milk&honey cafe

Monday, November 15, 2010

Half-baked Crisis

I keep buying ingredients to bake. And often they go bad before I use it. I keep setting up my baking stuff in my kitchen, and often I put them back before I start. I keep taking pictures of my baked goodies, and often feel disappointed in how boring and 'same-old same-old' they look. I keep looking for new recipes to excite me, and often I get discouraged because nothing looks inspiring.

Hi. I'm stuck. In a rut. A baking rut.

I'm really embarrassed, actually. How could this happen?

Maybe it's 'cause I'm preoccupied by every other exciting and good thing in my life right now. OR, maybe it's because I'm lazy. Could be a bit of both.

Help me get back on track! Help me get inspired and motivated.



What is sarah the baker in crisis to do?





Thursday, November 11, 2010

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I love sitting in a café filled with people. As I plug my ears with my own music and let the background just hum and buzz, it's almost like a movie and a soundtrack. Life, conversation, love.

london

It always amazes me. How everyone has their own life. I mean as obvious as that sounds, I think we often get preoccupied with our life that we forget that everyone else has one too. Naturally, we're obsessed with our own lives. But have you thought about all the people around you just as equally as important and deserving of a life? If I have this much thoughts and needs and desires on my own, everyone must have one too! We all have a story – a history. That's so amazing! You could make a movie out of anybody's life!

london

When I was a kid, I once drew a picture of an apartment building at night. You could see through all the windows and in each window, there was a different story going on. One family would be having dinner, another reading a book together. One picture had a pensive person looking out the window, and beside it a person sitting on the can. I love this idea of how we're all separate in our own lives, but isn't that what binds us together? We're all the same. We all have a life.

vatican city

And with this understanding, I think maybe we can take a step closer in love and peace with one another. The expression, to "walk a mile in anothers' shoe" isn't just a cheesy way to make kids get along. Really, when you realize that someone is walking on a journey of their own, just as much as we are, we can start to forgive them and forgive ourselves.

swizterland

I think humans are naturally narrow-sighted. Maybe it's for survival, our natural hunting instincts. But the beauty of the human mind is that we also have the capability to open up our minds and our perspectives when we choose to.

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Try to understand why that person might behaved that way. Maybe she had a childhood filled with hurt and defeat. Maybe he's just trying to prove that he is a valuable person. Maybe they are scared to be cast aside on the wayside.

florence

Just because we can't connect to the situation or the same experiences, doesn't mean we can't connect to the idea of connection. Haha. Did that sound funny? It's kind of like the saying "agreeing to disagree". Maybe we can agree that we have our own stories that can be so different but appreciating the beauty of it.

florence

On the same token, I don't think it should be an excuse for every behavior. It's not like someone can say, "Hey, my dad was abusive so I'm going to be abusive. You better just accept that because that's me." Every action and every behavior also comes with responsibility. We are responsible for everything that we do, because it's our choice to begin with. Yes, I have a history and a perhaps a reason for my reasoning, but I better be ready to be accountable for it.

quincy market, boston

Okay. Now I'm reallly rambling on. But I'm thankful that you've stayed to listen to me babble. :) I feel so lucky – that I have a voice and a safe place to express it. Thank you!

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

I ♥ MY BF (aka Breakfast)

Breakfast is like ignition to your car. The strike of a match. The momentous take-off of a high jump into the air. It's the most happiest morning alarm. And the only answer to the roaring growl of my stomach.

french toast

I like breakfast. Breakfast means so much to me. I can't function properly without food in my belly. It is impossible for me to understand breakfast-skippers. Especially when breakfast can be so easy and delicious. Breakfast sandwiches for example. Or Buttermilk Pancakes. Or how about French toast? French toast is even more awesome because it gets rid of your impossible stale bread. The French are geniuses!

french toast

My friends, let us have breakfast! According to wikipedia, "Nutritional experts have referred to breakfast as the most important meal of the day, citing studies that find that people who skip breakfast are disproportionately likely to have problems with concentration, metabolism, and weight." Take a few moments in the morning to treat your body and your mind. Maybe share this time with your loved ones and start off on a sweet note.

french toast

Classic French Toast

makes 4 servings


ingredients

8 pieces of sliced french baguette or any other bread
2 eggs
1 cup of milk
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1 tsp of ground cinnamon
1 tbsp of sugar
dash of salt

butter or canola oil for cooking
powdered sugar, optional


directions

1. In a shallow baking dish, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, sugar and salt.
2. Place pieces of bread onto the dish. Soak at least 5 minutes and flip over. (The longer the soak, the more flavourful. But this is usually good for really stale bread. The fresher the bread, the more soggy it might be. So maybe not too long!)
3. Heat butter or oil on a pan on medium heat. Place soaked bread and cook about 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
4. Set cooked toasts on plates and dust with powered sugar, if desired. Serve with syrup and enjoy breakfast!



french toast