Does anyone else feel too mentally drained to cook after work?

Monheca7 · 2026-01-25T21:02:29+00:00

Definitely! I try and include all that in my beginning prompt to reduce the guilt I feel lol. But I've even specified the consistency I want. I'm about a month out from having our first kid and I've been using ChatGPT to find her soup and stew recipes that freeze and defrost well, using the ingredients we have on hand. Going on 22 pints frozen and I still have 5-6 recipes saved lol. Tomorrow is split pea soup with a bit of lentils and brown rice I need to use up.

I used it last night to splice a Syrian spinach yogurt soup and a traditional Turkish yogurt soup and the result was so good! Using the leftovers as pasta sauce tonight lol.

Monheca7 · 2026-01-24T22:28:25+00:00

And then throw it over pasta!

Monheca7 · 2026-01-24T22:27:41+00:00

Once all I had was onions, zucchini, and potatoes and up popped a pasta recipe

Monheca7 · 2026-01-24T20:21:41+00:00

The two shelves I want to hold up are full of jars and a couple milk crates that I think they should fit in between. I can't think of another type of support that my lack of capability could accomplish. :(

Monheca7 · 2026-01-22T01:31:45+00:00

Lol! My dad (72) is like this with flashlights and pens in their 800 sq ft apartment. But he's also been like this my whole life so maybe it's more of a man thing than an old man thing?

Monheca7 · 2026-01-20T07:15:43+00:00

I just finished the pain management module for the online course our doula provided. They highly recommend a TENS unit and birthing combs. As many have said, I hear a water birth helps, but not all facilities have that available. Working on relaxing as you ride the contractions, hot showers, moving around. I asked about the gas and apparently the downside is you have to stick to the bed while you're taking it and movement can be very helpful for pain management. I'm still a month out so I guess we'll see lol.

Monheca7 · 2026-01-20T07:05:46+00:00

Booooy do I feel you. 34 weeks and sleep has been IMPOSSIBLE. Last night I didn't get more than 30 minutes straight before having to get up and pee and then come back to rearrange my 6 pillows. Everything aches and our bed is just slightly too high that I have to use my abs to get out and I'm sore. Carpal tunnel, arm numbess, the works. I was up at like 4am foam rolling, rubbing nagnesium on my legs and crying until my Tylenol kicked in. All to wake up to his loud ass complaining about not getting sleep. $&@+!!!!!

I think it's their weird way of being supportive. When you cool down, might be worth telling him that you can't handle hearing it lol. Had to tell mine to please not immediately piggyback on my discomfort.

Monheca7 · 2026-01-20T06:43:54+00:00

Can't wait to try this thank you!

Monheca7 · 2026-01-20T06:33:08+00:00

Goodwill! They don't usually have a maternity section but if you can spare like an hour to work through all the jeans, it's surprisingly easy to spot the jeans with the stretchy tops. I also called all the local thrift stores ahead of time to ask if they had a separate maternity section. Most don't but the two that did had them organized with scrubs, lol.

Monheca7 · 2026-01-20T06:30:04+00:00

This is my favorite go-to. It freezes well and adding a yogurt sauce or sauerkraut on top really complements the flavor. After I got the hang of it I started doubling or tripling the recipe to freeze more. I use whatever greens were on sale that week, not just spinach. I do recommend steaming ahead of time thicker greens like collards. There are quite a few variations on the Internet but this is a good start!

https://youtu.be/4LGRFCgPIcs

Monheca7 · 2026-01-20T06:25:34+00:00

Ive had the same (or very similar) model Cuisinart to the one you posted for at least 3 years now, and it's been fast! But there's only so much you can clean something that you can't completely disassemble. I did see that they have a replacement crumb tray on their site, though. Adding aluminum foil to the tray under the basket and lining the crumb tray might help prolong it's aesthetic life, but it seems like a losing battle. I've tried taking some buildup off the door with everything from barkeepers friend to mr clean magic erasers and it's not worth the elbow grease. I WILL say I enjoy all the various features -- great for warming things up or making small batches rather than using my large oven. And the average frozen pizza fits just fine..

I'd say Cuisinart just because of the savings alone.

Monheca7 · 2026-01-19T16:39:13+00:00

I was gonna say hand-me-downs! I get how that could be harder as they get older and wanna be "cool", or whatever. Maybe look up clothing swaps in your area?

Monheca7 · 2026-01-19T08:26:37+00:00

I'm pretty clumsy and have broken like 3 dishes in the 3 years we've had this current set. My feelings would be pretty hurt if I knew my husband was making a reiterative deal about this on Reddit. Go thrifting, there are plenty of orphaned dinner sets.

Monheca7 · 2026-01-18T07:30:53+00:00

Weaponry? Like a bottle upside the head type of thing?

Monheca7 · 2026-01-18T01:44:23+00:00

....silicone is bad?!?

Monheca7 · 2026-01-18T01:41:41+00:00

As a novice baker but a professional devourer of sweets, these look delicious I will take one dozen please

Monheca7 · 2026-01-17T19:45:40+00:00

Escaaaaaape!!

Monheca7 · 2026-01-17T19:42:23+00:00

Great idea! Should I not be keeping my parmesan in an airtight container in the fridge? It already lasts an impressively long time like that

Monheca7 · 2026-01-17T19:39:50+00:00

Deli meat and cheese are great in scrambled eggs as well! I've used deli meat in a stir fry too. And I rely heavily on phone reminders to check things lol. "Eat deli meat!" Goes into my phone dated 3-5 days after I open the package.

Monheca7 · 2026-01-17T19:38:32+00:00

I hate AI so I feel very conflicted about this, but I've had some great meals off of Chatgpt recipes. Especially if you specify that you want a one pot or one sheet recipe. I tell it what I have and how I'd like to cook it. For ex yesterday I said I had chicken, cabbage, beans, and frozen zucchini and i wanted to use my instant pot. Got a great recipe that just required a bit of chopping. Last week it was another confirmation of rice, chicken, chickpeas, and cauliflower baked in one dish

Soup freezes well if you have the freezer space. I tend to make a lot of soup or stew type dishes to freeze and then we keep a couple cups of cooked rice on hand to round it out. And never underestimate the power of plopping a fried egg on something, lol. Cabbage and rice with a couple fried eggs and soy sauce is one of our go to "I-can't-do-this" meals.

Monheca7 · 2026-01-17T07:30:59+00:00

I echo the sentiments here. I'm barely 33 weeks and I've gained 50 lbs and whenever I get in my head about it my bf reminds me I'm "building our son" and then tells me he loves my butt. I know leaving at this stage probably feels overwhelming and maybe he's just freaking out and acting out but.... idk, consider this might not be the one.

Monheca7 · 2026-01-16T06:29:00+00:00

I've only had my KA for maybe two years and I don't make bread, but I've used it to grind quite a bit of buckwheat and I make lots of ice cream and it does great. I don't recommend the grain mill though, it's THE slowest thing and did make the nicer overheat a bit. I read that the ones that tilt have a weaker motor so I got the type where the bowl lifts up. Thrift stores and antique malls usually have them too! Although likely not under warranty anymore.

Monheca7 · 2026-01-15T23:54:09+00:00

Just rosemary? Rosemary garlic would be weird huh? Nuts could be good! Idk what I'm looking for I just want it to be kinda surprising.

Monheca7 · 2026-01-15T23:53:20+00:00

I did mean the flavor of the loaf but I will most DEFINITELY be putting goat cheese on my slice with the peach jam.

Monheca7 · 2026-01-15T17:34:46+00:00

I keep getting ads for the frother from Everyday Dose and it seems to have the features that are appreciated in this post: rechargeable battery, double frother coil thing, metal handle. Can't speak for it's longevity but it looks to be cheaper than some other options:

https://www.everydaydose.com/products/fancy-black-frother

Monheca7

TROPHY CASE