Four Months In and Where Are We?

     

So how about those New Year’s Resolutions?  Some of us prefer not to call them “resolutions” but rather “personal goals” or “fresh intentions.”  Whatever name you gave to them, if you made any at all, here we are four months in and . . . what? 

     I kicked my new year off with T.U.T.’s 30-Day Infinite Possibilities Project.  Yes, I journaled daily, which I pretty much do anyway, but during the challenge I wrote, contemplated and visualized a more purposeful and fulfilling life for myself and my family.  Setting specific intentions AND taking actions that would only aide in bringing me closer to living an authentic life, one with joy, financial serenity and that dream job.  Exactly how I was going to achieve my goals was a bit fuzzy, but the desired outcome was as clear as a perfectly prepared consommé.

     I noticed resolutions, intentions, or whatever, wasn’t really a topic of conversation for me and my closest of friends, Nancy, Suzy, and Karen.  I wondered, is that because we have reached an age where we know we’ll likely end up forgetting, watering down or giving up on those promises we made?  Why announce or whisper about things you’re planning to do to improve yourself or way of life, if you know from past experience, you’re not going to see them through anyway? 

I have something in my eye.  

     E-gads (there’s a 50’s term for you) if we all gave up on ourselves then there would be no self-help books, seminars, weekend retreats or talk shows on television!  But would you agree, unless there is especially unique going on or is beyond our control, I don’t believe humans inherently give up on themselves.  That would explain why there are, indeed, so many different types of diets and weight loss products out there.  Why there are so many therapists and psychologists gainfully employed, and why those retreats and seminars can charge a pretty penny.  We really want to do better, look better, write, speak, and live better. 

So I ask, you don’t have to answer, but I’d love to hear from you, how are you doing four months into 2016?  What do those numbers on the scale look like?  How are things at work?  Is your relationship going smoothly, getting along?  Still feeling the love?  Now, don’t stop reading!  I’m not trying to lay a guilt trip on you here (as we used to say in the 60’s).  I’m just wondering if anyone out there can initiate and sustain the desired changes or improvements in their lives based upon a promise made months ago.

     As for me, well, the numbers on the scale look okay.  While I’m working diligently to get that dream job doing what I believe I was put here to do, it’s still has not come to fruition.  But I haven’t stopped working towards my goal.  I’m still cooking healing foods, I’m still reaching out and talking to people who  might be able to help.  I’m out there hustling.

     My cookbook is finished!  Now that’s a big one.  I do have several proofs on hand but with the help of dear friends, we are making corrections and slight changes so the next printings are near perfect.  I promised myself more travel this year, and that’s happening next month, when Nancy and I make our way along the Franciscan Trail in Umbria Italy.  Relationship, partner?  Well I didn’t really prioritize that one, but it would be nice.  Not sure where I am on that one, I’ll just keep on truckin (1970’s)  Looks like I’m making my way through the slogans and sayings of the eras I’ve lived.  That one was for our beloved Tony Rodriguez.  See what or who catches my eye.   There are still 8 months left.

We miss you Tony!

     Looking back at those first days of 2016, according to my journal, many of my goals and intentions are quite do-able.  I’ve hit a few snags or been distracted by life, but I’m glad to say I’m still on track. I haven’t lost my way, completely.  I hope you haven’t given up on yourself, that you too are making your way towards your goals and aspirations. 

I hear you man, those snags can be distracting. 

     It’s true, life is a mercurial thing, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Otherwise we might as well live our lives like a metronome atop a beautiful piano, keeping time but never going anywhere.  Might as well  gag me with a spoon (1980’s) if that were to be the case.  So let’s not give up.  Get back on that horse, even if it is the 27^th time!  Just get on wearing something different because none of us wants to adhere to that insanity of doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.  Maybe wear your hair differently or adorn yourself with a new pair of boots when you mount that horse.  We may have to readjust or tweak, but let’s not give up.  It’s just not in our nature. 

     Life is Good (oh gosh that’s an appliance logo; LG – didn’t mean to do that).  Let's admit it, life is all that and a bag of chips (1990’s) so let’s squeeze and pop open that bag.  Chips a-flying, who cares. 

And to help you, because you’re going to need lots of sustainable energy, I have just the thing.  A recipe, one with rolled oats, which are rich in fiber and lowering our blood sugar, strawberries with their instantly recognizable scent and bright red colouring, an alluring call to their vitamin B6, potassium and magnesium.  They have been referred as one of planets most healthy foods.  And rhubarb!  It is in season right now.  You will usually find these blushing celery-stalk-look-alikes displayed in your markets from April to June.  Related to the Buckwheat family, rhubarb is intensely tart but we can't ignore it vitamin A, and anti-oxidant packed value.  By partnering with ginger or in this weeks recipe, strawberries, we can tame the tartness and create something that tickles our palates with a kind of syrupy-tang.  Oh! and did I mention rhubarb is bears almost no calories and is naturally low in sodium and cholesterol?  Yes, making it an excellent diet food, if that weight thing is still on the new year's resolution shelf.  

  Can I call it a recipe for success?  Fo’ shizzle (2000’s c/o my bucket-list-celebrity-to-meet Snoop Dogg).

                                                   Rhubarb and Strawberry Muffins

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats                      ½ cup sour cream               1 cup whole milk

1 cup all purpose flour            ½ teaspoon salt                   ½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder     1 teaspoon ground ginger    ¼ cup coconut oil

1 whole egg, beaten               ½ cup brown sugar              1 cup chopped strawberries

1 cup chopped rhubarb         2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Additional oats or sparkling sugar for garnish if desired

Process

In a small bowl, combine rolled oats, sour cream and milk.  Set aside until ready to use.

In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and ground ginger.

In yet another small mixing bowl, combine coconut oil, egg, and brown sugar and set aside until ready to use.

 

I know this looks a bit gross, but it makes for a wonderfully moist muffin.

And finally, in the last small mixing bowl combine sliced strawberries, rhubarb and granulated sugar.  Allow the fruit to macerate while preparing other ingredients.

Stir oat mixture into oil and egg mixture.  Gently fold flour mixture in two batches into oat/egg mixture.  Mix just until flour is incorporated, do not over mix.  Allow batter to rest for 5-10 minutes.

When batter has rested, gently fold fruit into batter.  Spoon batter into paperlined cupcake pans.  If desired, sprinkle sugar or oats on the top of each muffin. 

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until muffins are golden brown.

                                                                                      Makes 18 - 20 standard sized muffins

These are so good!!  Light with just the right amount of sweetness, balanced with the magic of rhubarb.