Food Hugs

Do you ever feel punched in the gut by life? I've been feeling a little run down this week. Maybe from going so hard last week. Maybe it's cuz the red fairy is here. But either way my creative juices have almost dried up as well as my energy bank. Things are still shiny, just not so bright right this second. I know it all just needs a little polishing, so I'm being pretty patient with it really. I mean the polishing is in the resting right? I take breaks and usually don't feel guilty about it.

But this week is a bit strange. I am feeling guilty, not destructively so, though guilt is rarely constructive. But it is a lighter, less debilitating feeling of guilt. These past few weeks have had a tremendous impact on my soul and I believe are helping me to feel a bit lighter. However, all this creative energy can get exhausting. I'm searching hard to find my passion and receive all the wonderful gifts that are in my life every day, but I am a bit tired and really just need some hugs.

Remember when you were little and not feeling so great and your mom or dad always turned to comfort food? I know bad habits, but anyway. My mom made great grilled cheese. I can almost smell the butter as I type. Every bite was like a warm hug recharging me back to life. My dad was a little less homey, but it always worked. I remember when I was in high school and fell to an attack of the Mean Girls. He didn't even ask, just took me for a banana split. I was 16. It was delicious.

So after a few too many movies (I've been obsessed with documentaries lately) and way too many shows with grown ups dressed in costumes singing to small children, yesterday I decided this T.V. vegging wasn't working. I needed some meat and potatoes.

I pulled out my trusty flour encrusted orange Betty Crocker, you know the one with the three ring binder, and got inspired. Though we typically opt for lighter fare, I made a home style dinner followed by a home style batch of lunches for next week. Everything from scratch and not a can in sight, a few hours later this is what I came up with:

Dinner: creamed corn, Boston baked beans with turkey bacon, and baked potatoes.
Lunches: Czech goulash with beef and tomatoes and rustic wheat bread.

Next week I plan to work on getting my energy levels up, but I'll lap in the luxury of an old fashioned home cooked meal every time I need a little hug.

Old world rustic bread
(don't remember where the concept came from, in my old handwritten cookbook I started long time ago)

7 c flour
2 tsp salt
1/4 c olive oil
4-1/2 tsp or 2 pkg yeast
3 c water

Mix yeast in warm tap water. Sit 10 minutes. Mix flour, salt, olive oil. Add yeast mixture. Knead until springy. Place in greased bowl rise till doubled (usually 1 hour in our heat). Punch down rise again. Punch down rise again. Shape into 2 loaves, lay on baking sheet, rise again. Cook at 425 for 30 minutes. Eat immediately. Hot bread is the best. Will be crunchy on outside, soft and chewy on the inside.