Ice dancer

Monday is kind of like a day off for me because I don´t have any lectures. Since I don´t have to make a schedule for Mondays I can do whatever I like - do everything in reverse, for instance! I started this Monday with skiing now that for once I was free during the daylight. There was a sunny spell, only a few minus degrees. Skiing gave me amazing energy for the rest of the day. I had lunch, ran my errands in town (returned my work clothes), had afternoon coffee and only then went to the uni. At uni I studied and tried to print for a couple of hours. It was a good day. Exercise in the morning seems to be wise.

 

Later on I felt an urge to make cookies. I found this recipe that met my needs: http://blogit.hs.fi/kauhaajarakkautta/2012/04/26/kun-makeanhimo-iskee-maapahkinavoi-kaurakeksit/

This is my version:

Peanut butter oaties

1dl peanut butter

1dl cane sugar and honey

0,5dl chia seed gel (or one egg)

2dl oats

1tsp baking soda

2 tbs sultanas/raisins

Bake in 175 degrees for 7-10 minutes until golden brown. 

My god they are good with milk !!

Since this day was dedicated to spontaneous acts and urges, I realized my dream of being an ice dancer. After studying for a couple of hours at home, my lungs were screaming for fresh air. (Also, cookies taste twice as good after outdoor exercise.) It was 22pm and skating in a darkened ice rink seemed like a romantic idea. My ice dancer outfit was simply a skirt and my favourite winter coat. I had to have music as well so I took my mp3-player with.

Here are some "highlights" from my playlist... 

First it felt like a stupid idea to skate in the dark, making late-night dog walkers freak out. But skating to music is really fun, especially in the dark. It was like being in a shop after closing time. The only problem was that my mp3-player cords got stiff in the cold and the plugs kept falling out of my ears. I had a proper dance spectacle in the dark anyway and maybe some people in Olympia saw my show through window...

 I will go out tonight
Don't wanna waste my time
I feel I'm bound to fly
And I don't love you no more

Shades of blue

This time of the year is very favorable for Finns because we have several seasonal sweet pastries that are supposed to be consumed in February. Well, at least two, and then there´s Valentines Day when sweet treats are easily justified. In the beginning of the month Finns also eat Runeberg´s tarts in the honour of our national poet J.L. Runeberg. It´s also time for split cinnamon buns with cream and jam inside... What would go better with a cuppa steaming coffee after enjoying fresh mid-winter air..!

On the campus

Feels good when you know spring is approaching even though I don´t want to let winter go just yet. I have some more skiing and skating to do which I have done unfortunately quite little. Lack of time is my enemy as I´m super busy with studies.

This weekend, though, I took a weekend-off and spent it in Seinäjoki with my siblings. It´s quite drastic what some alcohol, crisps and sugar do to you in a couple of days when you normally don´t consume them at all. Headache and fatigue that is. Luckily I recovered quite quickly, too, after going to the gym and having an empowering smoothie. Tomorrow it´s back to work and back to the line in terms of eating!!

The Russian church at dusk

This week I also tried out some raw cakes but I seem to need some practice. It´s hard to get the taste right because "unbaking" a raw cake is just something else... I did make quite nice chocolate cake that was pretty simple: oats and cashews in the crust and raw chocolate on top. I seem to have a sweet tooth especially in winter because it´s cold and dark and it´s nice to seek comfort from food. Baking something healthy is not actually very hard since everything can be replaced. Lately I also discovered chia seeds which can apparently replace eggs if needed. Even replacing white sugar with a natural sweetener and white flour with spelt is a huge improvement.

Some more pics form this winter wonderland and then I´m off to bed.

the City hall