Easier said than done...
What makes me happy? Probably depending on my mood, timing, weather,etc etc
There are too many variables that influence this list of things that make me happy.
Irrelevant of my state of mind, there are a few standard activities that always make me happy, not necessarily in this order:
- cooking
- reading
- working out
- traveling
- chocolate
- dancing
- ...
Let's see, what did I do this weekend to make me feel good? Everything on my list except traveling and dancing. My plan was to go dancing yesterday evening with my friends at one of my favorite clubs, where a few of my favorite dj's were performing. Unfortunately, exhaustion kicked in and ruined my plan. For a second I felt bad for myself, but then again, I had a few other things at hand that had the power to instantly improve my mood: book, nicnac cookies & my jar of Cote d'Or chocolate paste (hey, I'm not perfect, I am a woman with hormones and cravings sometimes, thankyouverymuch)
This morning I woke up, full of energy, wanting to do something 'useful'. I'll not elaborate on that term, 'cause this could get a pretty long blogpost otherwise :)
Yesterday I picked the rest of the rhubarb left in our garden to process it and store it for 'later'. Chopping and freezing to use it in a cake --> been there, done that a few weeks ago
Alternatives? Rhubarb Jam!
A simple rhubarb jam is too mainstream, so I searched the internet for some special varieties: rhubarb/ginger jam & rhubarb/banana jam.
1. peel & wash the rhubarb
2. cut in small pieces, better too small than too big. Small chucks of rhubarb release more pectin than big chucks. Pectin is the substance that makes your jam thicker, so you don't have to use artificial thickeners.
3. put in a large surface pan
4. I've added 1,5cm of ginger chopped in very small pieces in one of the pans and 2 bananas chopped as well, in the other pan
5. you can add some freshly squeezed orange juice
6. cook & stir
7. when almost done, I've added 2 tbs of natural honey to the ginger pan and 1 tbs in the banana pan (you can use sugar instead)
8. put in jars with screw cap and turn upside down for 5mins. By turning the jar upside down, the heat of the jam makes the cap sterile and eliminates the air from the jar.
Enjoy!
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| Rhubarb & ginger |
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| Rhubarb & banana |
For inspiration on making jam: Madame ConfituurLabels: Life
