Blog Archives - Malek Musings

Birdseed Bread - This One Isn't For The Birds Though!

10/31/2014

Hello all! And Happy Halloween. If you've been checking on Malek Musings of late, you've probably noticed fewer Musings than usual. I'm still here! It's just been kind of busy lately, and I haven't had time to devote to writing as well as cooking up great new stuff. I'll still be posting here, but maybe not daily. But please be sure to visit so you don't miss any new Musings!

Today's Musing is about a new bread recipe I tried. I love seeded breads. I ran across this recipe that looked interesting, so I decided to give it a try. I made it as written except for a couple of changes listed below:

I did not use Flax Seed because I didn't have any in the house.
I omitted the Caraway Seeds because I don't care for them.
I have Ancient Grain Flour from King Arthur Flour. I reduced the rye flour by half and replaced with Ancient Grain Flour.
This is a large volume recipe, so I made a half recipe.
I completed the second proof of this bread in a rice flour dusted linen lined basket.
I topped the loaf with King Arthur Flour Artisan Bread topping. (assorted seeds)
I baked the loaf in my preheated 5qt cast iron dutch oven.
Baked covered at 475 degrees for 35 minutes and uncovered for an additional 15 min. (I think next time I will reduce the heat to 450 degrees, as the bottom was a little dark for my tastes)
Next time I will try a 1/4 recipe as a half recipe was still a large loaf. It nearly filled my dutch oven.

This bread is so delicious. If you like seeded loaves, this is definitely one to try. You don't have to make in the manner I did, you can follow the recipe as it is written.

Hope you enjoy this recipe and don't be afraid to individualize it to your tastes.

"Tiny Houses" - An Attractive Living Alternative For Some

10/29/2014

Tiny home mounted on trailer base. Image credit: tumbleweedhouses.com

Tiny home on permanent foundation. Image credit: tumbleweedhouses.com

It seems that newspapers and magazines often feature and promote living in luxury "dream homes". It's not hard to find photos of spacious, beautifully decorated examples of housing. How can you not experience....<sigh> "house envy"? Who wouldn't want to live in a beautiful, big home with creature comforts like a gourmet kitchen, tall ceilings, theater room, designer bathrooms, wine cellar and groomed grounds with fountains, swimming pools, hot tubs and outdoor kitchens? Pinch yourself back to reality. How to pay for that? How to pay for the upkeep? How environmentally wasteful is living this lifestyle and how does it align with your personal beliefs?

Of course, there are those that live this lifestyle because of their particular circumstances and desires. However, luxury living is but a dream for others. Most people are just trying to find a job, keep a job, or find a job that can provide enough to make ends meet. It's a natural desire to live comfortably and to be able to have things that you really want. Luxury homes look great but are out of reach for many.

Most of us know about the housing crisis of years past, but its residual effects are still being felt. Potential buyers are delaying entry into the housing market for a variety of reasons. With foreclosures in their lending history, people are finding it difficult to get mortgages. Lenders have tightened up their lending policies in general. In addition, debt, job loss, or reduction in earnings have restricted people from taking on additional costs of home ownership. Some are reluctant to buy because they need "mobility" to be able follow jobs to other areas of the country. And for some, owning a home and assuming the responsibilities of home ownership are just not appealing or important to them.

There is a growing interest in a different housing option,that is quite different than traditional home ownership. Enter "Tiny Houses". These tiny homes are compact, often measuring less than 300 sq ft, but some are available in larger size. Minimalist living does not necessarily mean sacrifice. Simpler living and freedom from crushing expenses can actually lead to a fuller, happier life for some. Occupants of these houses tend to be committed to less restrictive, less costly, less cluttered and environmentally friendly living.

Tiny houses are built on trailer platforms although some are permanent structures. Even though they are compact, they offer lots of features found in typical homes. Depending on the size of the tiny home and how it is designed, at the very least you will find the following:

A compact kitchen with counter, smaller refrigerator/freezer, microwave and oven/stovetop.
Great Room
Full bath with a shower.
Sleeping area(s) often located in a loft.
Closet(s) and cabinets
Porch

You can purchase plans to build your own or buy them prefabricated. There are many sites dedicated to Tiny Home living and many manufacturers of plans and structures, both permanent and mobile.

I have some experience with minimalist living for extended periods of time. As a family of 4, we have traveled throughout the country in a 24 ft travel trailer, later upgrading to a 28 ft trailer with a slide out. One trip lasted 4 weeks with a family of 4 in the 24 ft. trailer. We had no problems sharing the smaller space. We had creature comforts: a kitchen with gas stove/oven, microwave, double sink, full bath with shower and bathtub. Queen bed in a separate bedroom, sleeper sofa and dinette. We had a covered outdoor with a retractable awning, air conditioning and furnace. We used our RV in the summer and in cooler weather, but it was not outfitted to be usable in the winter. Living in our trailer was a learning experience, as we had to adjust what we packed and what we felt was important to have. Ultimately, we were quite comfortable, and did not have "space" issues while living in the cozy quarters. However, upgrading to the 28ft trailer with the slide out was more comfortable, as we had a bit more elbow room in the great room area. We had suitable interior and exterior storage space for equipment, clothing and personal items. Designers make creative use of space, and we were creative in how we used that space. With downsizing, you learn to be minimalist, having what you need, but carefully considering what you "really" need. There's a learning curve for those who chronically over pack.

Tiny Home living is a different lifestyle and not for everyone. However, I think Tiny Homes is entirely doable, if you can bring yourself to let go of excess in living, learn to be efficient and find pleasure and joy in other things besides having a large home.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/home-squeezed-home-living-in-a-200-square-foot-space/2012/11/27/e1a02858-2f35-11e2-ac4a-33b8b41fb531_story.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2014/08/30/tiny-homes-living/14052371/

http://thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/real-estate/tiny-house#slide-1

http://affordablehousingdesigns.com/companies/

"Killing" Series - A Review

10/27/2014

I am an avid reader. Happily, it's hobby I've been able to indulge in more often, since I've retired. I like to read all kinds of books, both fiction and non-fiction. I recently finished reading Killing Patton by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. It is the latest book in the the "Killing" series that includes Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy and Killing Jesus. I've read all of them, and enjoyed every one. They are pleasurable books to read, not dry or bogged down in overwhelming detail. Yet, each book offered me new insight into their particular subjects, and also sparked a new interest to look into other books to read for additional information about events and individuals that were presented in the Killing series. To be honest, I don't think I would have thought about, or been interested in reading those additional books otherwise!

O'Reilly is a well known political commentator on a major cable news network. He is also an established author. His Killing series books are researched, historical narratives that do not lean politically in one direction or another. I found them to be very interesting books that broadened my knowledge and interest in new subject areas.

I hope you find them interesting too. You can find these books at your local library or if you prefer you can purchase them in print or electronic format.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/137481-the-killing-of-historical-figures

History of Car Colors - Reasons Behind Choices

10/23/2014

I've owned a few different cars over my driving years. Probably not as many as most people though as I tend to keep my cars for an extended period of time. I ran across some interesting articles about choosing vehicle colors, the changes colors available and color preferences over time, which vehicle colors are more popular and hold value over time. Unlike the Model T days, of which Henry Ford wrote in his autobiography: “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black”, consumers now have choice of color on their vehicle.

Personally, I've owned cars and SUV's, and I've only owned three different colors, dark/wine red, white and silver. Ironically, the white and silver were compromises that needed to be made because I was purchasing a vehicle off the lot. When I ordered a vehicle, I certainly considered the different colors available, but always gravitated back to the dark red color palette. I currently own a silver vehicle. I've found it a bit challenging to locate my car in a sea of cars in the parking lot (assuming I wasn't the one that parked it there), because there seems to be quite a few silver vehicles out there (along with black and white!)

Vehicles from earlier generations that are still on the road, stand out and are quite visible. Not for their design necessarily, but for their colors which just pop out in contrast to the more bland color scheme of modern vehicles. Vehicle colors today are usually black, white, gray, or silver. Other colors, such as red or blue tend to be muted rather than bold and pronounced, like those vehicles of the past.

According to an article from slate.com:
"With the exception of an early ‘90s flirtation with the color purple, and a late ‘90s love affair with forest green, the past 20 to 30 years have represented a demure era in the world of automotive colors. Since the late-1990s, the best-selling paint colors have been black, gray, white, and silver (silver, in fact, was the best-selling color for a decade, until it was recently overtaken by white). George Iannuzzi, a board member of the Color Marketing Group (an international color-forecasting group that meets regularly to discuss the colors of the future) says that concerns about resale value have a tendency to conservatively shape buyer’s inclinations"

An article from Kelly Blue Book (kbb.com) describes the effect of vehicle color on resale values.
"The Monetary Value of Color
So, you might ask, "Why does color matter?" Like many vehicle features, color plays a role in the residual value of your car. Put simply, today's popular color will probably make your vehicle more popular to a buyer five years from now. The "probably" factors in the cyclical nature of color popularity, but the general rule still holds true.

It also follows that less popular colors depreciate your vehicle's value. By how much, you ask? That's the tricky part. It actually can vary from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the vehicle and the color in question.

Sticking to neutral colors such as silver, white, black and gray are your safest bets. But, if you feel moved to more chromatic colors, bright yellow, orange, or purple vehicles could put you at a disadvantage when selling or trading in your vehicle."

However, an article by Forbes stated:
"On average a yellow car that originally cost $20,000 can be expected to retain about $1,500 more of its value after five years than the same exact car painted black.That’s according to an analysis of over 20 million used car listings from the 1981 through 2010 model years conducted by the Boston-based used-vehicle website iSeeCars.com. Other colors the study found that bring back the most green include orange, teal and – of course – green.....it should be noted that one is more likely to find a sports coupe or convertible offered in eye-popping hues like orange and yellow in the first place than a more-conservative family sedan or station wagon, where the “non-colors” tend to proliferate."

An extensive and informative article written by The Consumerist (consumerist.com), explains the impact of the rise and fall of the economy on vehicle color preferences and resale potential.
"...during the recent recession, consumers were a bit shy of flashy things and tended to play it safe when and if they took the big step of buying a new car, and that trend has persisted over the years. Meaning the likelihood of a flood of yellow cars on the market is not great, hence, the rarer it is, the higher price tag it can command."

Bottom line is that color choice is part of your personal expression of your ride. The importance of personal expression through color varies among consumers. Some like more subdued colors and other want the "look at me, here I am" presentation of popping, bright colors. Run with the pack or stand out? As the Consumerist article states: "Whether or not you take that risk, it’s up to you. But at least you don’t have to order it in black, if you don’t want to."

Here are the links to the articles and sites I referenced in this Musing. I found them to be very interesting. I hope you do to.

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/design/2011/10/car_paint_colors_why_are_so_many_cars_painted_white_silver_and_b.html

http://www.kbb.com/car-advice/articles/best-color-to-buy/?r=40420190542296290

http://consumerist.com/2014/10/10/a-brief-history-of-car-colors-and-why-are-we-so-boring-now/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2014/06/17/new-car-colors-that-boost-resale-values/

Looking To Buy A Slow Cooker? - Things To Consider

10/18/2014

image credit: http://www.techwaredist.com

Slow cookers/Crockpots have been around for quite sometime. Crockpot is a brand name, "slow cooker" is the generic equivalent. I received a Rival Crockpot as a gift about 35 years ago. Slow cookers were fairly new then, becoming a popular household appliance that offered cooking convenience. During that time, with more women were working outside of the home, and convenience with meal prep was becoming very popular. With preparation of ingredients and setting up the slow cooker before leaving for work, the meal would slowly cook during the day at a low temperature and woujld be ready to eat at the end of the work day. In the earlier years, slow cookers did not have removable liners and had a rather small capacity. Later, models were developed that had removable liners, making them easy to clean. Capacity option was also increased allowing for larger quantity cooking and cooking of larger items. Today, there are many manufacturers of slow cookers. There is even a newer generation of "multifunction" appliances that can slow cook, roast, sear/saute and bake. Some people use their traditional slow cooker to make desserts and even bake. Personally, I never embraced the original Crockpot/slow cooker movement, and I didn't use my appliance much back then. I eventually got rid of it, thinking it just wasn't right for me. Apparently I'm not alone, as twice as many households now use slow cookers compared to a generation ago.

Recently, I've re-entered the slow cooker world and now own two units. One is a larger capacity, basic oval cooker which I bought new and the other is a smaller round basic unit that I bought gently used. They both have removable liners. I use both of them frequently, depending the volume requirements of my recipe. I've made chili, stew, soup, ribs, stuffed cabbage, casseroles, stuffed peppers, roasts and other recipes that benefit from moist cooking (especially cheaper and tougher cuts of meat). One of the reasons I'm more receptive to slow cooking now, is the removable liners that make clean up easy and the size/shape choices that are available. Also, with the explosion of the internet, it is now VERY easy to find reviewed recipes for all kinds of foods via cooking sites, blogs and groups. Wonderful pictures of foods made by slow cooking are very tempting, and it's hard to NOT want to try them! Using a slow cooker is an energy efficient cooking method. It's also great for summertime cooking when you want to minimize heat generated by typical oven cooking. It can also free up the oven for other items.

If you are looking to replace your slow cooker, add to your collection or buy a slow cooker for the first time, it's important to do some research. You will want to choose one that you will like, will meet your needs, and does not cost you more than necessary.

Things to consider when buying a slow cooker.
(source: consumersreports.org)

Price is directly related to features. Basic slow cookers are very simple with simple on/off controls. The mechanical control offers a low/high and maybe a warm setting, but no timer. You will have to start, stop and change settings yourself. More expensive units are programmable, with built in timers. You can set the unit to turn on at a specific time, and they can automatically turn off cooking and switch to "warm". Some programmable models even offer a manual mode.

Features vary including:

Ceramic or metal inserts. Some can be used in the oven, the cooktop or microwave. Some have nonstick linings.
Ease of cleaning. Some liners and lids can go in the dishwasher. Touchpads are easier to wipe up vs. knobs.
Exterior finish comes in stainless steel or colors. Stainless steel can be a bit more work to keep clean and shiny.
Lids come in plastic and glass. Some are split lids, allowing you to open only part of the lid for checking food or for serving. Some have locking mechanisms, which are convenient when transporting foods in your slow cooker.
Capacity options vary from 1.5 qts. to 8 qts. Capacity requirements vary depending on the family size, the size of items to be prepared (ie. whole chicken vs. a stew) In some cases, having more than one slow cooker can be a good choice. You can choose the size to fit your recipe and you can prepare two different dishes at the same time.
Oval or round? Depends on your needs. I have both and use my larger oval one for larger items/meals.There are also slow cookers available with multiple smaller inserts, good for making different items at the same time, or for hot serving of multiple foods in a buffet situation.
Temperature probes are available on some units and permit the unit to switch to warm when desired internal temperatures are reached.
Additional features include: roasting racks, insulated carrying bags, cord storage.

Slow cooker safety tips
(source: consumerreports.org)

As easy as they are to use, slow cookers can pose a health risk if the food is not cooked properly. The federal Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends the following.

Keep perishable foods refrigerated until prep time. If you cut meat and vegetables in advance, store them separately in the refrigerator. Don't let raw meat juices come in contact with other ingredients.
Always thaw meat or poultry before putting it into the slow cooker. (I have seen posts where people put frozen meat in the slow cooker, claiming it is not a problem. Please be advised that this is not recommended by Food Safety experts as there is a bacterial risk. The slow cooker low temperatures can permit bacterial growth in frozen food as outer surfaces are thawed and inside of meat is still frozen.)
Match the amount of food to the capacity of the slow cooker. Check your unit's owner's manual for specifics.
Never place a cold stoneware insert into a preheated slow cooker. The temperature shock can damage the insert. Let them heat up together.
If the power goes out during the cooking process and you are not home, discard the food even if it seems done. If you are at home, finish the cooking process by another means.
Don't put a hot stoneware insert into the refrigerator. Sudden temperature change can lead to cracks. It will take longer for the food to reach safe temperatures. It is best to transfer leftovers into storage containers.
Don't reheat leftovers in a slow cooker. Use conventional methods such as stove top or microwave. Heat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, you can return the food to the slow cooker for transport or for serving.

Visit the links below to learn more and to read reviews on specific models.

http://www.consumersearch.com/slow-cookers/how-to-buy-a-slow-cooker

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/slow-cookers/buying-guide.htm

Slow Cooker Borscht - Polish Beet Soup

10/16/2014

It's mid-October and the autumn colors around here are beginning to burst forth. Temperatures are up and down with some warm days, and some days feel more like November. There's nothing like a tasty bowl of hot soup (hopefully paired with a nice crusty homemade bread!) on a chilly day. Today's Musing offering is a recipe for a Polish food staple, Borscht or Beet Soup. This particular recipe is for a slow cooker, but is easily adapted for stove top cooking.

This recipe is very forgiving. I add and subtract ingredients depending on what I have on hand. The photo with this Musing is the soup I made this week. This time I omitted the potatoes and cabbage. I substituted homemade chicken broth for the beef broth, just because that's what I had available this week. Sometimes I substitute chopped leeks for onion. I didn't have tomato paste on hand this time, so I used tomato juice left over from a previous recipe. Beef stew meat can be replaced with other cuts of beef. Awhile back, I bought a large sirloin tip roast on sale, cut it up into one pound chunks and froze them for use later. I cut the thawed meat into small pieces and browned it before adding to the soup. I even added some chopped grape tomatoes that I had frozen for use later. (Do you end up with grape tomatoes that look a bit tired? Just freeze them whole. You can thaw and chop them and add to sauces, casseroles and soups!)

Hope you enjoy this recipe and don't be afraid to be creative.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-borscht/

Experience The Pleasures of "Reading" in Alternate Formats

10/15/2014

I love reading. One of my retirement bucket list projects was to read more. Working during much of my adult life, running a household, and raising two sons didn't leave alot of time for leisure activities. While I would read occasionally, I really missed the adventures you can experience when diving into books.

I've made it a point to take time to read almost every day. I read all kinds of books,both fiction and nonfiction, including biographies, mysteries (my favorite), political and history. I have a great local library with an awesome collection. In addition, they have a mutual loan agreement with libraries throughout the state, so if they don't have what I'm looking for, I can search the state and request an item from another library. My library is also receptive to patron requests, and they have purchased many books that I (and I am sure other patrons) have suggested.

Some people like to buy their own books, either new or used. That is certainly an option. Personally, I have decided to be very selective when making a decision to buy a book. Usually it will be a cookbook or reference book. I also try to buy second hand, which saves money. It's easy to get swamped with an extensive personal library collection, so, I've decided to make it a habit to minimize and prioritize my purchases.

Like most people, I often check out books in traditional print format. However, there are other formats that are available. I purchased an e-reader several years ago. With this device, I am able to read digitized books from the library or available for purchase. There are many kinds of e-readers available, and the technology has advanced greatly since my initial purchase. E-books can also be viewed on a computer, tablets, iPods and smart phones. You have access to your book where ever you are! I like reading e-books the best. The reader is able to change size and color of font, spacing of lines and background colors. This ability to individualize makes reading very easy on the eye. Depending on the e-book format, there is a dictionary function, allowing the reader to easily look up word meanings by simply selecting the word and then selecting a dictionary option. (I really love this). Other options include taking notes and highlighting. (nice to do if you have purchased the book) E-book formats can be downloaded from and returned to the library via the internet. You can access these books from your library without having to leave the comfort of home. That's very convenient and time and energy efficient.

Other alternative formats for books include audio books. Books on tape and CD's have been available for sometime. This has been a convenient format, allowing people to listen to books while engaged in other activities (exercising, doing chores, doing leisure activities, traveling/driving). Some individuals who cannot read print or are auditory learners benefit from listening to books auditory format. Auditory books are available for free from your local library. E-format auditory books can be downloaded and returned via the internet. This is very convenient, especially for those facing challenges with mobility or where travel is inconvenient/difficult.

If you like to read or want to start reading more, be sure to check out the offerings at your local library. You can do so in person or on line. See what is available to meet your needs! I am sure you will find something you are looking for! The library staff are very helpful and knowledgeable and will be able to help you with finding books, research and even learning how to use e-book services. Local libraries are there for you! Your taxes are at work, be sure to take advantage of them.

Experiencing Job Burnout? What You Can Do (Besides Quit)

10/13/2014

image credit: monster.com

Love your job? Maybe not so much? Everyone has ups and downs in their career. The changing dynamics in employment settings (happening for a variety of reasons) can make life on the job enjoyable or miserable. Even a job you love can get boring or tedious leading to burn out. Often the first thought is "I gotta quit this job." Actually, you have many things you can do to improve your situation without resorting to quitting!

There's lots of stressors in life. Job burnout is a particular type of stress, involving physical, emotional or mental exhaustion paired with doubts about your ability to do the job and questioning the value of your work. It's important to evaluate the problem and take active measures before it affects your health.

Mayo Clinic and Forbes.com have provided self assessment questions to help you determine if you are experiencing job burnout.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Have you become cynical or critical at work? Feeling like what you do doesn't really matter?
Do you drag yourself to work? Do you lack enthusiasm? Have trouble getting started once you arrive?
Do you have difficulty concentrating? Are you more forgetful?
Have you become irritable or impatient with co-workers, customers or clients?
Do you lack the energy to be consistently productive?
Do you lack satisfaction from your achievements? Is your job performance slipping?
Do you feel disillusioned about your job?
Are you using food, drugs or alcohol to feel better or to simply not feel?
Have your sleep habits or appetite changed?
Are you troubled by unexplained headaches, backaches or other physical complaints?
Are you preoccupied with work and expending mental energy thinking about work outside of work?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be experiencing job burnout. Be sure to consult your doctor or a mental health provider, however. Some of these symptoms can also indicate certain health conditions, such as a thyroid disorder or depression. (Source: mayoclinic.org and forbes.com)

Mayo Clinic suggests that job burnout can result from various factors, including:

Lack of control. An inability to influence decisions that affect your job — such as your schedule, assignments or workload — could lead to job burnout. So could a lack of the resources you need to do your work.
Unclear job expectations. If you're unclear about the degree of authority you have or what your supervisor or others expect from you, you're not likely to feel comfortable at work.
Dysfunctional workplace dynamics. Perhaps you work with an office bully, you feel undermined by colleagues or your boss micromanages your work. These and related situations can contribute to job stress.
Mismatch in values. If your values differ from the way your employer does business or handles grievances, the mismatch may eventually take a toll.
Poor job fit. If your job doesn't fit your interests and skills, it may become increasingly stressful over time.
Extremes of activity. When a job is always monotonous or chaotic, you need constant energy to remain focused — which can lead to fatigue and job burnout.
Lack of social support. If you feel isolated at work and in your personal life, you may feel more stressed.
Work-life imbalance. If your work takes up so much of your time and effort that you don't have the energy to spend time with your family and friends, you may burn out quickly.

Are some people more susceptible to experiencing job burnout? Absolutely! Certain personal traits as well as job situations can affect your reactions and responses. According to Mayo Clinic, you may be more likely to experience job burnout if:

You identify so strongly with work that you lack a reasonable balance between your work life and your personal life
You try to be everything to everyone
You work in a helping profession, such as health care, counseling or teaching
You feel you have little or no control over your work
Your job is monotonous

Ignoring your feelings and responses to stressful job situations can have significant consequences to your health including:

Excessive stress
Fatigue - exhaustion can be mental, emotional or physical
Insomnia
A negative spillover into personal relationships or home life
Depression
Anxiety
Alcohol or substance abuse
Heart disease
High cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes, especially in women
Stroke
Obesity
Vulnerability to illnesses

What to do? Is quitting the only answer? Not necessarily! There are things you can do, short of quitting, that can make things better for you. If you're concerned about job burnout, take action. Mayo Clinic offers these ideas to get started:

Manage the stressors that contribute to job burnout. Once you've identified what's fueling your feelings of job burnout, you can make a plan to address the issues.
Evaluate your options. Discuss specific concerns with your supervisor. Perhaps you can work together to change expectations or reach compromises or solutions. Is job sharing an option? What about telecommuting or flexing your time? Would it help to establish a mentoring relationship? What are the options for continuing education or professional development?
Adjust your attitude. If you've become cynical at work, consider ways to improve your outlook. Rediscover enjoyable aspects of your work. Recognize co-workers for valuable contributions or a job well done. Take short breaks throughout the day. Spend time away from work doing things you enjoy.
Seek support. Whether you reach out to co-workers, friends, loved ones or others, support and collaboration may help you cope with job stress and feelings of burnout. If you have access to an employee assistance program (EAP), take advantage of the available services.
Assess your interests, skills and passions. An honest assessment can help you decide whether you should consider an alternative job, such as one that's less demanding or one that better matches your interests or core values.
Get some exercise. Regular physical activity, like walking or biking, can help you to better deal with stress. It can also help get your mind off work and focus on something else.

Additional ideas are offered by monster.com.

1. Take a break. Be sure to take breaks to detach from the stress from work. It gives your mind time to rest. Charging though your job assignments to get them done can keep you from finding enjoyment in completing tasks. Being active during your break, such as taking a walk, will help your mood, increase your energy level and foster more creativity.

2. Do tasks in a different order. Doing things the same way, in the same order day after day can create monotony and boredom. If you can, change up your routine or schedule to offer yourself some variety.

3. Focus on one task at a time. Feeling overwhelmed can be paralyzing. You don't know where to start, so you either don't start or stay unfocused, jumping from one task to another, and not really completing anything. Break large projects down into smaller, more manageable steps or projects to be done one at a time.

4. Get help. Delegate or get help to manage the load. If you don't have to be in charge, it is helpful to get assistance, especially with tedious tasks. Divide and conquer that task!

5. Reward yourself. We all need motivators. Just completing a task is rewarding, but looking forward to a pleasurable and positive reward can be helpful too. Motivators can include taking a break or nap, getting ice cream, having a night on the town or taking a day off. It doesn't have to be substantial, even simple, inexpensive, but meaningful rewards can be equally rewarding.

Forbes.com offers these suggestions:

1. Take Relaxation Seriously.
Whether you take up meditation, listening to music, reading a book, taking a walk or visiting with friends and family, truly think about what you’ll do to relax, and designate time for it.

2. Cultivate a Rich Non-Work Life.
Find something outside of work that you are passionate about that’s challenging, engaging and really gets you going—whether a hobby, sports or fitness activities or volunteering in the community (along with other items we mention here, like relaxation, being able to “turn off” and participating in rewarding non-work activities).

3. Unplug.
While communication technology can promote productivity, it can also allow work stressors seep into family time, vacation and social activities. Set boundaries by turning off cell phones at dinner and delegating certain times to check email.

4. Get Enough Sleep.
Research suggests that having fewer than six hours of sleep per night is a major risk factor for burnout, not least because poor sleep can have negative effects on your job performance and productivity. It can lead to fatigue, decrease your motivation, make you more sensitive to stressful events, impair your mental function, leave you more susceptible to errors and make it harder to juggle competing demands. The reverse is true, too: We’ve seen that sleep can actually improve your memory. Recovering from chronic stress and burnout requires removing or reducing the demands on you and replenishing your resources. Sleep is one strategy for replenishing those resources. For inspiration, check out our tips to get better sleep.

5. Get Organized
Often, when people are burnt out, they spend a lot of time worrying that they’ll forget to do something or that something important is going to slip through the cracks. Get organized, clear your head, put together a to-do list (or an electronic task list) then prioritize. That way, you don’t have to keep thinking about those things because you’ll have systems in place to remind you.

6. Stay Attuned
It’s important to tune into the precursors of those conditions, physical signs that you might be under too much stress: more headaches, tight shoulders, a stiff neck or more frequent stomach upset. In terms of mental health, burnout affects depression, and if you’re depressed, that can also affect your level of burnout—it goes both ways. So, if the issues you’re struggling with are really serious and getting worse, you may need to seek professional help. Talk to a psychologist to get help beyond support from just your friends and family members.

7. Know When It’s You, and When It’s Them
Burnout is sometimes motivated by internal factors. Sometimes it really is a symptom of external ones. In the first case, you’ll need to ask yourself, “Where is this coming from?” so you can figure out what’s stressing you out, and how to maintain your internal resources to keep yourself motivated, doing your best work and functioning well. Some burnout really is the fault of work situations like hiring freezes, layoffs, cutting work hours, rolling back benefits, requiring unpaid days off, increasing hours, etc. To find out whether it’s time to move on, figure out whether your position is a “mismatch between your needs and what you’re getting working for that particular organization.”

8. Figure Out When Enough Is Enough
Consider talking to your manager about how to improve communication and create a better, more positive work environment. Angle the conversation about how those cultural shifts will enable you to continue to serve the company and become an even better employee. There will be times when the organization is unable or unwilling to make changes. At that point, you need to decide whether you can adapt or need to move on.

Notice? Quitting your job isn't and shouldn't be the first choice you should make when you think your have job burnout. Working on being adaptable, finding other creative outlets beside "work", searching for and identifying with enjoyable aspects of work, and compartmentalizing work vs. personal life can be extremely helpful.

Here are the links to the sites I referenced for you to read more:

http://news.monster.com/a/other/beat-burnout-in-your-career-bea1aa?wt.mc_n=CRM_US_B2C_NEWS_Exp_141013

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642?pg=2

http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2013/04/01/10-signs-youre-burning-out-and-what-to-do-about-it/

A Place For Michigan Bread Bakers

10/10/2014

For the last few months, I have been enjoying the international company of bread bakers (beginners, amateurs and professionals) via several Facebook baking groups that I belong to. What a wonderful venue to connect with other lovers of yeast baking and to share successful projects and to get help and advice. I've communicated with people in Greece, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Poland and Asia to name a few. I have learned so much from other members.

I thought it would be nice to have a "Michigan" group for people who like working with yeast breads. So Michigan Bread Bakers was born. If you live in Michigan or have lived in Michigan, please stop by and take a look. Invite your friends too! I'm working on building the resource files in the group files right now, but as the group gains more members, hopefully their recipes and submission will expand offerings. Anything thing yeast related, including sourdoughs, pastries, rolls and breads along with quick breads are welcome. Doesn't matter if you make your dough by hand or by machine. Use of local ingredients and locally themed recipes is encouraged!

Come on by and visit, and select "Join" to become a member.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MichiganBreadBakers/

Cranberry and Oatmeal Spice Cookies

10/7/2014

We are into October, and in my area it's been unseasonably cold for fall. I do enjoy fall (but a warmer fall would be nice), as thoughts turn to foods reflecting fall flavors of fruits and vegetables that have been harvested.

Today's Musing is a cookie recipe I tried for the first time recently. It has two of my favorite baking ingredients (dried cranberries and oatmeal). It is a very nice change from the old time favorite of chocolate chip and it's recipe variations.
The link to the recipe appears below. I made it as written except for doubling the ingredients to make a larger batch and also throwing in a handful of chopped pecans.

Here is the link to the recipe:

http://www.cooking.com/recipes-and-more/recipes/cranberry-and-oatmeal-spice-cookies-recipe-6089.aspx#axzz3FPEKznyr