I can’t feel my arms

This morning I came to the realization that I have woefully let myself go. Back when I still worked in Makati, while I wasn’t necessarily concerned about my diet, I walked five kilometers a week. Now, I wake up at noon, then plod the few steps to my desk, wipe the drool off my face and work. The consequences of this deploring new exercise regiment got up this morning, pointed at me and laughed its ass off.

Last night, Nanay was making siopao for an order of 70 pieces. It was needed in the morning, therefore, it needed to be made in the dead of night. I, obviously overestimating my atrophied muscles, volunteered to make the dough. It’s fairly easy to make: lukewarm water, put in some yeast, throw in some sugar, wait a few minutes, add in some flour, add in some baking powder, mix, add more flour, add lard, mix, and add the rest of the flour. By the end of the mixing phase, you should get a slightly sticky, lumpy mass. Kneading for around 20 minutes gets the lumps out, making the dough smooth and springy (This is tested via a poke test. The dough should spring back when poked.)

By the time I finished the second batch of dough, I was sure I pulled a muscle on my right shoulder, and my arms were threatening to fall off. Making dough is pretty grueling, though I have to admit that it’s strangely cathartic. Kneading is pretty much abusing the dough as if it said something bad about your mother.

Right out of the mixing bowl, dough starts out flaky and falls apart rather easily. You spread flour on the clean counter so it doesn’t stick. You start “working” the dough. It looks pretty violent, because it is. You stretch, roll it into a ball, stretch, roll again. Repeat until the dough looks smooth and passes the poke test. It’s a lot of work, but it’s pretty fulfilling. Especially when you watch the dough rise, put it in the steamer, and finally get siopao (my ‘special siopao’ is made with just the dough with some salted egg inside) for your troubles.

Anyway, I think I need to do something to get fit again. I have a lot of other figurative siopao to make.