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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Pity the trees with fungi...but no mercy on the bread...


So part of the reason I was gone for a bit was due to a misdiagnosis on my part. I thought I had ringworm and was freaked out and applying anti-fungal cream galore to legs, arms, back and yes, butt. I felt really low. Really low and gross and disgusting and scared. Scared I would give it to Wee One and/or Nature Boy. I love taking pics of fungi in the forest, on the ground and growing on trees. Do the trees feel yucky when the fungus grows on them, I wonder? I really wasn't enjoying its presence on me! Finally after 2 1/2 weeks, I caved and called a dermatologist and begged and got a same-day appointment. So I go in and I'm still scared and desperate for a cure. The doc takes one look and declares it is not ringworm, rather, a form of eczema. No meds needed, just some good moisturizer. I was so excited to hear this!

Apparently, hot showers, switching to a cheap-o vegan moisturizer, dry winter indoor air and breastfeeding (which depletes a gal of all moisture and makes one incredibly insatiably thirsty)combined to form the Perfect Storm of Dryness on my skin. So I have my BEST FRIEND back on my shelf again (this friend also may have had a hand in keeping the stretch marks at bay when I was prego and to think, I ditched him for some cheap replacement) and we are drinking lots of water and herbal teas.

Not that you want to eat after reading the gross details above, but if by some chance you are looking for some good breakfasty fare, here's a veganized recipe for English Muffin Bread. And yes, it does taste to me like English Muffins, which I haven't had for oh, 8 or 10 years now. It's not great sliced and plain, but toast it and slather on the Earth Balance or some jam.... delish!

English Muffin Bread **makes 2 loaves 400 degree oven

2 packets yeast
6 cups flour
1 Tbs cane sugar
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 cups soy milk (rice or almond would work too)
1/2 cup water
cornmeal

Grease and flour two loaf pans, dust with cornmeal. Combine 3 cups flour,yeast, sugar, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Heat the liquids (water and soy milk) until warm (120-130 deg. F); add to dry mixture and mix well. Still in remaining 3 cups of flour by hand, this will make a very stiff batter. Spoon into two loaf pans. Cover, let rise in warm place 45 minutes. Bake at 400 deg. F for 25 minutes. Remove immediately from pans, cool on rack. Slice and toast, then devour. No mercy.

2 comments:

Laura said...

glad you don't have ringworm! :)~

affectioknit said...

I'm so glad you figured out what the problem was - and I hope you are feeling better soon! The toast does look yummy!