What's New?! Also, more food. . .

It is difficult to believe that we have been here 2 months now. I'm starting to get comfortable and now we really have to get busy with getting my work permit processed. Even if all goes as smoothly as possible, it is likely that Rick and I will have to make a trip to Poland due to requirements by law. But, at least, we will be able to stay and I have wanted to visit Krakaow for years! :D

Another major comfort is changing as well. Our home. Apparently, I wasn't aware of this before, but we have only agreed to live here for the three months. And, so, if we want to live in this apartment longer, the flatmates have to agree to let us. There are a few problems with this as they already have plans to have long term visitors during the summer and will likely need our room. What this all means is that we are probably going to move. This is only difficult as far as moving is tedious for me -- I don't enjoy it. The truth is a good friend of Rick's and a new friend for me is getting married at the end of April. We have been invited to move wiith him and his new wife to a barrio near to the forest. The commute would be less than ideal, but the location is better -- cleaner air, recreation, nature, etc. We would even have a lake nearby to enjoy. The commute for me is 30-35 min in marshrutka (not so bad by typical American standards), but it means I would lose 1.5 hours more each day. Each week that is about 6-10 hours of free time for projects and personal enjoyment (the calculations have to do with how often I would return home in a day and when I would have to stay at the school because returning home makes no sense). I could make it work and learn to appreciate it, I think. But, meh, I am not too excited about commuting so far.

Aside from these minor things, the important things in life are improving. Our diet is getting better everyday as I get more comfortable with adding variety. Rick and I have both had colds and gotten over them so we have been able to begin taking walks together again. I have started exercising again, but I am trying to do it without paying for a costly trip to the gym. Part of what instigated the exercise is that I feel great! We don't have a scale, but since coming here and making minor changes in my lifestyle, I have lost two inches off my waist. Rick has calculated something that is meant to estimate how much weight I have lost in the last 60 days, he says I probably have lost 10-15 lbs. We are both really curious and are pricing scales. If it does turn out that I have lost all that weight without big changes in lifestyle, I will be writing an article about the little changes I DID make. :D

Also, as with all my recent posts, I have to include pictures of the food I have been making. In honour of St. Patty's Day, I tried making Soda Bread for the first time about 10 days ago. It was glorious! (and ridiculously simple). Since then, I have been experimenting with additions to the soda bread. But, it has sort of become a habit now to bake fresh bread every other day with breakfast. We are both enjoying the tradition --- and knowing exactly what is being put into our bread (how much sugar, if any, how much fat, how much protein, etc.). Aside from normal Whole-Wheat flour Soda Bread, I have made Citrus Poppyseed Bread, Homemade Kasha Loaf, and Multi-Grain Oat Bread.

Irish Soda Bread, made with unrefined flour (basic recipe from Epicurious.com)

Our new favourite breakfast, the Orange Breakfast. Fresh Mango-Carrot juice, Citrus Poppyseed Bread, Lemony Ginger-Thyme Infusion (for the colds), with fresh fruit on the side.

A close-up of my Citrus Poppyseed Bread creation, this bread at almost 200 cal per thick slice, is loaded with protein, fiber and very little sugar.

And, to make your mouth water, some other recent concoctions (The first two are of Mint-Berry Cucumber Salad from Whole Living and in the background, Lighter Sesame Chicken from Whole Living. The third dish is my pierog invention for Pi Day, Raspberry-Lemon Marble Pierog with accompanying Homemade Raspberry Soda.

I hope this post finds you all happy, healthy, and at peace. . .

Love,

Kimmee