I'm trying to bring back the lost art of letter writing, more specifically, package sending. Bonnie mailed me mint brownies and cookies on my birthday. There were a few crumbs, but the food stayed surprisingly well. This of course meant I could eat all of the brownies and all of the cookies within the first few minutes of opening the package-- at 9 am.
So, it's my turn to return the favor. Tonight I made cookies for Bonnie and Lauren. Ok, well, tonight I started to make cookies for Bonnie and Lauren.
When I bake, I usually substitute the butter or other fat (like oil) with something healthier. This can be mashed banana, pumpkin puree, yogurt or applesauce. I had just the right amount of applesauce to finish off the jar, so I used that. Usually, the ratio for the substitute will be the same, but it's a matter of preference. Some people prefer to use 1/2 the required amount of fat with 1/2 substitute. The consistency is a little different when you substitute the fat, though. Cookies turn out more cake like, cakes are more moist. This doesn't work with everything so you have to toy around. Using eggs in recipes can also be altered. If a recipe calls for one whole egg, you can use two egg whites (keeping with a 1:2 ratio). Or, if more than one egg is required, you can use both whole egg(s) and substitute egg(s) with egg whites. For all of these changes, cooking times will vary. Until you get the hang of it, you'll have to check the oven frequently. Most times, the flavor doesn't change too much, but be cautious. Sweetened applesauce will make a bigger difference than unsweetened, etc.
Tonight I made sugar "cookies" (more like cake-cookies) with m&m's mixed in. Because they were so light, I figured I could have another.. then another.. then another.. Eight cookies later, here I am, full and ashamed. Bonnie and Lauren's boxes to be mailed remain empty, while I waddle around, sickeningly full. I'll do better next time!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
What college doesn't teach you
As I sit in my room, Pandora playing, gnats flying around me, staring at a television I wish would work, I reflect on a few things I've realized since I came here:
1. No matter how clean a place is, if you live in a basement, there will be bugs. Back in my vegetarian days, I would have let the critters prosper and call this home their own-- thank goodness that's over. I've stomped and smashed more gnats since mid-May than the average person will in their whole life. I've actually gotten pretty precise in it.
2. It is possible to get rashes later on in life. I think they're from stress, but they itch like crazy.
3. It is possible to miss a small, quiet town that has less to do than one block in a busy city. Oh Moscow, your simplicity is but a pleasant memory and the bulk section of your market, something I can just dream about.
4. By the end of a 9-5 shift, I'm over people and want to crawl into bed. This will sound bad, but being social after work sounds awful. I find myself talking to the same handful of people often and old friends sporadically, and that being good enough. Don't get me wrong, Nick and I would love to make a great group of friends here and have tried, but there is some disconnect with personalities. We're going to continue to try but until then, I'm so grateful for the great people I do know. Now, to just get us all together in a place we all love...
5. I don't want to do PR for a theatre or performance organization. For many reasons, it just is not my place. In my ideal world, I'll find a job that combines food and writing and/or marketing/PR. I'm going to really try for that and be happy. I'm very grateful for this summer opportunity and in some ways, it not "working out" is great. I now know what I don't want to do and have shaped my hobbies and interest that I have gained over the last several years into something I can see myself utilizing in my career.
This past week at SCT was difficult, but I'm sure the next several weeks will just get better. My mom is coming to visit for a weekend in mid-July! Some familiarity will be incredible. Nick made my birthday one I'll never forget. It was both relaxing and action-packed, casual and formal-- what more could I ask for? Probably not to have gotten sick at the concert, I probably would have asked for that, but, really, my 21st was amazing. I'm really lucky he was here and so grateful for the people that thought of me on my day... Thanks, Facebook, for reminding so many that I can now legally drink wine.
1. No matter how clean a place is, if you live in a basement, there will be bugs. Back in my vegetarian days, I would have let the critters prosper and call this home their own-- thank goodness that's over. I've stomped and smashed more gnats since mid-May than the average person will in their whole life. I've actually gotten pretty precise in it.
2. It is possible to get rashes later on in life. I think they're from stress, but they itch like crazy.
3. It is possible to miss a small, quiet town that has less to do than one block in a busy city. Oh Moscow, your simplicity is but a pleasant memory and the bulk section of your market, something I can just dream about.
4. By the end of a 9-5 shift, I'm over people and want to crawl into bed. This will sound bad, but being social after work sounds awful. I find myself talking to the same handful of people often and old friends sporadically, and that being good enough. Don't get me wrong, Nick and I would love to make a great group of friends here and have tried, but there is some disconnect with personalities. We're going to continue to try but until then, I'm so grateful for the great people I do know. Now, to just get us all together in a place we all love...
5. I don't want to do PR for a theatre or performance organization. For many reasons, it just is not my place. In my ideal world, I'll find a job that combines food and writing and/or marketing/PR. I'm going to really try for that and be happy. I'm very grateful for this summer opportunity and in some ways, it not "working out" is great. I now know what I don't want to do and have shaped my hobbies and interest that I have gained over the last several years into something I can see myself utilizing in my career.
This past week at SCT was difficult, but I'm sure the next several weeks will just get better. My mom is coming to visit for a weekend in mid-July! Some familiarity will be incredible. Nick made my birthday one I'll never forget. It was both relaxing and action-packed, casual and formal-- what more could I ask for? Probably not to have gotten sick at the concert, I probably would have asked for that, but, really, my 21st was amazing. I'm really lucky he was here and so grateful for the people that thought of me on my day... Thanks, Facebook, for reminding so many that I can now legally drink wine.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Squash me
I didn't want to turn this into a cooking blog, but I can't resist. We just got a table to eat our meals at. As nice as the oriental/homeless feel the floor was, the table adds an element of cleanliness and just plain goodness. Tonight I made acorn squash stuffed with cous cous and a chocolate fudge and peanut butter pie (guess which dish I chose to make and which one Nick requested). I really like to cook. So much so that, if given a time machine, I can't say I wouldn't re-consider college and scope out a culinary institute instead. But, I'm not above selling cookies out of of the trunk of my car, either.
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