Mike Wazowski: The Mac n Cheese Chronicles, Phase 1

[Mike Wazowski]

7 hours ago, Gemma said:

I have that same thing and I LOVE it. I actually usually do wake up when the light starts to get bright, before the chirpy-birds have anything to say about it, but I'm super light-sensitive. 

Excellent! I've also been leaving my bedroom door open and my living room gets a lot more light than my bedroom, so it's possible that it's making the light raising of the alarm clock less effective.

 

7 hours ago, Gemma said:

 Terry Border has a great "paint chips" series in Bent Objects:

These are so cool!!

 

5 hours ago, JustCallMeAmber said:

Yes, please! The display on mine is starting to fail. (I mean, I've only had it since I was 12. Don't know what its problem is! ) I have also wondered if a more gentle awakening would help me out. 

 

Belated goal updates!

01/11 (Thursday)

1. Hit target calories and protein, every day: Yep, or within the ballpark
2. Sleep 8+ hours a night, 6+ days a week: Maybe a little shy, but close
3. Get pre-gym morning routine down to about 15 minutes: not quite hitting this - think I need to start making an action plan for this guy, since consistently 
4. Do your scheduled workouts, adjusting as needed: Yup, continued gymnast floor stuff - cartwheels (omg mine are terrible and mostly end with me landing on my butt), tuck jumps, inverted press pushup things, and hollow hold / superman sets. Also did some lactic intervals that were not well designed, I need to rethink things here.
5. Start tracking how focused and productive you feel at work: Tracked! 3.5 / 5 for both again,

01/12 (Friday)

1. Hit target calories and protein, every day: Yep, or within the ballpark
2. Sleep 8+ hours a night, 6+ days a week: Got 8, I think? I didn't have an alarm set and just got moving when my body woke up, but I'm guessing that meant I got 8+ glorious hours.
3. Get pre-gym morning routine down to about 15 minutes: not quite hitting this - think I need to start making an action plan for this guy, since consistently 
4. Do your scheduled workouts, adjusting as needed: Yup, did rings stuff and it was good, slowly progressing. Also did aerobic circuits!
5. Start tracking how focused and productive you feel at work: Didn't track yet, but I'd give myself about a 3 or 3.5 for both.

[CourtnieMarie]

well done thursday and friday! workouts look funnnn

 

On 1/13/2018 at 1:56 PM, MikeWazowski said:

If you’re interested which alarm clock I use, let me know and I can dig it up in my amazon history! It’s got a simulated sunrise feature where it ups the light brightness slowly, though it’s been a while since I’ve been woken up from that rather than the alarm sound (<.< probably a sign the sleep goal is very necessary / timely).

 

On 1/13/2018 at 4:02 PM, JustCallMeAmber said:

Yes, please! The display on mine is starting to fail. (I mean, I've only had it since I was 12. Don't know what its problem is! ) I have also wondered if a more gentle awakening would help me out. 

 

 

i also have one of these and love it! i have this one: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Hf3470-Wake-up-Light-White/dp/B003XN4RIC

[Mike Wazowski]

2 hours ago, CourtnieMarie said:

well done thursday and friday! workouts look funnnn

Thanks!!! They are fun, and definitely a different and enjoyable challenge.

 

2 hours ago, CourtnieMarie said:

I also have one of these and love it! i have this one: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Hf3470-Wake-up-Light-White/dp/B003XN4RIC

I got ADD awhile writing my response to Amber, but i have the same one (or maybe a different model? But same company for sure).

[Grumble]

On 1/11/2018 at 4:28 PM, Gemma said:

This looks decadent. I am always intrigued by unexpected use of nutmeg in savory dishes. 

 

Indeed. Also, I forgot to mention, but if you use a smokey cheese like gouda or gruyere it adds an additional layer of flavor and its happiness.

 

On 1/13/2018 at 1:02 PM, JustCallMeAmber said:

Yes, please! The display on mine is starting to fail. (I mean, I've only had it since I was 12. Don't know what its problem is! ) I have also wondered if a more gentle awakening would help me out. 

 

I had the phillips sunrise alarm clock, and used it to massively positive effect until I had to get to work an hour before the spouse was alive. Now I use the Gentle Alarm app with nature noises. Works as well as can be without the light.

 

EDIT: I have the one @CourtnieMarie linked. It's amazing.

[Scaly Freak]

A friend sent me a link to this video, which of course immediately reminded me of this thread:

 

 

[Grumble]

2 minutes ago, scalyfreak said:

A friend sent me a link to this video, which of course immediately reminded me of this thread:

 

 

 

There is nothing wrong with box mac and cheese. It's quick and easy and I want my cheesish flavored powder. 

[Scaly Freak]

There is a LOT wrong with it. For one, it food poisons me. And it tastes like plastic while it does.

[Grumble]

3 minutes ago, scalyfreak said:

There is a LOT wrong with it. For one, it food poisons me. And it tastes like plastic while it does.

 

I'm gonna go home and aggressively eat some mac and cheese in your internet direction.

[CourtnieMarie]

2 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

A friend sent me a link to this video, which of course immediately reminded me of this thread:

 

 

this brought me way too much joy today

[Gemma]

4 hours ago, Grumble said:

 

I'm gonna go home and aggressively eat some mac and cheese in your internet direction.

 

I love this statement of menace and violent nomminess. I wholeheartedly agree with scalyfreak (and video angryman) in this culinary matter - nonetheless, I massively admire and respect your response. 

[Scaly Freak]

2 hours ago, Gemma said:

 

I love this statement of menace and violent nomminess. I wholeheartedly agree with scalyfreak (and video angryman) in this culinary matter - nonetheless, I massively admire and respect your response. 

 

Yes. Respect.

[Jord]

OBVIOUSLY baked macaroni and cheese is 5,000 times superior. BUT boxed mac and cheese is good for a quick meal if you mix tuna and peas into it like a fitness heathen.

[CourtnieMarie]

50 minutes ago, Taddea Zhaan said:

OBVIOUSLY baked macaroni and cheese is 5,000 times superior. BUT boxed mac and cheese is good for a quick meal if you mix tuna and peas into it like a fitness heathen.

SEE?! i'm not crazy with the tuna thing!!

[Mike Wazowski]

12 minutes ago, CourtnieMarie said:

SEE?! i'm not crazy with the tuna thing!!

Nah, you’re just both crazy!!

[Deckard Gainz]

Isn't it a casserole if it's baked?

[CourtnieMarie]

10 minutes ago, Deckard Gainz said:

Isn't it a casserole if it's baked?

YOU'RE A CASSEROLE IF YOU GET BAKED

 

...

 

that worked out better than i could've hoped for  

[Grumble]

14 hours ago, Gemma said:

 

I love this statement of menace and violent nomminess. I wholeheartedly agree with scalyfreak (and video angryman) in this culinary matter - nonetheless, I massively admire and respect your response. 

 

12 hours ago, scalyfreak said:

 

Yes. Respect.

In the end, I went to a cajun restaurant and ended up with fried chicken and shouthern baked mac and cheese anyway. Which was way better than angry mac. 

 

1 hour ago, Taddea Zhaan said:

OBVIOUSLY baked macaroni and cheese is 5,000 times superior. BUT boxed mac and cheese is good for a quick meal if you mix tuna and peas into it like a fitness heathen.

I don't know why I haven't done this. Oh, because peas are awful. 

[Jord]

29 minutes ago, Grumble said:

I don't know why I haven't done this. Oh, because peas are awful. 

 

peas are delicious, shut your mouth.

 

they are like soft green pillows when cooked appropriately.

[CourtnieMarie]

i gotta agree with TZ here. even eating them frozen out of the bag is pretty delicious  

[Mike Wazowski]

8 minutes ago, CourtnieMarie said:

i gotta agree with TZ here. even eating them frozen out of the bag is pretty delicious  

I disagree with eating them frozen, but that may be because it's less than 20 F right now in Dallas. Freakin' cold, man.

[Mike Wazowski]

Sooo the weekend happened, and it sort of just glided right through yesterday.

 

Saturday - Tuesday

1. Hit target calories and protein, every day: Loooool, not even close most days. Spent the time after dance practices foraging for carbs.
2. Sleep 8+ hours a night, 6+ days a week: In the ballpark except for Sunday night - did not get more than about 6 hours due to staying up late and still trying to wake up early on my day off.
3. Get pre-gym morning routine down to about 15 minutes: Only day this was relevant was this morning, Wednesday, and I took about 30 minutes. Action plan here is going to involve writing out my morning process steps, in order, and then starting to follow them efficiently. Too much thinking right now.
4. Do your scheduled workouts, adjusting as needed: Nope on Monday and Tuesday - think I needed a quick mental break.
5. Start tracking how focused and productive you feel at work: Fell off the wagon on tracking sleep number (estimated) daily, but just caught up. Work yesterday was a solid 3 / 5 for both focus and productivity - not my best, but not my worst either.

 

Workout update: did rings and aerobic circuits (jump rope interspersed with pushups and abs) this morning, and felt good to get back to it. My rings stuff is progressing slowly, but it is progressing (doing additional sets or reps, or doing the same exercise amounts with more control) so I can't complain too much here.

 

ETA: I don't qiute have time at work to quote and respond to all the Mac n Cheese debate nuttiness, but I will say this:

• Boxed mac: acceptable for desperate times, slightly redeemed by mix-ins but still not in the same league as a homemade baked mac
• I'm still totally unconvinced that tuna and cheese work together. Even though I've had a shrimp quesadilla and it was tasty, cheese and seafood just seem...odd.

[raptron]

I have tuna mac'd before. It is okay.

 

BUT NO ONE IS ARGUING THAT YOU CAN'T EAT THE BOXED SHIT. He's just saying don't you dare serve it as a dish to friends and guests, which I 100% agree with. 

7 minutes ago, MikeWazowski said:

Sooo the weekend happened, and it sort of just glided right through yesterday.

 

Saturday - Tuesday

1. Hit target calories and protein, every day: Loooool, not even close most days. Spent the time after dance practices foraging for carbs.
2. Sleep 8+ hours a night, 6+ days a week: In the ballpark except for Sunday night - did not get more than about 6 hours due to staying up late and still trying to wake up early on my day off.
3. Get pre-gym morning routine down to about 15 minutes: Only day this was relevant was this morning, Wednesday, and I took about 30 minutes. Action plan here is going to involve writing out my morning process steps, in order, and then starting to follow them efficiently. Too much thinking right now.
4. Do your scheduled workouts, adjusting as needed: Nope on Monday and Tuesday - think I needed a quick mental break.
5. Start tracking how focused and productive you feel at work: Fell off the wagon on tracking sleep number (estimated) daily, but just caught up. Work yesterday was a solid 3 / 5 for both focus and productivity - not my best, but not my worst either.

 

Workout update: did rings and aerobic circuits (jump rope interspersed with pushups and abs) this morning, and felt good to get back to it. My rings stuff is progressing slowly, but it is progressing (doing additional sets or reps, or doing the same exercise amounts with more control) so I can't complain too much here.

L o l. This is SUCH a weekend update. 

 

[Mike Wazowski]

17 minutes ago, raptron said:

I have tuna mac'd before. It is okay.

 

BUT NO ONE IS ARGUING THAT YOU CAN'T EAT THE BOXED SHIT. He's just saying don't you dare serve it as a dish to friends and guests, which I 100% agree with. 

L o l. This is SUCH a weekend update. 

I literally forgot about the video that started it all - finally watched it and totally agree. Boxed mac does not deserve an appreciation post, but it's not bad if you desperately need something resembling mac n cheese.

 

17 minutes ago, raptron said:

YESSSSS. <3 Amy Poehler.

[CourtnieMarie]

32 minutes ago, MikeWazowski said:

• I'm still totally unconvinced that tuna and cheese work together. Even though I've had a shrimp quesadilla and it was tasty, cheese and seafood just seem...odd.

wait. have you never had a tuna melt?!

[Grumble]

41 minutes ago, raptron said:

BUT NO ONE IS ARGUING THAT YOU CAN'T EAT THE BOXED SHIT. He's just saying don't you dare serve it as a dish to friends and guests, which I 100% agree with. 

 

Oh, I am totes on board with that assessment. That's my and my spouses own guilty consumption.

51 minutes ago, MikeWazowski said:

I'm still totally unconvinced that tuna and cheese work together. Even though I've had a shrimp quesadilla and it was tasty, cheese and seafood just seem...odd.

 

I would not recommend a tuna quesadilla, but a tuna melt is perfectly acceptable. Also, hamburger helper has a tuna helper that is constantly out of stock at my Ralphs, so there's definitely something to that combination.

 

1 hour ago, Taddea Zhaan said:

 

peas are delicious, shut your mouth.

 

they are like soft green pillows when cooked appropriately.

and they taste like pillows somebody ripped one on. And no, I will not Give Peas a chance.