Thinking Out Loud #87

Happy Thinking Out Loud Thursday! It’s been… a long week so far. I’ve been coming down from the weekend high in a less than graceful fashion, but it’s getting slowly better. Clearly, there’s lots of stuff going on in my mind right now, but here’s what’s pertinent and what I’ve processed so far. 🙂

1.) I’ve said it for two years, but this school needs a better air conditioning system. The current one is terrible and results in me (and everyone else) complaining about being sweaty for two months while it’s 75°F or more indoors. And the air inside feels sticky when it rains. I can’t bring myself to blow dry my hair most days because I’m already dying of heat exposure.

Yep, I’m dramatic. You already knew that.

2.) Other downside of the warmth: increased crime in the area. We had a long season of lots of it in the fall and now it’s back. So many security alerts.

3.) The final step of my yoga teacher training (nope, I’m not done yet) was observing two basic yoga classes at CorePower. Friends, I love yoga, but there is nothing more boring to me than watching a yoga class. Just let me flow with them! But alas, no. I watched and tried not to doze. Still, the teachers I watched were great and now all I have to do is write up my reflections and turn all my materials in!

4.) In the fall at our house auction, I sold the right to ask me to make any baked good at any time. The guy who bought it decided on lemon bars. I had never made those before, but I did it last night. Here’s the recipe I used. They were super, super easy and a total hit. So, if you want a creamy, lemony dessert that’s ready in under an hour… there ya go!

I made them in a 9×9 pan because it’s what I have and that worked just fine. Just keep an eye on them because you’ll probably need to reduce the baking time by about 5 minutes.

5.) I’ve mentioned this before, but I have a huge (silly) mental block when it comes to pulling out my food processor. It’s not hard and it doesn’t take any longer to wash those dishes than any other dishes, so I don’t get it. The more I do it, the more I remember that. On Monday, I did it! I made a twist on these. Very easy, lots of protein, carbs, and healthy fats, and way cheaper than packaged bars. Can’t wait to make more flavors!

6.) This is a picture from the weekend I forgot to show you!

This little display was at the hotel bar and I loved it. It was an oddly pretty way to display all the alcohol, and the little ladder that leads up to it is pretty cool. Like those library ladders, but with alcohol. 

7.) I have my first assignments of the quarter this week and next. Usually, I’m deep in midterms. So. Weird.

8.) Yesterday, my health econ TA said, “I don’t care about the math. Please don’t do the math; I don’t want to grade it. Just write, ‘No,’ and show me the graph.” I don’t know where I am or what’s going on.

9.) More prospies (prospective students) tonight! I think we have three in the apartment because we volunteered to take them off some busier friends’ hands. Fun fun!

10.) And now I want to leave you with some of my favorite recipes & reads from the week.

• I loveeee spinach artichoke dip. –> Greek Yogurt Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Utterly adorable. –> Mini Coconut Ricotta Pancakes with Strawberry Syrup
• Creative sandwich dreams. –> Asparagus Grilled Cheese with Brown Butter and Dijon
• You can try. –> You Can’t Love Someone Back to Life… or Can You?
• Cute and fun and funny. –> 22 Brilliant Life Lessons from Anthony Bourdain

Your turn:

What’s your all-time favorite baked good?

Anything else I should know?