Galatea Monday resides corporeally in New Toulouse with her bulldog Al Capone, loads of books, and a few spirits. She also owns and operates the Haunted Jellyfish, New Toulouse’s premiere ghost gallery and studio.
Send your questions to Miss Gala by mailing or dropping a note into her mailbox at our headquarters.
Dear Miss Gala,
I find myself getting sleepy and irritible late in the afternoon. I’m very busy, so I can’t just stop and nap—not that I could, because I’m too cranky. But someone told me that there are mood foods that might help. Can you recommend any?
Signed,
Grrr at Four
Dear Grrr,
The first thing I will recommend is getting proper sleep at night. Avoid sugar and caffeine, especially after lunch, and try and be kind to yourself. Maybe try a leisurely walk ritual every day too to manage any stress that may be preventing your sleep.
As for mood foods, I can absolutely recommend a few good things. Cherries (especially tart ones), salmon, amaranth, peanut butter, dark chocolate, and peppermint tea (not all together) are all helpful for giving you a safe energy boost and elevating your mood naturally. Avoid anything processed, of course, and if all else fails, reach for the bourbon and some gumbo, and don’t take everything so seriously. Just go easy on the bourbon, or you’ll experience a whole new kind of cranky!
In friendship,
Miss Gala
Dear Miss Gala,
What’s your idea of a romantic dinner?
Signed,
Hearting on the Bayou
Dear Heart,
Nothing says love like fresh lobster mac and cheese made from scratch and served with a bright Chardonnay. Light a few candles, crank up the Victrola, and enjoy.
Just make sure everyone can handle the lactose …
In cheese,
Miss Gala
Dear Miss Gala,
Why are the Mardi Gras colors green, gold, and purple?
Signed,
Color Curious
Dear Curious,
The colors all have significance, like so many things this time of year. According to mardigrasneworleans.com, purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power.
In beads,
Miss Gala
Dear Miss Gala,
I got the baby in the king cake!!! What does it mean??
Signed,
Plastic Baby Mama
Dear Mama,
Congratulations, Queen! The king cake is one of my favorite traditions that time of year, and it’s always exciting, when someone gets the baby in the cake. You are the queen of that party, and you get to choose your king. It also means that the next king cake is on you, love. So get to baking, but be careful with that plastic baby!
Cheers,
Miss Gala