Bread and Stress

So lately, I have been on a kick of baking bread and biscuits and such. Well, really just those two things. The biscuits have been great after I figured out that I need to roll the dough thicker to make better biscuits. My bread on the other hand hasn't been so easy. Why? One loaf I forgot to add the yeast. Another was a store bought package that didn't rasie enough. Then I forgot to let my oven cook longer than the suggested time so some of it was still a little chewy. Then as I went to the grocery store, I grabbed a new package of flour and said today was the day to make it from scratch!  (Not today literally.) So I did and that was the first load of yeastless bread. Then again the second didn't raise and didn't cook through. Well after researching some tips about dealing with yeast and learning some tricks from a friend. Viola! I have made a beautiful loaf of wheat bread!

To top it all off, I only had the first few slices with a little chewy left. So I know how to adjust my baking time better. I know that I need to knead it like I did this time because I felt more air in it as I was kneading it. Lastly, I couldn't believe that I didn't have any trouble slicing it!

This had been a wonderful start to my evening and a great way to take off some of my stress! I think I am going to love bread making!

P.S. Mom know wants to get me a breadmaker but I told her no because I enjoy making it myself too much!!!!

If I only knew

If I only knew who you are, maybe I could be happy. Maybe I would feel complete. I have to find myself before I can you. I hear it all the time. Aren't we always on a journey to find ourselves though?

Snow Day!

Well the flakes are flying so I don't have work today. I even went to bed later than usual in anticipation of sleeping in.....that didn't work. It was 7am when I woke up. I don't consider sleeping 30 minutes to an hour later as sleeping in. So as I watch more flakes fly by, I am thinking of a few things. 1) Should I knit know or later? I just started a new class and need to get rolling on some homework. More homework + less knitting = not so much fun. 2) When I go grocery shopping I need to focus on always picking up a few essentials. Like an onion. I went to make a brown sauce and had no onion. I could walk to the grocery store today but I bet too many people would ask if I need a ride. lol. The grocery store is only a 15-20 minute walk so there is no need for a ride and plus with the snow on the ground, I'd rather just use my feet.

I swear when it snows, I walk MORE. Does that make sense? I guess I don't want to feel trapped?

Yuck!

It's amazing how food makes you feel....and I need to seriously remember that! I ate wonderful homemade food and a great salad on Saturday and had LOTS of energy. Sunday rolls around and I was lazy and ate bad sweets (and some ice cream) that I made. How did I feel? Like crap! I ate a decent meal at lunch at work today but came home and was tired so what did I do? Ate crappy food and guess how I feel? Yup, like crap. Bleh! I need to remember that to fuel my body it will take a little work and that it will be worth it!

I have such bad views of eating and my body that it's not even funny. I've had people tell me that I have willpower since becoming a vegetarian.....I really don't. I kinda feel like I was meant to do this because I have to interest in eating meat. That's not the hard part for me. This was never for a diet!

If anyone is out there reading this, some words of encouragement would be grateful! I'm at that stage where I know what I need to do. I think I know how to. (My life was soooo much better when I juiced every day!) I just need to do it! It might and will take work but it's got to be done!

P.S. I hope I am back to blogging on a regular schedule also!