a peek inside the fishbowl

I can’t believe it’s Thursday. That means this week is almost over. And that means that January is almost over. And that means February is around the corner (let’s not forget it’s a short month!) and then March. And March is Spring. Yippee!

I shouldn’t complain. Today is a particularly pretty winter day. The sun is shining, there’s a thick layer of puffy snow over everything … it would have been a perfect morning had I not had to walk Sarah to school and then walk BACK because she’d forgotten something. *sigh*

But for now, the LiteBook is on (I’ve been good with that this week), and the coffee is hot. Small mercies.

What are you going to do to bust those January blues today?

Me: I’m going to make myself a special lunch and not rush though it. But right now I’m going to spend a few minutes meditating with iTunes. Sounds hokey, I know, but there are some really good (free!) tracks available.

Here’s how:

1. 1. Go to the iTunes store. (You need to have iTunes installed on your computer to do this.)
2. 2. Do a search for “meditation” … all kinds of podcasts will come up.

I was just browsing through the selections (there are TONS) and found one called “Nature Power Nap.” Could be interesting, but I’m afraid I’ll fall asleep and forget to pick Sarah up from school this afternoon. :)

Maybe five minutes with “Serenity and the Ocean” is all I need.

ETA: 10:00 a.m.

So I think my favourite podcast is “A Basic Meditation” by Jesse and Jeane Stern. Try it out!* It has nature sounds. It’s super relaxing, but take my advice… don’t do it right after having had a big cup of coffee. Wear headphones. Find a quiet space (mine had a ticking clock – not good!), stretch out and get comfortable. Next time I do this I will choose the bedroom over the couch in the office.

* Please don’t meditate & drive. Thank you!

(This is the bread I mentioned in yesterday’s post.)

Oat and Molasses Bread

1 1/4 cups boiling water
3/4 cup large-flake rolled outs
1/4 cup fancy molasses
2 tbsp butter, softened
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp sugar
1/2 cup warm water
1 tbsp active dry yeast
2 1/2 – 3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 3/4 tsp sea salt

Topping:
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp large-flake rolled oats

• In heatproof bowl, stir boiling water with rolled oats; let stand until absorbed, about 15 minutes. Stir in molasses, butter, and egg. The mixture will look revolting. And it will smell. (I’m not a big fan of molasses, and I don’t like the smell, but I do love this loaf once it’s baked!)
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water; sprinkle in yeast and let stand until frothy, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in oat mixture. Add 2 1/2 cups of the flour, whole wheat flour, and the salt to form a sticky dough.
• Turn out onto floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, adding as much of the remaining flour as necessary (the dough should not be sticky by the end), about 5-8 minutes. Feeeeel the dough. And use this time to meditate and to ponder life’s wonders. ;)
• Place in bowl which has been greased with olive oil, turning to grease all over. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in warm draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about one hour.
• Punch down dough; divide in half. On floured surface, pat down each half into a rough 11 x 8 rectangle (it doesn’t need to be perfect). Starting at the short end, roll into cylinder. Pinch the ends to seal and place each roll into greased 8 x 4 loaf pan, seam side down. Cover with tea towel and let rise in a warm draft-free place for about an hour.
• Topping: Brush loaves with egg; sprinkle with oats. Bake in centre of 375F oven until loaves turn brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom, about 40 minutes. Let cool on racks before slicing.

Let me know if you try this recipe. I’d love to know how it turned out for you!

LiteBook is On. Breakfast is eaten. After I’ve posted this I’m going to brush my teeth, take my vitamin D, and head to the gym … SNOW AND ALL.

I walk to the gym. It is a real pain in the butt during the weeks, nay, MONTHS of bad weather. Speaking of pain, my arms are killing me. I’ve gone back to doing pushups again and I’ve done a set of 30 (ok, girly ones) every night this week PLUS my usual 50 crunches (but I’ve been doing those for weeks now.)

But.I.Must.Go. I know the extra fitness will make me feel good and help me get through winter.

Walking is good too. I used to be a big walker. After Sarah was born I went for a power walk every night – not to lose weight, just to get out of the house. I did the same circuit every night – 30-40 minutes – and after awhile I started running the last few blocks home, just because I could. Surprising things happened to my body. Good things!  

Today’s task: strike three manageable things from my annoying “I-have-to-but-I-don’t-really-want-to” list. I know this one is going to do wonders for my mental health.

What’s something YOU can strike off your list today?  i.e. Call your mother? Clean out your veggie drawer? Throw something out? Darn your socks? Change your lightbulbs for CFLs?

[update: 6:00 p.m]

Here are the three niggly tasks which have been sapping me of my motherly superpowers:

1. 1. Submit “new donor” form at Canadian Blood Services. DONE!
2. 2. Clean my bedroom closet and fill a bag for charity. DONE
3. 3. Make appointment for a physical. *sigh* But DONE!
4. 4. Bonus task! Frame Emma and Sarah’s Christmas portrait. DONE!
5. 5. Bonus task! Change the lightbulb in my tiny bedroom lamp. DONE!