1,000 Times More Relaxing Than a Nap

My fingers are ruby red from peeling roasted beets, my apartment smells of vegetables roasting in olive oil and thyme and the soothing sound of beef ternderloin sizzling before getting put in the oven is in the background. This is the most relaxed I have been in ages.

I haven't cooked in about two weeks and I can feel it both physically and mentally, despite being on vacation (staycation really, I'm easing in to being able to take a real vacation).

Despite not being hunched over a desk and being true to my self-promise to not check my work e mails for the past four days I have still been exhausted and still not able to completely disconnect. My plan this afternoon was to go to Whole Foods and then nap until whenever in order to feel rested. I thought that sleep was what I needed, I was wrong.

When I started unpacking the groceries my fatigue started to fade and when I put on my apron I stood up straight an no longer felt like being curled up in bed. Physically it felt energizing to be chopping and lifting pans in and out of the oven. Mentally it was cleansing. I couldn't worry about the work e mails I hadn't checked or that pesky credit card bill that still insists on coming every month - there was open flame in my apartment! And I was still being productive having prepared dinner, and several lunches and other dinners since the recipe serves six*.

In about 40 minutes I will be savoring the fruits of my labor and a lovely glass of Bordeaux. Or really the Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary and Chocolate and the Jewel Roasted Vegetables from "The Food You Crave" by Ellie Krieger.

*Addendum, this is a meal that I am looking forward to eating multiple times as it was delicious. There were no ingredient portions that seemed off and just put in for "presentation". A few recos if you pick up the cookbook and make these recipes - definitely salt to taste which means more than just a few shakes. Remember that the salt will cook off and it helps bring out the flavor. Once the sauce is cooked taste it and feel free to add more cocoa if it doesn't seem right, we all have different palates.