what even is productivity?

Now that I'm nearing the end of my master's program and have so much writing to finish up, it's particularly frustrating to not have a coffee shop or library to go to as a change of scenery is my key strategy to forcing myself to be productive.

But, it's not possible right now so currently seeking more motivation strategies. HMU. 

ANYWAYS. I know we're in the middle of a banana bread crisis, but I had 6, yes, 6, really brown bananas chilling out so I made some banana bread. SUE ME. I didn't even let them get brown. I was just hanging out, waiting for them to go from green to yellow when all of the sudden they were completely brown. 

I was trolling the inter webs trying to find what to do with six bananas (most recipes call for 2 or three) and was resigned to making multiple recipes when this popped up on my instagram. But I still had one banana extra so Sunday morning, I decided to make Deb's banana oat weekday pancakes. They were delicious. I love oats in pancakes. I halved the recipe and added chocolate chips. 10/10 stars, do recommend. 

Then post Zoom Barre3 this morning, I said goodbye to the brown banana peels and made the ultimate banana bread. I've already sampled, and yes it is delicious. The non-vegan vehicle for vegan butter. 

Other things: I have been struggling to wake up in the morning and hop to it, since I don't have anything scheduled until class at 5. So I'm planning things with friends in the AM so I don't feel like I have wasted my entire day. Did some B3 with some Brighton babes this morning.

4/19: I have a big paper to write by Friday so I went and retrieved my printer and all my professional texts from my apartment yesterday to create an atmosphere of academia and to minimize staring at digital documents on screens. I'll let you know if it works. 

4/18: Not the most tame, but not the least tame end of tax season party to ever happen.

I made a kombucha Moscow mule for the occasion. Alchohol with a side of probiotics. And if you don't use 8 drinking vessels a day, are you even quarantining?

Peep the fallen birthday card from Nana. She apologized for it being baby-ish, lol? 

Saturday morning beverage check.

April 17: Trying to find some bright spots post run.

April 16: More beverages.

April 15: Ballou Family Zoom

My oldest brother is really mature with his zoom names.

April 14: Made some acorn squash gnocchi with browned butter garlic and walnuts.

Byeee. :)

quarantine camera roll.

So it turns out even opening my laptop and randomly typing is hard when isolating.

Here is how my quarantine is going according to my iPhone:

April 2: Caught a glimpse of some blossoms in Riverside Park and felt a tiny spark of happiness.

April 5: Went for a walk and decided to wear a bandana face mask. Only had my our lady of guadeloupe bandana with me in my isolation cabin. 

Made some whipped coffee. Here's my endorsement for Elmhurst walnut milk. 

Got bored, curled my hair and did an eye mask. Gotta be zoom fresh. 

April 6: Chilling with all my beverages and zoom. 

April 7: Iced Latte & baked rutabaga and apple with crispy eggs for breakfast.

Declared this my errand day and peeped some pear blossoms blowing in the breeze. 

Started making myself a birthday cake and actually set up my mise en place. 

Did you know this yogurt costs $10.99/8 oz? I didn't until I checked my receipt. Cool, cool, cool. 

April 8: Morning beverages.

My quarantine clothing set up. I had to take a picture because I couldn't stop laughing about the fact that my pajama stack is the highest. On brand. 

FaceTiming with my fave kiddos. 

Felt great about my run. 

Remembered that last year for my birthday I ran the cherry blossom 10 miler and then posed for a post run selfie to send to my dad. Decided to do the same this year. Traditions. 

Some avocado toast and plantain chips. Balance. 

Beautiful delivery courtesy of the one and only Leth Booney! Now I have alcohol for quarantine! 

Made myself a Boston Cream Pie birthday cake. It's yummy. Every few days I take another slice out of the freezer. 

Pineapple water. For when you get bored with regular water. 

Was FaceTiming Rylee and Tim and Ry asked to see my cake. And the sprinkle aftermath struck me as funny. Idk. 

April 9: Decided to put my cake in the freezer so I didn't eat the whole thing in a day. 

More whipped coffee. 

Post run selfie. 

April 11: Making another cake. More mise en place. Carrot cake for Easter.

April 12: Dressed like an Easter egg for my Easter run. Thought it would motivate me. Spoiler alert: it didn't.

Completed carrot cake. 

April 13: Decided to have another slice to celebrate Ines' birthday remotely. Then froze it to escape danger. 

Also, have had like a 5 day omelette streak. Once I ran out of avocados to make toast with, I guess I decided I was really into omelettes. And its a great way to use a lot of greens that you fear are wilting. 

April 14: Beverage pics were exchanged. 

April 15: And today started the same. Just call me I. 

And here's the happy face I had for brunch. 

And that's been the past two weeks in isolation in New York City.