The yellow skin on quince is tough and waxy, like a tougher apple. Using a standard vegetable peeler will help easily remove the skin. When using the peeler, always pull away from the body to stop the peeler from jumping and cutting your skin. Use a sharp knife as you cut through the core since it will be the toughest and most woody part of the fruit. Make sure the cutting board is secure on your counter or table so it will not slip as you cut the quince.  Halve the quinces first and then cut the pieces into quarters from there. Quinces may be difficult to cut due to their spongy and woody quality, so always have a firm grip on the knife handle. Fill a large saucepan with 4 cups (950 ml) of water, 1/2 cup (100 g) of sugar, and 1/4 cup (85 g) of honey. Simmer the mixture and stir until the sugar has dissolved.Add additional flavors like anise or vanilla to enhance the flavors further! When adding the quince, let the poaching liquid boil before turning the heat down to a low simmer. Trap any of the liquid that may evaporate by covering the pot with a lid. As the quince cooks, it will change from a yellowish color to pink. After this time, the quince should be tender and the liquid will have become more syrupy. Strain the quince from the poaching liquid and serve warm. The tartness of the fruit will have now combined with the sweetness of the liquid.  To serve later, the quince can be refrigerated with the liquid for up to 1 week. Pair with mild cheese or put the quince in a salad with almonds to further enhance the flavor!
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One-sentence summary -- Peel the quinces with a vegetable peeler. Cut the quinces into quarters with a chef’s knife. Prepare a poaching liquid of water, sugar, and honey. Add the quince to the pot and bring it to a boil. Let the quinces simmer for 50 minutes until they are pink. Serve the quince alone when finished.


There are a variety of reasons why you might feel stuck in your job. For example, you might feel like you don’t have any promotion opportunities or that you are not doing something that matters. Try to identify exactly what it is that you dislike about your job and that is contributing to the feeling that you are stuck. This will help you to determine what you can do to improve your situation.   Write down what makes you feel stuck so that you can examine it and use it to move forward. As you consider what make you feel stuck, you might also consider whether you are doing what you really want to do. Did you take this job because it was something you really wanted to do? Or did you take it because of pressure from your family? Or did you take it for some other reason? Even if you hate your job, there might be one or two things that you like about it. Try to think of times when you like what you are doing or when it feels fulfilling. For example, you might feel fulfilled when you have made a customer happy, or when you are writing the weekly newsletter for your department. Try to pinpoint the moments when work is enjoyable and write these down as well. Considering what your dream job would be can also help you to determine what might help you to feel unstuck again. Try to imagine what your perfect work situation would be to get clues about what direction you would like you career to take. For example, you might daydream about doing wedding photography, or working with horses. No matter your ideal job is, allow yourself to dream about it and write down some details about it. Once you have identified what you do and do not want in your career, you can start to identify some ways to move forward. You don’t have to take a big leap or make a major career change. You might just be able to do simple things to improve how you feel at your current job, or to find a new one that you will like more.   For example, if you feel like you are always dealing with work issues, even after you leave the office, then maybe you need to do something to improve your boundaries. Try logging out of your email account as soon as the work day ends and tell your coworkers that you will deal with any work issues when you return to the office the following day. If you feel certain that you need to find a new job, then start looking for jobs that match your criteria. For example, if you want a job with more customer interaction, then you might look into sales or customer service positions. If you want something that allows you to be creative, then you might look for positions where you get to write or use your design skills. You may not be able to just quit and find a new job right away, so keeping yourself in a positive mindset is important. Complaining about your job and focusing on what you don’t like about it may make you feel worse. To avoid this, try to avoid complaining for a week and take time to identify some of the things that your job might be preparing you to do. Writing down some positive things about the job that you have now might also help you to stay positive. For example, you could list the ways that your job might be preparing you for better jobs in the future. If it seems like your life is all about work, then taking some time for your other interests may help you to feel better. Try setting aside a few hours every week to engage with one of your hobbies or other interests. For example, if you enjoy painting, then set aside a few hours to paint on your day off from work.
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One-sentence summary --
Identify what makes you feel stuck. Figure out what you enjoy about your current job. Visualize your perfect work life. Determine what steps you might take to improve you work life. Try to stay positive about your situation. Cultivate your other interests outside of work.