Knowing something and actually putting it into practice can be two completely different monsters.
In my last post, I wrote about setting realistic expectations for myself. It was something I knew I wanted to work on, but this past week the application smacked me square in the face.
I am not wonder woman.
I’m sure you all would have easily mistaken me.
Right?
Actually, I think the real the problem is, I tend to mistake myself. I regularly give myself an impossibly long list of tasks to get done in a day, or morning, or hour, and then get discouraged and frustrated when I inevitably don’t get every single item done. I rush around like a mad person all day trying to complete the impossible goals I set for myself. I end up doing a bunch of things half-fast and not really enjoying any of them, because I am too focused on completing the task and moving on to the next one to really enjoy the living that happens in between.
Ouch. That hurts a little to admit.
It all comes down to expectations and setting realistic ones for myself. I’m not talking about setting the bar low so I always reach it. I need challenges, it’s just the way I work best. But, there’s a difference between setting goals that will challenge myself and knowingly expecting the impossible.
What is bulgur, you ask? A few weeks ago, I was asking the same question.
Bulgur is a quick-cooking form of whole wheat that has been cleaned, parboiled, dried, and ground. It is high in fiber, B vitamins, iron, phosphorus, and manganese. Bulgur is ready to eat after just a quick simmer, similar to rice. I haven’t tried it this way, but apparently it can also be soaking in water or broth and then mixed with other ingredients just like that, without further cooking.
This was the first time we tried bulgur, and we really loved the nutty, wheat flavor. It makes a great alternative to rice or couscous, and I’m excited to experiment with it more.
The other day, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I rolled out of bed at odds with the world and didn’t really know why. Maybe I didn’t sleep well or maybe there was something weighing on the back of my mind, but it really felt like there was no identifiable reason at all. Do you ever get like that?
It’s hard in the midst of that mood to find a way to come out of the gloom. And it’s all too tempting to give in and spend your day miserable and making those around you miserable. But what does that accomplish, except a wasted day?
I find the best remedy for those mornings is to stop and take some time for myself. Even if it is just 15-30 minutes doing something I enjoy (like going for a walk or run); it seems to help get my mind off my mood and moving on to my day. But, sometimes I don’t have the luxury of even a 10 minute walk in the morning to clear my head. Those mornings, I try to at least make my breakfast something good for me but tasty and enjoyable too – something that makes me feel good and makes me smile. Many times a smoothie will do the trick. It’s a sweet treat that I feel good about starting my day with. And, they’re quick enough to allow me a few moments of reprise while sipping slowly to start my day.
Do you have a way to beat a morning mood?
Yes, this may sound like a bit of an odd combo. I got quite the interesting reaction upon bringing this to a recent gathering. People got excited at the sound of zucchini bread, and then stopped. Lime?
I was thinking spring and wishing for tropical beaches as the temperatures retreated from their unusually warm spree back to our seasonal temps for this time of year. Sometimes you just need a pick-me-up to remind you that spring is indeed on it’s way.
It may not be intuitive, but the sweet and bright lime flavor is a perfect complement for the softer flavor and texture of of a traditional zucchini bread. The lime is not overpowering, just enough to add a bit of a twist to this classic.
Do you have any favorite odd flavor combos?
