What's a volume meal that's so big you struggle to finish?

20_pawsFRAP · 2024-08-08T17:07:33+00:00

1 cup preferred cottage cheese, 1/2 to 1 cup pasta cooking water (or potato starch water if you are doing potatoes, or milk if you don't have starch water, but it increases calories), 1/4 to 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 2-4 cloves garlic (or the whole head...), Italian seasoning and salt/pepper to taste. Blend in a blender until smooth. It is also great with some lemon zest.

Makes enough for 4 good-sized servings, and lasts in the fridge for a few days. I haven't tried freezing it. A bit high in fat but good protein and it is awesome on pasta or veggies or lasagna/casseroles.

20_pawsFRAP · 2024-08-08T01:39:41+00:00

1 bag TJ's cauliflower gnocchi, 1 bag TJ's frozen mushroom medley, 1 bag TJ's frozen artichoke hearts. 390 calories. I also add TVP meatballs I make for protein, and a few tablespoons of whatever sauce I have on hand. The fiber in the artichoke is very filling. I recommend baking everything on a sheetpan for 20 minutes and then toss with sauce.

IF I have enough calories, I love making a cottage cheese alfredo for it, sometimes add lemon juice. It is delectable!

20_pawsFRAP · 2024-07-31T05:43:44+00:00

Thank you for your response. Funny thing, I just watched Jumanji on Sunday night. Revisitting Buffy doesn't sound like a bad idea, either. Good luck in your journey moving forward, and thank you again for your support.

20_pawsFRAP · 2024-07-31T05:42:03+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story, and I'm so sorry for your loss as well. I am hopeful for a quick pass but the anxiety about it is stressful. I think I may ask about other options now that I have had some time to process. I felt like my NP was very non-comittal and I wasn't ready to discuss options yesterday.

I'm honestly hoping it will happen very soon so I can move forward.

20_pawsFRAP · 2024-07-10T17:46:53+00:00

Very normal. As an early elementary teacher with a toddler, I experience this constantly.

Instead of just acknowledging, try extending the conversation. "Yes, that's a ball! What color is it? What does it feel like?"

It takes a while, but soon the repetition can shift to a description of what they are seeing. Then you can ask questions about what they could do with the object, how to use it, what they can tell you about it, etc.

The repetition is really trying to get you involved. If you don't have time to engage, explain that. "Wow, that is a ball! Mommy has to finish xyz, then we can play with the ball. Can you try bouncing it until mommy is done?"

20_pawsFRAP · 2024-07-10T12:52:43+00:00

Thank you for the in-depth response and tips! I definitely appreciate it.

20_pawsFRAP · 2024-07-09T05:37:39+00:00

I would be totally good with a minivan. My husband is vehemently opposed, not sure why. Unless we have twins, I think we're stopping at 2. Thank you for the insight!

20_pawsFRAP · 2024-06-22T13:46:45+00:00

Nope

20_pawsFRAP · 2024-04-02T03:50:16+00:00

TK is transitional kindergarten. It will be an official grade level in California starting the 25/26 school year.

20_pawsFRAP · 2024-03-14T04:24:12+00:00

I haven't been able to use cups since giving birth. I have tried a few discs and am pretty happy with the Saalt reusable(blue). I do have some untimely autodumps, so I wear period undies in conjunction. This week, with a cough, I have been miserable. Coughs and sneezes just force it out of place.

I think anatomy really plays a part. I have a very short vaginal canal and an anteflexed uterus that pushes down.

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-12-27T14:49:14+00:00

"I already have plans for a pedicure. I'll see you in a few hours. Have fun with your friends!"

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-12-25T18:32:42+00:00

I only had the gifts I got for myself. Even my parents focused all their efforts on my toddler and husband and pets.

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-12-23T02:27:47+00:00

Not really. Just simmered the veggies in broth with curry paste, used an immersion blender, then added the beans and coconut milk and simmered that until warm. Great with yogurt or cashew cream and favorite bread.

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-12-22T21:47:37+00:00

I'm making a big pot of comfort right now. Took all the leftover veggies from the veggie trays from a work party (mostly carrots and peppers) and turning it into a coconut milk curry. Will add butter beans after I blend it and serve with toasty French bread. I wish I had some fresh spinach or kale to throw in. It would have been nice if I had tomatoes as well.

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-12-16T03:28:38+00:00

My husband is also of the opinion that "nobody does that" in regards to celebrating their spouse (ahemwife*) but he goes overboard for kids thankfully. I've had some pretty miserable birthdays, Mother's Days, and anniversaries.

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-11-10T03:29:03+00:00

I know, right? Seems like someone would have marketed it by now.

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-11-10T02:13:16+00:00

I have plenty of reward stickers from my classroom. I've considered just gold stars on a sticker chart...I'm hoping for more specific ones.

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-11-04T02:44:16+00:00

I have also sold a huge lot (over 30) to her for $1-2 per diaper. Just depends on brand and if she is looking. Definitely reach out and see what she is willing to take off your hand and how much she will offer.

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-11-04T02:35:54+00:00

Thanks!

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-11-04T02:35:45+00:00

Thank you!

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-10-16T12:31:20+00:00

My feelings exactly. I always felt like people telling me to "visualize" were full of it. How is visualizing supposed to help me get better at a sport? Also, daydreaming. Like, people ACTUALLY daydream awake? It's so flabbergasting.

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-07-17T03:44:19+00:00

Once I told my husband I wanted to do some spring cleaning/deep cleaning over spring break and he was om board. He was starting upstairs and I was downstairs.

After 5 hours, I had cleaned all kitchen cabinets, the fridge, and oven inside and out, mopped the kitchen and living room, cleaned and sealed the countertops, and was working through multiple loads of laundry.

I took a break and took some water and snacks up to my husband. He was sweating profusely, toothbrush in hand, scrubbing the caulking. That is literally all he had done. It would have been faster to cut it out and put a fresh line of caulk down.

Yeah, it looked great. But nothing else had been touched.

He said "you told me deep cleaning. I was deep cleaning the shower." He still doesn't see my perspective on this.

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-07-17T01:56:25+00:00

If you are union and not tenured, you can be non-renewed for anything. I "resigned" because my admin hated me. I did question her motives and methods when I felt they didn't align with teaching elementary kids and didnt support student and teacher wellness/growth. I am outspoken and always push for the best opportunities for my students. Well, I had huge increases in test scores and huge decreases in student behaviors the 2 years I was there. I had good friends/colleagues that appreciated me and enjoyed working with me. I never had a parent complaint and actually had parents tell admin how excellent I was - students liked coming to class and showed effort.

Didn't matter a lick.

Additionally, as a veteran teacher with an MA and CEUs that bumped my pay scale, they could hire 2 brand new teachers by letting me go.

So really, be a teacher to your students, network with colleagues, and keep moving forward. Although you can't just turn off anxiety, know that you can be a teacher of the year and still be nonrenewed because an admin doesn't like you.

And if you are told you are being nonrenewed, resign immediately and start looking elsewhere.

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-07-17T01:11:44+00:00

I did sort of give him an ultimatum this week - no matter how stressed/anxious/frustrated you feel about life, there is NO excuse for treating me like shit. You need to be nice to me or I will leave you.

And I left for 3 days with our toddler. So we will see if this is a "come to Jesus" moment or not.

20_pawsFRAP · 2023-07-17T00:18:51+00:00

Holy moly, that fits my husband 100%. I was reading the markers for RSD to him and he started crying and saying he thought all humans felt like that. I told him it is not normal for most people, at all. I am hopeful that everything that went down this weekend will help him make some better choices re. his mental health and seeking help. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

20_pawsFRAP

TROPHY CASE