I’m a really good power napper. If power napping was an official Olympic event, I’d get a gold medal every time. I would be training for London 2012 like you wouldn’t believe.
There’s nothing about a good power nap that doesn’t make me feel refreshed and energized. Give me twenty minutes to close my eyes, and I will wake up feeling like a brand new lady.
As far as I know, I’ve always been a good napper. I can really fall asleep anywhere — the car, the couch, the bus on the way back from the field trip with my students (I wish I were joking). I am more than certain I was a good napper when I was younger as well.
Most likely on the weekends, I’ll enjoy a good nap on Saturday afternoons. In the summertime, it becomes a daily occurrence. Apparently I need to fill a bottle up with sangria this summer because I fall asleep like a baby any chance I get. Although, don’t give your babies sangria — that’s illegal and you’d probably get arrested.
This afternoon after my errands were done, my garden was weeded, and a much needed shower was taken, I figured I could lay down on the couch, close my eyes, and reenergize myself for the evening — because you know, sitting on the couch with your husband is pretty hard core and takes a lot of energy out of you.
Just as I was drifting off to sleep, the Husband walked through the door. He saw my plan to nap and decided that would be a good idea. So on he sauntered the the bedroom to lay down as well.
Twenty minutes… that was all I needed. Besides, I deserved it. Who gets woken up by their dog at 5:30 AM on the first day of summer vacation anyways?
90 minutes later I opened my eyes again.
This. Was. Not. Good.
We all know I am not a dramatic person*. Naps longer than 20 minutes mess me up completely. I am ruined for the rest of the day. My productivity is out the window for sure.
*I am lying.
A good word to describe me after a long nap is discombobulated. Nothing makes sense. My brain is so foggy that I can’t focus on anyone or anything for at least two-three hours.
Heck, I might as well go back to bed and call it a night.
What I found out today, however, is I’m really good at making dinner when discombobulated.
As long as knives aren’t involved.
Then that’s just scary.
Asparagus and White Bean Pasta (serves 3-4)
- 1 bag brown rice penne pasta (or regular pasta for a non-GF version)
- 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1/2 red onion, thinly wedged
- 8 baby Portobello mushrooms, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, thinly chopped
- 3 tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp. nutritional yeast
- garlic and pepper to taste
- sun dried tomatoes, for garnishing
Directions: Begin by bringing a medium sauce pan filled with water to a boil. While waiting for your water to boil, you can chop your vegetables for cooking. Once at a rapid boil, add your pasta and cook per package directions.
Next, add 1 tbsp. olive oil to a deep stir fry pan and heat on medium high. Add your asparagus, red onion, garlic, and mushrooms. Add 2 tbsp. water for steaming effect. Cover with a lid and stir frequently until vegetables are tender (~7-8 minutes).
When the pasta and vegetables are tender, drain the pasta and add to the sauté pan with the vegetables (if your pan is large enough — if not, add the vegetables to the pasta). Add one tbsp. balsamic vinegar and white beans and stir to coat.
In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. nutritional yeast, and the fresh basil. Stir to combine — it shouldn’t be like a “sauce” — the olive oil and nutritional yeast will absorb into the basil and create a paste-like substance. Add this to the pasta and stir to coat. Garnish with sun dried tomatoes and enjoy!
After this, I think I might start napping longer on a regular basis.
It certainly wasn’t quite as long as the Husband’s 3 hour nap.
But I also missed my window of opportunity to refill my prescription and now have to drive to the nearest 24 hour pharmacy, which isn’t all that near.
Good thing I have 20 minutes before my prescription is ready — I think I could use another nap.
Question: What is your nap of choice? A power nap, a longer nap, or no nap at all (the horror!!!)?
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