Learning New Things

Hello Readers,

This post is a way of sharing a new skill I am trying out: filming and uploading videos. I recently signed up for a subscription to Trunk Club from Nordstrom and that is the content of this rough first attempt at creating a video. I am looking forward to growing into skills related to setting, camera angles, lighting, and editing.

[fashion show starts at 10'20"]

My next Trunk Club box is scheduled to arrive in mid-August. I am having my stylist create a box each month, you can also set-up deliveries for less often. For August I signed up for a new pair of jeans, slacks, blouse, and undergarments, I will keep you updated with what my selections.

Thanks for reading and watching.

Stay well,

Amy BH

Bagels and Buffers

Dear Readers,

Bageling

I made cauliflower bagels last weekend, I have shared the link to the video and the actual recipe below (my subs are highlighted in yellow). The texture is not exactly breadlike but instead more similar to a fritter. Very tasty and can be used to make a small sandwich, they keep well in the fridge and can be reheated in the toaster oven. I have included pictures to show before and after baking and the size (the one with the quarter is after baking) also note the one next to the quarter is the back of the bagel.

[Scroll down past the recipe for my buffer thoughts.]

 


Cauliflower Bagels  link

CAULIFLOWER BAGEL RECIPE 3 cups packed cauliflower rice (600g or 21 ounces) (I used 2 10 ounce frozen cauliflower rice packets) pinch of kosher sea salt 1/4 tsp garlic powder 2 eggs, beaten 2 tbsp. almond flour (I substituted nutritional yeast) 2 tbsp. coconut flour EVERYTHING BAGEL SPICE COMBO 1 tbsp. poppy seed (I substituted Flax seeds) 1 tbsp. sesame seed 1 tbsp. minced garlic 1 tbsp. minced onion 3/4 tsp. kosher sea salt Preheat oven to 400 Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, combine cauliflower rice, salt, garlic powder, eggs, almond flour, and coconut flour. Mix until everything is well combined. Take about 1/4 cup of the dough and start by forming a ball between the palms of your hands. Give the dough a gentle squeeze to extract any excess liquid and then flatten that ball out a bit keeping the edges rounded and then poke a hole in the center. The dough is delicate, so work slowly and take your time. (See video for step by step instructions). Place the bagel on the rimmed baking sheet and repeat until you have 8 bagels. Sprinkle the everything bagel spice mixture over the top of each bagel, and gently push the seeds onto the bagel using the back of a spoon. Pop into the oven for 30 minutes or until the bagels are set through and golden brown. Allow to cool completely before slicing and adding your favorite bagel toppings. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Nutrients per bagel; Calories: 43; Total Fat: 2.3g; Saturated Fat: 0.6g; Cholesterol: 53mg; Carbohydrate: 3.5g; Dietary Fiber: 1.8g; Sugars: 0.9g; Protein: 2.8g

Buffering

1) Yay!!! Happy Dance!! I reached my goal of under 150 on July 18, 2020 -- 1 year and 10 days after starting my calorie logging and accountability journey to better health. That's down 72 pounds!
I am counting my 'goal' to be met as far as my "I'm ok with this size, I feel great at this weight" goal and now I am moving towards maintenance. My plan is to implement logging back into my routine whenever there is a 5 in the 10's place two days in a row. To allow for a buffer I want to get down to 145 pounds so I'm not waffling so much daily. If my weight gets below 145 consistently I will adjust the buffering number accordingly so that it is within 5 pounds of my daily average-ish weight. BUT NOT OVER 150. That is not negotiable because that is the number where, in the past, I start to slide and justify. If I can stay under 150 for a year, that will be a huge accomplishment for me, and then each month after that will add to the gold stars. In the past, I try to get down to 130-135 but I get stuck where I am now and then eventually give up trying, and then when I'm 175 or more I want to kick myself for NOT being content with 140-something weight.

2) For buffering to work, weekly checking in with my sisters is a must. I also have YouTube channels I watch and Dani Spies @clean_and_delicious on Instagram (and YouTube). Dani shares encouragements on her Insta--stories that are both insightful and relatable.

Today Dani shared the following from Author Unknown,

"True self-care is not all hot baths and chocolate cake.

It is making the choice to build a life you don't regularly need to escape from."

As we head back into the school season and the issues are continually debated I am worn out by it all. I am grateful to have a supportive family, friends, and fresh air walks to clear my head. But still, the possibility of not being able to play the flute and other wind instruments has left me mournful and unsure of how to function. Teaching others how to play is woven deep within me. I love to both model/teach and advocate for this skill. I get physically ill when I hear of someone who was not or is not allowed to play an instrument. But alas, my self-care needs to shift and my thoughts need to move towards what I can do rather than what at the very least will be altered if not completely taken away. Perhaps other forms of music-making such as guitar? For now.

This morning I listened to Bette Midler and was inspired by her rendition of The Rose by Amanda McBroom. The final lyrics give me hope for 'spring'.

When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long

And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong

Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows

Lies the seed, that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose

Stay well.

Thanks for reading,

AmyBH

DiP Reflections (edit avoidance & July intentions)

Dear Readers,

What do you do when you have hours of edits ahead of you? You become keenly aware of all the other things you really 'need' to do such as housework and Blogging.

Yesterday was one of the biggest events I've experienced in my life and is reminding me of other important events such as my wedding, 2 childbirths, and my Dad's passing. In so many ways it felt very similar to all of those. Childbirth and especially saying good-bye to a loved one are overwhelmingly difficult seasons of life. Yet for me, I am so blessed because on all of these occasions what I remember most is the love I received from so many. When big events happen in my life people come from all directions and lend support and love in ways that I find humbling and inspiring. I have coined it 'collateral positivity' (after the movie "Collateral Beauty").

Yesterday I defended my Dissertation in Practice (DiP) to complete my Doctorate of Education. The setting was on Zoom and thankfully my advisor agreed to record it. (Side note: a VERY positive thing about having to do my defense on Zoom, thanks to COVID-19, is that I was able to fairly easily have a video of it. Highly recommend! it's natural to walk away with regret of "did I say that weird?" or "oh my they hated it!" when in reality the committee was very generous and I am relatively pleased with my poise throughout after viewing the video.Also at the 10 minute mark Gerald, my dog, got tangled in my laptop cord and my computer gets slid across the table...but I keep going!) In many ways, this defense meeting was a formality as is evidenced by the fact that all through the 2 years of coursework my main 2 teachers told us repeatedly that once they said it was time to defend it would be because we were ready, they assured us that they would set us up for success. All that being said, the morning of the defense, my thoughts kept turning to "but maybe I'll be the exception and I won't pass". My husband at lunch when I shared that I was more nervous than I thought I would be said, "yes, I know" (like in other words, that's a common way to feel) and also that his boss said that of the many people that she knew that didn't complete their doctorate NONE of them made it to defense day -- no one in the conversation with my husband and his boss (and others?) could think of ANYONE who made it to defense day and did not pass....and yet here are my thoughts yesterday morning:
Defense morning ramblings

I also captured my thoughts during the deliberation time, notice the hair transformation, lol.

Deliberation thoughts

Many of my friends on Facebook and Instagram have commented on my story, profile picture, and other places "congratulations" --these posts are prompting others who probably had no idea about my coursework, etc. Again I am overwhelmed by the support and kindness and appreciate this place on Blogger to process it all as it unfolds.

I have lots of great ideas to add to my conclusions and recommendations and I've written a lot of them out on my kitchen dry erase board. I am so glad that the 2 outside advisors (not my main teachers) gave such practical advice for how the research can be used. One of the best compliments was hearing them say how my research is something that is very needed and will contribute to others who "really need help".  Their critiques regarding adding practical take-aways for administrators and teachers and what they can "do" is something I value deeply and I am eternally grateful for the chance to make this clear.

July intentions:
Get this paper officially turned in to MU by the summer finish deadline of July 17 (and not use the July 24 grace period). That means I have to get it to my editor --soon (my goal is by this weekend, even though she may not start it until after the 4th).

Funny side note: my husband and I celebrated with DQ ice cream last night and I had a peanut buster parfait and large fries (this was my dinner)...I woke up 2 pounds lighter than the day before --- my conclusion is that these choices are now my new 'diet' -- (screw correlation does not = causation, lol)

Eating: 1200ish calories a day logging every other week -- no logging on Sundays
2-3 days a week 10-minute jog plus warm-up cool-down walks
4 days a week of 10-minute yoga
15,000 steps a day
make dentist/eye appointments, make mammogram appointments, get the shingles vaccine, make general health appointment(s)

As always, stay well.
Thanks for reading,
Amy BH