Hiroro Gets Cooking

[Hiroro]

Late to the party, whoops, but I did just return from vacation on Monday. I trailed off on the last challenge but don't feel terrible about it because it was insanely hectic - not the most stressed I've ever been, but definitely the most major events in a month. Plus at the beginning of the challenge I wasn't planning on the Italy work trip, and then that happened in the middle of everything. My healthy routines were thoroughly disrupted, but I still squeezed in a little exercise and some vegetables. I'm thrilled to be home, and in my own kitchen and bed again (not at the same time, obviously). After eating out most meals for three weeks, I am excited to cook balanced, delicious meals at home. 

 

Overall Goals

My general life goals have changed a bit because, uh, I'm pregnant and all - so weight loss is no longer the primary aim. I weighed myself this morning and was unpleasantly surprised by the number on the scale, but the internet tells me it's normal to have gained 4-6lb at this point even though the baby is only the size of a raspberry, so I feel better about it now. I'm going to stop weighing myself at home because it makes more sense to focus on make healthy choices each day.

I've cancelled my NF Coaching because I already feel a bit overwhelmed, and through work I'm going to be assigned an RN who will advise on healthy eating and exercise throughout my pregnancy.

But I have even stronger reasons to eat healthy, and I won't be drinking ha, so I'm going to focus on paying attention to how I feel - more frequent, small meals seems to sit better with me these days. 

 

I am currently working to use up a lot of my pantry/freezer food which has been accumulating for...a while. I also want to declutter since we mayyy buy a house and move before the baby comes.

 

Goal #1: Cook all the things

Make (nearly) all our food at home, avoid relying on processed food. I'd like to get in a good pattern of meal prep and eating at home pre-baby. Document food here.

 

Goal #2: Feel the burn

Work out doing whatever feels good. Right now that's barre but I'd like to try to get running again if I can do it without chest pain. Aiming for working out 3x/week minimum, and walking on other days to aid digestion and circulation.

 

Goal #3: Feed the fire

Take extra kind care of myself. Give myself an 8-hour sleep window. Nap if needed. Meditate daily. 

 

I have FIVE WEEKS before our family vacation when we tell the family, and I have already told random coworkers in Italy (because finding out I was pregnant the week before the trip was anxiety-inducing), a couple coworkers I am closer to (because we were on vacation for a week and they wouldn't have figured it out from the not drinking anyways, and this way I was able to talk to a friend who had twins last year about it), and another friend (who I stayed with on the way to and from the Florida vacation, because we're close and it was nice to do it in person). Between now and the official family announcement at which point it will be public, I will probably tell a couple more friends because as an external processor keeping secrets is not my strong suit. It still feels completely surreal, but in the best way.

 

 

[Xena]

I like goal #3 best :-)

[Maigs]

@Hiroro! Glad to see you back. Your goals look really good while you're figuring out pregnancy and how it will affect you

[Fonzico]

Great goals! This is an exciting time, and it's just important to take care of yourself!

And I agree with@xena - more sleep goals are absolutely the best. I think us non-pregnant folk should follow suit [emoji14]

[darkfoxx]

Great goals! 

[aramis]

Congrats! 

Your #3 goal looks great, especially last part. Due to hormones you'll swing in moods like a drunk monkey in a rope store (results may vary), but always remember to give yourself some daily "happy time". My wife used to just lay on a bed, put some relaxing music and think happy thoughts - you could call it meditation. 

And IF you plan on changing homes - do it as fast as possible, or wait a year. Don't put yourself through stress of moving and setting in the new place ON TOP OF having a newborn. Baby WILL put your relationship to a test - don't make it harder than needed. 

 

Cooking your own meals sounds great too, but when time comes, avoid salted herring with chocolate. It just doesn't work. 

 

And on running / exercises - just talk with your doc about it (you do prenatal examinations, right?) - pregnancy may hit you hard, or it may pass almost unnoticed - everybody is different. My wife was very active during our first, but second floored her almost instantly. Just keep yourself and a baby safe and healthy. 

 

Cheers

 

 

[Xena]

Hope you had a happy weekend!

 

17 hours ago, aramis said:

you'll swing in moods like a drunk monkey in a rope store

I have no idea if this applies to you @Hiroro, but I think I'll adopt it for myself. Picturing a drunk monkey is more fun than telling people "I'm grouchy today"

[Hiroro]

Week 0.5 Summary

• 1 barre class
• 1 RUN WOOHOO
• ate all the things, sigh

I ran on Sunday for the first time since the race FOUR WEEKS AGO eep. Realized I needed to just go. And if it was too uncomfortable I could always walk, or turn around and go home. But after the first 1/4mi or so it was fine - some aching out of my plantar fascitis/bone spur, but manageable. So I ran/walked intervals for 3 miles, conscious of not overheating. I found that I got out of breath quickly but also got my breath back quickly, which was reassuring since I was afraid I'd lost all my running fitness.

 

I also took a loooong nap over the weekend, and slept in Saturday and Sunday and it was glorious.

[Hiroro]

Since I was late to the party I'll just call this a 3-week challenge.

 

Week 1 Day 1

Breakfast - 3 soft boiled eggs

Lunch - cherries, steamed carrots, a couple pieces of sausage before I realized I should really heat/cook it before eating, whoops

Snack - pub cheese and pretzels

Dinner - dutch baby with maple syrup, 1 pc bacon, salad with parmesan and vinaigrette

Dessert - vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce

 

#1: Did okay on the eating front, though I probably should have stuck with the indulgent snack or dessert instead of both. Prepped lunches and roasted peppers for later in the week, yay.

#2: Was exhausted after our appt to open a joint bank account so it's a miracle I cooked and washed dishes instead of just laying down.

#3: I did rest after dinner. Was feeling that Monday tiredness.

 

I am working through various paperwork to change my name finally, plus we are looking at buying a house/condo before the baby comes, so yesterday was a lot. Joint account is to consolidate down payment and also to get our new financial system in place before the baby. 

 

Yesterday I was craving Thai food and a dutch baby but we also had tons of food in the fridge so I compromised - made/ate the dutch baby, packed up the other food so it gets eaten as lunches. Postpone the Thai craving and if I want it that badly I'll get takeout in the next week or so.

[Hiroro]

You guys are so sweet! Thank you for always showing up and reminding me to do so also.

 

On 5/30/2019 at 8:44 PM, Xena said:

I like goal #3 best :-)

 

9 hours ago, Xena said:

Hope you had a happy weekend!

 

I have no idea if this applies to you @Hiroro, but I think I'll adopt it for myself. Picturing a drunk monkey is more fun than telling people "I'm grouchy today"

Hahaha yes and the naps will help me be less of a drunk monkey hopefully.

 

On 5/30/2019 at 9:22 PM, Maigs said:

@Hiroro! Glad to see you back. Your goals look really good while you're figuring out pregnancy and how it will affect you

Thanks, I'm really hoping to find that balance between just eating all the things and accepting the inevitable changes.

 

On 5/31/2019 at 8:57 AM, Fonzico said:

Great goals! This is an exciting time, and it's just important to take care of yourself!

And I agree with@xena - more sleep goals are absolutely the best. I think us non-pregnant folk should follow suit

Right? Everybody needs more sleep! Sleep is the best!

[Hiroro]

On 5/31/2019 at 11:44 PM, darkfoxx said:

Great goals! 

Thanks for checking in!

 

On 6/3/2019 at 3:28 AM, aramis said:

Congrats! 

Your #3 goal looks great, especially last part. Due to hormones you'll swing in moods like a drunk monkey in a rope store (results may vary), but always remember to give yourself some daily "happy time". My wife used to just lay on a bed, put some relaxing music and think happy thoughts - you could call it meditation. 

And IF you plan on changing homes - do it as fast as possible, or wait a year. Don't put yourself through stress of moving and setting in the new place ON TOP OF having a newborn. Baby WILL put your relationship to a test - don't make it harder than needed. 

 

Cooking your own meals sounds great too, but when time comes, avoid salted herring with chocolate. It just doesn't work. 

 

And on running / exercises - just talk with your doc about it (you do prenatal examinations, right?) - pregnancy may hit you hard, or it may pass almost unnoticed - everybody is different. My wife was very active during our first, but second floored her almost instantly. Just keep yourself and a baby safe and healthy. 

 

Cheers

 

 

Thank you for the sound advice! Yes we had the discussion last night that if we don't find something/sign the paperwork/move by sometime in the fall it's not happening for at least another year.

 

Ewwww herring with chocolate sounds the worst - is this a craving your wife had, or are you referencing a book/story?

 

Yes I spoke to my OB but I'm changing doctors (my normal one doesn't deliver) so it'll definitely be a discussion. At the very least I figure I can walk.

[aramis]

3 minutes ago, Hiroro said:

herring with chocolate sounds the worst

It's common phrase here about pregnancy cravings, bit exaggerated, but only a bit. My wife ate whole bowl of polish bigos (sauerkraut-and-meat stew) and in 5min topped it with half of chocolate bar, so reference isn't that far from reality... 

 

8 minutes ago, Hiroro said:

At the very least I figure I can walk.

Oh, this for sure. "As long as it doesn't hurt, it's okay" would be the best prescription. 

 

Cheers

[Hiroro]

Also, completely random but I must tell this story as it is one of the motivators for us to move.

 

While I was in Florida, my husband found a dead bird in our basement. Weird and icky, but okay, we'll have to look into how that happened. Then last week I opened the door to the basement and a bird (who had been sitting on the steps) jumped up and flapped around. I shrieked of course. "THERE'S A BIRD!!!". Husband goes into a tizzy. He opens the basement door and peeks through the crack, spying on the bird (?). He wonders out loud if we should call somebody. I consult Google and conclude we can try to chase the bird out first. We close off other doors and put the front door ajar. As the kitchen has no hallway door, we attempt to tape up a sheet to block it off - no good, the sheet is too heavy. So I have him stand on a chair and hold up the sheet to the ceiling.

 

Next I open the basement and hide to see if the bird will come up on its own. Husband demands a play-by-play since he is behind the sheet - this conflicts with my instinct to be quiet and not scare the bird. Husband whistles (??) at it to no effect. He suggests I call to it (???) which I ignore, telling him the bird is more likely to avoid my voice than come towards it.

 

Then I go downstairs and chase the bird around the basement with a towel, noting that it has pooped various places, sigh. After several silly minutes of this (as my husband periodically demands to know what is happening from the kitchen), the bird finally heads upstairs and I shout up that it's coming. Husband starts shouting and swearing, leading me to wonder if the bird has attacked him. I follow the bird up to find that it got around the sheet and is now hanging out in the kitchen, gah.

 

We open the kitchen door to outside and chase the bird towards it (at first Husband is standing right outside the door until I make him move). FINALLY the bird flies outside and we cheer in victory - then I yell at him "CLOSE THE DOOR". 

 

Throughout all this, my husband's instinct seems to have been to treat the bird like a dog (whistle, call to it, expect the bird to come towards you) which I found hilarious but entirely illogical.

it is an older house and we don't feel confident about keeping up the maintenance - especially since Husband has learned he only enjoys optional home projects and not necessary ones, lol. I also feel the appeal of a newer house, having recently visited a friend who bought new and it's beautiful. I think it's good for us to buy a house together since right now we are living in "my" house, and hopefully somewhere we pick together will be a home we're both committed to maintaining.

 

[Hiroro]

45 minutes ago, aramis said:

It's common phrase here about pregnancy cravings, bit exaggerated, but only a bit. My wife ate whole bowl of polish bigos (sauerkraut-and-meat stew) and in 5min topped it with half of chocolate bar, so reference isn't that far from reality... 

 

Oh, this for sure. "As long as it doesn't hurt, it's okay" would be the best prescription. 

 

Cheers

Wow that's an...interesting combination. But then I feel like chocolate can follow on to any meal or snack (dessert!) so...I might do that too.

[Elastigirl]

That sounds like quite the exciting adventure getting the bird out of the house.

[Xena]

12 hours ago, Hiroro said:

I think it's good for us to buy a house together since right now we are living in "my" house, and hopefully somewhere we pick together will be a home we're both committed to maintaining

 

This makes a lot of sense to me.

[Hiroro]

Sushi List

I have learned the error of my infinitely growing list ways and will keep this to 10 items. After pointing out to various people that I can still have a dragon roll and other eel type things which I love as much as the raw salmon I cannot currently eat, I want me some sushi. 

1. Refine soft boil egg technique and make Momofuku soy eggs - DONE
2. Send wedding things to sister: cranes and wine lights
3. Use dried lavender (my aunt gave me ideas I just need to execute)
4. Finish crochet baby blanket - complete when I deliver to Project Linus drop location!
5. String cranes for cousin
6. Get rid of textbooks (try to sell first, if this doesn't work recycle/donate) - DONE
7. Do something with our wedding cards (collage? something to put on the wall? add to mostly empty photobooth album? throw away?)
8. Declutter one box of things upstairs. I already have the box picked out.
9. Change bills and direct deposit to new joint account
10. Move box from house to work (this is more annoying than it sounds because of security, but it's work related material so should really be there)

[Hiroro]

19 hours ago, Elastigirl said:

That sounds like quite the exciting adventure getting the bird out of the house.

Yes...a little too much adventure haha due to the poop, but makes for a good story at least.

[Hiroro]

YOU GUYS I RAN YESTERDAY! AND IT WAS WONDERFUL!

 

Week 1 Day 2

Breakfast - roasted peppers, 1 pc focaccia

Lunch - greens with almonds, craisins, and vinegar. leftover Mediterranean - rice, veggies, various meats (SO GOOD)

Dinner - 1/2 goat cheese and honey bruschetta, 1/2 broccoli pesto bruschetta, 1/2 sausage pepper bruschetta. small salad with vinaigrette, 1 pc bread, pasta with bolognese

Workout - 3 mile run, with a couple walk breaks

 

Amazing dinner with a friend who I found out is ALSO PREGNANT AND DUE IN JANUARY! Which is so exciting because we'd joked about being baby buddies, having been married within a year of each other, and IT'S HAPPENING. It's just wonderful to have somebody who exactly understands what I'm going through because she's experiencing the same things. I actually only ate a few bites of the pasta because the bruschetta were more substantial than expected, so took most home for another meal.

 

#1: Solid, though I definitely need protein with breakfast because I was HUNGRY for lunch

#2: Had a wonderful run. Took a couple short walk breaks because it was quite warm, but felt like I could have run the full 3 miles. Averaged 10:30 min/mile (paused at crosswalks).

#3: Went to bed around 9pm and it was glorious. I still woke up reluctantly though, so will pay attention to how I feel today and try to sleep early again.

 

Yesterday's run was just amazing. My one regret is not carrying water - it was ~80F which is quite warm for me, and I arrived home rather flushed as normal. I monitored how I felt the whole time, and when I felt particularly warm I walked a bit. It reminded me why I run - because the hardest part is getting out the door, and during/after I felt invigorated. I did push myself a little, embracing being out-of-breath, but not to the point of suffering. I felt good. And that was a revelation. I've been reading about women who run through pregnancy, and it seems like of course it depends on each person, but I can keep running as long as I feel good and my doctor allows. I rewarded myself by buying another sports bra, since currently I own exactly 1 which feels adequately supportive for my current state.

 

I also signed up for a 3-mile free fun run today, but I'll see how I feel later and decide whether or not to bail. I'm debating signing up for a fall training program with the same group/store I did spring training. They have half and full marathon groups, but there's also a 4-miler training group (race in October offers half marathon and 4 mile distances). Sooo I could start with the half group, and if/when I feel like I need to cut distance I can switch to the 4-mile group. I'll be about 6 months along at the race, and I could run/walk the 4 miles if needed. I'll see how the next couple weeks go.

[Xena]

This all sounds wonderful! Love your sushi list, and happy to see you found a "baby buddy"

[Hiroro]

Week 1 Summary

It's only halfway through Sunday, but I already worked out so I'm ready to do a wrapup.

I would like to have this level of energy at the end of the day for making dinner

 

Goal #1: Cook all the things

I've been eating too many carbs for sure. Lesson learned from this week - stocking up on healthy snacks is KEY because eating more frequently helps calm my nausea. My normal meals are too much for me now - I just don't want to eat as much at once. We haven't been eating out though - I'm trying to have a realistic, balanced approached. Sometimes I want cheese and crackers (like this morning) and that's fine. But I need a variety of vitamins and minerals more than ever. I sort of failed and went nuts grocery shopping this week.

 

Goal #2: Feel the burn

Runs - 2x, 3 miles each, 10:30ish pace Tuesday, 10:45 pace Saturday

Barre - 1x Sunday

I feel good about how I did with this, though I know that if I'd gotten in more in-week workouts it would have been better for my mental health - I just felt drained after work, since my load has ramped up and I'm running around all day.

 

Goal #3: Feed the fire

I've been sleeping more, to the point where I'll resist napping and just go to bed between 8-9pm instead. Some mornings 8 hours doesn't even feel like enough, which is new.I keep forgetting to meditate in the mornings, whoops.

 

Week 2 Plan

#1: Be better at journaling meals, focus more on protein and veggies. I'm making hummus today so I'll have carrots, cucumbers, and hummus on deck for the week. Also yogurt and a couple meat sticks, rice crackers, and fiber-granola bars. Meals will be a little more ad hoc since the fridge is full of things to use up - mostly healthy stuff though.

#2: Minimum would be same as this week - 2x, 3mile runs, 1x barre class. I'd really like to run 3x, plus a barre class or two. Depending on my energy. I'm also travelling next weekend so will allow some flexibility there.

#3: Meditation! Though getting back into running has been so great for my mental health already.

[Hiroro]

Post-Week 1 Ruminations

My Tuesday run felt just marvelous. The Saturday run was a mixed bag - I enjoyed the cooler morning, but my chest is most sensitive in the morning so the discomfort lasted longer but still was fine after 1/4mi or so. During yesterday's run I was working through some anxieties around my husband's fatigue issues and how he "only has enough energy after work to lie down and play phone games / read the internet" - which bodes real well for having to care for a baby >_<. I had worked myself up into a highly concerned state and was thinking about all these things I wanted to discuss - and then I stopped myself. I dug deep and found that the root of my fear is the loss of my independence; even though we got married last year, and I've leaned on my husband through my bouts of depression, this is the first time I'll truly need him. But my husband is nothing if not reliable! So I just need to have faith that things will turn out okay, and he'll step up when the baby comes. I finished the run with so much more peace - truly a reminder of how much I need running in my life

 

This morning I went to barre at the studio where I occasionally do hot yoga and HOLY COW it was way harder than the barre3 class I've tried out now and then. I felt the burn and sweated a ton, but it was nice to do it inside in the A/C. I felt kind of self-conscious since it was a crowded class and I noticed my love handles and upper arm fat in the mirror, sigh. But I was proud of myself for going and pushing myself. Plus I love the instructor - he's very...flamboyant, and encouraging and funny. 

 

Warning: whining ahead

Spoiler

So I knew that being pregnant would mean giving up alcohol. But now that I'm in it, looking ahead at SEVEN MONTHS of no drinking (plus more because breastfeeding?)...it kind of sucks. I've done a month at a time before with Whole30, and obviously my reasons are much stronger now, but I'm still kind of grumpy about it. On a day-to-day basis, not a big deal. Watching husband drink wine, I console myself that without alcohol I get more calories for food, ha. But I'm planning a work event (my LAST one for the team) which of course will have post-event bar hopping, and I'm going to have to (want to) not join in because being the sober person watching them drink sounds like just the worst. So I'm missing my last company-sponsored happy hour for who knows how long, since my new team is a lot tighter on "fun event" money, plus they're a wider age range so not as tight-knit.

 

Next weekend is going to be my first sober wedding. And the pregnancy is still secret for FOUR MORE WEEKS so I don't know whether I'm going to fake it or just say I'm not feeling well? I like weddings, but after the dinner and 'events' (cake cutting, first dance, speeches) I'm probably going to want to jet because uhhhh dancing without drinking is just not happening. Plus we won't know many people, likely just our table of friends. Am I lame? Maybe, but tbh weddings like this in general (where I don't know many people) are just enjoyable for me - I love the ceremony, but the reception is just too many people and my social anxiety activates. If there was some reason for me to push through it then I know I can, but it's supposed to be fun and it's just...not.

 

Among other things I was SUPER SAD to realize I shouldn't be consuming...summer sausage (same as deli meat, should heat it before eating and who does that?). Soft-scrambled eggs, soft-poached eggs, runny fried eggs? The internet is so inconsistent about this so I just don't know. Question for my new OB I guess, a week and a half from now. The egg issue could make hollandaise and aioli (funny enough, "aioli" made with Hellman's is just fine) off limits. Thank GOD I can still have a cup or two of coffee because I would be a sad sad puppy without it. I check all my cheeses to make sure they're pasteurized, and it's so nice to be in the US where almost all cheese is - and I don't feel bad asking at restaurants.

 

I'm also having to be sort of evasive because my sister suggested sushi for when I'm in Providence...obviously a no go because even though there is sushi I can eat, if I'm only eating the cooked stuff it's going to be real obvious lol. I have no idea how I'm going to get through the first 24 hours in Portland not drinking and making sure I'm only eating safe foods (it'll look funny if I pass up a taste of tartare/carpaccio/whatever because I always want to try anything, haha). At least I've already established an aversion to raw oysters, which will likely make an appearance over the weekend. And turning down wine...I think I'll have to pretend to drink because my family is ALL IN on wine. I am the worst liar ever and my face always shows what I'm thinking so....we'll see how that plays out. I'll be glad when we get the announcement out and it's all in the open.

 

[Elastigirl]

Great job of jumping off the anxiety wheel, and  realizing where your feelings are coming from. 

 

[Salinger]

Fantastic! Great job on the running and cooking x

[Hiroro]

Week 2 Day 1 & 2

aka And My Ambitions Were For Nought

 

#1: I'm eating carbs but not feeling bad about it, because bland-ish comfort food is what I know I can stomach.

#2: No action here. Nausea tends to hit me in the afternoon, and I'm literally getting home and getting into bed to rest. I had such great intentions today, but felt so tired that thinking about running made me literally want to cry. So trying to be kind to myself instead of beating myself up for being lazy and full of excuses. I did get in 11k+ steps Monday thanks to work busy-ness.

#3: I stayed up too late Sunday thanks to the hockey game, compounding my current fatigue to basically make me exhausted all day every day. Plus work has been stressful over the last couple weeks. So I'm resting a lot, yet not sleeping enough.