First, I need to keep my hubris in check. A friend of mine asked me to sign up for the Spartan Race in San Francisco, and I said yes without actually researching what physical torture I’m about to put my body through. My thought process: I work out several times a week, so I should be able to complete everything. Hubris. It finally dawned on me yesterday that I should look up a video on the obstacle course. Um, W H O A. Within a few minutes, I saw people jumping over walls and swinging through monkey bars. I think my heart stopped when I saw that rope climbing was involved too. Little-known fact, but rope climbing traumatized me during middle school. I had to stand in front of the whole class as they witnessed my sorry attempts to gather what little upper body strength I had and lurch myself upwards. I didn’t even make it above the bottom knot. I could feel my classmates’ reproachful stares burn through my gym clothes. If there was an emoji that could sum up my feelings, it would be one with super red cheeks, way rosier than my normal hue. Gah, what did I get myself into? It’s okay. Keep calm and put the kettle on. Another thing I learned this weekend: macaron baking ain’t easy. Sarah and I learned the hard way. Between figuring out whether the egg whites were whipped enough to trying not to burn those things, macarons are quite possibly the most finicky thing I’ve ever baked. We’re determined to get it right, though, so stay tuned for part deux! After a weekend of poor decision-making and getting spanked by French baking, I consoled myself with something sweet. Something sweet and simple. This is the time of the year when we give spring and summer fruits a huge hug. So let’s make a crumble with them. We’re going to start with some pretty fruits. Sprinkle in lemon zest and ground cardamom to the party. Then, the crumble. It’s full of wholesome oats, almond flour, coconut oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and muscovado sugar. (<— Wait, what? Sugar that sounds like an avocado?) Muscovado is just like regular brown sugar but it’s a coarser and comes refined or partially refined. Remember how I’m trying to consume less refined sugar? That’s where the muscovado comes in. But, of course, you can always use regular brown sugar instead. This crumble is lightcrispspring-summeryfruityamazing with a scoop of ice cream. Make yourself a batch, and let’s dig in!
