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Getting Back on Track

During a period of time I taught myself baking and developed a macaron that is a mash up of three different recipes paired with a few months of trial and error.

Macarons in my opinion, is the other option to a cupcake. I think this to be true, if not, well in my world it is. My first macaron was from Costco and nope, definitely tasted the potential but wasn’t what they were made out to be. Nothing left to do then bake my own. After some research, and let me tell you, if Zumba has taught me anything about macarons is that what I have experiences from any bakery is not what a true french classic macaron is suppose to taste like. But please a home baked macaron, nope there is no comparison, and yes the hype is real.

I haven’t challenged my baking skills, in about a year. Now that I think about it Covid had a side effect of me falling off track, with constantly having baked goods in the house. Yes you read that line right. I love baking, breakfast is always fun, since breakfast is just dessert. Did you just roll your eyes at me?, If you and I stick around, you will see I have a healthly-ish relationship with food, and part of getting back on track is baking.

Speaking of getting back on track, macarons was the first difficult treat I succeeded with. What better dessert to feed my baking bug the wiping up some macaron! Baking was something that I love, and sometimes its easy to lose sight of that. Having quiet time alone, keeping my mind focused and turned off of everything else, all the while having a creative outlet that made other people so excited to try what’s in front of them. I can’t even, girl it’s my butter and sugar therapy. A little bit of information, I ran a home daycare and to be able to put food in front of a kid, even treats, and have them like it, is the greatest win. Not all kids like sugar believe it or not.

The plan for this week is to make classic french meringue macarons. I think the last time I made these was probably over a year ago. Fingers cross its like riding a bike but either way it’s sugar, its going to be good!

So I ask you, what did you stop doing that brought you joy? What did you let go that gave you energy, lit you up from inside? A hobby, reading, painting or colouring, sewing, photography, wood working, playing the piano, paint your toenails, what is it?

I’m encouraging you just as much as I am encouraging myself to pick it back up, start again, stand up and do something that ignites the joy in you. A little step, have the intention, mediate on it, place it in front of you and don’t stop looking at it.

My intention is baking. Step one, baking something that brought joy, step two, keep the promise to myself and three hold myself accountable. Style Insight is where I am coming for accountability, inspiration and grit.

I will be back soon…………

J….

Breakfast Food

Basic Homemade Waffles

Basic Waffle Recipe

Homemade waffles are one of the quickest breakfasts you can prepare for your kids and the best part is the leftovers, if any, can be made into other meals or freeze them for another morning. Waffles are so versatile that I believe anyone could likes them if they find the version that best suits their taste buds.

From plain with maple syrup, chocolate chip or blueberry, spreading some peanut butter and strawberry jam on them, or what about cutting them into sticks for dipping, there is sure a version you can find to please your family.

Basic waffle with apple sauce, raspberries and maple syrup

Basic Waffle Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups of all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons of sugar

1 tablespoon of baking powder

½ teaspoon of salt

1 ¾ cups of milk

6 tablespoons of vegetable oil

2 large eggs

In medium size bowl mix together all dry ingredients, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a small bowl mix all wet ingredients, milk, vegetable oil and eggs. Combine wet to dry ingredients while whisking. Whisk until there is know more lumps.

Once waffle iron is warm pour ¾ of a cup of batter onto iron and close lid. Depending how golden brown you like, cook between 2 to 4 minutes pending on waffle machine. Open and carefully remove the baked waffle and repeat.

Tips

*let batter sit for at least 3 minutes to thicken up

*to freeze up to a month wrap in tinfoil and place in ziplock bag

*store leftovers in an airtight container for two days and crisp back up using toaster oven

The reality of taking photos for your blog. Nothing goes to waste

How do you like your waffles, or do you prefer pancakes, maybe crapes? In our house we eat them all but being able to make waffles quick and use them in so many ways, when I have the choice of cooking up one of the three my go to is always waffles.

Online School

First Day of Online School

First day of school

Well we made it through the first day of virtual class. The beginning of the morning went well, I showered, did my hair and make up; if your wondering yes this is not my norm since I work from home I usually have a top knot and just moisturize. Did a load of laundry, quick wipe down of the floors, we have four pets, Penny help make pancakes for breakfast and Oscar helped with making their lunches.

Of course everything can’t go as smoothly as I planned and hope for. Since the kids start class at 9:30 I sent them outside so they can get 30 minutes of physical play before the two-hour long class session they’re about to have. Well of course starting a new routine and getting them to fallow the schedule takes a bit of getting use to so they kept coming in and out of the house. At one point Oscar was going back outside and the dog got out. So now I’m running after the dog, she gone and I can’t see her anymore, Oscar is in shock and doesn’t know what to do, Penny is crying, running after me and I have two other kids showing up for homeschooling any minute. Well God was on my side cause after searching for 10 minutes and headed back home, Sage, our dog, came back to us and was on the leash before the other school mates arrived. The bright side of that little hiccup, I got my workout in this morning!

By 9:30 all four kids were logged onto their meeting with only a few little questions of “I don’t know how to do this” and “what do I need to do?” but nothing that was difficult to figure out. They read for a half hour, had their packed snacks and lunches breaks throughout the day, and did a quiz and an assignment. Had a 45 minutes walk, all the while getting creative with taking pictures and videos of their adventure. I couldn’t put it any better into words then what Penelope had to say about the first day of school, “ the day was a success”.

As the days go by and the routine is set into motion with their teachers, thank goodness three of the kids are in the same class; I will be able to implement more structured activities with them during their free time. I plan on ordering Kiwi boxes for them, baking lessons, art projects, really anything we want to do I’ll figure out away to make it happen. Fun hands on and stimulating little assignments to have active learning and keep them engaged while at home. I want to make sure they don’t miss anything that school offers and set a positive environment for them so they are excited to start their day and the novelty doesn’t run off. Did I mention I have a horn for the school bell and a mic to do morning announcements! Which of course there will be a joke of the day and they will also get to share any news they want with the class.

Thanks Cadence for sharing the pictures you took!!

I always believe the amount of effort you put into something is the equivalent of response and achievement you get back. I am aware not every day will be smooth, I will need to send kids to the principle office, which is my personal desk away from the class, and the level of energy I have will fluctuate but as long as I stay positive, show up every day with good intentions and give myself, and the kids, grace, patience and understanding the school year is going to be a great experience for all of us.

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