Transports you to ... now. Back from whatever you didn't do yesterday. Back from what you better do tomorrow. The one-minute vacation that clears your head. It's Sunday. Take a minute. Press Play.
Sounds a little weird but it's delicious. Read on. I'll get to the cardamom and coconut part. Granola's been my breakfast of choice for 40 years. Ten months ago, I realized I could make my own. I've been tinkering with the recipe. Now it's the best granola I've ever tasted.
Great views from the tops. Actually, great views from the bottom, too. In Sienna. And in San Gimignano. Five miles. Three towers. 1,000 stairs. 1,500 calories. And you get to eat in Italy.
Not much to look at yet, but it's encouraging. Five or six weeks to the first flowers. Weeks of flowers. Bright red and white. Living color on the windowsill of the window that looks out on three months of dormant black & white sensory deprivation.
Even if you exercise vigorously for an hour every day - too much sitting significantly increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity. So when you're in front of your TV or computer, do this - or something like it - for a minute every hour or two.
For 20 minutes, which is really how long you should let this steep. The lemon and honey and ginger. Takes a while to get really good. Lean right over the pot and inhale. Steam your face. Nice to share your pot with somebody. Good way to start the year. Sharing. Steamy. Slower.
Because most things happen in years. Let's say you're carrying around an extra 10 or 20 pounds. Probably didn't pick that up last week. Probably worked on it for years. Think you might be alive a year from today? Good. You have a whole year to do something about it.
New Year's Number One reason to have leftover polenta in the fridge: breakfast. Whether you're feeling leftover or good as new, this is a wonderful winter meal. Rich and comforting. Not heavy. Great way to start the New Year.
That's the question at breakfast every morning ... if you're in Nepal. It's the hot morning beverage you drink with everything. It's really hot lemon and honey. Maybe ginger. No tea. Easily habit-forming. A very good habit at this time of year.
If you and polenta are new to each other, let me tell you that it's one of the great comfort foods. It's remarkably nutritious, cheap and versatile. When you make this very hands-on version, you do it for both the great flavor and the cool experience.