Motivation vs Laziness

I realize that I have a lack of motivation when it comes to a lot of things. At the beginning stages of a project, I get excited and am full of ideas. But soon, the novelty wears off and I don't follow through. How do you stay motivated?

Here are my current "projects" that I'm excited about along with concerns:

1) I'm starting school next month and want to pack lunch at least 3 times a week rather than eating out. This is both for monetary and health reasons. As a student, I definitely will not have the funds to be eating out daily. Also, I'd like to do some portion control as well as eating more healthy food. Though I'm excited about the possibility of things to cook, I already feel unmotivated for various reasons... time, energy, laziness.

2) I started swimming again a few months ago and this is something I'd like to keep up. I feel healthier and more energetic than when I wasn't exercising. Once I start school, realistically, how often will this happen?

I don't know if it's motivation that I'm lacking or if it's that I have too much laziness and too many excuses. Hm...

Coconut Cake

I've never had coconut cake before. Really. So this was fun to bake and yummy to eat! I got this recipe from Food Network, or more specifically, Ina Garten. Did I ever tell you I thought that her name was Contessa for the longest time?

Anyway, I did make a few adjustments. I used coconut milk instead of regular milk and I used 2 tsp of vanilla extract and 1 tsp of almond extract for the cake. Also, I used 6 large eggs instead of 5 extra large eggs. Where do you even purchase extra large eggs? Anyway, I also put less than 1 lb of confectioner's for the frosting.

All in all, it was a good cake, easy to bake... but really really really dense and rich.

This picture looks alien-esque. Hehehe...

Do you have any cake recipes to share?

Bruschetta... Sort of.

There's something about the combination of tomatoes, basil, mozzarella olive oil, and balsamic vinegar that tastes so good.

I call this "Bruschetta... Sort of." because bruschetta is actually just sliced baguette topped with olive oil and rubbed with garlic. I call the tomato, basil, garlic, etc. part bruschetta. But who's going to stop me?

Anyway, here's how I make it:

Start with some good tomatoes. These happen to be two heirloom and one... from my sister's garden. Shh!! Don't tell her! You can use any type of tomato you want. Even cherry tomatoes!

Chop them up into little cubes. My sister takes out all the insides so you don't end up with a watery bruschetta... I like to be lazy. =)

Next, mince up some garlic and chop up some basil. How much? I don't know... about this much. I like a lot of garlic. I think I put in like 3 cloves. As far as basil, I think I put about 7 large leaves.

Next, add a few glugs of olive oil, a few less glugs of balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.

Taste it. Does it need more salt? More vinegar? Adjust accordingly. =)

Slice up some of your favorite baguette. This one happens to be Acme Bread Company's Sweet baguette. Serve with fresh mozarella.

Sorry about the photo quality... they're all from my phone =)