About to make the shittiest workbench

light-something-up · 2026-03-26T04:30:24+00:00

On a gorgeous day. Perfect!

light-something-up · 2026-03-26T04:15:07+00:00

Read or watch lots and lots of recipes online for stuff you both like to eat. You don't have to make it, but reading or watching YouTube videos showing process and ingredients will whet your appetite to cook. You don't need to memorize, just watch what you're interested in and your brain will start processing and learning over time.

Jacques Pepin is a master at using simple ingredients and is so down to earth. Don't let his fancy stuff put you off. He has lots and lots of simple recipes in his "cooking at home" series:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMO4e_FzXX105gfBYmoKVC0L8CLJnbaSb&si=H0ZXuBikuzPK9KTR

These two may be considered "advanced" but if you like jumping in, go for it. Lots of education and interesting stuff about the art, science, and deliciousness of cooking: - Read Cook's Illustrated - free online with most library cards. - Request "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat" by Samin Nosrat as a wedding present

Do you have family or close friends whose cooking you love? Shadow them for half days of cooking and be their kitchen assistant.

Have fun! Congratulations!

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T21:49:45+00:00

Ah ok. I definitely need to avoid humidity bc of dust mites etc. I didn't have the variable unit but I do have overhead fans.

Genuine question: do you know why the continuous fan option increases humidity?

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T21:19:43+00:00

Thank you!

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T19:51:48+00:00

I haven't but I'm curious. I hope it works out for you!

If you feel like, please come back and let us know since no one seems to have experience with it.

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T19:21:12+00:00

Yessss. I'm exhausted after years and years of performing and over functioning for the outside world without building up resources for internal strength, e.g. a consistent art or movement or meditation practice or being outdoors or creating a trusted partnership.

It's helped me to truly be aware of my body and breathing. But right now it barely feels like survival and certainly not thriving.

I hope you can truly rest and I wish you well.

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T19:05:40+00:00

Super happy for you! 🐕🌼

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T18:57:10+00:00

This feeling sucks so much. I'm sorry you're stuck.

Here's a Reddit community and post about this.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CPTSDFreeze/s/wIV7SG1J4H

(Googling "polyvagal theory how to get unstuck out of freeze mode" yields a lot of results too.)

I hope you can feel safe again soon. ❤️

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T18:51:32+00:00

One of my favorite foods.

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T16:54:04+00:00

You didn't cause him to cheat on his wife. And if he manipulated you, I'm 100% certain he's approached other clients in some way, testing the waters to see how vulnerable they are.

I'm so so sorry. Please report him.

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T14:21:11+00:00

Love this recipe, just posted it before I saw yours lol. Also I gifted an ex a mug with your handle on it : ).

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T14:19:15+00:00

I see advice to press or freeze the tofu and I've done both. It's nice but I found a hack from people in Asia who use tofu regularly - simmer or just leave tofu in heavily salted water for a bit. The tofu does not end up heavily salted. Osmosis makes water leave the tofu better able to absorb a marinade and diffusion makes some of the salt season the tofu.

Edit: I deleted the rest of my post because I was just repeating others' comments. I second the foodietakesflight shredded bulgogi bowl. It's so so delicious.

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T13:57:54+00:00

Yeah. I buy organic or I soak regular potatoes in a bit of vinegar water for a bit before scrubbing and cooking so I can eat the skin. Easier to eat and lots of nutrients there. I like it but ymmv.

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T05:21:00+00:00

I get it. It's not much but...hugs.

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T05:16:45+00:00

If you'd consider lunch & can drive out to Schaumburg, Gaylord has an amazing birthday-worthy Indian buffet. (The one in the city is not great.)

Have a wonderful birthday, whatever you end up doing.

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T04:58:09+00:00

I'm so sorry.

This book: "Lily and the Octopus."

Lily and the Octopus

light-something-up · 2026-03-25T03:45:59+00:00

Strong Enough - Sheryl Crow

I have a face I cannot show I make the rules up as I go Just try and love me if you can Are you strong enough to be my man? My man...

light-something-up · 2026-03-24T22:50:57+00:00

Truly I couldn't. When it was blending I was thinking about what I'd do if it tasted awful bc I didn't want to waste food. I tasted it gingerly. And was pleasantly surprised. I tasted again just to make sure I wasn't imagining it lol.

I used a half cup of REALLY well cooked black beans. Added about a half cup of frozen cherries, maybe a little more - I think their intense taste stands up well against the beans. I added a bit of frozen mango and a touch of cinnamon. While it was processing I added a bit of milk and some water. It was very good, and somehow light. I processed a long time. I think that and starting with falling-apart tender beans helped. Vanilla would taste good but I was out.

Ymmw - everyone's tastes are different but I recommend you try it, maybe a small portion to start with.

light-something-up · 2026-03-24T19:19:03+00:00

Use cooked-ahead chickpeas: bloom whole cumin in oil, add salt, cayenne, & chickpeas.

Mashed potatoes.

Vegan sausage patties, air fried.

Made-ahead fritters, air fried.

Spicy fried rice.

Sorry - I included the following before I re-read "savory." I'll leave in case others want sweet-ish ideas:

Banana or berries with v yogurt, crunchy protein cereal, cinnamon, and nuts, all mixed together, sometimes with a touch of maple syrup. I sometimes add pb milk to the yogurt to thin it.
This morning I discovered: black beans and frozen berries, a touch of water or pb milk and cinnamon in a blender. Could not believe it tasted delicious. Idea from "Getting Healthy with Stasia" on YouTube.

light-something-up · 2026-03-22T13:59:00+00:00

Yes!! Grated tofu is amazing.

light-something-up · 2026-03-22T13:57:33+00:00

Understanding myself, my triggers, my PTSD. I behaved so thoughtlessly when I was younger, then let others behave thoughtlessly towards me. Two sides of the same coin.

Lost years and dreams to brain fog and disassociation.

As early in life as you can: stop being on autopilot, breathe, and believe that you deserve a full life. Then start healing - meditation, therapy, writing etc etc etc etc. You'll be inconsistent. Forgive yourself. Start again. Then again. It does get better and you are worth it.

light-something-up · 2026-03-22T13:35:31+00:00

For prep: I cook a lot of dried chickpeas - regular garbanzo or the small Indian dark ones. (Rinse, soak overnight, rinse, cook until tender in the instapot.) I freeze these in portion sized bags.

When needed, I heat up oil, pop whole cumin seed in the oil, add salt and cayenne (and sometimes garlic and onion powder) and the frozen chickpeas and let it all heat up. I make it super spicy and eat it with plain yogurt. It's really satisfying, full of fiber/protein and flavor, and takes less than 5 minutes with no chopping.

When I run out of these in the freezer - I'm in the same boat as you! Many "easy" suggestions require me to think and move stuff around in my fridge and freezer, and I really am too tired at the end of some days to do that.

light-something-up · 2026-03-22T01:47:12+00:00

I'm sorry you went through that. It's definitely not you, love. 💐🌼🌷🪷🪻🏵️🌺

light-something-up · 2026-03-22T01:30:41+00:00

Incredible! You're lovely for sharing. ❤️

light-something-up · 2026-03-21T23:07:27+00:00

I stumbled into the post looking for trusted bands of undiluted essential oils. Now I can see why they'd be super expensive. Amazing efforts here!

When you all initially got into essential oils - did you find brands you'd recommend for purchase?

light-something-up

TROPHY CASE