the people. Thank you New York for teaching me about diversity and culture. About humanity and resilience. For showing me the depths of sin and grace. And thank you for gifting me unapologetic, authentic, vulnerable friendships. New York, you were always about the people.

On May 23rd, 2014 I moved to New York with plans of graduating from Columbia and moving back to Charlottesville. Back to familiarity and my community, and maybe I’d meet my husband in my 30s. I always imagined I’d get married a little older. But I had no idea the ride New York would be, how it would change me, and how it would be nothing like the story I had written in my head. I moved to New York as Robyn Coale, an outwardly confident, inwardly unsure, culturally naive woman working as a dietitian with plans to return to Charlottesville. I left New York as Robyn Nohling, a more refined and secure, less shameful, more honest, less fearful, more culturally aware woman growing in a career as a nurse practitioner and dietitian moving to Boston.

manhattan summertime

I’ve been wrestling my way out of New York since the day I stepped into the concrete jungle. And although it felt like this season would never end at times, I’m so glad I stayed.


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Comments

  1. Brielle says

    December 14, 2017 at 11:07 am

    Love this.

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:29 am

      <3

  2. Carrie this fit chick says

    December 14, 2017 at 11:12 am

    This is beautiful. So beautiful. You are one incredible lady, Robyn.

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:29 am

      <3 thanks for reading

  3. Emily Swanson says

    December 14, 2017 at 11:17 am

    Robyn, this is precious in more ways than one. I can see how God gave you so much courage, courage to be vulnerable, to be fearless, to open yourself up to others, to be okay with being uncomfortable, to explore, to reach out and love others, and I am AMAZED by how you thrived and grew in NYC. I’ve often dreamed of living there for a year, not because I love big cities, but because I would love to see how it would change me, but if the Lord opens a door, I will go. If not, I am still so grateful seeing all the lessons God taught you there about Himself and His love for you and care for you and also even provided so many friendships including your sweet husband.

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:29 am

      Thanks for your kind words Emily <3

  4. Alice says

    December 14, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    Wow! Such an amazing post! You are so lovely and inspiring. Thanks for sharing!

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:29 am

      Thank you for reading Alice!

  5. Rachel Josey says

    December 14, 2017 at 1:57 pm

    OH wow, Robyn. Thank you so incredibly much for this post. I have never once read so explicitly what feels like my own thoughts written in the words of someone else. I came to New York (also from Charlottesville!) with a determination to make it, to never return to the small Southern town that made me who I am. That was almost 4 years ago (also 2014!) and here I still am, trudging through this life I have created here. I’m currently in school getting my master’s and about to embark upon my dietetic internship (hah – who knows if I will match in this crazy competitive city!), but it somehow always feels like I am just counting down the days until I finish my DI and school and can get the heck out of here. But I hate that mentality. I never want to live my life like I am just trying to get to the next part. This post was humbling and a reminder to take NYC for all it offers – the good and the bad.

    PS – I tried Apostles last week and when asked how I heard about it I said “Ummmm well this girl I follow on Instagram….recommended it…?” LOL. Thanks for everything Robyn – I hope Boston is an amazing next part of your story.

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:31 am

      Rachel! Wow I can’t believe you moved to the city from Charlottesville too – it is quite the contrast.
      Hang in there, there is beauty to be seen and absorbed around every crowded and smelly corner 🙂

      Email me and I’d love to connect you with friends at Apostles!! If it wasn’t for that church, I would have left the city. Love to you!

  6. Summer Rae says

    December 14, 2017 at 7:42 pm

    Robyn,

    My heart is right there with you on this one. Sometimes being still and patient and waiting to see God’s answer looks a lot like hard work. Blood, sweat and many tears. But, once you see what He has been preparing you for and where He is taking you any moment of being uncomfortable is completely forgotten. I have moved almost every year for the past ten years… but, God has shown me true favor by moving my “home” with me this time. The people God has blessed our life with are far beyond worth any moment of being “uncomfortable.” Amen? Thank you for sharing your heart with us Robyn. I sure hope you and Mr. Nick love your new home and have a great day!

    This side of Heaven,
    Summer Rae

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:31 am

      Thank you so much Summer for you kind and encouraging words <3

  7. Nicole @ Laughing My Abs Off says

    December 14, 2017 at 8:09 pm

    I absolutely adored every word in this post. New York truly is a whirlpool, but I am so glad you got so much out of it. I am in total agreement; New York is absolutely about the people. Haha the part about the pink bikini man cracked me up because IVE SEEN HIM TOO! Sometimes he’s on a bike. Because sometimes you just need variety. God I love New York.

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:32 am

      Haha no way you have seen him?! He must be everywhere. lol

  8. Megan @ A Continual Feast says

    December 14, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    I absolutely loved reading this, Robyn. So honestly and beautifully written. Love seeing how God works in peoples’ lives in such unexpected yet amazing ways!

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:32 am

      Thank you Megan <3 He is always unexpected.

  9. Tami says

    December 14, 2017 at 9:51 pm

    This was so lovely to read! I moved to NYC right after college (was only there for a year) and my experience was completely opposite. Maybe because my time was relatively short, but NYC to me was magical, through and through. Great to hear another side of things! Have a great time in Chicago! Hear it’s amazing there!! 🙂

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:32 am

      I’m so glad your experience was so positive! I like to describe mine as “rich” lol – I’m so glad I has this season but I’m so glad it’s over.

  10. Leah says

    December 14, 2017 at 10:09 pm

    Beautifully written. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:33 am

      Thank YOU for reading Leah <3

  11. Laura says

    December 14, 2017 at 11:51 pm

    Loved reading this! I moved to Brooklyn 3 weeks ago with hopes that I’ll only be here a year. Good luck in Boston – I lived there for 3 years in grad school and loved it (but was at a similar stage in life and also wanted to leave).

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:33 am

      I love Brooklyn! Such a nicer pace than Manhattan. Hope you enjoy your time – it will fly!

  12. Kim says

    December 15, 2017 at 12:17 am

    One of the best posts so far! I love this! Absolutely beautiful, inspiring and resonating@

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:33 am

      Thank you Kim 🙂 xx

  13. Kelly says

    December 15, 2017 at 5:41 am

    Your post gave me chills, the kind you get when you read an amazing paragraph in a book, or see a carefree person skipping along, or two lovers holding hands, or when it rains and you reminisce about all the glory in the world. I love that as a student at Columbia you encountered a person needing help outside and brought him in, that you see the good amongst all the scary and bad. May you treasure your time spent in NYC and embrace your next adventure.

    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:33 am

      I have chills just reading your comment Kelly – thank you for you kind words 🙂 xx

  14. Jacqueline D'Attoma says

    December 15, 2017 at 11:52 am

    THIS. Makes me so happy to know that you got so much out of it! What a journey 🙂

  15. Amber @ Bloom Nutrition Therapy says

    December 15, 2017 at 1:37 pm

    This is so beautiful and captures every bit of frustration and love you have for New York. I have never been, yet by reading this I am sure I understand both the struggle and the overwhelming gratitude you have for this part of the country. 🙂

  16. Hannah Ramirez says

    January 2, 2018 at 7:25 pm

    This was such a beautiful read. I’m so glad you gained so much from your experience especially when it wasn’t always easy. You inspire me to be more bold! I’m so glad I read this as my husband and I are talking about moving from Idaho (where we have lived our whole lives) to Austin, TX-a place neither of us have been before. We are visiting there soon and will then make a decision. We are looking for a new challenge-to be in a place that will get us out of our comfort zones and help us grow and after reading this post, I feel ready to embrace the change. Thank you, Robyn.

    • Robyn says

      January 2, 2018 at 9:00 pm

      <3 <3 Sending you so much love as you step into adventure Hannah!!

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A non-diet dietitian and nurse practitioner helping women find peace with food, accept their natural body size and heal from hormonal issues and period problems.

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A little way I’m learning to enjoy these years o A little way I’m learning to enjoy these years of getting to spend so much time with my kids: aka another way I’m discovering some pockets of peace so my heart & mind & soul don’t crumble under the reality of dependent & emotionally dysregulated tiny humans.  About once a week we go somewhere for baked goods. We drive or walk, buy something buttery & then find a beautiful, relatively quiet outdoor spot where the boys can romp and I can sit and think my thoughts while I watch them play. This past week we were found ourselves at the Wool Factory where the boys threw rocks & whatever else off the bridge while I ate 90% of this almond 🥐 from @coucourachou that will blow your mind. Boys ate the other 10% bc they were busy playing and didn’t ask for more quickly enough 😜  I’m finding *for me* playgrounds have a time & place but they aren’t where I enjoy motherhood & my two toddlers the most. Baked goods & a pretty outdoor spot without high drops my 15 month old could launch himself off of…I’m here for it.
I brought this bag of snacks along when I took the I brought this bag of snacks along when I took the boys to hike out at one of our favorite spots last week and when I ripped it open I was regretting my choice to share them with my kids. @baresnacks randomly sent me a box of snacks and I usually eat free food we receive or give it to a friend/neighbor and move on. But I felt it my duty to tell you about these bc they are THAT GOOD. I’m not getting paid and this isn’t sponsored - I was just shocked at how tasty these were and felt you needed to know. We ate them with some buttery roasted nuts and the combo was 👌🏻 but they are good just on their own.  The boys climbed rocks and swam in the reservoir - leave it to my almost 3 year old to want to strip down naked and fully submerge himself in chilly water on a sixty degree morning. “Mama can I get super nakey?” Sure baby. Sure. This is your childhood.
It’s a hard sell to get me to accept an offer of It’s a hard sell to get me to accept an offer of extended alone time away from the babies to just be. And that isn’t something that’s best for me, it’s an area I gotta grow in. So this afternoon when Nick pushed me out the door and was like - get out of here plzzzz - I walked to my favorite cafe and ordered a thick pastrami sandwich and sat there for a good LONG while before taking a long, peaceful walk in the rain to wrap up the afternoon. Note to self: stop being such a control freak and go be by yourself sometimes.
a girlfriend brought me a 🍪 the size of my face a girlfriend brought me a 🍪 the size of my face from @mariebettecafe this morning when she came to get her toddler who played with us all morning and it is v good. even better when paired with an iced latte 😍
#AlignPartner I left off a few weeks ago sharing a #AlignPartner I left off a few weeks ago sharing about how taking @alignprobiotic regularly has improved my digestive regularity.  And I’m still taking them! I’ve permanently added Align 24/7 Digestive Support* into the roundup of supplements I take before bed (prenatal, vitamin D, choline & DHA - all which help keep me healthy while breastfeeding) so I can keep seeing the benefits.  Just because you see benefits, doesn’t mean you should stop taking your probiotic. Keep taking Align daily (under the supervision and recommendation of your health care provider of course) to keep seeing the benefits!  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - one of my favorite parts of Align probiotics is that they don’t need refrigeration AND they come in a convenient little blister pack that has the days labeled. It’s the little things people! #MyAlignGuutJourney #guthealth  *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
I realized it was going to be a long, hot afternoo I realized it was going to be a long, hot afternoon (91 and muggy in MAY 🤯) when a toddler nap was refused and a baby nap was cut wildly short ....so my tired mom brain pulled out two plastic storage bins, filled them up with soap & hose water and striped ‘em down naked in the yard. Two hours later, it was almost time for an early dinner and I had magically been able to sit for most of that time and we already had baths checked off the list. 👍🏻 I’m archiving this idea for my future self, hope it helps another tired mama out.
#AlignPartner I left off a month ago sharing about #AlignPartner I left off a month ago sharing about getting better at doing the basics to care for myself which included taking my supplements and @alignprobiotic regularly.  Probiotics take time to work so I wanted to give it a full month to see the full effects of @alignprobiotic. So here are my honest thoughts: it took a few weeks to notice any differences, but near the end of the month I did notice some changes in my digestive balance - even while traveling! I’m not someone who experiences occasional gas, bloating or abdominal discomfort frequently enough to notice a difference, so I don’t feel like I can comment on how well Align works for those benefits.  All in all though, taking @alignprobiotic was a positive experience and I really appreciated how the capsules don’t need to be stored in the fridge, making it convenient to take them with me anywhere #MyAlignGuutJourney #guthealth  *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Where we will spend a good majority of our summer. Where we will spend a good majority of our summer. Because the swampy VA summer has already begun (it’s in the low 90s today 🥵 lord help) and creeks are our retreat - not only from the heat but also from the noisy world. I need this just (if not more) than they do! We’ll be at the splash pads and pools too, but the quietness of the creek...my mental health is so about it. And it’s hours of play for them! Win win.  A couple things to note: this scene also included a few toddler reminders on finding another direction to throw rocks instead of at his brother - so not all is serene 🤪 and also, yes I am now that mom who buys the same clothing for both kids bc it keeps things simple & i think i kinda like it too 🤷🏻‍♀️
Things I love about midwifery among many: the appo Things I love about midwifery among many: the appointments, no matter how long, feel so unhurried. 
Just walked in from an appointment with my midwife because I was due for a Pap test + an overall wellness visit. My last pap was during my first trimester with Cal which feels like a jillion years ago, but it’s only actually been three years. Life changes so fast! Pre-baby life feels like a whole other life.  I’m wayyyy overdue for a visit to my PCP bc I’ve been under OBGYN or midwifery care for the majority of the past three years while having babies, but I am pretty good with keeping up with my paps. It seems women often think they need pap and/or HPV testing way more frequently than they do (and providers sometimes perform these tests more frequently than necessary - remember more testing doesn’t always mean better outcomes!)  So if you need it, here’s a quick little reminder on this chilly spring Friday afternoon on how often you need this testing (these are the recommendations from ACOG)  Women aged 21–29 years should have a Pap test alone every 3 years. HPV testing is not recommended.  Women aged 30–65 years should have a Pap test and an HPV test (aka co-testing) every 5 years (preferred). It also is acceptable to have a Pap test alone every 3 years.  If you get abnormal results, this testing frequency could change - but for healthy women with normal results, you actually don’t need testing as frequently as you might think. Which is great news for those of you who hate the speculum.  Ok, off to finish up some things on the to-do list (including cleaning this kitchen) during nap time and then come 5 o’clock, crack an IPA with our neighbors 🍻
#AlignPartner Over the past seven months since bec #AlignPartner Over the past seven months since becoming a mom of two, caring for myself has gotten shoved to the back burner. And it's been a challenge to make it a priority. My routine-resistant personality has upsides and downsides when it comes to motherhood. So I'm starting small this year with a consistent bedtime routine that includes taking my supplements and @alignprobiotic and hoping as that becomes consistent, my mornings will naturally shift too.  In short my bedtime currently goes like this….jammies & face care when putting the babies to bed. Before I go to bed (anytime between 9pm and 12am...) I’ll pump, take my supplements and fill my water. Then I go upstairs and brush my teeth. And then get in bed. The kicker: 70% of the time I find myself finishing up tasks on my phone IN BED. I hate this habit.  Back to supplements. This is something I have been able to stick with. On top of fish oil, my prenatal, choline and vitamin D, I recently added @AlignProbiotic 24/7 Digestive Support*§ to see if it helps with abdominal discomfort and regularity because when I don’t drink coffee or am traveling that can get thrown off.  I’ll be taking it every day for the next 28 days since it takes TIME for our bodies to adjust to probiotics - and I'll be taking you guys along with me as I share my honest thoughts. Many people think if they don’t see changes within the first 7-10 days then the probiotic isn’t working, but that’s not the case. I’m giving myself more than just a week or two and instead a full month to see the full benefits. I’ll keep you posted over the next month. Check out my stories to learn more! #MyAlignGutJourney #guthealth
 
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
We had an AFTERNOON today. Toddler didn’t care f We had an AFTERNOON today. Toddler didn’t care for a nap. Putting baby down was harder than I wanted it to be. Miraculously, I had a moment of clarity as I was covered in tiny humans and decided I wasn’t doing the nap battle thing a on 60 degree, gorgeous, sunny spring day 🙅🏻‍♀️ so I piled both babies into the car half naked, opened the sun roof, put on white noise for them and an audio book for me and drank a kombucha as I drove a meal to a postpartum mama. Thirty five minutes later we had a sleeping baby and a toddler who at least had a rest. Baby transferred without waking HALLELUJAH and although my toddler didn’t nap today (lord help) at least we got soaked in breezy sunshine 😎🤘🏻💆🏻‍♀️
We veered from our usual Friday night homemade piz We veered from our usual Friday night homemade pizza (minus the dough, we leave that to @albemarlebakingco) because we are eating pizza tomorrow with some friends - instead I called my mom and asked her how she makes her chicken fingers and we fried up a big ole batch of chicken nugs 🙌🏻🤤 along with a sheet pan full of sweet potato fries and a simple arugula salad dressed with parmesean, olive oil and s&p. Oh and my moms honey mustard recipe for dipping. It’s SO DANG GOOD.  Over the past 6ish months we’ve been practicing (and practicing and practicing bc it doesn’t come naturally) unplugging from technology and slowing down and resting and just being for one day a week. Some call it Shabbat. Some call it Sabbath. Maybe you call it something different. All I know is IT IS SO GOOD FOR MY WEARY SOUL and the day I look forward to ALL WEEK. Sundown on Friday to sundown Saturday. Nothing but rest. For us that means hiking (or something outside) and napping and reading and being with friends and eating really good food. And drinking some really good wine or craft beer. Sometimes whiskey. 😛  And because I know I’ll get asked about the chicken finger recipe and also because it’s too good not to share and Momma Coale said I could, here ya go:  Cut chicken breast into thin strips or small pieces (I prefer nug size bc the breading to chicken ratio is perfection). Salt and pepper those babies really well. Then dredge them in all purpose flour, then egg, then panko - just like you would bread anything else. Then fry them up in a light oil - I use avocado oil because that’s our everyday oil. You could also use canola or peanut oil. Just fill a pan with an inch or so of oil on medium high heat. They only take 2-3 minutes per side. You can always temp them to make sure they are at least 165 degrees F to really make sure they are done. Dunk in all the sauces and enjoy!  Happy weekend!

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