Full Disclosure

Full disclosure time. Ruth and I have had a little misunderstanding. Ruth is the sourdough starter that came into being last Sunday. This morning, I studied my jar, nicely topped with the green cotton that used to cover my kombucha, years ago (you know, for good luck). Ruth had gotten really big, but was not very active (bubbly). Ruth was a couch potato.

So, I checked my notes and then sat down at the computer and revisited the original site that I got the recipe from. I love to make lists, and of course had one with the day to day feeding schedule, which I already messed up once, by forgetting to start the evening feed. You would thing working from home would enable me to stay on top of these things. I tend to write recipes and such in as abbreviated point form as possible, it's a quirk. As a result, I was keeping the wrong half of the starter. I was supposed to measure out 113 g and feed it. I was measuring it out and discarding it. So the starter that I was trying to feed was getting bigger and bigger, but the food I gave it was not sufficient for the mass, therefore, very little bubble action.

Good thing this didn't happen yesterday when I had the grumps. Shortly after my post, we were picking up a new bike for my youngest, and my husband's coke spilled into my knitting bag. I'm still a little traumatized.

So bright and early this morning, I dutifully measured out the 113 g and fed it in a nice clean jar, marking the level with a rubber band. This way I will be able to gauge the growth.


What to do with almost a full pickle jar of starter? During the course of my research, one chef suggested frying it, kind of like an elephant ear or dough boy. So I tried a few savory ones with garlic and Italian spice and a few with sugar and cinnamon, like lefse. Worth a shot!

They look and smell really good, and the flavour is nice, but are kind of dense and doughy, so I don't think that they are a winner.  That could be because the starter wasn't bubbly. I think they were supposed to rise like pancakes. I have some other recipes kicking around for using starter in other baked goods. If our basement can be a chemistry and physics lab, my kitchen can be a foods lab.

I need a coffee.

And now is the part of the blog where we talk about muscles.

Since it's the weekend, I don't want to get really technical with muscle attachments and anatomy terminology. It's a lovely weekend and restrictions are starting to relax a little around outdoor recreation. The best thing we can be doing is getting outside. Fresh air, sunshine and movement.

I have always felt that fresh air clears out the cobwebs in our brains. Having cool, fresh air in your bedroom helps you have a restful sleep. If you don't like an open window while you sleep, open it for a little while before bed and a little while in the morning to keep your room fresh. Does anything in the world smell as good as sheets that have been hung outside?

Our skin, the largest organ in our body, remember, synthesizes vitamin D from the sun. We need it to properly absorb calcium, which is why it's added to milk. It promotes growth and development of bones and teeth. Therefore, it's important for growing children, people healing from injury and for preventing osteoporosis. Vitamin D is also important for a healthy immune system.

Speaking of skin, don't forget to protect it from the sun. Wear a hat, use sunscreen and wear sunglasses that have UV protection. Don't forget to protect your lips too!

We are getting into summer activity season, which doesn't just mean the yard projects we have discussed before. Golf, fishing, boating, and archery are all things we can still do while maintaining a safe physical distance. They are also all very dependent and demanding of the shoulder muscles. Play smart and prevent injuries that would ruin your enjoyment of the season we have so longed for.

Start slow - Spend some time at the driving range and putting green for a few days before doing 18 holes. Go for a short paddle, not an all day one.

Warm up - A little cardio to get your blood moving, a few practice swings to limber up - remember cold muscles are more likely to tear!

Keep the weight down - Don't do your first hike with a fully loaded backpack. Don't paddle against a current your first time out, start on a lake. Work your way up.

Listen to your body - Our muscles give us plenty of warning when we are doing to much. When it comes to our play or sport, we tend to have a "5 more minutes, Mom" reaction.

Keep your energy up - Pack energy boosting snacks, like homemade granola, (see what I did there -  check out April 26, 2020) and plenty of water. When you are active outside on a warm day, you need a lot more water that when your are working on your computer.

Take breaks -  Drift for a while, you don't have to paddle or row the whole time. Sit back and enjoy the scenery. Do two rounds of 9 holes instead of 18 all at once. Put down the rod for a while and explore the woods.

Educate - If you are trying something new, find someone to teach you proper technique. You won't have to work as hard if you are doing it right, and you are less likely to injure yourself if you are using proper form.

Use the right gear - And make sure it fits you. Over twenty years ago, I went on a ski trip with borrowed skis. I didn't bother to get the bindings checked and adjusted - I was in a hurry. The first time I wiped out, my binding did not pop open and I ripped the ligaments in my knee. Two surgeries later, I still have issues. How long would it have taken to do it properly - maybe 15 minutes. What is it that they say about hindsight?

Yesterday we finally upgraded my son to an adult sized bike, he is almost 6' tall, it was long overdue. He was surprised at the difference in riding something that fit him, it went from being a struggle to almost effortless.

Quit while you're ahead - Call it a day while you are still having fun. You still need some energy to pack up and haul your stuff home. We are more likely to have accidents when we are fatigued.

Recovery time - If you have a trouble spot, it may need an ice pack. Do some of those great shoulder stretches that I taught you. Have a warm shower or bath. I don't need to tell you have a good night's sleep. If you spent the day outside, I'm sure you will!

What are you doing this weekend?