Honey Whole Wheat Bread

I know...I know...

First I make you make simple syrup for a cocktail. Now you have to deal with yeast and dough rising. I have made some fairly serious cupcakes, cookies and other baked treats, but never yeast bread. There's not a whole lot I'm afraid to try cooking. If it turns out poorly, who's going to know? Bread, though? Every time I considered making it my brain was like, "uuuuuUUUUURRRRRGHH!!! Lady, seriously? Bread is not an, on a whim project like most of yours are! There's the rising...and the resting...and the rising...all this RISING and it still may not come out. Just go to the store and buy a loaf!"

Yeah, well, I guess this is the year where I decide I need to do everything that I previously pretended I wasn't interested in, but secretly was afraid of.

Or really, just 2of the 3 portions of a triathlon and making yeast bread. Oh, and wearing horizontal stripes.

Anyway, I made a special trip to the bigger Whole Foods near me (confession, I was also stalking a bright orange lululemon hoodie at a second location. I NEED it! No luck though.) and when I walked by the baking aisle, I thought, "hmmm...I'll just BUY the yeast and then plan to make something later."

LIES! Anyone who knows me knows that I will barely be able to put the groceries away before I start mixing the dough. Of course, since this was a whim, I had no idea what I needed. I went with the ingredients on the side of the flour bag, which was conveniently NOT the flour I ended up putting in my cart. Duh'oh! This is how I now have a big bag of whole wheat flour, no regular all-purpose flour and two bags of cornmeal. Must find a recipe for cornmeal...

Oh, I also forgot to buy loaf pans. So really, if I can make bread, anyone can.


Honey Whole Wheat Bread

originally posted on food.com by Concrete Gardener

Below is the original recipe. Since I had one pan to use and this makes two loaves, I halved it. You can see in the picture that the slices are not very tall, but that's due to me using a bigger pan than normal. It did double it's size during both rises before going into the oven and well as doubling in the oven. I ran out of all purpose flour, used more whole wheat flour and it was fine. I also wasn't exact with the amounts of honey, molasses or salt and it still came out fine. I cooked it for 40 minutes since it seemed a little light after 35. Most suggestions I found online said it should darken and it was better to bake a little longer. It was still really moist and soft when it was done (as well as a day later, today). I tried to be fancy and put some rolled oats on top, but they didn't really stick.

Makes two loaves:

1/4 ounce yeast (or one packet or 2 1/4 teaspoons)

2 cup warm water (should be 100-110 degrees)

1/4 cup softened butter

1/8 cup (or 2T) molasses 

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp salt

3 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups all-purpose flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Give it about 5 minutes to do it's thing. In another bowl, mix the butter, molasses, honey and salt until well blended. Add to the water and yeast and then gradually add the flour. I dumped the wet ingredients into my kitchenaid (with the dough hook attachment) and slowly added the flour while it was on the "stir" setting. I let it mix for about 5 minutes, until it looked smooth. You can knead by hand if you don't have a mixer in 5-7 minutes. Put it in an oiled bowl for about 2 hours, covered with a towel, until it doubles in size. It works best if it's in a room around 70°, so find a warm area. For me, the only thing even close to 70° is right near the heater.

Oh look at you all tucked in next to the heater...(also, The Husband made the bowl!)


Punch the dough down, let it rest for 5 minutes and then shape into two loaves. Place in oiled loaf pans and let it rise for an hour. Place into a pre-heated 375° oven for 35-40 minutes.

Embracing Fear

I almost put this post off for another day. I'm tired from today's personal training and being too wired to sleep after swimming last night, I'm still stuffy and my nose burns from accidentally getting pool water up it. It's too important though and the longer I wait, the more I forget.

Let me back up. I had to miss my usual Sunday swim class this past weekend. I let my teacher know and she offered to let me attend one of her others, which I thought was super nice. The only one I could make was last night from 7-830pm at the other pool. The scary pool! I normally swim at the more recreational 25yd pool, but this was at the 50m competition pool.

Now I'm thinking:

• will I be able to leave work on time and make it there/miss traffic
• finding a space in the limited parking area should be fun
• about finding the door to the darn pool! (which happened to be in the attached non-pool-looking building)
• about finding my way around
• oh holy crap that's a big pool!
• oh holy crap these swimmers are fast!
• oh holy crap there are only 3 non-group/open showers?
• whereeee is my teaaaacherrrr?
• sizing up my new class (and freaking myself out because the first group of swimmers were actually at a masters swim meet)

I get nervous about the silliest things! Nothing bad happened! My teacher is awesome and my classmates were really friendly and welcoming. It was an even harder workout than my class normally does because most of the people in the class were at my ability or above. We didn't need to stop as much for direction and did longer drill sets. I felt great when I finished.

Then I ended up being a bit deflated. 

I stopped to ask my teacher if there was much of a difference between her regular freestyle class and her triathlon freestyle class. There really wasn't much difference other than some thought put into conserving your legs for the bike and run. I mentioned that I'm signed up for my first tri and another two girls piped in to ask what one I was doing and what the swim was. It's a 1/2 mile open water ocean swim. This DID make me nervous at first, but only because I had no yardstick to gauge how long swimming a half mile would feel. Now that's I've done a 1/4 mile and more on my own, with a decent time and only medium effort, I feel fine. It's 5 months away and I'm taking a swim class and have a pool membership. 

Well, one of girls was like, "you should do a freshwater or pool tri first. I thought I was really comfortable in the ocean and I flipped out during my first tri. It was even at a beach I grew up on but I wasn't prepared for the mass of other swimmers or the chop. I grew up on a boat." Of course you did! Haha. I mentioned that there is a special novice wave so that we have space and won't be swum over, but that didn't seem to matter. I mentioned that I'm very comfortable in, really, any kind of water (and I had what, in hindsight, was a scary experience in Hawaii without losing my cool) and can't remember NOT being able to swim, but that also didn't matter. I ended up thanking them for the advice and leaving it at that. My teacher was mostly trying to help me be in the most comfortable position possible and the girls were just trying to help, but it got to me a little bit.

It chewed at my brain while I was showering (and listening to the master's swimmers whine about the "swim lessons" taking up two of their lanes. Really? I'm registered for a class through the school. Your unaffiliated club rents the space. REALLY?!). It rattled around while I got dressed. By the time I picked up my husband it was really bugging me, so I texted the friend who inspired and pushed me to register in the first place. Seriously, my BA friend. I wouldn't be doing any of this if you didn't encourage me! I told her the brief version of what happened and she said exactly what I thought she would. I'd be fine (and also made me laugh). The thought I shared with her was,

What if I decide to just not be afraid?

Sounds silly, but it's pretty simple. I imagine myself standing in the sand at the edge of the ocean this August, feeling a cocktail of nerves, adrenaline and excitement. I'll feel a bit bittersweet, because once I start I will no longer be anticipating my first triathlon. I'll have a moment of self doubt where I realize that I can no longer dream of having a strong performance (when I should be happy to just complete it), because soon the writing will be on the wall. 

I will not be afraid.

I will feel the fear creep up from my stomach into my throat, but I'll push it down. I'll remind myself that there is absolutely no way I will be unable to finish the swim. I will fight and I will remind myself of this for 1/2 a mile until I reach the sand on the other side, but I refuse to be afraid. I will not acknowledge it.

That list at the top where I run down my thoughts? That's the beginning of fear. It stopped me from being a runner for a few years until I wanted it more than I was afraid. It stopped me from doing many things that were out of my comfort zone. Just don't think about it too much. Find what you want to do. Find out how to do it. Put yourself in motion. I decided to write this post now because I started thinking about how different things are at the moment. I swim? I take lessons? I go to a pool on my own and split a lane with strangers? In many aspects of my life I've had to just stop thinking about it and jump in. I refuse to be the cautious observer. The best part is that every time you do this, it makes the next time easier.

My friend's response to my thought about deciding not being afraid?

That's when it gets fun!

Hot Toddy

Hello friends! I've been fighting a head cold since Tuesday night and I've decided that I needed a hot toddy (or two). I'll go back and see where I left off with workout posts so I can update that too, but this week has been a bit light due to how I've felt. I'll discuss working out when sick in that post. Now, before we get on to the good stuff, here's my disclaimer. This is my idea of a calm the sniffles/soothe a sore throat drink. Don't have alcohol if you are REALLY sick. It will dehydrate you, not cure you. Last night I felt awful so I avoided it then. After sleeping 11 hours last night and a 3 hour nap today, I feel a lot better. Now I just want some symptom relief.

I knew a hot toddy was hot water and bourbon or whiskey. The rest really seems to vary depending on who you ask. I looked at a few recipes and put together what I felt like I needed. I know a post with no pictures is pretty boring, but it just wasn't happening today.

Hot Toddy


2 oz whiskey or bourbon (I used Bulleit Rye whiskey because that's what we had)
juice of 1/2 a lemon
3-4 dashes of cinnamon (dashes/shakes from the shaker)
2 dashes of cloves
1 dash allspice
honey to taste
boiling water

Put all ingredients in a coffee mug up through the honey. Boil water and fill the mug. It's really up to you how much honey and water you want to add. Enjoy!

* after making this I realized that steeping a smashed up piece of ginger root or a few pieces of candied ginger would be even better. I'd say just go for it if it sounds good to you.

Lemon Rosemary Fizz

Okay, so it's not really a Fizz, it just get's really fizzy after you shake it. Fizzes are a particular type of drink, which this is not. I'm not sure anyone cares that much. I'm just heading off the "justsoyouknow..." comments. Haha.

First you have to make the rosemary simple syrup. WAIT! Don't go! That's usually a deal breaker for me too, but it's really not as much of a pain as I imagined.

Rosemary Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
5 or 6 big sprigs of rosemary

Combine all over high heat until the sugar is melted. Reduce to simmer for 10 minutes. (Be like me, forget about it for 20 and it still tastes fine)

Lemon Rosemary Margarita
1-2 ounces white tequila (I prefer Herradura. You could use gin or vodka if you like instead)
1 ounce of Canton ginger liquor
2 ounces rosemary simple syrup
juice of one lemon
5-6 large ice cubes
optional - 2-3 dashes of angostura bitters (if you love bitters as much as I do and sneak them into everything)

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake the heck out of it! It will get really fizzy and bubbly on top. I like to use big cube-shaped ice cubes because they don't melt as fast and I like the little ice chips that break off of the corners when you shake the drink. If it's too sweet you can dial back on the simple syrup (but lose a bit of the rosemary flavor) or the ginger liquor, which is also pretty sweet.

Enjoy!

I love swimming!

I made it to the pool on Friday and managed to get a feel for the place. I managed to find my way around (the people working there are so nice!), open my gym lock and share a lane with another swimmer without anything terrible happening. See? That wasn't so bad! I could only stay for 15 minutes, but managed to swim more than a 1/4 mile in the 12 or so minutes I was actually in the pool. I feel good about that time since it was my first workout type swim and since I was probably only putting in a medium effort. I was really mostly there so I wouldn't be so nervous on Sunday. I still managed to be starving before my personal training and had to inhale half an energy bar right before hand. I was also late, so I was pretty wired when I got there. I won't go into the details of the workout, but I will say that fatigued legs seems to be the new theme. As much as it hurts, I appreciate her getting me used to that now in preparation for my triathlon. The one exercise that stuck out was that she made me do walking lunges with weights overhead, but instead of the lighter bar or dumbbells, she had me walk with two 15lb dumbbells overhead. 30lbs doesn't seem like a lot until you are trying to lunge and get yourself back up to take the next step! Her experiment also showed something. I would put the weight down previously but she suspected that if she gave me a heavy weight, I'd keep it up since it was too hard to lift and put back down repeatedly. She was right. I ended up toughing it out and getting it over with quickly. My arms were already tired from swimming. Darn it!

My class on Sunday was so awesome that I can't wait for next week! I was afraid I'd be the slowest swimmer and the biggest newbie, but I wasn't. Everyone else was nervous as well and I ended up trying to make everyone else feel better. I find that happens a lot. I get really nervous about something and end up being a one-woman pep-rally. We mostly did form drills and they were fun, but so tiring! I was really happy with how well I did. We were lined up by speed/ability and I ended up being moved up an bunch of times until I was in the top 1/4. I was already so happy to not be last that I couldn't believe I was actually doing well! My swim fins and new suit are coming this week and I'm so excited. I can't wait to get back there for another workout!

Classic Rock playlist

I've been listening to classic rock quite a bit on my way to and from work. Specifically, 105.7 and 100.7, for those of you in the Boston area. My elation at the luck of Whipping Post coming on while I was driving home tonight reminded me that I have been wanting to start posting some of my "themed" playlists (and also reminded me that car-karaoke does not supersede being an attentive driver). In no particular order:

Ted Nugent - Stranglehold

I usually like to listen to this when I'm starting a treadmill run, especially a one-pace longish one. ESPECIALLY one of those ones where I set the treadmill to my goal pace and see how far I can get towards a 5K before I die start crying can't take the pain. 

The Allman Brothers - Whipping Post

A new-ish addition to the list, but one of my all-time favorite songs.

Nazareth - Hair of the Dog
(NSFW if you are unaware that this song says "SOB" about a million times) Sometimes I cheat and listen to the Guns N Roses cover of this, because it's a bit angrier and, well, why else would you be listening to this song? Plus, this song on its own justifies owning The Spaghetti Incident.

Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song
Some day I'm going to accidentally sing out loud at the gym. You totally know what part...

"OH AH AHHHHHHHHHHHH AH!"

Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
This is just another song I love and can zone out to. One of my favorite parts of this song, is around 3:03 where the female vocalist's (Merry Clayton) voice cracks and a second later, you can hear Mick Jagger shout, "WOO!" in response.

Journey - Separate Ways
Because, how can you resist? What? It's from the 80's (1983 to be exact) and isn't classic rock? Well, my friends, our parents music was new at one point too. I can't believe this song is almost 30 years old, but when I heard a song from the same year on our local oldies channel, I put a trip to Sephora at the top of my to-do list for some anti-aging cream. Since I love mullets you, here's the actual music video.

The Temptations - Can't Get Next to You
I admit this is more Oldies than Classic Rock, but I don't have an Oldies running playlist and it fits with the vibe of this list anymore. I like to listen to this and pretend that I'm a total bad a-- speedster.

There are a few more song I thought about adding, but these are the ones I listen to most. Often, I end up getting to one and repeating it for most of the workout. If you're lucky, my next playlist will be 80s/90s and include songs from the Top Gun soundtrack. Be afraid. Get excited!

Being a Scaredy

I signed up for a swim class!

I get really nervous when I start anything new that is athletically related. I'm nervous I won't know where to go, have the right stuff, won't be able to work my gym lock...I'm scared I'll be the worst in the class (see also: being last in races. I never was for all that worry.)

However, I'm super excited! The old Jillian would have made some excuse to not sign up due to the unknowns. The new Jillian has forced enough change and trying intimidating things on herself that, while the fear is still there a bit, it's possible to just try. That's it. Just. Try. Get your stuff together, show up with a smile, and your best intentions. Sometimes I find that makes all the difference.

In addition to my current gym membership, I signed up under my husband's school gym membership and now have access to two pools. It was much cheaper than joining the local YMCA and more convenient than the local community pools. It was random chance that I saw this 8 week class, focusing on form and teaching you how to do flip-turns. Mostly I need the form, the turns are an added bonus. In addition, now I will feel like I'm training for my tri with the correct form.

Tonight was another workout with my trainer. I ended up doing about 45 walking lunges on each side, 45 push ups and 45 sit ups as well as planks, squats and some other stuff. I felt good and like my legs got a great workout, but I wish I had stayed focused the entire time. My stomach was hurting and I let it get to me.

I will probably swim on my own just to check the place out on Friday before Sunday's first swim lesson. I'll keep you posted!