Feeling a bit better

[pegkerr]

I went and re-read my old journals to prove to myself that yeah, writing Swans was really a fitful stop-and-start process, too. (Bit of an eye-opener, really, this trolling through old memories. Gee, I was really a basket case when I was pregnant with Delia. Mercifully, I'd forgotten most of the worst of it. Except the hives. I'd remembered the hives.)

I also went and re-read all the LiveJournal entries I'd printed out since September 4 (when this book project began), and it was really heartening. It helps enormously to look back and show myself that yes, I have come a long way in my planning, even if I haven't written much on paper yet.

Kind messages from friends helped. Also Chocolate Microwave Cake.

Chocolate Microwave Cake (serves one)

Mix together in a microwave safe bowl:
1/4 cup flour
3 TB sugar
2 tsp cocoa
½ tsp baking powder
dash salt
some nuts (optional)

Stir in until smooth:
2 tsp vegetable oil
1/4 tsp vanilla
2 TB milk

sprinkle on top:
1 TB cocoa
1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Then, take ½ cup water and heat it in the microwave. Pour it over the mixture in the bowl and microwave for four minutes (note: that's how long it takes in my microwave, but it depends on the microwave's power. Your mileage may vary). Top with ice cream.

This recipe, one of my favorite in the world, is unbelievably fast and delicious. From "Hmm, I want something warm and decadently chocolate" until the point that you are gobbling it down is about ten minutes, top. The water combines with the cocoa and brown sugar to make a sort of fudge topping for the cake.

Delia is obviously on the mend. Actually, it was probably overly conservative to stay home with her today. She seemed to be fine by noon, as I suspected she would be. I just couldn't muster the gumption to drive her to school and then go into work. So we just had a veg-out day.

I had a vivid demonstration today of the Influence of Parents and Importance of Setting a Good Example. I had tried to do a workout today. Abandoned it halfway through, worried about pain in left knee . . . and it occurred to me that it is really a good sign to find myself frustrated that I can't work out. I have come a long way toward really establishing the regular exercise habit. Anyway, Delia (and Fiona, when she got home from school) dragged out my aerobic step and spent a happy hour bouncing on and off of it. "We're doing ‘robics!" they informed me cheerfully when I peeked into my office to investigate all the thumping sounds.

Cheers,
Peg

Comments

[daedala.livejournal.com]

Ooh, cake!

It's neat that your kids are being active! My sisters and I were baby couch potatoes.

knee issues

[splagxna.livejournal.com]

i have been having similar problems working out lately - except it's my right knee that gives me more trouble. very frustrating, especially since i have no previous history of knee issues. aaargh! but i bought myself a knee brace at walgreen's the other day, with hopes that extra support while FIRM-ing will make it easier. i'll let you know if it works. :-)

[quidditchgrrl.livejournal.com]

Wow, I'm sure you're surprised to find a comment to this post...I'm here from light_music's journal.

I'm shoveling this cake into my mouth as fast as the heat of it will let me (I'm out of ice cream and trying to cool it down with milk)! It's yummy.

Thanks!

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Glad you like it! It's so good I'm happy to spread the word.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Oh, god, I can't become addicted to this, it's got 12 points in it without ice cream or milk!

But thank you for a quick cheer-up idea. I needed one for someone else tonight, and happened to have all this on hand.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Have you tried it yet? I actually cut the sugar a fair amount, just because I liked my baked goods somewhat less sweet than they generally are in recipes. I generally use 2 TB granulated sugar rather than 3, and about a tablespoon and a half of brown sugar, rather than 1/4 cup. So that decreases the guilt quotient a bit.

But it's just such an incredibly good recipe (so delicious! so easy!) that I figure the guilt is worth it. I don't make it nearly as often as I would like to.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I did try it, last night. I put a touch too much water in mine and it was a little too wet. M. liked his VERY much, though, and ate all the rest of mine (I did not have enough points, nor truly enough appetite for a whole bowl) for breakfast this morning. He's encouraged me to keep that recipe close to hand!