Yesterday was a three-cookie-day, and that is okay.
My husband David, an avid baker, has spent the last few days scouring the internet for yeast. I am not sure if this is happening in your city but ever since quarantine was announced, in Los Angeles there’s been a shortage of not only yeast but flour as well.
The irony is that normally, many people here don’t eat bread at all for various reasons (such as celiac disease or watching their weight).
You know things are different in Los Angeles when people are suddenly searching for gluten and carbs.
With all this extra time at home, many people seem to be taking up baking as a soothing hobby. Dinner parties have quickly been replaced by Instagram images of steaming hot sourdough loaves, whole wheat blueberry muffins, and dense banana bread coming out of ovens left and right.
Rather than being frustrated at the lack of yeast, David took on other baking adventures that didn’t require any. I walked into the kitchen that morning to discover he had whipped up a batch of mouthwatering carrot cake cookies topped with cream cheese frosting.
As any supportive spouse would do, I was naturally willing to sample a cookie as soon as they were decorated. We both leisurely enjoyed ours (mine with a cup of coffee and his with a cup of black Pu-erh tea). We discussed their sweet/savory qualities and agreed that in these circumstances, carrot cake cookies should definitely count as a serving of vegetables.
After lunch David suggested we compare how well these cookies would taste when warmed up as opposed to at room temperature. This research would provide VALUABLE information as to how these should be served in the future.
Later that evening it seemed totally appropriate to see how another cookie would pair with a glass of white wine (for tasting research of course). After all, it is another serving of vegetables and carrots are quite high in fiber! Anyway, now you can see how this resulted in my three-cookie day.
Before we went to bed I was feeling sort of guilty for all of this cookie consumption, since normally I am pretty health conscious. But it didn’t take long for me to take a few deep breaths and put everything into perspective.
As I’m sure you’ve also experienced lately, many of my daily rituals and routines have changed out of necessity.
Let’s just face it, the world is stressful right now and there are many emotions swirling around us. We hear reports from loved ones who are all going through their own experience. We scroll through a variety of opinions and thoughts on social media. The nonstop news cycle inundates us with perspectives left and right. I don’t care how much rose quartz you have – this is a lot of energy for anyone to process.
With that in mind, I reminded myself that an extra cookie here and there isn’t going to hurt me.
I closed my eyes, put my hand on my heart and asked myself to reflect back what I need during the day at this time. I visualized the color blue while waiting for the answer, which is a great color to use because it helps the higher self see truth more clearly.
Based on that exercise, here is a simple list that has been helping me quite a bit.
1. Move my body: I try to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. That can be a long dog walk in the area. We wave to our neighbors from a distance from neighbors and take deep breaths. I have enjoyed taking live online exercise classes from my gym and seeing familiar faces check in on the screen. Here’s a list of some gyms that are offering online exercise classes, many of which are free. If I’m not feeling up to exercise, sometimes I might just stand and do some stretching exercises.
2. Connect with my heart: I try to connect with my soul group every day. It starts in the morning, where there are extra cuddles in bed with David and our dog. We normally hop right out of bed and get the day started, but recently we spend time in the morning reading, drinking coffee/tea and just being quiet.
3. Awaken my creative side: I have loved seeing some of the art that is being born during this time. Creatives are making masks, funny videos, music and yes, tons of homemade bread are probably coming out of ovens as we speak. I have been cooking, writing, and consuming lots of music, art and film.
4. Give myself extra space to do what feels best in the moment, without judgment or expectation. This may change daily, from eating really well to indulging, from exercising alot to having a lazy day on the couch.
Whatever your version of a three-cookie day is, try and cut yourself some slack. I highly reccomend finding the energies that you can connect with in a day to help you stay the course. I encourage you to visualize blue as well and ask yourself the same question. This is a journey of the heart, the mind, and the soul. Your needs can (and will) change so it’s important to check in with yourself regularly. I’d love to know if anything specific came up for you!
Much Love,
P.S. Join me for some quality time! I’m hosting a free weekly live webinar for the next few weeks as a gift to you. My intention is to share, connect and hopefully inspire. You’ll need to sign up here, but after that you’ll be registered for every week. I hope to see you there!
26 Responses
I really enjoyed hearing about the three cookie day. I completely agree that we all need to give ourselves a break from any guilt or shame if we decide this day is a couch day, or cookie day. Oddly enough, I’ve felt relatively calm through most of this crazy time. Perhaps because I suffered a heartbreaking loss 6 months ago when my youngest son committed suicide. I have been grieving his passing since October, and so when the virus hit, I thought well, I’m not sure I could really feel much worse, and I know this will pass in time just as my heart will heal in time. The fact that I was laid off too just had me wondering if this wasn’t just what I needed and perhaps the world. We all need time to slow down and ask “what do I really want/need right now. I believe we are being given a perfect opportunity even if it can be a little scary and cause some anxiety. I know things will be okay, different but okay. Thank you for all you do in the world. Sending health and blesdings
Hi Dawn, thank you for commenting and I am so sorry to hear about your loss. And I totally agree with you, things will be different and that is ok. Thank you for your strength and words of wisdom. I am sending love your way.
Hi Dougall-
I also live in LA and we can’t find flour. I am on my fourth puzzle! It is so relaxing and almost meditative because my mind is concentrating on finding a specific piece. Yesterday on Facebook I was drawn to the blue crystal. Last week you spoke about being uncomfortable and embracing it…I realized I am really uncomfortable and that is the perfect description. I really appreciate you checking in on us and offering us your insight. Sending you and David lots of love!
Wendy
Hi Wendy! Thanks for commenting. I love that you are on your fourth puzzle. I will add a puzzle to my routine. Sending you lots of love.
Sometimes treats are just what the doctor ordered. Any chance you could post the recipe for cookies?
The recipe is from Cooks Illustrated.
Funny, I had just decided to have a cookie with my afternoon tea when I started reading this. I don’t normally do sugar in the daytime but I agree that we need to treat ourselves right now.
And to Dawn, above, I am so sorry for your loss, that is heartbreaking.
enjoy your cookie Molly! And thanks for sending Dawn some love.
Greetings Dougall and David,
Thank you for your blog.
I resonate with your thoughts, especially three cookies.
More healthy and less guilty to use rice flour substitute for flour
How to make rice flour
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Rice-Flour
To Dawn above, I am truly sorry for your loss.
Stay safe and take care
Oh. My goodness do those ever look good. They wouldn’t last long in my house and there’s only my husband & I here. I am just north of you up in Vancouver. You may remember me bugging the heck out of you and Radleigh asking when are you coming to Vancouver???? Lol. Thank you for all you do. I love to read your emails and I love to tune in when you’re online looking forward to your next one
Hi Wendy! Of course I remember you. We can’t make it to Vancouver right now, BUT we are doing an new online program together in June!
Awesome! Thanks for the heads up Dougall. I’ll be looking for it. ❤️🙏🏻
I’ll take a cookie or five and the color blue! Great checklist. Thanks for great reminders! Xx
Dougall, Dawn’s message of grief and loss has filled my heart with prayers for us all during this time of reflection. Along those lines, my adult children are each serving with human compassion, in their own way — and yet, for those like Dawn who find themselves acclimating through the sorrow, I feel the need for encouraging them. I’ve witnessed their sorrow over the phone or when on FaceTime. I’ve seen their feelings of helplessness to do more (compelled to assist in the difficulties of others due to the Pandemic). My younger daughter is a physician on a Native American Reservation; it’s around the clock service. She’s worn out, dragging her breaking heart through the need to keep going. She is constantly searching for methods, supplies and help on every level for the way-too-many who’s lives are crumbling. My other two kids have similar stories with not enough space to list here. We conclude our visits with our dreams & intentions for the future, with faith that the “New Normal” is bringing us all a better world, for our support of each other, for the spiritual bond that runs in our blood — And by the time we say goodbye, we feel a little more hopeful and a little lighter even though resolution of these times is still ahead of us. But Dougall, how far?
Thanks Dougall. I was going to have a celery juice this morning (I’m in Australia) but really felt like a coffee in bed and went with that instead. I might take a leaf out of your book and have some home made fruit cake – it’s a serving of fruit right?! I’m really enjoying being at home and don’t actually want to return to my stressful job. Do you have any suggestions for the best colours for me to release it with love? I work for a relative who I dearly care about. Much gratitude for all you do. xxx
Love these cookies visually and the words !!
Now please post the recipe !! I love carrots and baking !!
Thank you Dougall! I can smell the lovely aroma of baked carrot cake cookies!!
As for me, instead of making large paper mâché sculptures at my studio (which is my usual work routine) I have been inclined to go smaller, so to speak. When I am making large pieces I know that there will be an audience so maybe I have only been showing my extroverted side.
These small paper sculptures I began making at home are less than a quarter of my normal sculptures size-wise but the act of focusing on something small has given me the time to listen and care for my inner being. Kind of like a little secret I am nurturing.
I usually tend to love blue hues but right now I am loving Red. Maybe there’s a connection…
Only 3 cookies? That’s pretty good. When I bake, which has been often lately, 3 is the minimum! However, I will get out and do a nice walk out of guilt and trying to add balance to my life! Let’s give ourselves some space and grace while we go through this time. Thanks for sharing and loving all of us!
Only a 3 – cookie day ??? I applaud you for your restraint !!! David they look worthy of putting in your own cookbook …. hmmm – there’s a thought ????
Dougall – your expressive writings always make me smile and lift my spirits – no matter what the subject. So warm and genuine and wonderfully chatty.
I too am from Vancouver, and am joining with Wendy to bug you mercilessly to PLEASE come north and do a show here !!!
Looking forward to your “fireside chat” tomorrow – hugs and gratitude to you both !!
How interesting Dougal…..these are the exact same products you cannot get here in Germany either during the lock down: yeast, flour, pasta….+ toilet paper. Thanks for sharing your 3-day-cookie experience. Loved it! Can you share David`s yummy cookie recipe?
Love Gabi
Hi Dougall!
What was the verdict? Which way did the cookies taste best? I’m sure they were all good.
Love, Hugs & Peace
I am impressed with your restraint. Would’ve been a whole batch of cookies for the day for me. And yes yeast and flour is scarce in Sacramento also.
Believe me Jennifer, the cookie struggle is real!
I have shared this article with a number of people now – and each one has come back to me saying THANK YOU…..this helps so much! So, I’m passing along MY thanks to YOU for the article. Some days it’s no cookies – some days it’s 7! Keep well – staying healthy and sending support from your friend in Toronto 🙂
Thank you so much Heidi, I really appreciate the kind words!
Hi There,
I Have never responded to a blog before but I couldn’t help myself this time. I live in Los Gatos California and I am a big Baker and yeast is unheard of around here. I strongly believe there’s a East monster… Or bakeries are buying it all Up. I will share with you that after going to six stores the last one I went to a stock boy told me that there was fresh yeast in the dairy section by the milk and butter. He also said he didn’t think anybody knew about it. I have never worked with fresh yeast however low and behold it was there and a lot of it! I looked it up online and it’s what professional bakers Use. Also you use twice as much then the dry yeast that most of us use. So I baked my bread as usual and it came out perfectly. FYI next time there’s an issue with yeast… By the way love you Dougal keep spreading the world with color.