On Bagels: If Not Now, Then When?

HOLY MOLY, Hummusapien got implants!! I kid, I kid...just an itty bitty facelift.

Isn't she purty? I'm kind of sort of totally obsessed with the new look. I wanted a simple, fun, more polished look and Morgan Oliver Allen delivered. He helped turn my vision for a clean-looking format and logo into a reality. Morgan is an incredibly talented photographer (check out his website), and lucky for me, he also does some graphic design work on the side. Get this: he just launched an awesome fashion app called Trendster--majorly cool. Did I mention he does all this while going to med school for neuroscience? Serious brains over there.

He was pretty much a dream to work with. We basically texted back and fourth like mad, he shot me a few ideas and before I knew it, Hummusapien got a fresh little makeover. No more annoying borders --hallelujah!

In other news, I pulled a serious Betty Homemaker and made bagels the other day. BAGELS. Like, what?? Who makes homemade bagels? Apparently Gina from Running to the Kitchen does. Pumpkin raisin bagels to be exact. I adore her and her blog.

Let me begin by saying I don't eat bagels on a regular basis. They're usually waaaay too big and loaded with tons of refined white flour along with a bunch of other chemicals, dough conditioners and unpronounceable ingredients. Ick. The solution? Make them yourself.

I took one glance and this recipe and knew immediately that I was going to make them that day. I even had all the ingredients. I texted Ally's mom to borrow her stand mixer, and there I was staring at the dough hook wondering how in the world I was actually going to make bagels.

The bagels turned out totally flawless--perfect in size, flavor and texture. I snagged one right out of the oven, gave it a quick toast and smeared it with cream cheese. It was straight up pumpkin raisin heaven. The only thing I changed about the recipe was that I used 2 ½ cups white whole flour and 1 ½ cups all purpose flour. I wanted a bit more whole wheat, and luckily they still came out fabulous. I did the stats and each bagel has under 200 calories plus a hefty amount of fiber and protein. I'm already dreaming about smearing one with almond butter and a sprinkling of chia tomorrow morning.

I feel freaking awesome for making bagels. Like you've kind of conquered the world once you've made bagels, let alone whole wheat ones spiced with pumpkin goodness. Gahhh I can't even.

I've always wanted to make homemade bread, so why not start with bagels? If I didn't make them with all the ingredients on hand, when in the world was I going to make them? Probably never. Why is it that we get excited about something and pumped up to take on the challenge only to decide to hold off till a later date?

The time to challenge yourself is now.  If not now, then when? No one is going to do it for you. Change is in your hands and your hands only.

Stop waiting and start doing. Stop waiting until tomorrow to find the perfect job. Stop waiting until tomorrow to bake those scones. Stop waiting until tomorrow to eat better. Stop waiting till tomorrow to take your kids to the park. Stop waiting.

To do your hair.

To get dressed up.

To read that book.

To join a gym.

To make a green smoothie.

To create a blog.

The time is now.

Change is a big scary thing. What if I fail? What if I waste the whole day messing up a stupid batch of bagels? Why eat well when everything causes cancer anyway? Why do my hair when no one is even going to see me? Take a minute and think long and hard about the fact that you have one life to live, one life to stuff with as much meaning and joy as possible.  ONE. Mess up this one and you're out of luck. Will you look back and regret eating well and feeling good? Getting dressed up? Spending the day cooking something new? I doubt it. You'll likely regret not doing those things.

Life is fleeting, so soak up every minute. If that means spending Monday making bagels, then so be it.