Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction.
Break the habit.
Talk about your joys. ~ Rita Schiano
Today’s joy in two words: Beer Bread.
Last week, my husband came home from having lunch out at the local gastropub and reported they are no longer making or serving beer bread with their soup. He was sad, almost devastated. He loved that bread.
I make bread occasionally but dismissed his bread mourning because I am working hard to drop 20 pounds and bread is not part of my program. Using the My Fitness Pal app and website (www.myfitnesspal.com), I log my food intake and cardio exercise with the hope that I’m burning more than I’m taking in. Also, along with my co-workers, I’ve joined the Whole Life Challenge (www.wholelifechallenge), a team based approach to improving your whole life through a point based system related to diet, exercise, mobilization, water, supplement and lifestyle. With my co-workers, we are playing with the goal of being the biggest loser at the end of eight weeks. Motivation enough for me.
On Sunday, I woke up with cold symptoms, that were noticeable but manageable. Today, I woke up congested with a fiery sore throat. Must be back to school season. Great. Chicken vegetable soup to the rescue. Comfort food that keeps my diet on track. Since I’m sick, I’m weak. I opened the fridge and noticed a bottle of an IPA we don’t like, taking up space and I get the idea to make my husband happy and make beer bread.
Beer bread is so easy – why haven’t I made this before? Here’s the recipe I used:
3 cups self-rising flour
1/3 c. sugar
12 oz bottle of beer
Grease pan. 350 degree oven. Mix all ingredients together. Put dough into pan. I let the dough sit for 30 minutes to double in size for a lighter loaf. Bake for 45 minutes. Crust is crunchy, chewy inside. Serve warm.
My house smelled fantastic while the bread was baking.
Chicken soup is always good, paired with beer bread it is a belly full. Not what I needed but my man and boys loved it. I did too.
My five Whole Life Challenge nutrition points were sacrificed today for the sake of beer bread (and butter and strawberry jam). However, my overall caloric intake and 2.5 mile walk kept me where I need to be so I’m happy with the sacrifice. Somebody had to eat it.
While we’re talking about the joys in our lives, let’s talk about making jam. I love making jam, eating jam and giving jam as gifts. Recently, word has gotten out and my top secret jam recipe has been unveiled – I follow the recipe on the box of pectin. Shocker! I do make some wild variations, but, when it comes to basic jam, I keep it simple and follow directions.
Find joy in your life – make some bread, make some jam, eat some jam and bread. Your family will love you. Then be sure to get out, get your body moving and exercise.
multi-hyphenated-me 