Often times, what I see in many food blogs is how their cooking perfection translates into their everyday lives. Sometimes, we get glimpses into the details that make these bloggers real people, instead of just the people whose cooking and life advice we listen to and follow diligently.
With The Inspired Spoon, I wanted it to be a very real take on what it actually takes and means to navigate the kitchen. Only a month into this project, I've already learned a ton. Mostly from my failures. Which brings me to the most important point.
Just yesterday, I was craving a particular cookie from my favorite farmer's market stand at school. It is perhaps one of the most delicious cookies I've had yet, and it makes me happy to know that it's made with whole wheat flour and dark chocolate. Not too shabby for my tummy either.
Last night's endeavors consisted of me attempting to make the cookie--following just my inspired tastebuds, and it resulted in...
Disaster. Honestly. I consider cookies to be one of the things I can make the most easily. I've done it since I was a kid, so I've had ample time to hone my skills. With this one, I followed my usual chocolate chip cookie recipe, but substituted whole wheat flour for refined, and dark chocolate shavings for semi-sweet chocolate chips.
What I found, was that my cookies were the consistency of dry cake, and honestly would've been less embarrassing had I planned to make scones.
I wish I were kidding, but I am not.
The point I'm trying to make, is that I am learning that it is okay to fail. I'll try the recipe again, and when I do nail it, I'll share it with you.
My grandmother gave me some advice last night, after I relayed the details: Failures are going to happen in the kitchen, as with any new project or endeavor. Going into something with that knowledge makes life a bit more bearable, and takes the pressure off of yourself. Especially if you're a perfectionist like I am.
It's about accepting that we are not perfect, and that what we do is, and hopefully will always be, a work in progress.
With anything new that you take on, remember that failing is okay. And it's going to happen. The only real failure is giving up, and not getting back on the horse. Er, spoon.
Happy Friday everyone! I've been slightly MIA for the last couple of days, sorry about that--work has been absolutely nuts. But, what better way to celebrate the end of the work week than with some homemade iced coffee? Complete with a mason jar, of course.
Sometimes we just need a midday pick-me-up, and something as simple as making yourself a cup of coffee can do that for you. Like I said, work this week has been crazy. Between taking deep breaths to stay calm (10 breaths to be exact; that'll do the trick), and smiling to keep stress down (trust me, it works), I'll whip up something quick in the morning to start my day off right.
And speaking of jars, I just recently learned about this super cool company, JARS by Dani, a company started by 24 year-old Dani Beckerman. Though she was pre-med in college, she took another path and began making layers of decadent sweets in nothing other than the average mason jar. She's worked hard to create a business out of her own passion for baking, and it's something that I certainly can appreciate. Staying inspired can give way to big things--or little ones, if we're still talking mason jars.
