creativity or when the shoemaker has no shoes
Interesting thing I’ve noticed recently. When I’m feeling out of sorts, I can’t write (that part is not the revelation since I’ve known that for awhile now), but I can cook (there is your revelation). Over the holidays with the normal stress plus a whole lot extra personal stuff thrown in, writing was totally out of the question, but I churned out so many quiches and so much soup the husband finally asked me to stop. It felt cathartic. Of course I love my kitchen. I have heated marble floors that keep my feet toasty warm, big windows that look out onto my snowy yard and the barn, WiFi for the laptop so I feel connected to my online peeps, and a television for background noise. But besides all that, I think it just kept my hands occupied and my mind off whatever was bothering me.
What is most interesting is I think it is the opposite for my friend the chef. I know when he is stressed, he goes outside and works in the yard, or cleans the house, or replaces all the nails in the sheetrock with woodscrews instead…you get the idea. I guess for him, anything besides what he does for a living is his escape.
Anyway, that was my epiphany this new year. I’ve also begun an attempt to be more healthy. My friend’s family had quite a few cancer scares last year and since she has become a healthy living guru. Consequently I have gotten numerous lectures about how the artificial sweetener and creamer I prefer in my morning coffee is going to kill me. I’m not promising that I’ll reform totally but I have taken a step. I purchases a Keurig milk frother. The thing was insanely expensive but since I had a coupon and it was the week before Christmas, I treated myself to a gift. It heats and froths non-fat milk into beautiful, creamy peaks that turns coffee into a latte worthy of Starbucks, and for way cheaper. I’ve also made Chai Tea Latte at home with it. Considering the crazy prices at coffee shops nowadays, I probably paid for it already and I have to say, it feels truly decadent to have such a beautifully indulgent cup of coffee while still in my pajamas.
Yes, coffee can be sexy!
So that is my ’state of the author’ address for this new year. I’m resolving to write every day, but also to give myself a mental break when I need it; treat myself to the good things in life (IE $80 frothers and tasty lattes); and yes, until my stress level lowers there will be lots of cooking.
Until next time,
Cat
Cat,
I too am trying to be and eat healthy. I have to be creful with the exercise and that’s whats hurting me. I have a bad knee and have dilocated it twice and so I have to be careful exercising and swimming. I don’t eat stuff with the artificial sweetners, my gramma always drank TAB, couldn’t drink it myself.
Zina
Hey, Zina!
Yeah, I am extremely guilty of the artificial sweetener thing myself, but at least I use Splenda which I have deluded myself is better than saccharin. I am trying to cut out the non-dairy powered creamer though and add some milk (and calcium) in my diet instead. Good for strong bones and all that.
Thanks for the comment.
Cat
I’m a huge fan of the frothy lattes and fancy coffee’s. My doctor would prefer that I use the sugar free options but the stuff taste’s nasty and I’ve heard and read alot of things about sugar substitutes that is bad. I tend to eat when I’m understress but don’t mind doing the cooking.