1) Baked Tortilla Chips
Ideally, the slices should be spread evenly without overlap for uniform heat distribution. Additionally, take heed when coating, as tortillas are pliable and thus prone to breakage upon contact with moisture.
Neither a workaholic nor an email enthusiast by any means, the past week - or past several weeks, actually - has/have been getting gradually more grueling. I've seen less of the sky than my study, more of my excruciatingly non-ergonomic desk setup than the kitchen. To declare a state of fatigue would be an understatement, for the excessive screen time has not only resulted in mental exhaustion but also dry eyes and a painful eye infection. For the brief moments of sanity, I've taken to casting my gaze upwards, beyond the branches brushing my window. An azure abundance assists in temporary appeasement of anxiety, while coffee ice cream soothes the ̶s̶o̶u̶l̶ stomach. Towards the beginning of the week, when work levels were still relatively manageable (albeit arguably so), I undertook a few brief missions. Creations of the week included: 1) Baked Tortilla Chips With the fear that the freezer drawer may collapse at any given moment, tortillas acquired from St. Jacobs were retrieved for transforming. Snack-ready chips were created from thawing, tossing in a seasoning mix of olive oil, sea salt, seasoned salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper, then baking until crisp. Distributed between two trays, the chips baked at 350 F for 20 mins, then 330 F for 15 mins. Ideally, the slices should be spread evenly without overlap for uniform heat distribution. Additionally, take heed when coating, as tortillas are pliable and thus prone to breakage upon contact with moisture. 2) Coffee & Houjicha Madeleines w/ Chocolate
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There are times when the mind and body do not sync as seamlessly as I would hope. From cooking preparations to cold-proof bread-baking, I rolled into an overcast Saturday morning, mustering consciousness in an attempt to arrange the day's tasks from the comfort of the comforter. I arrived ten minutes late to class due to poor planning and underestimation of traffic conditions. Volumes were surprisingly heavy in spite of the chilly, bleak conditions, especially traversing northbound along Yonge. Bounding into unit 204 with as much grace as one could possibly summon, I apologized for my tardiness and promptly begun to remove my shoes. This time around, I was greeted by all instructors present in the waiting area, beyond my own. The temperature check was forgotten in the process. "How are was you feeling?" was inquired with utmost composure, whereafter a brief check of the back and spine alignment was conducted. It was declared, with a hint of surprise, that the tenseness of the lower back had improved significantly; stretching may have aided in relieving the pain and tension resulting from muscle imbalance/selective muscle usage, and was encouraged going forward. I proceeded through the series of bar-clutching exercises on the Cadillac once again, this time swifter. Imprints and neutral spine terminology grew more familiar, and the body was more likely to adhere upon hearing the keyword(s). That said, the "mind-to-muscle connection" remained weak amidst the flexed foot rollups. From time to time, my gaze was gestured towards one of the mirrors in the room - one that had been stationed strategically for posture checks and to provide visual representations of form when the correct muscles are engaged. One additional exercise was added to the tension bar series. Rather than a complete rollup, where the body is hinged at the lower back and travels a total of 90 degrees, the exercise was involved lying on one's back and pulling the tension bar down, pressing the shoulders into the platform while maintaining straight arms. Although a minimal range of movement, the action promoted mobility and rectification of rounded shoulders with slight help from gravity. We then moved onto the Reformer for abdominal exercises and a revisited a few for inner thighs from the previous week. Prior to commencing these exercises, I expressed a desire to recreate one of the particular sequences from the previous week, as the movement, while minimal in rep count, had been highly successful in engaging my comparatively weaker inner thigh to point of soreness.
A familiar physio exercise was demonstrated on the nearby Barrel, with options for home practice on stairs, yoga blocks, and a resistance band looped about the foot. Rotating the ankle was also advised for building strength, and the slower the better. "Control" is the name of the game for pilates. Daydreamers live a life of luxury. And I declare this without animosity, but rather matter-of-factly. For to dream is a gift: Having the capacity to imagine beyond the duties laid before you is a blessing. I often struggle with deeply rooted perceptions of guilt, that to pause is to waste, that not doing equates to lack of responsibility. Thus, days are often maximized to the point of exhaustion. It unconsciously starts with a simple errand run, then branches into arranges to facilitate the daily operations of those surrounding. Being aware of one's "default program" is merely the first step, while coming to one's senses amidst operation of said program is the grueling challenge at hand. Creations of the week were exceptionally few, for work assignments have swallowed me whole. 1) Leftover Soup The name says it all! Basa fillet chunks and sweet corn kernels were added to a Cream of Mushroom-based broth, into which bean sprouts were later added, ultimately dyeing it a dismal grey. 2) Lavender Pound Cake Minis Stemming from a desire for some form of a fluffy sponge, I was instantly intrigued by Sunday Baking's newest video. Not being the fondest of Earl Grey - nor the additional step of acquiring ready-to-brew tea packets - I opted for a lavender-milk take (as we had just run out of cream). With the exception of a few noticeably large air pockets around the midsection, the pound cake minis emerged with a perfectly crisp crust and plush, aromatic interior. Just short of two tablespoons of the exquisitely scented buds have been incorporated, yet the fragrance yield was fantastic. Sifting my cake flour in advance ought to have eliminated nonuniformity in the cross sections, but I shall admit to omitting this step in the name of time.
The flour-batter method, though, is a definite keeper. I cannot quite comprehend the science behind it (just yet), but the promise of a tender, moist crumb is sufficient in persuading me to adhere to it. "It sounds like you're just always on the go." a friend declared in response to my recap. But it was probably true. Racing thoughts are my norm, whether in contemplation of my work (-from-home) tasks or household responsibilities. The weekend commenced with glorious weather, sunny blue skies that persisted for the entirety of Saturday. I celebrated the above-seasonal temperatures with a run for groceries - for what else could be new? The journey was succeeded with takeout ventures at my childhood favourite of Akko Cake House, then the ultimate comfort food destination of Wonton Chai, and finally chaotic pineapple-bubble tea swap. Time of the essence, I bolted onto the 401 and buzzed towards North York. I had been aware of the excavation efforts along Finch for the Finch West LRT - and even verified the lane restrictions via I-VIEW the evening prior. This hadn't altered my desire to witness the construction progress though. It's been a dreadfully lengthy site visit drought. Ten grueling minutes of exiting the 400, I arrived at Khi Coffee. Its proximity to one of my former neighbourhoods of work was fascinating, yet somewhat annoying given its deviation from the city's main points of interest. Located within a small plaza not much larger, nor more modern, than Newin Centre Mall by Thirstea, Khi Coffee operated in a similar manner to a food court stall (think the Yonge-Bogert complex). Their menu listed an array of beverages, ranging from bubble tea to signature Vietnamese coffee, while muffins and cookies resided in a display case by the counter. Given the constraint of time, I was pleasantly surprised to find the stall accessible from the street entrance facing Four Winds Drive. Calling in advance to secure my order further ensured a swift pick-up process of the phin filters unavailable at Dak Lak. I arrived at Sum Pilates for my second session without a second to spare. Well, "without a second" after taking into account changing and bathroom usage time. Given the absence of a changeroom, I had opted to enter the premises more minimally, even deserting my water bottle in the car. One amendment I'd like to make in regards to the previous visit: the first door was in fact a dental office, rather than a doctor's office. Though, the observation of patient folders lining the shelves behind the reception desk prevails as precise. After a temperature check, I was ushered into the studio. The class commenced with a brief alignment check, then onto the Cadillac for work with the bar. The foam roller was not used to rectify breathing techniques this time; the focused shifted to active rehab-focused exercises.
I commenced these weekly updates without the vaguest idea of their duration. The intent was to document happenings throughout the pandemic, at a local, municipal, and federal level, perhaps one day utilizing these sources as points of reference. Yet, without my knowledge, these 7-day recaps evolved into stories of the standard work-from-home employee, overtaking the daily activities we had once known.
We've arrived at the 52nd week mark: precisely one year of COVID-19 being designated a global pandemic. I had hoped to look back at this period of hardship, extracting the lessons that could propel humanity to sageness. But I guess we can't do that, at least not yet.
The current phase of life has far exceeded the stage of acceptance. Masking is a generally accepted practice, along with commercial grade sanitizers and Lysol at every goods and service outpost. Canadians have made grand leaps by way of virtual queuing, simplified online shopping, and automated systems, however there are countless gaps that remain.
It is with optimism that I gaze at the path before me:
Do you wonder, do you wonder, do you wonder like I do? I do, a lot. But in anticipation instead of fear.
Creations of the week included: 1) Whole Wheat Bread
Having finally depleted the 5 kg bag of plain bread flour to ever grace our tiled floors, I moved onto the whole wheat edition secured just prior to the second wave of the virus.
Substituting in a 1:1 ratio using Bake from Happy Kids' Honey Sandwich Bread formula, the yield comprised of two lofty, golden loaves. Slightly dense, largely bland, wonderfully airy, and spectacularly craggy, the slices paired best with some form of topping - be it margarine, Apricot-Honey Ricotta Spread, or peanut butter.
2) Potato Salad with ketchup, mayo, wasabi, dill and garlic powder
3) Mixed Stir Fry of Bean Sprouts, Seafood Mushrooms, Carrots, Pork, Carrots, and Sweet Potato A wise man once declared the conversations most worth participation were those comprising of conflicting stances, for it is because of these differences that a broader perspective can be achieved. I wholly agree with this approach, consistently seeking feedback on everything from gifted baking experiments to reactions to dismal workplace encounters. The odd dilemma surfaces from time to time, and it is then that I purposely consult those with differing guiding compasses. For two straight days, I was overcome with indecisiveness - a rarity, if I do say so myself - cast into a neverending loop of "should I?"s. The matter at hand were pilates classes, strictly offered in 10- or 20-class packages. ochungg had denied my rationale and earnest beseeching, leaving me to be tormented in a typhoon of turbulent thoughts. The definite answer emerged shortly after. It had been harnessed within all along, yet triggered only upon hearing my own advice thrown before me. I set out around noon on a breezy Saturday morning. It was a later start to my schedule than desired, leading me to settle on McWrap munching en route (not that I'd recommend this act in any shape or form). Pulling into the first stop of Pacific Mall, my mouth fell agape seeing the coiling queue of eager mall-goers. I quickly pulled into a spot and jumped in line. Thankfully, the outdoor situation lasted no more than nine minutes in total. Soon, I found myself within the sheltered space, hand sanitizer awaiting my peeling hands and cracked digits yet again. Most of the K-Beauty stores had been eliminated: Tony Moly, Missha, and several similar shops were no more; ARITAUM and Multi Brand, on the other hand, stood strong amidst the pandemic. The main purpose of the detour was to obtain a phin from Dak Lak coffee. As luck would have it, not only was the product unavailable, I was further informed that the points card had been discontinued. That said, blank cards were visible in the store drawer; redemption of points collected to date would also be honoured. I took to a Thai Iced Tea before departing for Sum Pilates. Travel time was surprisingly short from Pacific Mall, despite traversing along local roads. Normally, travelling west from Markham into Thornhill is quite grueling, however traffic volumes seemed to have decreased since my previous (pre-COVID) visit. Sum Pilates was located on the second floor of a predominantly Persian commercial complex. Its exterior was quite unassuming and there was no signage indicating the studio's existence. At street level were several eateries and a Persian grocery store, where many had begun to queue for entry at my time of arrival. Instead of mindlessly rolling forward in the car, I opted to park near Symposium and trek over. Upon closer inspection, the building numbers were clearly labelled, and, once inside 8131, a directory was available. Two flights of stairs led up to a narrow hallway housing a handful of doors. Most were closed, instigating curiosity in those roaming past; the closest to the entrance was a doctor's office, not too unfamiliar from the medical building I grew up running the hallways of. The concept was highly similar to Meadowvale Professional Centre in terms of age of facility, layout, and amount of penetrable illumination, and could have potentially been constructed around same era given that these design elements had remained consistent. It remains unverified whether an elevator was present, raising the concern of accessibility. (The Meadowvale Professional Centre featured two at each end.) The dark brown doors were devoid of decorations, with the exception of the "M" and "W" outside the men's and women's washrooms. Sum Pilates was an outlier with a knitted pink logo, mailbox, and business card holder, making it easy to distinguish Unit 204 amongst the mundane. With a jingle from the bells looped around the door knob, I made my - for once very punctual - entrance. I was immediately welcomed by the member of staff positioned behind the desk. My jacket was directed in the direction of a coat rack, and my attention towards the registration paperwork. In the absence of an English version, I was guided through the Korean contract with real-time translation. It asked basic personal information, contact details, goals of sessions, preferred session slots, and listed conditions of entering into the program. The process was straightforward and, to my surprise, featured far fewer fine lines than franchises such as Crunch or Goodlife. In-facility washrooms were unavailable - as with any medical complex - and thus I was provided the passcode for the shared stalls several doors down. Existing the establishment wasn't of great concern to me, though the absence of a changeroom was admittedly annoying. Following the first round of documentation, outdoor shoes were removed and situated on a rack by the door. I was then guided inside the facility; in the smaller of two rooms, the initial assessment commenced. I relayed my concerns surrounding poor biomechanics, noting the aspects most likely to affect and/or impede mobility. Interestingly enough, I was not inquired regarding the cause of such injuries, whether they were inherent or accident-associated, or whether I had undergone any prior forms of treatment. There was also no discussion regarding involvement in other sports or exercise routines, or even my existing level of physical activity. Instead of comprehending the past, the approach seemed to review existing conditions, inform the client of his or her physical deviations from the "neutral" state (preach awareness), and emphasize working towards the objectives identified (or rather, "assigned"). The period of assessment was comparatively quick relative to those of physiotherapeutic nature, yet it appeared adequate in identifying areas of concern and improvement. Some known problems were reiterated, while a few new discoveries emerged. We commenced with breathing techniques on a foam roller, graduating to a partial dead bug - a true testament of core control. Next were a series of leg/thigh, back, and arm exercises, all executed on one of the many reformers. Intriguing it was to perform exercises for the entire body while remaining on the same apparatus; the only variants were the addition of a block for sitting and altering the position of one's body. Embedded into the lower compartment of the machine were a series of springs. This introduction of tension is a personal preference for regaining and building strength, as free weights are more likely to result in injury in the case of misalignment and fatigue. Question time was limited at the conclusion of the first fifty-five-minute session, as I was swiftly ushered out of the space to enable preparations for the next class. Clutching my belongings, I dashed out to retrieve my shoes from the rack; a vibrant bottle of Lysol spray passed me by in the process. Payment occurred and the next classes were scheduled. Afterthoughts
Hillcrest Mall was the subsequent - and final - stop of the day. Nearing the shopping centre, I was made aware of the Street Eats event being held in the Indigo parking lot. It was a great initiative to reduce volumes within enclosed areas while promoting spending and economic recovery, though less ideal for those searching for a space on the asphalt lot. I fulfilled my sole duty of bread acquisition at Saint Germain, then rustled back to the car for the leisurely consumption of a hot dog bun. Truthfully, it was more bun than dog. The same applies to the Pineapple Bun (and the frighteningly turquoise-tinted Matcha Red Bean Bun).
"But you'll never know unless you walk in my shoes. You'll never know 엉카버린 내 끈 Cause everybody sees what they wanna see. It's easier to judge me than to believe." I stand by the declaration that subjective reality is non-inclusive, and only by venturing out can one begin to populate the gaps of comprehension. The girls of BLACKPINK discuss the unseen struggles behind their glamourous rise to fame - at a very vague level, if you will. But the path to a longstanding idol is paved no differently than that of you and I, striving to achieve success in our respective careers. The world demands evolution and consideration. Failure to follow through renders one incompetent in the perspective of a dynamic society, and rightfully so. And perhaps, while identifying the needs of others, one ought to return to square one for personal evaluation. I say "perhaps", as providing a statement in the absence of its execution is hypocritical, therefore warranting little to no respect. To be selfless is to be just selfish enough for the surrounding community to thrive as a result of one's impact. Creations of the week included: 1) Black Sesame Taiwanese Castella Having seen tremendous success in the previous week's Castella by Sunday Baking, I took to a second cake with the inclusion of unsweetened black sesame paste. Incorporating this homemade mixture thankfully did not weigh down the batter, albeit yielded a noticeable difference in texture in the top fifth of the finished product. It was a risky move that incorporated a greater amount of fat, and consequentially more moisture in the batter. In order to compensate this, approximately 10 g more of sugar was added to the egg whites for stability.
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Who Am I?Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics. Archives
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