Happiness Project: March - Remembering Love

This month is all about remembering love. Remember to love the ones we're with. Not just my husband, but all my family. This month there are a lot of family birthdays which makes this month a great month to focus on  love.

I've broken my Remembering Love month down a little differently than Gretchen Rubin did in her book. Part of the Happiness Project is to do what works for you as an individual. It looks like this for me.

The Husband Project

Remember when I did the Husband Project? It was a fun exercise that didn't take a lot of effort and seeing the change in my husband made a huge difference to our relationship. We have a great relationship, happily married and completely in love. For me, the little tasks are just a way for me to remind us both how much I love him. A month is plenty of time to redo this project, or parts of it as a way to Remember Love. 

Stop word-vomiting

I am terrible at dumping my feelings/issues/grievances on people around me. It's far easier to complain than to the point out the good things that happen. I'm a pessimist by nature so complaining comes easy. I consider my sister an optimist. A lot of the time I dump my issues on her and let her point out the good things to me. While this is great, it can be draining on both of us. Frenchie, being the closest person in proximity to me in a safe environment gets the brunt of my complaints. I want to focus on journaling my frustrations rather than vocalizing them. 

Quit Nagging/He'll do it his way

If you're married, or live with someone (significant other, family, roommate) you've probably recognized that people do things differently. It's not the same way YOU would do things. Ever re-pack the dishwasher to fit more dishes? Ever ask several times for something to be done that really isn't urgent? I need to quit nagging. Just because Frenchie is doing something a different way than me, doesn't mean it's the wrong way. The key is to keep your comments to yourself. When something does get done, appreciate it. Say thank you and not follow it with a "but..." 

Focus on his Love Language

Before getting married, Frenchie and I both read The 5 Love Languages. As part of the Husband project, I'm going to try and incorporate his love language more often. It's a small thing that brings you closer together.

February Resolutions - am I happier?

I wish I had a bigger update for week 3. I meant to do a lot of things this weekend. In all fairness, I had a great weekend without checking things off my list.

Getting ready for bed has now become habit. Frenchie has been a huge help on this one. He reminds me after I'm done teaching piano by asking if I'd like some tea and starts the kettle for me. That is my queue to go wash my face, put my pj's on and relax. It's become habit on the weekends as well which is great.

I'm officially more addicted to Barre than I was when I started. The 9am class is the perfect fit for me and I can feel myself getting stronger. The bands are perfect for my shoulder rehabilitation since I can decide for myself how much resistance to use.
My diet has changed for the better since modifying to cut gluten. It has been far easier than I thought it would be and I really think I'm healthier. The amount of vegetables we eat now and the creative meals we've been making, I feel like I'm getting a more well-rounded diet.
I've managed to cut out Starbucks more than I thought. I still slip and get one here or there. Going cold turkey for a week was enough to make me realize how bad I feel after having one.

The organization has come to a standstill. Other than hanging up a few pictures that are still sitting on the floor, I need a break from it. Everything looks "good enough" and for the spaces we rarely use, I'm happy with the way they are for now.

Nagging tasks are still nagging at me. The act of finding a seamstress either near my house in the evening (which is impossible for me to get to on a week night) or taking things downtown is something I'm just not willing to put much effort in to.

I think February was a good way to start my Happiness Project and I'm looking forward to moving on to March - Remembering Love. I really think that I've formed some good habits and there are definitely some things from February I'll continue on with.

Recipe: Gluten-free Crêpe Dinner

I was in Crate & Barrel a while ago and bought a crêpe cookbook. The recipes looked delicious and it had a gluten-free crêpe recipe in it. On family day weekend, I wanted to try a recipe from it and boy did it turn out well. (And heated well for leftovers during the work week)
I was so happy to find a gluten-free crêpe recipe that we used the extras for breakfast the next day.

The recipes are from Crêpes: 50 Savoury and Sweet Recipes by Martha Holmberg

Rice Flour Crêpes

Makes about 12 8in crêpes

1 3/4 cup whole milk (I used 2%)
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup plus 3 tbsp white (or brown) rice flour
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (plus more for the pan)

Put milk, eggs and salt in a blender. Blend for about 30s until smooth. 
Add rice flour. Blend until very smooth (about another 30s)
Pour in melted butter and blend for another 10s

Let batter rest for at least an hour at room temp or up to 12 hours in the fridge. Be sure to mix again before using as rice flour separates.

Heat an 8in pan over medium-high heat. (hot enough for water to sizzle on contact)
Use a folder paper towel to spread about 1/2 tsp butter around the interior of the pan. It should sizzle but not turn instantly brown.
Pour 1/4 cup of batter (I used 1/3 cup) in the center of the pan, at the same time lift the pan from the heat and tilt/turn in all directions so the batter spreads evenly across the bottom.
Cook the crêpe until the edges begin to dry and lift from the sides of the pan. 30s to 1 min.
To check for color, use a slim spatula to lift up an edge to look underneath. If it's brown, flip it over.
Cook 30s on second side.
Slide the crêpe from the pan onto a large plate and continue.

Storing in freezer:
Put parchment or wax paper in between each crêpe. Put stack into large zip-loc freezer bag.
Will last 1 month.

Fridge - will last 2 days.
To thaw, let the stack sit at room temperature.

Roasted Maple-Thyme Butternut Squash, Stilton or Feta and Hazelnuts

Ingredients:
For Praline Hazelnuts
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbsp water
pinch salt
1/3 cup roughly chopped hazelnuts

For roasted hazelnuts
1/2 hazelnuts
pinch sea salt (or salt)

For Butternut Squash
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2 in pieces
1 medium shallot, finely chopped (I skipped this)
2 large cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp fresh thyme (2 tsp dried)
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 1/4 tsp salt
ground pepper

Feta or stilton cheese or blue cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. rack in the middle
Praline Hazelnuts
Butter 8x11 piece of aluminum foil

Combine sugar, water and salt in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Let mixture cook undisturbed until the sugar begins to turn a light amber colour. (about 6 - 8 minutes)
Stir in hazelnuts and cook, stirring until caramel becomes a dark, rich amber colour (a minute or so)
Immediately remove the skillet from the heat and pour the praline onto the foil.
Let it cool to room temperature (about 20 minutes)

Break the praline into pieces and then chop finely.

Roasted Hazelnuts
Put the hazelnuts on a medium rimmed baking sheet and roast them in the oven, stirring often, until golden brown. about 5 - 8 minutes
Transfer to a cutting board and chop coarsely. Toss in salt and put in bowl for later.

Roasted Butternut Squash
Increase oven to 400
Generously oil a 9x13 shallow baking dish
Combine squash, shallot, garlic, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, salt and 4-5 grinds of a pepper in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
Transfer to baking dish and roast, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Squash should be warm and tender but not squishy.

Assembly
Reduce heat to 300 and put crêpes in oven to heat. No more than 10 minutes.

Lay crêpes on a plate.
Spoon some of the roasted squash in a think horizontal line across the crepe.
Sprinkle with cheese and roasted hazelnuts.
wrap crêpe in a cone shape.
Top with Praline and more hazelnuts.

February Resolutions Week 2

Taking Care of my Body & Mind
As of February 13th I gave up going to Starbucks for coffee a Caramel Macchiato. For real! (I may have slipped this past weekend...) I haven't really missed it. I still go for a walk with my coworkers as I believe that was a big part of going all the time. "Coffee" is usually a social thing for me, so it is taking a lot of will power to not buy one when I'm there, but I'm proud of myself for cutting that part out. I actually feel better.

As part of the mind-body connection, I also challenged myself to give up Starbucks for the duration of Lent. As well as pray every day. My goal is to pray on my walk/run in the morning or on the walk to the bus. I'm always so rushed and running that I'm making extra time to walk and be present.

Mardis Gras precedes Lent so I had a a Starbucks to indulge one last time on Fat Tuesday. Ash Wednesday  was the start of the Lent season. I went to Mass at lunch to a church that is nearby. It was PACKED! I was lucky enough to get in the door but there was people standing on the sidewalk behind me. It thrills my soul to see so many people gathering.

I have gone to Barre class twice since my last check in. I absolutely love it! Check out this review for all the details. I am so excited to have this class to go to. Not only is it a great workout, but the upper body portion is great rehabilitation for my shoulder and back. I've booked myself in for the next 2 weeks. Getting up for a 9:00am workout class is a great way to start the weekend. I can easily stop on the way home at the farmer's market to pick up groceries for the weekend/week.

I haven't been keeping up with my running this past week. I was incredibly sick with a cold from Wednesday up until today (it's still hanging around). Running when you can't breathe and it's cold out is a mess and difficult. Hopefully this week I can get back to you.
I officially signed up for my 5K in May! only 96 days left to get in run shape. As in, actually run 5K at least once before I have to do it on race day.

Organize
My email archiving is slowly coming. I have successfully deleted 3 folders of information that was once important, but doesn't make a lick of difference in my life now. Things that are either there for nostalgic purposes I've archived. Another email task I took on was from my phone. I don't need to keep more than 7 - 14 days worth of email on my phone. I've cut it to 14, but even that seems like a bit much. If I don't reply to it right away, I will get to it within a week.

The filing cabinet in the office is slowly getting more organized. We went through a bunch of folders this weekend looking for one document (that never turned up) so it got a good clean out at the point. I have a pile of to-do now. Thankfully you can actually see the craft table again!

Nagging Task
My clothes hemming is still nagging at me. This weekend I WILL go through and decide if I actually need things hemmed or not. Sometimes it's not worth fixing.

Joyeux Mardi Gras!!

Today is Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday). Which means if I was on the ball and remembered, I would be making gluten-free pancakes or rice flour crepes. Sadly we are having taco salad and then I'm going to have wonderful Pecan Caramel frozen yogurt after I teach a piano lesson.

Part of my Happiness Project was to give up Starbucks for the month of February. Cut back on the sugary-caffeinated drinks for one month. In my first week I failed miserably at it. Over the weekend I only had regular coffee with frothed milk, made at home. Monday I skipped Starbucks and ended up with the biggest headache! Today I caved. Why is this relevant? Because it's Mardi Gras! The day of indulgence before Lent begins. Tomorrow though, 40 days of Lent begins!

Most people think of Lent as "give something up" which is part of the fasting, but it's also about doing something. Starting something spiritual. While I would love to say "I will go to Church every Sunday" I know I don't have the time to do that right now (you should see my to-do list for the next 4 months. eek!). While it's a lame excuse, it's mine and I stand behind it. Rather than make a commitment I can't keep, I plan to pray on my walk to the bus every morning. Not only will this make me slow down, it will also put me in a better frame of mind to start the day. Spending 5 minutes with God will be a nice conversation and force me to focus on the present.

I have found a Catholic Church downtown that has a noon mass tomorrow for Ash Wednesday. I'm very excited as I've always been busy with work or other commitments on Wednesdays. This time, I won't miss it. I'm sure my coworkers will wonder what is on my face when I get back from lunch.