What's the right balance between having a fulfilling career and being a productive member of society while still ensuring you have a happy, healthy, and fairly stress-free life? When I was growing up on the farm, I always knew I wanted to have a career. I loved school and felt that a career would be a continuation of that. Looking back, I now realize I loved school because it was easy and it was easy because it came naturally to me.

I've been in a year long leadership program at work and one of the BIG takeaways I've had is that a lot of times you don't realize what you're really good at because it seems natural and you take it for granted because it's actually an inherent talent. The truth is, I'm not naturally good at mechanical problem solving or really anything else related to farming which is why I knew I didn't want to do that! I'm also not very good at dealing with stress. Even though I can be good at hiding it to most people, I tend to be very hard on myself which creates a level of stress that is sometimes unhealthy. What I am good at is being organized, seeing the end goal and figuring out the steps to get there, engaging others, and being happy which creates a fun work environment that others thrive in.

After a few weeks off from work and feeling like I'm floating (my blood pressure is the lowest it's ever been), I realize I need to figure out how to capture this feeling and stay this calm for a larger majority of time. Not that I'm not usually happy, because I am, but I have this different sort of Zen happiness right now that is really refreshing. So, what's the solution?

My Mom thinks I should take it easier, find a lower stress job, maybe move back to Idaho. I think...MAYBE. Or, MAYBE, I need to figure out a better compromise because 90% of the time when I'm at work, I feel excited, empowered, and happy. I love all the people I get to interact with everyday. I feel like my job is almost perfectly tailored to my key strengths. I find a lot of personal satisfaction and fulfillment in what I'm able to accomplish. The truth is, I don't want to give it up. Generally speaking (and I don't think a lot of people can say this), I love my job!

I'm not sure I know the answer yet. But, I am going to try really hard to hold on to the calm happiness that I currently have and work at finding a better balance between a little stress that makes me good at my job and too much stress that wears on me and my health.

So, this last weekend I was inspired by The Pioneer Woman and some leftover buttermilk in our fridge to make homemade biscuits and a breakfast sandwich. They turned out delicious and I was really happy with my biscuit making abilities considering it's not something I do often.

Buttermilk Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich

Buttermilk Biscuits (borrowed from All Recipes)
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
7 Tbsp. unsalted butter, chilled in freezer and cut into thin slices
3/4 c. cold buttermilk
2 Tbsp. buttermilk for brushing

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl.
4. Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about 5 minutes.
5. Make a well in the center of butter and flour mixture. Pour in 3/4 cup buttermilk; stir until just combined. You want dough to be just wet enough to stick together.
6. Turn dough onto a floured work surface, pat together into a rectangle.
7. Fold the rectangle in thirds. Turn dough a half turn, gather any crumbs, and flatten back into a rectangle. Repeat twice more, folding and pressing dough a total of three times.
8. Roll dough on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thick.
9. Cut out 12 biscuits using a 2 1/2-inch round biscuit cutter.
10. Transfer biscuits to the prepared baking sheet. Press an indent into the top of each biscuit with your thumb.
11. Brush the tops of biscuits with 2 tablespoons buttermilk.
12. Bake in the preheated oven until browned, about 15 minutes.

Slice biscuit in half and top with slice of sharp cheddar cheese, handful of pulled pork, avocado slices, fried egg, and Cholula (to taste). ENJOY!!