Cookie Science: It's a Triple C Thing

Now, this here is my kind of science!

Image from Serious Eats 

I posted previously about the Ultimate Guide To Chocolate Chip Cookies, where a wonderful woman shares her experiments, getting to the bottom of what makes a great cookie. Per her suggestions I made the ultimate chocolate chip cookie, or so I thought. I must admit they were pretty freakin good, I mean I was making them twice a week for about 3 week... pretty much, until my body and skin had had enough and needed a break from sugar overload. Yes, I still do this to myself from time to time. What can I say, I love chocolate and I love cookies! When people post that they have created the ULTIMATE Chocolate Chip Cookie, can you really blame me for wanting to share in all their chocolate chip cookie success, or not being able to resist the temptation to confirm their claims for myself? That's what I thought...

It was a nice little run Ultimate Guide To CCC. You had me quite convinced you had uncovered all that is truly irresistible about the CCC, but, sadly, a new more in-depth edition has been published. Not to worry, though, I will not forget all you have taught me. Like in school, you were the stepping stone to which I have now graduated, set off to pursue greater and deeper theories in the world of the CCC. That world has brought me to Food Lab's Best Chocolate Chip Cookie which really gets into the science behind baking, helping the reader understand the chemical reactions required to achieve the flavors and textures that make a cookie so delicious. The author thoroughly explains each ingredient which allows for the opportunity to play with the recipe, bringing out the elements the baker enjoys most about a CCC. It's simply brilliant.

Words Of Wisdom To Myself

More than ever I've found that it's good, especially in times of stress, to reflect on the positive. Remind yourself what's good about life and you as a person, as well as the things in your life to be thankful for. These are some positive thoughts I've had this morning, reminding me not to let financial stresses and career struggles get the better of me. There are still plenty of reasons to be thankful and keep myself moving forward.

Be thankful for the circumstances in which you were given, and grew up with. There are always ways in which things could have been so much worse. These are what shape you.

Make a difference as often as possible.

Be a positive contributor.

Take care of yourself and be aware! Be an active participant in all you do and all you consume.

Do things that make you happy, that contribute positively to your growth and overall state of being. Remember to make time for these things once a week, if not as often as possible:

-dance

-learn new things

-paint, draw, design, create

-cook/bake

-exercise

-travel

-get lost in a good book

Finding Life Lessons In Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts used to be the enemy.

When I was a little girl I absolutely hated when my mom would make brussels sprouts. I would have happily traded my brussels sprouts for broccoli and I believe that's saying a lot for a child. I remember my mom eventually stopped cooking them despite my dad's liking of them because mine and my sisters hatred out numbered him 2 to 1.

About two months ago I went home to visit and have dinner with my parents. When I sat down at the table I did my usual scan of the spread and notice these little balls of green disgust had made their way back on the menu. I almost protested the side dish until realizing that I hadn't actually tried them in over 10 years. So, I thought to myself, should I stick to my guns or get over myself, try them again in hopes that maybe something has changed over the last ten years, and maybe find out that I can actually stand them? After all, they are one of the latest featured vegetables on blogs and social media sites alike for their great cancer protecting nutrients. Much to my inner 10 year old's disgust I decided to try them... Voila! A changed woman. My mom baked them in the oven with olive oil and seasoning and to my surprise I liked them, so much so that I decided to start making them for myself weekly. I started off sautéing them with grape seed oil, garlic powder, salt, paprika, and topping them with some lemon pepper. I loved it! I've prepared them this way quite a few times since having them at my parents. About a week ago I decided to switch it up. I was in the mood for some spaghetti so I experimented by adding sauteed spinach, brussels sprouts, and cherry tomatoes to the sauce. It turned out wonderful, exactly what my taste buds were craving. The brussels sprouts life lesson to never completely write something off. Just because you didn't like it as a kid, or even a few years ago, doesn't mean you can't have a change of heart. My change of heart was a delicious one!

New Experiences 2014: Training For a Tri

I've just completed my second week of training, and my third day swimming. "I can't wait for my swim tomorrow!" are words I never thought in a million years would cross my mind. I actually happily got up for my swim time this morning.... Did you hear me? I willingly got out of bed at 6:30 am to make my swim reservation all by myself! That is unheard of these days!! Usually it takes the buddy system for me to make a morning workout happen before 10am. My usual swim buddy bailed on me last night, but I set my alarm anyway. Success!

This morning's workout consisted of a 30 minute swim, 45 minutes on the bike, and a short leg workout. If you were to tell my 23 year old self that I would eventually enjoy swimming as a workout as much as I love running I probably would have given you a look like you're crazy, laughed, then changed the subject. Anyways. Three years ago I didn't lift weights, I didn't ride the bike much if ever (usually only when I hurt myself and couldn't run), and I never thought twice about swimming, ever! Running was all I thought I needed, and, let me tell you, that train of thought has changed completely.

Running has become a once a week activity, maybe twice if it's a good week, and like a lot of people say, which I have certainly begun to notice, it can be pretty hard on the body. I still love to run, but I love being able to move and not feel crippled more. Last December I over exerted myself and developed Peroneal Tendinitis which made it very difficult to walk just 10 feet for about 3-4 days, and putting me out of commission to run for a good three weeks. This is the second biggest injury I've had from running, among many other less debilitating injuries. When I was 21, during track season I developed Patellar Tendinitis in my left knee, which was one of the most irritating things I have ever experienced. It was particularly aggravating because at the time I drove a stick shift which was painful to push in the clutch, and I'm pretty sure prolonged my recovery period. I'm almost certain that what set it all in motion was racing a friend down hill, not stretching afterwards, and then attempting a long trail run for practice the next day. Half way through the run during practice my knee just started to ache terribly, and with every stride I felt shooting pain along the outside of my knee cap. To add to it all I had to drive home afterwards. It was awful. Since that experiece I have tried my best to listen to my body, and make it a habit to stretch and foam roll after every workout. Apparently, I haven't been doing a good enough job. 

These days I've been running less, but maintaining my endurance with one long run a week, or two shorter ones spread out, paired with biking and weight lifting. Aside from my most recent injury, I've noticed a tremendous improvement in my ability to maintain my endurance with less running through lifting weights and cross training. My body as a whole feels so much stronger and more balanced, and although far less often, I'm still able to satisfy my love for running and races. As of two weeks ago, and as part of my goal for new experiences in 2014, I have started training for my first triathlon. I found this training schedule particularly helpful and use it as a general guide. 

Here's to new experiences in 2014, and hopefully a healthy and injury free year!

Cinque Terre On Canvas

In wracking our brains for a present to give my parents this Christmas, my sister and I wanted to go with something sentimental for obvious reasons. We both came to the conclusion that a photo from our trip to Italy, where my Dad is originally from, printed on canvas would be perfect. Now, to choose a photo.. and from which city...

I decided that before I even start looking through all the photos from the trip, which could easily lead to distraction and endless hours spent looking through countless amounts of photos, its best I pick a city first. I chose Cinque Terre. It was a hard tie to break between Rome and Cinque Terre, but I think the peaceful beachy villages won my parents over the most plus the nautical theme pairs well with the style in their home, not to mention they live on the water.

So the narrowing down began. I was careful not to over pick or overwhelm myself with photos to edit for final choosing, which is a common mistake I make, something I especially can't afford to deal with as Christmas is drawing close and I am running out of time to submit my order. I started with hundreds, narrowed down to 15, then finally to the 3 featured here. It was hard, but a decision had to be made.

In uploading and cropping the image for final submission I realized how fun and easy this gift really is as well as how meaningful it can be. It can get a little pricey, but Living Social features deals all the time for discounted canvas prints. I'm excited to see the final product and the look on their face when they receive it. I think they will both be very happy to have something from our first trip to Europe to hang on their walls.

Girly Moment Alert!

Ever hear a song that just makes you stop what you're doing and focus on the feelings it evokes? A few songs on my current playlist do this to me, but one in particular I feel the need to share. This song I have loved for quite a while now, and every time I hear it, it makes me melt. It's the kind of love song you imagine dancing to with a special someone in a particularly special moment on a very special day. I'm a sucker for sentimentality, so I know you can't just plan on a song like this for that special day, but I can't help but hope for one that makes me feel just the way this one does. This song is just so beautifully sung, it's simplicity is full of emotion, and it pulls at your heartstrings in all the right ways.

Sleeping At Last "Turning Page"

Reflection and Growth

Dating.

Your 20s.

Finding yourself, knowing yourself, owning what you believe.

Knowing and understanding the qualities you value and want in another.

Finding those qualities.

Opening myself back up to the dating scene has been a bit uncomfortable, to say the least, after shunning it for quite sometime.

I've spent the good part of the last 3 years trying to "find" myself, placing a lot of energy in understanding and developing a good sense of the person I hope to become, something I used to believe I had a firm grasp on relative to a lot of my peers, but somehow lost security in during some of the more emotional and trying events of my early 20s. As I've started to enter my late 20s, I've begun to realize "finding" myself is less something I can simply check off a To-Do list and more something that continually happens through time and exploration. I understand now that it's something that, at times, I may feel more secure in than others, but will be constantly evolving throughout my life. I can seek comfort in the fact that holding true to my key values, those that have remained constant, while maintaining a level of curiosity about life and a desire to continuously grow and better myself is all I really need and will make for a smoother road to success.

I stumbled on this blog today. Although reading both sides is informative, I found more insight reading The 11 Differences Between Dating a Girl vs a Woman which gave me the opportunity to reflect back on myself the values that have held true for as long as I can remember, ones I've let slip, and ones I may not have paid attention to before, but see the positive in being aware of them.

Reflection and growth.