msblt82 regenerates into MichiruSedai for new adventures!

[MichiruSedai]

For successfully completing my Feb challenge, my reward was changing my NF name to something awesome.  I chose MichiruSedai because it represents two of my big fandoms: Sailor Moon (anime) and Wheel of Time (books).  I like it! 

 

For this month, I'm going to try and challenge myself a bit more.

 

Nutrition goal: Cook one new recipe per week

I was just gifted two awesome cookbooks for my birthday today!  So between these new resources, and of course the interwebs, I can add some new tasty dishes to my normal rotation, and put a little adventure into the kitchen!

Week 1: 100% (Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies)

Week 2: 100% (Coconut Pineapple Cauliflower "Rice")

Week 3: 100% (Sweet Potato Hash)

Week 4: 100% (Klah from Dragonriders of Pern)

(Stats: +4 WIS - 1 point per week completed)

 

Fitness goal: Get three 30+ minute workouts per week

This last month, I was counting 10 minutes as a workout. I want to step that up!  My focus at this point is cardio.

Week 1: 100%

Week 2: 100%

Week 3: 100%

Week 4: 100%

(Stats: +2 Sta, +2 Con - 0.5 point of each stat earned per week completed)

 

Level up my life goal: Go on one adventure a week

This could be taking myself to a movie. It could be taking my son to a family night in town.  It just needs to be something that is outside my comfort zone.

Week 1: 100% (Lunch out alone)

Week 2: 0% (got strep throat and all plans cancelled!  I will try to do a "make up" by getting an extra adventure in the next two weeks now that I am healthy again)

Week 3: 100% (Tapas & Tunes event)

Week 4: 100% (checked out the new coffeehouse)

(Stats: +2 Con, +2 Cha - 0.5 point of each stat earned per week completed)

 

Level up my life goal: Kindness is key

I need to be nicer to myself.  I am going to do one nice thing for myself every day. This could be giving myself time to read, taking time to sit in the sun, or just stopping and telling myself that I am a good person.  I will be more mindful of my inner dialogue and be my own best friend.

Week 1: 100%

Week 2: 100%

Week 3: 100%

Week 4: 100%

(Stats: +3 Wis)

 

 

 

 

I know I am doing two level up my life goals instead of as many diet/exercise goals, but I hope that is all right.  I feel I need more work in that area this month.

 

I'm excited to rock this month!!

[Starstuff]

Following for more Sailor Uranus. And I love the new name!

[MichiruSedai]

Thanks, Starstuff! 

[MichiruSedai]

Cooked a new recipe tonight, found here:   http://damndelicious.net/2015/06/27/one-pan-honey-garlic-chicken-and-veggies/?m

 

It was a big hit with everyone in my house!

 

[stealthstitcher]

Ooh, fancy!

[Leigh]

Mmmmm. Broccoli makes all dinners better

[stealthstitcher]

Mmmmm. Broccoli makes all dinners better

And breakfasts! Broccoli for breakfast is the best.

[Leigh]

Broccoli is just all around awesome, with the exception of broccoli ice cream, I doubt anyone could make that taste right

[MichiruSedai]

I love that I came in to a conversation about how awesome broccoli is!      I <3 broccoli!

[Leigh]

It really is awesome best dipping veggie too, the little buds latch onto dip like velcro!

[MichiruSedai]

I ate a huge pile of broccoli with dinner tonight, because it was kinda mandatory after reading these past few posts.

[Leigh]

Hell yeah!!! I'm likely going to devour a huge pile of orange cauliflower for breakfast tomorrow. I would prefer broccoli but eat what you have right?

[Starstuff]

Broccoli is the best. I had some with dinner last night, and this conversation has inspired me to hunt down something broccoli-full for lunch, too.

[MichiruSedai]

LogicLeigh - Orange cauliflower? Do tell!

 

Starstuff - Yay for broccoli!  Tonight I'm having a broccoli/cauliflower/carrot mix.  Om nom nom.

 

 

I ordered "Level Up Your Life" with an amazon gift card I got for my birthday, and it arrived today! 

[Leigh]

Orange cauliflower is just what it sounds like. It is orange I can also find it in purple no idea how they make it and it tastes the same but it just looks way cooler ^_~

And hells yeah! California mix veg is like the best standard mix ever!

I'm still debating on the book. I kind of stopped reading the blog because it got a bit repetitive and started focusing more on the boards so I'm on the fence about his book.

[MichiruSedai]

I never knew cauliflower came in colors. That will make me 100% more likely to buy fresh cauliflower, LOL!

 

I'm maybe 6 chapters into the book. I'm enjoying it so far, even if some info is things that I've already picked up on the website.  I'm trying to focus on the boards more this challenge because I think if I put more effort in I will firm up tenuous connections and make actual friends, which will help!

[stealthstitcher]

I have a friend who refuses to eat cauliflower because "it looks yucky". How can you look at that and think anything but "yummmm"?!

So how goes the challenge aside from broccoli and cauliflower? Do you have an adventure in mind for this week?

[MichiruSedai]

That's so pretty!!

 

My challenge is going well this week.  I've gotten 2 of the 3 workouts done and have the third planned tonight.    I made the new recipe (pic posted earlier in this thread) and it was a huge crowd pleaser at my house.  I've been being nicer to myself which for me is HUGE even if it's a bit harder to track since so much of it is internal.  The only thing left is the adventure. Which might seem super tame so I'm almost embarrassed to post it.  I'm planning to take myself out to lunch or dinner this weekend.  I *hate* the idea of eating at a restaurant alone. In my mind everyone is judging me for being alone.  I also get anxious that I'll see people I know and have to be unexpectedly social. 

[Leigh]

Ooh dinner for one sounds like a very nice time to me what kind of place are you thinking of going to? Someplace fancy and new or someplace you know and love?

I'd totally do the same thing but it would break my budget

Pro tip: if you do run into someone and they ask why you are alone just be all boss and smile "I wanted a just for me day! It is fantastic no conversation to keep up, just really enjoy the food and no one to try and steal a bit from this plate of totally awesome noms!" Then stare at them until they leave

[stealthstitcher]

  I *hate* the idea of eating at a restaurant alone. 

 

Well, there's always this option:

But no, seriously, I hear you very much. I get anxiety attacks in restaurants anyway, so I tend to avoid them, but on the rare occasions I do end up eating out alone (usually Panera, when I can't stand the thought of cooking but can't stand the thought of fast food, and the local Panera weirdly doesn't have a drive through) I always bring a book. 

Oh, and if you see someone you know and they ask, "Are you here alone?", you can always stare at them with concern, then glance at the chair opposite you as if exchanging a look with someone, then ask, "Um ... are you feeling okay?" (Okay, no, I wouldn't do it in real life unless it was a really close friend asking, but I'd definitely do it in my head.) And having to be social when you're not prepared to be social is just so ... tiring. It could be unexpectedly good. But still tiring.

 

I've been being nicer to myself which for me is HUGE even if it's a bit harder to track since so much of it is internal.  

Awesome with extra awesome.

[Leigh]

Oh my god I am so doing that next time someone tries to ask me that! A book is a solid plan for just about every place

[MichiruSedai]

I will probably go to Subway because there are no restaurants in town I haven't been to already, it's a suuuuuper tiny town, and I need to pick something affordable.   I might go to a different one, haven't totally decided yet.

 

I should totally take a giant stuffed animal to fill the other seat, LOL!   I will for sure be taking a book.  I read every day on my lunch break at work, I read at dinner when my son isn't home, I read at the doctor's office, ehh you get the drift, I read a lot.  And it's great because if I'm ever early to a movie or to meet a friend or etc and I take my book out, I have the perfect excuse to not be disturbed. I'm reading - sssshhhh!

 

Now that kiddo's abed I gotta go squeak in my third workout of the week.  I'm tentatively planning a fourth for Saturday, but in case that doesn't happen, at least I will have met my goal for three.

[MichiruSedai]

I did go on my "adventure" - lunch today at Subway before hitting the gym.  It went OK.  I was super happy when I got there because the place was empty, LOL!  I even stepped outside my comfort zone and tried a new (to me) sub.  But alas, then the church down the road let out and the place got PACKED!  So I finished up and left.

 

I've got my new recipe for week2 picked out and ingredients bought!  Cooking that tomorrow with my assistant chef (my son) and hoping it turns out well!

[Leigh]

What did you get? And I am jealous that you have an assistant chef I just have room mates that always seem to need into the kitchen whenever I am cooking.

[MichiruSedai]

I tried their tuna fish (with cucumber, spinach, and tomato). It was yummy!

 

I <3 my assistant chef. My 6 yr old has gotten really big into cooking and it's so fun!  My brother-in-law is an amazing cook, so the three of us get together and cook great things!

 

Speaking of which, tonight kidlet and I tackled our new recipe of the week from the new cookbook my sister and brother-in-law gave me for my birthday (Nom Nom Paleo): Coconut Pineapple "Rice". The quotation marks are because the "rice" is made from cauliflower.  Next time I think I need to cook it a bit longer because it was a little soggy, but still tasty.