Kishi Posted January 4 Report Share Posted January 4 1 hour ago, sarakingdom said: Festive thing I made: mint hot cocoa mix (okay, basically a large meltable truffle) Okay, but, like. That sounds amazing. I used to love mint hot chocolate, and here I can't remember the last time I had it. Quote Work like a farmer, train like an athlete, fight like a soldier. 2 Tim. 2:3-6 BATTLE! Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 4 Author Report Share Posted January 4 1 hour ago, Kishi said: Okay, but, like. That sounds amazing. I used to love mint hot chocolate, and here I can't remember the last time I had it. It's an easy recipe. It is not low fat at all. (For me, that's a benefit. It's good for my macros to have a quick fat and calorie source that comes with some hydration. For others, not so much.) But it can be ultra low carb. It's like cubes of instant hot cocoa that I can pull out and microwave in a mug with milk option of choice. 8 Tbs melted butter (can replace or sub with coconut or MCT oil, but they won't all solidify for easy cubes) 8 Tbs cocoa powder 8 Tbs sweetener (or equivalent; I use a very concentrated non-sugar sweetener in liquid form) Optional flavor of choice: 1tsp mint extract, or 1 tsp pumpkin spice, etc It's basically a thick ganache or a truffle base or something. I pour it into some tupperware and refrigerate it, then cut it into 8 cubes. 1 cube per mug of cocoa. Once it softens in hot liquid, it's super mixable. It totally solves the problem of the cocoa not blending with the milk easily, and also the bulletproof coffee emulsification issue. Plus it's some amazing hot cocoa. 4 1 1 1 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 21 hours ago, sarakingdom said: Fun thing: a movie I will watch some of in bed which will be fun probably Unsurprisingly, I did not. So it was not. Week 1 Day 3 Festive thing I made: a small crocheted peppermint-swirl bag Fun thing: part of the movie I didn't watch last night Spoiler The bag was sort of thing accident. I needed a little pouch for something, and decided just to make it, and the spare yarn I have is red and white from Christmases ago, which is not my favorite, but then I remembered the first project I made when I learned to crochet: (Not mine, alas.) Technically, it's a dish scrubber. Also technically, it's a little pouch with both ends sewn up. So I made one of those. Well, I made a test piece of one of those. It will work, but I'm not sure about the drawstring closure. Not a fan. I'm gonna try one with a different closure. I don't think that festive thing is really today's win. I'm gonna try for soup. Soup would be a seasonal win, and break my food rut. ETA: No soup, but I wrapped some presents. 7 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 This dude is not talking about ADHD. But he also is talking about exactly ADHD. David Allen's books were pretty influential back in the day, and may still be, but the unspoken part was that the corner of the tech world that really adopted them enthusiastically was heavily ADHD. (Bonus monk content, so probably I'm obligated to give him another look.) 3 1 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 I've had a string of badly unfocused days, so I am going to drink some water, eat some peanuts, and do a task. Then maybe do it again. 4 2 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 8 hours ago, sarakingdom said: I've had a string of badly unfocused days, so I am going to drink some water, eat some peanuts, and do a task. Then maybe do it again. This was successful. Tasks were done, and breakfast happened well before 9pm. Nothing was made pretty or festive. I almost cleaned my office enough to count it as pretty, but the job didn't really get finished, so I will not. Nothing festive was done. I made hot cocoa, but forgot it in the microwave instead of drinking it. 3 1 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Mad Hatter Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 Oof that intro hits a little too close for comfort. I'm sorry. hope you'll find fun this challenge. 4 hours ago, sarakingdom said: I made hot cocoa, but forgot it in the microwave instead of drinking it. Noooooo! I hate when this happens. I feel there should be a word for the specific sadness and disappointment and guilt which happens when you finally discover your sad cold beverage. The crochet is very cute. 1 Quote Link to comment
Harriet Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 7 hours ago, sarakingdom said: This is lovely! I think the combination of pink, yellow and orange-red is unexpected but fashionable. Quote Let cheese and oxen and mead crowd out our secret desires for power and domination - Harriet the Viking Just be bold, fluid and unapologetic, not small, hairy and indecisive - Harriet the Artist You can absorb me! - Harriet the Contextless Guru Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 6 hours ago, Mad Hatter said: Noooooo! I hate when this happens. I feel there should be a word for the specific sadness and disappointment and guilt which happens when you finally discover your sad cold beverage. But on the plus side, this comment has just reminded me it's there, in time for brunch! Now I just have to remember for ten more minutes. 1 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Mad Hatter Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 48 minutes ago, sarakingdom said: But on the plus side, this comment has just reminded me it's there, in time for brunch! Now I just have to remember for ten more minutes. Did you remember? 😄 Quote Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 1 hour ago, Mad Hatter said: Did you remember? 😄 In my defense, the issue is that I forgot to go eat... Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
ChrisWithaStick Posted January 7 Report Share Posted January 7 On 1/4/2023 at 12:43 AM, sarakingdom said: It's basically a thick ganache or a truffle base or something. this reminds me that I have always wanted to try something like this with the classic cream and chocolate type ganache. We used to make a dark chocolate vanilla ganache that I always thought would be great for this kind of use. Considering that the style of ganache you make is kind of like a heavily compounded butter, have you tried spreading it on a slice of something? Are you still making your own gluten free bread? Throw some hazel nuts in a food processor and then blend those in - maybe make your own Nutella? (I may be projecting an in-the-moment chocolate dessert craving..) On 1/5/2023 at 1:17 PM, sarakingdom said: I've had a string of badly unfocused days, so I am going to drink some water, eat some peanuts, and do a task. Then maybe do it again. So, you briefly had a Librarian challenge? Or would that also entail a banana for a snack? 20 hours ago, Mad Hatter said: Noooooo! I hate when this happens. I feel there should be a word for the specific sadness and disappointment and guilt which happens when you finally discover your sad cold beverage. I believe the phrase, "well.... f*ck" said after a deep sigh, with a somewhat flat inflection, with or without a head shake, probably expresses the right combination of disappointment, regret, and chagrin. 2 Quote Human | Plays with Sticks | Monkish Leanings | Rangerish Overtones Occasionally Updated Facebook Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 7 Author Report Share Posted January 7 6 hours ago, ChrisWithaStick said: this reminds me that I have always wanted to try something like this with the classic cream and chocolate type ganache. We used to make a dark chocolate vanilla ganache that I always thought would be great for this kind of use. Sounds even more suitable for a hot chocolate. I have some cocoa butter I'm considering doing that with. I'm not gonna go buy dried milk or cream, but I may use some liquid, and make, like, truffles. 6 hours ago, ChrisWithaStick said: Considering that the style of ganache you make is kind of like a heavily compounded butter, have you tried spreading it on a slice of something? Are you still making your own gluten free bread? Throw some hazel nuts in a food processor and then blend those in - maybe make your own Nutella? (I may be projecting an in-the-moment chocolate dessert craving..) It's a bit too sturdy to spread with that high a cocoa powder to fats ratio - not too far off actual chocolate, just a different fat. (I may have got the original idea from a "how do you replace this in a recipe if you have none" tip.) But I think you could do something like that. I've seen a low carb Nutella recipe that's basically hazelnut butter and chocolate and maybe some optional extra coconut oil to make it more spreadable, and I'm tempted to try it one day. I think chocolate would be better than cocoa, I've never liked any truffle recipe, etc, made with cocoa powder. To much like dipping your spoon into a box of cocoa powder. Although this stuff might be closer to edible than most... still not sure I'd want it straight. 6 hours ago, ChrisWithaStick said: So, you briefly had a Librarian challenge? Or would that also entail a banana for a snack? I think you can call it a Librarian challenge if the drink is alcoholic or at least served in a pint or cocktail glass. That sounds like his Mended Drum order to me. 6 hours ago, ChrisWithaStick said: I believe the phrase, "well.... f*ck" said after a deep sigh, with a somewhat flat inflection, with or without a head shake, probably expresses the right combination of disappointment, regret, and chagrin. Regret is for people who don't do that 50% of the time. When you do, you learn to say, "Oh well, I'll get it next time I'm there," and hope you use the microwave in the next 24 hours. 1 1 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Everstorm Posted January 7 Report Share Posted January 7 My microwave makes a polite peep every 30 seconds or so after it finishes cooking until you open the door: "Pardon madame, I believe your tea is cooling". 1 Quote Life before Death Strength before Weakness Journey before Destination Link to comment
Mad Hatter Posted January 7 Report Share Posted January 7 19 hours ago, sarakingdom said: In my defense, the issue is that I forgot to go eat... Bummer! 😄 7 hours ago, ChrisWithaStick said: I believe the phrase, "well.... f*ck" said after a deep sigh, with a somewhat flat inflection, with or without a head shake, probably expresses the right combination of disappointment, regret, and chagrin. I’d love something more specific, well fuck applies to most of my life 😄 18 minutes ago, sarakingdom said: Regret is for people who don't do that 50% of the time. When you do, you learn to say, "Oh well, I'll get it next time I'm there," and hope you use the microwave in the next 24 hours. I think regret’s very applicable because I forget my coffee all the time and microwaved coffee is grooooosss! Quote Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 7 Author Report Share Posted January 7 Week 1 Day 6 It is time to add an item to the challenge. I'm ready. I will conquer this sleep nonsense if it kills me. Lying awake is okay, lying awake and not breathing well is not. I'm pretty sure 50-75% of it is a hydration problem - my sinuses are dry. Occasionally nosebleed dry. So that is where I will start. Challenge tasks: Spend an hour doing something fun: Christmas movie Make something pretty, fun, or festive: another little peppermint-swirl crochet project Drink 4 liters with electrolytes: 4/4 Support tasks: Single task: put electrolytes and water flavors into the weekly groceries Single task: hypertonic saline sinus rinse Bonus tasks: Some exercise One gallon of water is the goal. It's a stretch. 3 quarts/liters would be acceptable. That's where experience tells me my hydration starts to improve. Also, I think I'm not getting quite enough sodium and electrolytes to hydrate well from what I drink - I'm not as hydrated as I should be from what I am drinking, and I'm finding drinks taste better and go down easier with salt, which is a big tell that I need it. (If you can stomach salty water, let alone prefer it, it is a sign.) I have the gallon jug by my desk. For the rest, I'm throwing the easy, quick solution at it rather than the optimal solution. A little sea salt shaker and those little squeeze bottles of water bottle flavor with a few vitamins and whatever, based largely on what's currently in the store my groceries are coming from. Done. Water goal supported. 5 1 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 7 Author Report Share Posted January 7 17 minutes ago, Everstorm said: My microwave makes a polite peep every 30 seconds or so after it finishes cooking until you open the door: "Pardon madame, I believe your tea is cooling". Mine gives up after 30 minutes or so. 16 minutes ago, Mad Hatter said: I think regret’s very applicable because I forget my coffee all the time and microwaved coffee is grooooosss! It is gross, but not a big cause for regret, because iced coffee is an excellent use of cold coffee. 2 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 7 Author Report Share Posted January 7 WHY DOES GROCERY-BUYING ME ALWAYS BUY STUPID VEGETABLES AND STUPID CHICKEN AND STUPID RESPONSIBLE THINGS AND NEVER A HUGE BAG OF CHOCOLATE 1 3 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
ChrisWithaStick Posted January 7 Report Share Posted January 7 1 hour ago, sarakingdom said: WHY DOES GROCERY-BUYING ME ALWAYS BUY STUPID VEGETABLES AND STUPID CHICKEN AND STUPID RESPONSIBLE THINGS AND NEVER A HUGE BAG OF CHOCOLATE Weren't you complaining about grocery buying self buy too much chocolate recently? Maybe negotiate with grocery buying self for an acceptable amount of chocolate to support mental health and provide an extra hit of certain minerals? 5 hours ago, Mad Hatter said: I’d love something more specific, well fuck applies to most of my life 😄 There's probably something in Japanese that isn't easy to translate, but hits the emotive notes just right. Probably something about tea that can be adapted to a modern context. I suppose you could also ask a friend that speaks a different language you like the sound of how to say the equivalent of "well...fuck," or "well, shit", and use that ? 5 hours ago, sarakingdom said: I have some cocoa butter I'm considering doing that with. I'm not gonna go buy dried milk or cream, but I may use some liquid, and make, like, truffles If you drink alt-milks, I've heard oat milk works decently. It's really just about the liquid and having a compatible or neutral flavor. If you go off of a traditional recipe you might have to adjust the fats a little if the emulsion keeps breaking, or add a little booze. I'd treat the cocoa butter as a supplemental fat if the ganache doesn't set enough for your liking, and use butter as the primary fat, since you're good with it. Cocoa butter is what we add to ganache that isn't setting enough for the particular use we want - we rarely use it with dark chocolate recipes, since they don't need more than what's in the chocolate already. It helps in chocolate pralines though - like if you wanted a nutella type thing you wanted to be able to cut into squares. For the sinuses - do you have a humidifier of any kind? We're in a humid area, and we still use one when the heaters are on (doubly so when we use the wood stove). 2 Quote Human | Plays with Sticks | Monkish Leanings | Rangerish Overtones Occasionally Updated Facebook Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 8 Author Report Share Posted January 8 5 hours ago, ChrisWithaStick said: Weren't you complaining about grocery buying self buy too much chocolate recently? Maybe negotiate with grocery buying self for an acceptable amount of chocolate to support mental health and provide an extra hit of certain minerals? That was a planned holiday purchase. Holiday me bought the chocolate. It doesn't really fit my macros, though. I think I'm just gonna have to get around to making the flourless chocolate cake I didn't make for Christmas. Probably in cupcake form. 5 hours ago, ChrisWithaStick said: If you drink alt-milks, I've heard oat milk works decently. It's really just about the liquid and having a compatible or neutral flavor. If you go off of a traditional recipe you might have to adjust the fats a little if the emulsion keeps breaking, or add a little booze. I'd treat the cocoa butter as a supplemental fat if the ganache doesn't set enough for your liking, and use butter as the primary fat, since you're good with it. Cocoa butter is what we add to ganache that isn't setting enough for the particular use we want - we rarely use it with dark chocolate recipes, since they don't need more than what's in the chocolate already. It helps in chocolate pralines though - like if you wanted a nutella type thing you wanted to be able to cut into squares. I was gonna make white chocolate truffles with it, since I can't make actual white chocolate without dried milk, and I'm just not gonna buy a supply of that right now. But I can probably do a standard truffle in white chocolate form. 5 hours ago, ChrisWithaStick said: For the sinuses - do you have a humidifier of any kind? We're in a humid area, and we still use one when the heaters are on (doubly so when we use the wood stove). I don't at the moment. From experience, they do help some, but a lot of it is actual inadequate hydration. I'm doing 1-2 liters a day lately, and I need to be more around 3 under normal circumstances. I know my body wants that, I just have trouble drinking it all. (And lately I've been unusually low anyway, the past few weeks, partly because of the sleep disruption - my routines are all off. I've actually had days I woke up with dehydration headaches.) So it's on the list, but I'm going for the low hanging fruit first, especially since it's actually a bigger health thing. 4 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Tanktimus the Encourager Posted January 8 Report Share Posted January 8 Just thought you should know, I'm doing a publication order read through of Discworld. I got my collection back from my mom and am filling in the gaps as I approach them. I've never done an all the way through read of everything before. Currently on Reaper Man. 2 Quote Current Challenge "By the Most-Righteous-and-Blessed Beard of Sir Tanktimus the Encourager!" - Jarl Rurik Harrgath Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 8 Author Report Share Posted January 8 10 hours ago, sarakingdom said: I'm pretty sure 50-75% of it is a hydration problem Well, it's a good news/bad news kinda deal here. I had two liters of water with electrolytes this morning, did a few little jobs, then took a nap, because I slept very, very badly last night. Five and a half hours later... No, no, it's fine, I must have needed the sleep, it wasn't like I was going to use my day for anything, don't mind me... 3 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 8 Author Report Share Posted January 8 Just now, Tanktimus the Encourager said: Just thought you should know, I'm doing a publication order read through of Discworld. I got my collection back from my mom and am filling in the gaps as I approach them. I've never done an all the way through read of everything before. Currently on Reaper Man. That is an excellent reading choice. I always forget about Reaper Man, and I shouldn't, because it is splendid. 1 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted January 8 Author Report Share Posted January 8 1 hour ago, sarakingdom said: No, no, it's fine, I must have needed the sleep, it wasn't like I was going to use my day for anything, don't mind me... Okay. I made a new list. It's probably too ambitious for tonight. But I had some peanuts and water (thus accomplishing the bulk of the hydration item on the list), and now I'm ready to go tackle stuff. 1 2 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Harriet Posted January 8 Report Share Posted January 8 9 hours ago, sarakingdom said: No, no, it's fine, I must have needed the sleep, it wasn't like I was going to use my day for anything, don't mind me... I am very sorry for this most inefficient and displeasing distribution of sleep and non-sleep. 🙁 As for the sinuses, can you get a little bit of lubricant and shove it up your nostrils at night? That's what my father used to do (we both have bad sinuses). I can't remember what the lubricant was but it was a gel and came in a tiny toothpaste shaped tube, and dad was careful not to touch the actual bottle with his fingers so it would stay sanitary. Don't want bad gel up there. 1 Quote Let cheese and oxen and mead crowd out our secret desires for power and domination - Harriet the Viking Just be bold, fluid and unapologetic, not small, hairy and indecisive - Harriet the Artist You can absorb me! - Harriet the Contextless Guru Link to comment
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