Five things taking up my mental space right now (that is not work/art related):

Rest is History Podcast

Particularly their 8 episode series on the French Revolution. I became interested in Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution since I went to to Paris and Versailles in March. Seeing the palace, hearing a bit of history, and seeing some Revolution related paintings in the Louvre made me realize that I know nothing at all about this important period of history. So I wanted to learn, and the Rest is History podcast with their 8 detailed episodes presented in the very conversational format is very digestible and interesting…I will be listening to their podcast on other (interesting to me) historical topics too when I’m done with these 8.

Crow Pose in Yoga

I am putting in five minutes every day trying to master the Crow Pose. I know how to do it, but now I am learning it the correct way, and it’s much harder than how I was previously doing it. My aim with starting with Crow is to be able to do other arm balances with grace over time. And Crow is the starting point. So I want to get it down pat in the right way before I can move on. It’s not perfect yet, but it is becoming easier everyday. I am sure I will only get better with my practice 👍

Shakespeare’s Henry V

This is my play of the month. In this play, King Henry V of England is ambitious of taking over France, and he’s gone to France to wage war. I am about half way through the play, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds. I have to say reading Shakespeare certainly becomes easier with time. Which means it doesn’t take me long to get right into the play and start figuring out what’s going on. I also look forward to watching Timothy Chalamet’s movie The King based on Henry V’s life after I am done reading this play.

Baking more Sourdough

This has become easy for me- I have figured out the proportions and timing, and the prep that makes my life easy when it comes to baking sourdough on a regular basis. But to keep it still fun and exciting, I always change something- either the flour (I like experimenting with different whole grains, and every freshly milled flour), and flavorings. I will be making the dough for a fresh loaf today, and I am going to make it with caraway seeds and coriander seeds…never tried this combination before so I wonder how it will turn out 🙂

Calorie Deficit

I am in the second week of my calorie deficit. The first week was definitely harder with my body not used to the lower calories- I was hungry a lot, and the workouts, especially the hardest of exercises- deadlift!- made me feel completely empty, like a shell. I think this week is feeling much better so far. My body has figured out there is less food to use, and it’s holding up great. Also, I am already feeling a bit smaller. I haven’t deadlifted this week yet (I do it on Friday), so I will have to see how I feel this week. But I am definitely doing better this week. Also, I am spreading out my meals and snacks a bit more throughout the day which keeps hunger pangs at bay. And of course, everything has to be high fiber or high volume food- aka real healthy food- for my body to do well on fewer calories. A few potato chips with the same amount of calories as, say a boiled potato- will leave me feeling completely unsatiated unlike the boiled potato that will really fill me up…so things like that have to be kept in mind. Also, with fewer calories I have to make sure they count towards as much nutrition I can get from them to stay in good health, right? Only 34 more days to go…!