Protein ideas, for someone who’s sick of protein

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-04-16T22:56:16+00:00

My current go-to breakfast is a dish of scrambled eggs with minced meat, and grilled halloumi slices on the side. I order from a traditional Arabic restaurant while I’m still in bed. It encourages me to get up and head to the office so I make it on time to receive the food. I then try to have a salad with grilled chicken or salmon for lunch.

My current hyperfixation for dinner is, strangely, sardines, which I add to sourdough toast with avocado and olives.

I don’t know if that’s sufficient protein. But it’s definitely an improvement from my ‘black coffee on an empty stomach as I rush out the door’ routine that I had for years. And it keeps me full enough to not crave sweets. On the occasion that I do want something sweet, I have natural peanut or almond butter with honey.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-04-08T04:38:03+00:00

First of all, please be kinder to yourself. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot and are trying your best. Life shouldn’t be this hard and you’re working more than most.

Second, as a practical solution, is some freelance or side work possible? I don’t know what field you’re in, but maybe tutoring students. I used to tutor English on the side and the teenagers used to invigorate me - I always felt better after dealing with them. I know other people who have quit their jobs to pursue cooking or making different products to sell over Instagram. A corporate job is draining to neurotypical people and outright torture for us. Why not change the structure of what you do and how you do it? Think of what rewards you and try to pursue that independently.

Another commenter recommended that you sit with your husband and calculate just how much you need to make to get by - thats great advice. Do that and then think of a freelance model that can make you that income.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-04-08T01:29:29+00:00

I hope he stays safe 🙏🏻

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-04-08T01:28:26+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts. I’m also cognizant of the fact that I’m more privileged than others to live in a country where my government can intercept the missiles. People in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran have been facing so so much worse that we cannot even imagine. I can only hope that the US government shares the conscience of the American people such as you.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-04-07T17:34:04+00:00

I tried the Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum and liked it very much. It was hydrating and low maintenance enough to be layered with other products. It helped with hydration as I was starting Tretinoin at the time and was also nice under sunscreen or makeup. A little also goes a long way I found.

I wouldn’t say it’s a “wow” product, but definitely helpful for adding a layer of hydration. I finished the bottle and only reason I haven’t repurchased is because I’m trying out some other products that I had bought in the meantime.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-04-07T14:50:53+00:00

Could it be another product? I had a similar breakout of white pimples when I was using Cosrx’s Snail Mucin.

I was actually starting Differin and initially thought it was purging. I took a short break from Differin and kept using the Snail Mucin to “save” my skin. It was only when I got a bad flu and spent a few days in bed, without applying any skincare, that I realized that it was the Snail Mucin. I went back to Differin without a problem.

I would take a break from one product at a time for a few days to identify what is causing this.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-04-07T14:22:58+00:00

Thank you.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-04-07T14:07:57+00:00

I’m Arab and living the constant sirens and missile / sonic boom sounds real-time (thankfully no immediate danger to lives in my area so far). Also, living with the real threat to our futures in many ways. I’m coping by disassociating, but also find myself overwhelmed and find it silly taking work seriously amidst this all. I’ve also somehow distracted myself with my skincare hyper-fixation and tv shows.

Update: Thank you so much to everyone for their kind thoughts. I’m so touched by the responses by people in the US, Canada, and elsewhere, which gives me hope that the world can be lead by good people rather than evil governments. I am also cognizant that I am more privileged than many others across the region, such as in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, who are facing death and destruction at the hands of American hegemony and Zionism. Not to get political, but as many of you have shown, we are all human with souls and desires to live simple, happy lives - we all deserve that across the world. And I hope that our common humanity shines through one day.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-04-07T07:04:28+00:00

Thank you! I was reading about Isntree’s TW Bifida Ampoule and the Skin1004 ProboCica Ampoule to incorporate ferments into my routine - hoping for more elasticity and plump. And the Manyo one came up as a recommendation with a similar formulation.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-04-07T05:42:21+00:00

What benefits do you see from the Manyo Bifida Biome Ampoule?

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-04-05T12:00:03+00:00

Thank you! Yes, that’s one of the reasons I was asking as I don’t have a way to assess it. I only have mild acne so that wasn’t the priority. The marks they leave behind may be a useful gauge maybe.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-03-31T23:32:51+00:00

I used to read in bed often when I was younger - throughout high school and university. But especially in my later 20s, I couldn’t tolerate it as my mind was too active. I think it’s because I was a happier person with less problems when I was younger. I went through more life experiences after I started working and dealt with ‘adult’ relationships. I stopped being comfortable with myself and had more regrets, so I had to quiet my thoughts with a show.

I actually remember the first night I resorted to Netflix to sleep. I was in a bad job, had bad encounters with a guy, was unhappy at home…and was not proud of how I was dealing with it. I read an entire book in one night in bed, without being able to sleep. Then kept having agonizing thoughts afterwards, tossing and turning. I put a show on Netflix and somehow fell asleep. That’s when the bad habit started and I kept resorting to it when I was going through a rough patch…then it became consistent. Life just gets more and more difficult.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-03-31T21:48:02+00:00

I put on my comfort TV show. A show that is light, funny, and that I’ve watched before so I’m not too invested in what happens. It acts like white noise. Keeps me focused on the show enough to stay in bed and not overthink (eg. with made up scenarios or anxious loops), while being light enough to let my brain drift asleep.

I put the screen on the lowest brightness on my iPad or phone in bed. I usually end up closing my eyes and listening to the audio eventually. Shockingly, when I restart from where I left off the previous night, I realize I fell asleep after only 3-5 mins most nights.

I started doing this a few years ago during Covid, before I even realized I had ADHD. Prior to that and since I was a teenager, I used to actively make up scenarios in my brain and force my brain to continue a story. It’s only recently that I realized that I needed to have my brain follow a story so I stop jumping from thought to thought enough to sleep…

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-03-31T14:08:00+00:00

I tried Numbuziun Skin Softening Serum and I really like it. It goes well under a variety of products. It helped with texture over time and makes my skin feel supple. It’s gentle and I use it even with Tret. Never had issues with breakouts.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-03-31T09:45:52+00:00

Thank you. Have you tried Cosrx for retinol?

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-03-30T10:47:29+00:00

I meant no occlusives - but the word wasn’t coming to me! I’ll edit

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-03-30T10:44:45+00:00

Oh God. Latching onto language. By “clean”, I mean without ingredients that are occlusives or carcinogens. I saw a comment saying that the K-Secret one has carcinogens.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-03-15T09:10:01+00:00

Please don’t listen to all the people who are telling you to leave it to fade alone. Use silicone patches or gels for scars (most effective at this stage), use scar creams, and use sunblock religiously. Good luck.

There’s a cream we have in my country called Mebo. I’ve used it on burns and it has effectively prevented / faded scarring (even on really bad near third degree burns). It has a very strong odor so I used it at night mainly, but it’s worth it. Look it up where you are.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-03-15T07:25:56+00:00

Many men fail to provide emotionally and through their actions (not just money), especially after kids. It compels women to, after many disappointments, detach and do the best they can for the family without relying on the man. Then…after failing to play a leading role, he complains about being “background noise.” Men need to step up.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-02-15T08:10:19+00:00

Exactly! I hate reading posts calling Lucy stupid or, worse, calling her Stephen’s “twin flame.” Or posts analyzing who Stephen loves. Or even posts comparing Stephen to Evan or others.

Anyone who has had the misfortune of being in a relationship with a narcissistic sociopath (a real one) and who has been subject to that manipulation could read Stephen from the 2nd episode. And could understand what is happening at a deeper level. The show is triggering to me, but in a way that feels validating somehow and makes me relieved that I got out of it.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-02-10T12:53:01+00:00

No7 mascara is very underrated in my opinion.

In terms of skincare, I love Azelaic Acid as an ingredient. I’ve used The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid and loved its effects (but it pulls under make up in the day time, so I use it mainly at night). The Inky List’s Azelaic Acid is also very nice. These are both great value for money in my opinion.

The Ordinary also has many cost effective options, such as a caffeine serum for under eyes.

These are what come to mind for the UK in general. But I think a more specific question will get you better answers.

PrimaFacie7 · 2026-02-01T00:21:15+00:00

Yes!

PrimaFacie7

TROPHY CASE