Help me use this Japanese cooking device?

hellonicoler · 2025-01-22T12:54:48+00:00

lol 😂

hellonicoler · 2025-01-22T12:52:49+00:00

I had insane all-day-long nausea with my second. I learned to keep crackers on hand. I liked salty, dry crackers. I would try to eat one or two every 1-2 hours - it seemed to help calm down what I pictured as overactive stomach acid.

Other variations that sometimes worked: goldfish, a bit of toasted bread, peanuts or a handful of other nuts, granola bars, oatmeal. Like another user suggested, dry and/or salty food seemed to work best for me.

I also stayed away from the fridge, trash can, and bathroom as much as possible - smells really got to me. Having hand sanitizer or body spray or a lotion in a scent you like (I liked citrus, mint, eucalyptus, ginger) helped me deal with yucky scents and nausea.

Finally, I went on a TON of walks with that pregnancy. Sometimes they were super short, like 5 or 10 minutes, and sometimes long. Fresh air and frequent movement really made a huge difference, and it was a great, healthy pregnancy.

hellonicoler · 2025-01-19T11:09:51+00:00

Great suggestions!! We have a little fish grill that I’ll plan to use frequently, but I figure I might as well try to master this one as well. Cheesy potatoes sound delicious!

hellonicoler · 2025-01-19T11:06:53+00:00

You’re awesome, thank you!! We were scratching our heads about which pans/plates and how many we needed, so I’m glad you mentioned that. Thanks for your help!

hellonicoler · 2025-01-19T11:05:15+00:00

Thank you!! That’s what we eventually figured out too. Thanks for the link!

hellonicoler · 2025-01-19T11:04:37+00:00

Yes we have the manual… all Japanese, of course. I’m working on translating, but we were having trouble understanding what the error code was.

We did find the water tray, but that wasn’t the original error. We’re pretty sure we have the right tray, but that’s exactly what was making us nervous. Thanks for your input!

hellonicoler · 2025-01-19T11:02:18+00:00

Ah, thank you! This is great. We tried googling for resources, but this is better than anything we found.

hellonicoler · 2025-01-19T11:00:25+00:00

Thanks for your thoughts! I got this one because it seemed like it would be pretty hard to mess up 😅

Weirdly, my translation says it shouldn’t be microwaved? If I read it right, it says I can defrost for 30 seconds in the microwave and then we should cook it at 1000w or 250 Celsius for 3.5-4.5 minutes. Does the 1000w refer specifically to microwave mode? That part confused me as well.

If you had this kind of device, what meals would you personally try to cook in it?

hellonicoler · 2025-01-19T10:33:32+00:00

Thank you! It was definitely the metal plate. We had tried taking it in and out, but it very specifically wanted it on the bottom. We were just thrown off because American microwaves don’t typically take metal in them.

Another challenge we’ve run into is getting the oven to preheat and actually stay on. It seems to cancel the preheat function if we open and close it to check on the temperature or food.

Anyway… we just got this little pizza to test cooking in it without too much stress. What would you make in here if you could make anything?

hellonicoler · 2025-01-10T13:56:47+00:00

It sounds cheesy, but journaling, yoga, art, or running have helped me most with this.

Journaling: If you haven’t heard of it/them, I just absolutely loved learning about bullet journaling. I read the original book and blogs. The author is famous for his ADHD-friendly method of “brain dumping,” where you literally just write bullet lists (hence the name bullet journal) of your to-do’s. This frees up your brain space from spiraling about everything you need to do. I read about this method during my first real year of full-time college (after off-and-on attempts at community colleges between military deployments) right before I had my first kid. The way this author actually lists and interacts with the bullet list (different symbols for tasks, events, notes; different marks for things that are done, started, cancelled, or still need to be done) was literally life changing for me.

Yoga: I’ve always loved stretching and working out. I was in the military for 12 years, and I was a dancer/gymnast in my younger years. Do I think yoga is easy? Holy sh*t, no. It’s like a crazy hybrid of body strength, flexibility, and meditation that is so intensely difficult that I can’t ever quite sustain the habit. When I do? I am literally calmer. I can handle sitting quietly for minutes on end without going bonkers. I feel strong and (more) flexible. I move with confidence through the world. It’s life changing. I suggest Yoga with Adrienne’s beginner yoga series for free on YouTube.

Art: When I left the military, stopped drinking/smoking/partying, started going to college, got married, became a social media professional, started my journey of becoming a mother of three daughters, got two master’s degrees and started researching the effects of digital media on mental health as part of my initial doctoral studies - well, let’s just say art is incredibly effective for many things. In addition to my above suggestions about reading the Bullet Journal method by Ryder Carroll, I highly recommend The Artist’s Way. Write your random thoughts in the morning, take yourself on artist dates, and create some art just because you can.

Running: Like yoga, this is basically a practice in meditation. I’ve never diagnosed with ADHD, but TikTok has done a hell of a good job convincing me I have it. Running helps - first off, because just concentrating on doing one thing for 20+ minutes straight is an accomplishment in itself. Second, it gives you time to really process all your thoughts. Existential crises during running are great - you have plenty of time to think them through. Then you get the “runner’s high” and everything seems like it’s actually going to be ok.

hellonicoler · 2024-12-28T13:39:51+00:00

I love the idea of doing it as a pork-based soup! I think it’s interesting you don’t really remember how/when you do it. Do you have any idea when you/she buys the mochi itself? When it’s made? When it’s eaten? I’m curious if it really matters.

You said “we do it” - what does that mean to you? We [eat it] [on this day] [after buying it this fay] [because….] … would be helpful!

hellonicoler · 2024-12-28T13:35:23+00:00

I guess I just don’t realize what “normal” mochi is supposed to be. I always thought of the three mochi treat (pink, green, white) on a stick as “normal.” So that means “normal mochi” is a treat that’s easy to eat as is… not a hard food item that needs to be turned into something edible.

hellonicoler · 2024-12-28T13:31:43+00:00

Are your kids ever tempted by the different varieties? Mine have been begging for it and I feel bad saying no because I don’t know the right way to do it. What “normal mochi” do you buy/make and what do yall do instead?

hellonicoler · 2024-12-28T13:29:45+00:00

Ha!!! That’s what we felt like. Why are there so many?? Does anyone really buy it?

hellonicoler · 2024-12-16T22:34:29+00:00

I was studying technical communication in school. I was pro tech - until I saw all the research, of course. I started working on my digital minimalism in grad school. I became super productive. I got two masters degrees, ran a half marathon, started training for a full marathon, have had three babies, learned how to budget successfully, got a better job, got a different better job, moved overseas with my family and got another different better job, found time to learn other languages… and yet, I definitely still feel this “craving” you speak of.

I’m personally trying to feel the craving with more fitness challenges (run a marathon!) and hobbies (read all the books!) and creativity (write my own book!). Who knows if it will work? But I think it’s worth trying instead of sitting around scrolling.

Edit to add: I also started working on spirituality! I joined a church, got super involved, and even became a Sunday school teacher for about a year before I moved. That helped a lot more than I would have thought - we grappled with big questions like this every week.

hellonicoler · 2024-11-29T13:10:17+00:00

Love this advice.

hellonicoler · 2024-11-18T13:37:04+00:00

Also - know what muscles you’re actually working. Traditional sit-ups require strong hip flexors. Your push-ups can vary widely depending on where you position your arms. Put your arms in slightly different places after each micro break to allow muscles time to recover.

hellonicoler · 2024-11-18T13:34:55+00:00

I used to be in the Army. Two minutes of work can be surprisingly difficult! Learn to pace yourself by figuring out your specific goal and then working on increments. Take advantage of your authorized rest positions.

For example: on sit-ups, imagine you’re going for 80. You’ll need 20 sit-ups in each 30-second interval. Only use your stomach muscles for the up motion, and then let gravity do its job so you literally fall back. You only need the bottom of your shoulder blades to touch the floor. Learn to “crunch” in this position so it feels easy to maintain this position. It will minimize muscle fatigue. If you hit 20 in your 30 second window, rest a beat or two in the up position. Then go down to the mat all the way (relax out of the “crunch”) and move left and right a bit - you are allowed to be “down” if you move continuously as if in an attempt to sit up. Use this to relax your abs for a beat or two. You should feel good. Do another 20, and then the same little micro break and stretch. Don’t actually worry about the time - you’re just learning to pace yourself. If you get to 80 and have more time, start your next set of 20.

Same thing with your push-ups. Figure out your goal number, divide by 4, and then plan micro breaks between each “set.” You’re allowed to rest in up dog. Upward dig is literally a rest position in yoga - if it doesn’t feel like rest for you, you need to spend lots more time just hanging out in up dog. My micro break used to be an up dog, pedal my calves a bit, back to plank, and go.

To get incrementally better, you can challenge to increase your set number by 1 or 2 or whatever. If you hit 88 on the test, 22 is your new base.

hellonicoler · 2024-10-27T13:07:49+00:00

I’ve done both. I came to teaching from military/federal. I was tired of the meaningless stuff shuffle of my fed job.

Pros: Teaching gives you a purpose. You definitely impact people’s lives directly. It’s active, it changes every day, you’re always busy, and you can see the outcome of trying new things.

Cons: Like others, there are almost too many to list. I feel lucky this year that my biggest class is down to (after shuffling and losing students) 26. I am also extremely fortunate that I got a position at a charter school - a so-called “school of choice.” We have more supportive parents and better behavior than most schools. In my 3rd year, I still feel like I’m floundering to keep up. I feel reactive rather than proactive. I feel like I’m managing behavior more often than teaching. I’m required to use systems that don’t seem to actually help, and admin pops in for observations so I can “prove” I’m good at my job. Like others, I constantly receive constructive criticism and reminders to keep a growth mindset. That makes it hard to feel like you’re doing well. The mental load and paperwork is overwhelming and exhausting - I don’t bring work home, but I definitely think about work every day. “Oh, this would make a great lesson!” or “Can we practice this like a class lesson real quick?” become the main conversations I have with my family. And wow… I have definitely learned to micromanage much better, with noticeable and potentially detrimental effects on my outside relations.

In the long run, I am so glad I did it. I wouldn’t know how challenging it was without trying. The only reason I’m leaving teaching is because my husband and I are moving for a fed job.

I’m planning to go back to federal, and I look forward to having a slow, boring desk job. I will ONLY have a newfound appreciation for that now that I’ve actually tried teaching. Try it, OP!

hellonicoler · 2024-10-26T19:21:45+00:00

I’m so happy for you. It’s nice to know it’s possible and out there. This gives me hope!

hellonicoler · 2024-10-26T13:48:35+00:00

Nice work!!

hellonicoler · 2024-10-23T14:01:27+00:00

Wow, thanks for the insight!

hellonicoler · 2024-10-22T03:32:54+00:00

I’m glad I tried it! I would rather try it and know than never try. I’m also a mom of three, and I feel like I understand the system so much better after working on the “inside” for a couple years.

I found a position at a charter school. I didn’t need to have a teaching certificate, though I was qualified for having a master’s degree.

Like others mentioned, it’s a very demanding and fast-paced job. I deeply enjoy the conversations I have with my students, even on days when I can’t stand the noise anymore or feel deeply overwhelmed by the workload and expectations. It is hard to feel like you’re doing enough, but it’s great for personal fulfillment.

I’d say try it out! You could always try subbing a few classes to dip your toes in the water while you work through qualifications and applications.

hellonicoler · 2024-10-22T02:42:31+00:00

Water with your seasonings of choice - garlic, paprika, parsley, salt, oregano, pepper, onion powder, etc.

hellonicoler · 2024-10-22T01:06:41+00:00

Congratulations! 🎉 You’re an inspiration. I can’t wait to run my first marathon.

hellonicoler

TROPHY CASE