While we are spending more time at home and with our families, we find we may have down time.
Ok ok I heard that snort! Just give me a second. I understand that the term “down time” means something different to everyone. I don’t have 3 school age children, a dog, a gerbil, a fish tank, a pile of mail on the counter and laundry that could take me weeks just to fold. I get it. I have my own things that fill up my days, my weeks, my life. Just as everyone that I know has their own unique situations. However, currently most of it, such as my cooking classes, my in-home events, conferences, book clubs, driving kids to sports and events, dinner out with friends, yoga, etc. have been put on hold. Moving at the speed of light, on little sleep gives us the impression that down time is a waste of time. NOT TRUE. Embrace it. Take it while you can. When was the last time you heard yourself breathe? Not in frustration. Think about it.
This was me the other day…
Got home from work. Took a shower. Checked my emails. Made a cup of tea. Read a few chapters from a book. Checked the mailbox. Did some laundry. Swept and washed the floors Watered and pruned my plants. Organized my closet. Purged my dresser drawers. I took the bags of clothing I was going to donate and put them by the door. (??? can we even donate clothing any more?)
I turned around in the kitchen and stared at the ceiling, bit my lip and put my hands on my hips. By this time it was 5:30pm. I didn’t know what to do next. That is the plain, hardened truth. I did not know what to do. My mind was racing, my house was clean, the malls are closed, the theaters are closed, the museums are closed, gyms are closed, I had even ironed some stuff, which I am adamantly against, because who has time to iron?! It’s not that I don’t have things to do. Like I said in one of my previous posts, we have plenty of household projects to tackle. I had stopped in my own tracks of life. At that time I began automatically thinking of what to make for dinner and what to make for snacks for the week. I didn’t stop again for another 4 hours.
Having had time to chew on this a bit, if I could turn back the time, I would have taken a deep breathe. Made another cup of tea and possibly gone up to my loft and meditated. Slowed down my mind a bit. Enjoyed the blankness that was what I called down time. I am out of practice. I think a lot of us are out of practice with how to slow down. How to be grateful for what we do have. For you that may be taking the dog for a walk. Snuggling up with the kids to read a book. Sort through that mail. Take a bath. Make a double chocolate mug cake!
For all of us it is something different. Ultimately we do have the choice to slow down, even if for a minute to breathe. Not feeling bad about it is our right.
In lieu of finding time for ourselves and our loved ones and enjoying the little things in life, I bring you 2 minutes of joy and chocolate…
Chocolate Mug CakeIf you are interested in the many other variations I have, gluten free, paleo, vegan, vanilla cake, etc. message me through the recipe on my blog! You will find a “Leave a Reply” area where you can tell me how you liked it or ask a question or please let me know how you made it and loved it!
When was the last time you were told to stay home and take care of you and your family? And eat cake.
We are all in this together and I want to be there for you as you have been for me.
I will share a recipe a day for you that will help to make things easy.
Maybe you have made it before. Maybe you have always wanted to try something new.
Maybe you want to cook a family meal together.
Maybe…just maybe you want a bit of a challenge in the kitchen.
I’ve got you covered and you have access to over 350 recipes in my personal collection.
A collection that has been building since I was a kid.
Recipes from my grandparents, my parents, my friends, my travels and you!
I would love for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel with fun recipes from around the world.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Zsw2hOHvQUIJB-tYnwwugLettuce all Romaine calm and Curry on. Donut worry. We will Beet this!
Best Regards, Big Hugs and Good Vibes,
Jessica Tijerina
