If you scroll through Instagram or Facebook, it’s easy to get the impression everyone’s life is flawless — kids sleeping through the night, perfectly clean clothes, serene mornings full of quiet kisses. That’s far from my reality.
Just yesterday Andy was crying because I wouldn’t let him have my coffee cup. Moments like that are the ones I wish people shared more often on social media. It would feel like solidarity — a way to show we’re all muddling through the same chaotic, imperfect days. Imagine a post that reads, “Don’t worry, my kid spilled roasted red pepper soup on that cute sweatshirt too!”
My mom and I are not ones to broadcast every achievement. When she runs into old acquaintances who list all their kids’ accomplishments, she listens politely and then sums up her own family simply: “They’re married, two have kids, and all are healthy and happy.” That’s honest and enough. Not every detail is necessary, especially when you haven’t spoken to someone in years.
So even though I posted a sweet picture yesterday, here’s the real backstory so you don’t assume my life is Instagram-perfect. Andy was fussy and refused to nap. Earlier he’d fallen into the ottoman and busted his face, so he was cranky. Teething may have been part of it — who really knows with kids?
Our front blinds are broken and stuck — we glued them so they open and close but won’t move like normal blinds. We’ve given shabby chic a new meaning.
Weezer had jumped onto the record storage cubes to bark at imaginary dogs outside. Andy wanted to climb up like Weezer and tried to pull himself up by the blinds. When we said no, he cried, so we put him on the boxes. He sat there happily and barked out the window alongside the dog.
We took a few pictures while Mike sat close by with a hand out, ready to catch Andy if he made a sudden move. He kept his hand in every shot.
So that cute photo wasn’t quite the calm moment it looked like. By the time the crying, photo-taking, and general chaos had settled, I wasn’t in the mood to fuss over dinner. Thankfully, I’d roasted tomatoes during Andy’s brief nap. I tossed those, some tofu, and a can of tomato sauce into the blender — and within minutes we had a creamy, healthy tomato sauce.
Boil your favorite pasta, tortellini, or ravioli and toss with this sauce for a quick dinner everyone will enjoy — even the cranky, yet irresistibly photogenic, kid. You can eat with one hand and judge everyone else’s social media with the other.
Creamy Vegan Roasted Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
-
1
Pint
Grape Tomatoes - Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper
-
1 (15
Ounce)
Can of Tomato Sauce -
8
Ounces
Firm Tofu
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the grape tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle generously with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until blistered. Let cool slightly on the pan.
-
Place the roasted tomatoes, the can of tomato sauce, and the firm tofu into a blender. Puree until smooth, about 2–3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
-
Warm the desired amount of sauce in a saucepan over low heat for a few minutes, then toss with cooked pasta, tortellini, or ravioli. Serve immediately.