Free Your Mind!

I've mentioned recently that I have felt overwhelmed.  Today, I decided to step away from the computer for the most part.  After I dropped B boy off at preschool, I came home to do some cooking. 


I cannot even convey how much I did not realize that I missed cooking.  Especially cooking from scratch.   


I turned on Pandora and got busy!

I whipped up a double batch of pumpkin muffins.

I boiled some chicken to make chicken broth and to use the chicken for homemade chicken pot pie.

I got things ready for a salad to go with dinner.

I cut up a pork tenderloin for chops later next week.


My mind felt so free and clear.  I was in such a great mood!  I began to think that maybe social media has been making my brain crazy!  Honestly, when you are on Twitter a lot, you do feel pressure to do things that other bloggers are doing.  I think the pressure sometimes gets to me and I should not let it!


I felt better today than I have in a long time!  I think I will take more time away from social media from now on!

Lessons in Yeast

Well, I have been trying for sometime to make breads and rolls using yeast. I did what the recipes said, but the bread never rose. I could not figure out what I was doing wrong. So, I did a little research. I learned a little bit about "proofing." See, you must proof your yeast, yet the recipes did not talk about this at all. I guess they assume you already should know this tidbit of information. Proofing is sprinkling the yeast over warm water and adding about a teaspoon of sugar. The yeast thrives off of carbohydrates. After 10 minutes, the yeast should have doubled in size and look like it is creamy and/or bubbly. Another bit of information I learned is that yeast rises the best in temperatures around 85 degrees and high humidity always helps.

Needless to say, after I gained all of this very useful information, I made another batch of yeast rolls. They rose wonderfully!

I hope that this information helps anyone who is struggling with yeast as I was!

Some Banana muffins I made Saturday as well...