Outside Evidence

[ladysprite]

It is fascinating to me that I can measure my personal stress levels by the food I crave - specifically, by the complexity of both the meals I want to cook and the baking I want to undertake.

I am two days into a medically-mandated five days off, trying to keep myself sane and healthy. I had figured, among other projects, that I would take this time to do some fun cooking. In putting together our meal plan for the week, though, it has wound up consisting mostly of pasta, eggs, and sandwiches.

On the other hand, I've already baked a sour cream coffee cake and a double batch of peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, I'm prepping to make a double-chocolate chocolate chip bundt cake tomorrow, and odds are I'll be making a batch of whoopie pies after that, to take to work when I go back on Thursday, and maybe to share at our last tango class (not sure whether I want to go with gingerbread, peppermint, or red velvet, though).

I'm not sure that butter-flour-sugar therapy is recognized officially, or why baking heals my soul while cooking doesn't quite, but such is life. I will merely enjoy the fact that I have both the time to indulge my sugary whims and the friends to eat the resulting treats....

Comments

[gmkieran.livejournal.com]

Wish I were close enough (and not so diabetic) to partake of your therapeutic efforts! :D I'd go with red velvet, btw, but that's just me. :D

[mermaidlady]

I think red velvet tastes like food coloring. Ick.

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

I'm always happier after baking. I regret the fact that I haven't had time for much lately.

[citabria]

I've been wanting to make a red velvet cake from scratch for months now, but can't find Dutch Process cocoa. Are you able to find it where you are?

On a broader note ... yeah, there's a difference though I can't explain it either. And bread is in a third category all its own, at least for me.

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

I get my Dutch Process cocoa from Penzey's Spices (http://www.penzeys.com/) - there's a branch near here, but even if there isn't one near you, they're very reliable with mail order. (Though it would also be a very good excuse for you to come up and visit, and explore the store....)

[citabria]

Oooooh ... that does sound like fun!

Do you have any sense of what your relief schedule will be like once you're working at Porter Square? Right now my one free day is Wednesdays, and I suspect that may remain my one free day even after classes end in a month. Then again, I finish work in Shrewsbury around 2:30 on Mon, Tues and Thurs so arguably I could meet you after work, too, since I'll be about halfway to you. I'll be working in Shrews. on Sat and/or Sunday, too, but that won't be until classes are over for the term.