I am not a cook!

Weekly Therapy: I really want to complain about still being sick…

- Mel

the week:
I woke up with my first alarm every work day this week (which was only Tuesday through today, since I took a holiday on Monday). This is a HUGE step for me, and after having a conversation about how awful I feel about setting five (sometimes more) different snooze alarms, I decided to start taking action. This fits into a bigger picture of some of my New Year resolutions, and I’m happy about taking these little baby steps now (which hopefully equals more successful, eventual goals).

weekend:
I have a busy week coming up, with nearly every night scheduled with holiday parties and celebratory happy hours with corresponding gift exchanges, so I need to do a little Christmas shopping over the weekend.

Sunday afternoon is this awesome Girls Rock! CD release event and skating party at Romp n’ Roll. You should come!

52 books in 52 weeks:
#46 Lost at Sea — another excellent read from Jon Ronson! His storytelling keeps me intrigued and entertained, and I liked how this book is essentially a collection of randomness (though he calls them mysteries). This book has plenty of trivial pursuit/pop culture/jeopardy-answer material, spanning topics like James Bond (a chapter that had me laughing out loud several times), Insane Clown Posse (!!!), and (religious) cults.

seven things, seven days:
1. I popped a blood vessel in my eye from coughing so hard. OVER IT.
2. A bird pooped on my leg while I was walking to the yoga studio. I worked in a bird zoo for almost three years and never once got pooped on… so, irony?
3. Coffee has returned to my neighborhood!
4. The INTJ gift guide (you know, if you’re looking to buy me something) — links to other Myers Briggs personalities at the bottom of the article.
5. Just… WOAH. Mental Toughness with the Navy Seals. {via Lifehacker}
6. Does exercise slow the aging process? {via NY Times}
7. Head nodding in (almost) complete agreement with this writer. The difference being I do NOT like to cook. The Myth of Easy Cooking {via The Atlantic}

Share a Recipe, aka: I can’t cook, so you get someone else’s.

- Mel

Today’s Blogger, May I? prompt is Share a Recipe.

Blogger confession: guys, I really can’t cook. Most days I wonder how I survived being so independent so long. While one of those was cheese, the other was I ate crap, processed foods (and a lot off the value menu at Wendy’s). Thinking about that now makes me cringe.

I can honestly remember specific meals that turned out well enough to serve to other people, and I replicated them regularly: Brussels sprouts with balsamic and slivered almonds was a favorite side; a simple tossed pasta with olive oil, lemon, and peas was another. I always brought cheesy potatoes to holidays. Once I made my friend and I mushroom risotto, after having it in a restaurant and having NO CLUE what I was doing (and my friend, god bless her, for having dinner with me). Once I cut up bing cherries and tossed them in a cream sauce with asparagus — yes, I did that! (It was fucking delicious.) My stuffed peppers were amazing. My Mexican twist on stuffed peppers was even better.

But I only had myself to impress.

Twice I even made a moussaka which is really complicated and basically redeems my cooking skills once a decade. I know if I put my mind to it, I could probably make anything, but it will just take two hours longer than the recipe or anyone else on earth who cooks, and by then I’ve drank an entire bottle of wine and eaten a box of cereal in waiting. And I’m drunk now… so, what?

Cooking sucks, OK?

But Pinterest does not!

shared recipes

And this is where I share all my diet restrictions-friendly recipes with the boyfriend when we plan meals. The end.

But not really the end because you know what really sucks: The few meals that I did know how to cook? I can’t eat anymore because of my diet restrictions. This cooking thing will likely be what running was to me last year — pure seething hated madness — to what it is now — a developed passion THAT I HAD TO TRAIN FOR. I just need to get over my resistance to learn.

Is there mental training for cooking?

Therapy in the Shape of Scones

- Mel

Holidays are hectic. Traveling is hectic. Fitting a 10-hour drive into one day is BEYOND MURDEROUS. I think I’m going to talk my friend into making these Soothing Scones with me on Friday because after driving, and entertaining, and socializing, (and you know, the murdering*) I will be ready to unwind. I knead to. Heh.

Thanks again to Allison for the wonderful recipe!

Soothing Scones from A Taste of Therapy
These scones are not only delicious and a snap to make, but they go perfectly with a cup of tea and a good book in the afternoon. Making these treats is an excellent way to relax and unwind after a busy day through the kneading of dough, and chopping of walnuts or chocolate bits. This recipe makes 8 scones, so it can easily be doubled, to make sure your relaxation continues all week! Mix in whatever you like, it is your decision. Sit down, relax, and enjoy!

Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
¼ cup white sugar
1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, cold, cut into chunks
1 cup mix ins (walnuts, chocolate chips, butterscotch bits, white chocolate chunks, dried
cranberries or cherries or a combination)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup buttermilk

Steps:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Line a baking sheet with foil
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Blend butter pieces into flour mixture
Stir just until dough comes together (Careful not to over mix, use your gut and judgment, you’ll know when it’s right)
Stir in your mix ins! Go ahead, add a few more chocolate bits in, no one will notice
In a separate small bowl, whisk together, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and add to flour mixture.
Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead gently (get out that stress and tension!)
Knead approximately 4-5 times turning after each knead.
Pat dough until it’s in a circle, 7 inches in diameter and 1 ½ inches thick
Cut circle in half and then into 4 pie shaped wedges
Brush tops with buttermilk
Bake until golden brown

*and by “murder,” I mean, “ate the shit out of some turkey”