Cooking: Apple carrot Latkes

Apple-Carrot Potato Pancakes

Ingredients:

Pancakes

1 carrot

1 apple (gala or empire)

1 - 2 cups frozen hash browns or grated potato (amount should be equal to the amount of grated carrot and apple combined)

¼ - ½ of a large white onion

1 tsp salt

1/8 – ¼ tsp black pepper

2 – 4 tbs flour

2 – 3 tbs non-fat plain yogurt

¼ - ½ cup low sugar maple syrup

(yogurt/maple combo can be substituted for 1 egg for a more savory/less sweet pancake)

Vegetable Oil

Sour Cream

½ cup sour cream

½ cup non-fat plain yogurt

¼ cup low sugar maple syrup

Pancakes

Peel and grate carrot and apple into a large bowl. Chop onion and add to bowl. Add hash browns, yogurt, syrup, flour, salt and pepper. Mix until combined. Form 2” balls with mixture. In large skillet or pan heat oil over a medium flame. Pan should have ¼ - ½” oil in it (enough so that pancakes are ½ immersed when cooking). Place balls in oil. Use a spatula or small glass to flatten balls into pancakes. Cook for 2 minutes or until golden brown then flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer pancakes to a paper towel covered plate.

Sour Cream

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Stir until combined.

Indulge: Hodgepodge

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.

I am super restless, today. This time last week, I was elated. This time the week before, I was holding it down as best I could. Last Tuesday, I felt depressed. Last Sunday, elated. I could go on and on.

My moods have been a story of extremes and I am doing everything I can to fix it. Except, I stopped doing the chart, and I stopped eating healthy. Two things that were starting to get me through.

So today was particularly rough. I spent the morning talking to Dan, and had a quasi closure discussion. Yet, it really went down deep. I don't know what it was about him, or the situation, but it truly affected me very powerfully. I also adore him still, which is hard. I actually adore several of the guys I've dated long term, which makes it harder to let it go and move on. Mostly, because if I adore them still, its likely it was mostly my fault. Even if in this case, Dan begs to differ.

I also am trying to make a pretty big decision, to buy or not buy an iphone/droid. This seems to be pretty monumental, as it could change quite a bit. It could make me dependent on the internet, feeding an addiction that is already VERY strong. It's also more money. Plus, it will just allow me to communicate with people in so many more ways, which is not a good thing. I'm already so ammeanable and I'm afraid this will make it even more so. BUT, if I have it, I might be more likely to get out of the house and not as likely to run home. When I'm at the supermarket I can look up recipes. I can do video chat, and make skype calls. I can feel more in touch with family and friends from home. I can also finally have a music player, for the first time ever. I can also get more organized and streamline.

So between Dan this morning, this Iphone decision, and having a fairly good date last night, I'm super restless and every minor decision is becoming a massive issue.

So I decided to calm down in a few ways. First, I took myself for a walk downtown to look at the iphone but also to get me outside. Then I came back and lit a candle, and had some tea. Finally, at around 9pm I broke the routine of not leaving the house and headed to Manpuku sans phone, but with my untethered soul book and started the book over.

These things helped calm me down and put things in perspective. I need to keep not taking things personally. I need to keep seeing feelings as feelings and not as the truth. They always pass, it always calm's down. But in the moment I am fried and I need to keep remembering that. Also, that I can't change everything, but as long as I always do my best, I can't fault myself.

Reflection: Week 20

Well, this week started off really strong. I had three done by Monday, yet Tuesday-Thursday I didn't touch another one, which left the weekend to do them all. I really slacked off this week.

I also really struggled this week. While I've been keeping up a dating life regardless if I have something serious crop up, I've been putting in more of an effort since the beginning of the year. I'm trying to practice these skills of not being too needy and not taking things personal and the first time I really got to experiment with that I kinda failed miserably. I acted totally irrational and had massive anxiety and only realized it after the fact. So I had three dates this week, partly why I didn't get my chart done and one was not good(he informed my that my salt intake goes up the more I eat out), one ok, but no sparks, and one sparks but not a good guy. Of course it was that one that had me acting pretty irrational within a few hours. He was very similar to this guy I used to date, and dated over and over again. He was super pushy when he wanted something, but then kinda disappeared when he couldn't follow through. I need to realize that this doesn't work for me, yet this is the guy that I always have the spark with!

I have at least narrowed my ideal guy down to these four characteristics. He needs to be genuine(follow through, mean what you say), adventurous(likes to travel, thinks outside box, enjoys nature), playful(strong sense of self, sense of humor, fun) and has something intelligent to contribute. I realize that most of the guys that I meet are very playful and adventurous but not genuine. Or genuine but not playful and adventurous. Most of the boys I've been meeting are smart.

So Saturday night was Miquila's party and I was super excited for it and wound up having a great time. I even met a guy who seems to fit into the characteristics above, and I had an amazing time with him. He is pretty clear that he is into me, but hes not ready for a relationship right now. Either way, I think he'll be a really great new friend and gives me hope that this guy that I think would be good for me actually does exist, even if its not him!

I also met up with another 6th grade history teacher and pretty much planned out the year which is GREAT! I feel so relieved to be knowing where I'm going.

All in all a great week, with just a pretty crappy Saturday morning/afternoon. Otherwise, eventful, fun and I have a strong sense of completion!(except my actual chart of course!)

Nature: None

It rain-ed.

Movie: None

Had no time

Reading: Sea of Poppies

I transition over to this book for the World History book club this week and have read about 15 pages. It is fairly interesting, I just didn't have that long to read it and feel horrible that I was unable to.

Creative: Swirly nails

My friend Carly had these funky swirls on her nails at the bar a few weeks ago. I asked her about it and she said it was super easy, so she sent me the youtube and a creative endeavor was born. I bought the supplies and brought them over to Miquila's before the party and played with it for a bit before the party. This is how it came out. Used the video almost to a T. It was fun and looks pretty cute but is a bit messy and hard to clean up. Carly seemed to have the most success with it!

Cultural: Ethiopian Restaurant

Had a date Friday night, and went here. It's the first time I've ever been to an Ethiopian restaurant. It was very similar style to the amazing meal I had in the Beduin tent in Israel. I ordered the lamb, but they didn't have any non spicy sauce, which kinda sucked. Overall though, I really liked it. Next time I go I'll have to go with a meat eater, so we can do a little switcheroo.

Cooking: Salmon with Pineapple Salsa

At least this wasn't a failure. This was AMAZING. I'll post pictures soon when I get around to it. The only modification I made was Cilantro instead of Basil, which I believe lead to what I find to be a near perfect meal! I paired it with a bread from Berkeley Bowl!

Physical: PiYo

I have worked out three times this week. The first being with G, the second on Monday and today I tried out PiYo with Stacy. PiYo is pilates and Yoga put together. Every 6 months or so for the past few years I have gone to a Yoga class thinking it would be a good way to calm down and be healthy and yadda yadda. Until I remember, I'M THE LEAST FLEXIBLE person EVER. I always leave feeling so miserable. I have never absolutely sucked at something so bad right away. So another fat failure.