Happiness Project: August – Cooking

As I still work on my July portion of my happiness project, Energy, it is now August and time to take on a new challenge. I’ve done fairly well with the “Energy” project; I’ve gained enough energy to really reduce my to-do list and keep up with other things too. But, I’m still not there, and I’ll keep plugging away at my ideas for increasing energy. Supplements, sleep, downtime, making time for fun stuff, blueberries, water and other things seem to be doing the trick.

Now, onto August. August is “cooking”. I’ve tried to conquer this beast in the past, but still feel like I’m barely staying afloat. First, I seem to not have time to cook. With an increase of energy, I now have the time, and I enjoy cooking, even if I lack the talent. Second, I lack the tools. Third, I no longer have an organized kitchen. Unfortunately, given my current striving for low-carb, I’m not going to be cooking the things I’ve always wanted to cook: bread, crepes, beans, etc.

My goals for the month coincide nicely with the fact that the room of the month for August is the kitchen!

My “cooking” list includes:

• Tools: My kitchen lacks some tools I think I would find useful. Our mixer is about to die; I want a good stand mixer. I need new potholders and a few other things, like new scissors to replace the pair I broke while cutting sunflowers.
• Organization: I need to straighten up our spices and grains (ironically, grains is something I’m NOT eating at the moment, but the ones I have in the cabinets are a mess). New mason jars, new herbs/spices.
• New ideas: I think I’ll buy a few cooking magazines as inspiration, in addition to the recipes that I’m following in my “low carb” plan. And I want to take the time to experiment with herbs, spices and dressings. I never had the time before, but with my newfound energy and time, maybe I will.
• Homemade: I’d LOVE to start making yogurt. And granola — though I don’t currently eat it, maybe the girls would enjoy it.

tonight's crustless quiche - 1 aug 2011