Giving Myself Permission

Today I'm joining up with the lovely Faith Barista Bonnie Gray with her writing prompt, "Giving myself permission to ...."

My doctor says, "Think of yourself as in rehab.  This is the work."  She's talking about rehab from depression, but I would add that it's recovering from perfectionism plus years of pushing my people-pleasing self to do too much.

So I'm giving myself permission to take care of myself.  I'm happy to make sacrifices for others, but I can't help anyone if I don't take care of myself.  If I'm drained, exhausted, and mentally worn out, I can't be a good wife, mom, or friend.  It's the same idea as putting on your own oxygen mask before helping someone else.


As my pastor would ask me, "What does that look like?"

I take a break when I need one.  I pray.  I read.  I nap.  I exercise (not because I like to, but because I know it's good for me).  I blog (when I have something to say).  I make cards.  I bake.  I try not to stress when my to-do list doesn't get finished.

I don't do all of those things every day.  Still, to at least one person, it looks as though I'm doing nothing productive.  Housework is often transparent:  no one notices clean clothes (except when there are none), clean sheets, dinner on the table (except when it's not), a dusted room.  Everyone notices what still needs to be done.

That's why I'm taking the professional advice to rehab.  I'm giving myself permission to restore my body and soul.  I'm learning to be a better wife, mom, and friend by putting on my own oxygen mask first.

Crazy About Chocolate ( #Cookbook Review and #Giveaway )

Who doesn't love chocolate?

New from author Krystina Castella is Crazy About Chocolate, which contains more than 200 recipes.  I had the chance to receive a review copy, at no cost to me, and I was not disappointed.

Castella's favorite ingredient is chocolate, and that shows in this collection of recipes. She likes to experiment, and many of those experiments are based on trends she's observed:  updates on retro foods, savory chocolate, individual desserts (like the bite-sized eclairs on the cover), and international influences.

Crazy About Chocolate is divided into four main sections:

• Chocolate in the Know (tips, techniques, ingredients)
• Everyday Chocolate (cookies, cakes, puddings, and more)
• Chocolate for Special Occasions (birthdays, weddings, baby celebrations)
• Party Chocolate (brunches, barbecues, and more)

My favorite section was Everyday Chocolate:  candies, cakes, cookies, and more.  Each has variations; for example, the basic recipe for ganache truffles has four dark chocolate variations, two milk chocolate variations, and four white chocolate variations.  These include some familiar (milk chocolate espresso) and some different (white chocolate green tea).  My favorite, though, is Hand-Dipped Salted Caramels, with variations that include almonds, ginger, and vanilla.  Yum.  Or Mocha Cappuccino Mousse.  I can't decide!

Savory recipes include Apple-Smoked Ribs with Cocoa Barbecue Sauce and Corn on the Cob with Milk Chocolate Butter.  The book also has a few surprises, such as Chocolate Fettuccini Pasta with a choice of sauces.

The recipes in Crazy About Chocolate aren't, for the most part, quick and easy.  These are from-scratch recipes, and you won't find anything that uses cake mix or canned frosting.  I don't think they're difficult, but you have to be willing to invest a little bit of time.

Sterling Publishing would like to give away a copy of Crazy About Chocolate to one lucky reader.  Just enter using the Rafflecopter widget.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

America's 50 Best Bakeries

Just in case you like pastries as much as I do .... The Daily Meal has just published a list of the 50 best bakeries in America.  Even though I was disappointed not to see a single New Jersey bakery on this list, maybe you'll find one near you.

Here are the top ten.  Click through the link above to read the rest of the list and see how they were chosen.

1) Tartine Bakery, San Francisco

2) Dominique Ansel, New York City

3) Flour Bakery + Café, Boston

4) The Standard Baking Company, Portland, Maine

5) Macrina Bakery, Seattle

6) Levain Bakery, New York City

7) Salty Tart, Minneapolis

8) Amy’s Bread, New York City

9) Porto’s Bakery, Los Angeles

10) Pearl Bakery, Portland, Ore.