Of Mice & Men...

"But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane 

In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft a-gley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promised joy." - Robert Burns

The meaning behind this poem, later quoted in Steinbeck's novel, is basically, "sh*t happens." I'd like to thank my prep school English professor and my numerous English professors in college (I was only a credit away from an English minor), as without them, I may not have remembered the poem.
Now isn't the time to stumble. I'm about to go away on vacation someplace warm...where I'd LIKE very much to wear a swimsuit.  I'd lost 10 lbs eating healthy food and exercising regularly.  This is a particularly PAINFUL New England winter.  Growing up in New England my whole life, I can assure you, THIS is the worst since I was a toddler during the blizzard of '78.  I have good food in the house.  I planned to make empanadas tonight with shredded beef from the farm and red beans with rice, and fresh tomato...but I've been snow bound for 2 days, with 2 children CRAZY with cabin fever, a press release to write, and 2 feet of snow to shovel. I took a breather and baked a loaf of bread.

The FASTEST white bread recipe I know, adapted from The Joy of Cooking:
1 Tbs sugar
1 package (2 1/4 t) active dry or quick rise yeast
1 cup very warm water
(Let sit for 5 min) then add:

2 3/4 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teas salt
2 Tbs olive oil

                                                                                
Mix by hand for 1 min (hold back the last 3/4 c flour).  Knead for 10 min. Place dough in oiled bowl and turn dough over to coat with oil.  Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, 40-45 minutes.  Grease 9X5 loaf pan.  Punch down the dough, form into a loaf, and place seam side down in pan.  Oil the surface of the dough, cover with a clean cloth,  and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk (25-40 minutes).  Preheat oven to 450.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 and bake for another 30 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.  Remove loaf from pan to cooling rack and let cool completely.

Long story short...I, realized I was missing an ingredient, and too lazy to substitute, I ordered out.  On a scale of 1-10 (1 being the best, healthiest, and most natural choice...I'm going to give it a 5).  I feel like garbage, but I'm not going to beat myself up.  We ALL need a break now and then.  Back on track tomorrow. Lost the battle...winning the war.