Most of the time when I wake up in the morning, I don't remember what I've been dreaming about. It's pretty par for the course. But this morning I woke up and clearly remembered what I was dreaming about.
I dreamt that I was getting ready for a race with all of my cross country teammates at Truman. Only the race was being held at the cross country ski area in my hometown (Birch Hill). Being the hometown girl, I staked out the course and was briefing everyone on it... the hills to watch, etc. At that point, Em rolled her eyes and said "we know, it's hills!"(it was VERY funny in the dream).
We were all warming up and in our spikes, and it occurred to me that I hadn't done any summer training and that I was totally not in shape (probably the real, 30-year old me thinking). What was I going to do? Coach would KILL me! :-) Before the race began, I woke up and had to go to work.
So, to all my runner girls out there! You're in my heart and even in my dreams (haha) still. Hope everyone is doing well!!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Banana Bread: The Final Product
So, I made banana bread for the first time in awhile. It was so fun (if not quite hot!) and made me remember how much I really love to bake. There will be more baking to come, I promise. :-)
And here's the final product. Looks edible doesn't it? I think it will be a great dessert. Not overly sweet, not so unhealthy... and all of that delicious banana bread goodness. Whee! Am making myself hungry just thinking about it. :-)
Banana Bread!!
I have just made a batch of banana bread! My first in a very long time. Baking in Japan presents quite a few challenges and until recently I didn't have the willingness or reason (bananas quickly going off) to tackle the challenge.
For those of you who don't know the baking challenges of Japan, I'll review a few of them here.
1. Ingredients. Baking in Japan is made challenging (to say the least) due to lack of readily available ingredients. Yes, there's the standard flour, sugar, eggs and butter. But how about chocolate chips, the size and taste of the ones here is laughable! How about baking soda? Yes, I know baking powder can work, but... There's a very LONG list of common ingredients that we take for granted in the US that are difficult to find here. Particularly if you want to do your shopping at one store!
2. Baking Implements. Pans. Spatulas. Whisks. You name it and it's not cheap to get here in Japan. Yes, they can be found. Found fairly easily in fact. But the prices that one might pay for some of these implements borders on the absurd. Also, you may (like with the above ingredients) not be able to find them all in one place or at all. It's a bit hit or miss. Things that are easy to find?? Measuring spoons, measuring cups, and wooden spoons. Even cooking chopsticks (very useful for beating an egg!) are quite handy.
3. Ovens. In general, cooking culture in Japan does not require an oven. Therefore ovens in Japan are not like ovens at home. Where ovens differ most is in size. The average Japanese oven is about the size of a microwave, sometimes a very large microwave, but still a microwave. There are also to types of ovens. One that is essentially a function on your microwave, which means it is not as strong and things take much longer to cook. Example, a 20minute brownie mix took closer to 45 minutes to cook. The second type of oven is one that is designed to be an oven and has microwaving capabilities. This second type of oven is very useful and can cooks items like small turkeys and hams (for holidays) and such. They are a bit bigger and really get the job done. I do not have one of these ovens yet!
So, maybe you understand why undertaking baking in Japan is something I've been putting off. I really do like to cook and bake though, so I finally decided to give it a try again (I used to bake a lot when I lived in Yamagata) and faced with very dark brown bananas, decided banana bread would be the perfect beginning.
I used a recipe from Simply Recipes that looked, well, simple and also delicious. I know there will probably be some tweaking to be done, but I'm prepared for that. With a little persuasion and another paycheck, I should be able to get Shimon on board to buy a new oven. One of the good ones that I mentioned above. If we're going to have a good Christmas in Japan, it's going to be a must! :-)
Hope you're have a great day... I'll be posting pics of the banana bread pass or fail... later on!
For those of you who don't know the baking challenges of Japan, I'll review a few of them here.
1. Ingredients. Baking in Japan is made challenging (to say the least) due to lack of readily available ingredients. Yes, there's the standard flour, sugar, eggs and butter. But how about chocolate chips, the size and taste of the ones here is laughable! How about baking soda? Yes, I know baking powder can work, but... There's a very LONG list of common ingredients that we take for granted in the US that are difficult to find here. Particularly if you want to do your shopping at one store!
2. Baking Implements. Pans. Spatulas. Whisks. You name it and it's not cheap to get here in Japan. Yes, they can be found. Found fairly easily in fact. But the prices that one might pay for some of these implements borders on the absurd. Also, you may (like with the above ingredients) not be able to find them all in one place or at all. It's a bit hit or miss. Things that are easy to find?? Measuring spoons, measuring cups, and wooden spoons. Even cooking chopsticks (very useful for beating an egg!) are quite handy.
3. Ovens. In general, cooking culture in Japan does not require an oven. Therefore ovens in Japan are not like ovens at home. Where ovens differ most is in size. The average Japanese oven is about the size of a microwave, sometimes a very large microwave, but still a microwave. There are also to types of ovens. One that is essentially a function on your microwave, which means it is not as strong and things take much longer to cook. Example, a 20minute brownie mix took closer to 45 minutes to cook. The second type of oven is one that is designed to be an oven and has microwaving capabilities. This second type of oven is very useful and can cooks items like small turkeys and hams (for holidays) and such. They are a bit bigger and really get the job done. I do not have one of these ovens yet!
So, maybe you understand why undertaking baking in Japan is something I've been putting off. I really do like to cook and bake though, so I finally decided to give it a try again (I used to bake a lot when I lived in Yamagata) and faced with very dark brown bananas, decided banana bread would be the perfect beginning.
I used a recipe from Simply Recipes that looked, well, simple and also delicious. I know there will probably be some tweaking to be done, but I'm prepared for that. With a little persuasion and another paycheck, I should be able to get Shimon on board to buy a new oven. One of the good ones that I mentioned above. If we're going to have a good Christmas in Japan, it's going to be a must! :-)
Hope you're have a great day... I'll be posting pics of the banana bread pass or fail... later on!
Monday, September 06, 2010
Money
Money. It's one funny thing. It sure doesn't grow on trees!! And the first minute you think you're going to have a bit extra... it goes flying out of your wallet. What's that about!?!?
For example, I did a bit of extra work over the summer. It helped to stem the boredom and heck, who couldn't use a bit of extra cash!? Well, last weekend - computer broke. Some money is going to that. The cat has DESTROYED her cat tower. Some money went to a new cat tower. Insurance is due on Shimon's bike (large scooter-ish thing), more money flying out of the wallet.
The good news for me is that even with all the money flying straight out of my wallet, I should still be able to save over $1000 this month. (Woot!) So, I guess I shouldn't moan too much... but I can't help but think how much more could have been saved.
Money... it's a tricky thing.
For example, I did a bit of extra work over the summer. It helped to stem the boredom and heck, who couldn't use a bit of extra cash!? Well, last weekend - computer broke. Some money is going to that. The cat has DESTROYED her cat tower. Some money went to a new cat tower. Insurance is due on Shimon's bike (large scooter-ish thing), more money flying out of the wallet.
The good news for me is that even with all the money flying straight out of my wallet, I should still be able to save over $1000 this month. (Woot!) So, I guess I shouldn't moan too much... but I can't help but think how much more could have been saved.
Money... it's a tricky thing.
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