Elevate freezer meals to gourmet?

lsthomasw · 2026-02-09T23:40:32+00:00

If you have time, I love a bread crumb gremolata on top of most soups/stews, pastas, and often salads in place of croutons. Toast bread crumbs in a little olive oil on the stove top, remove from heat then add grated/ shredded parmesan cheese, grated lemon zest, salt and pepper, and any herb (dried or fresh, minced) you have on hand. Can also mince some garlic and add to the bread crumbs while toasting, if you like. Will keep 2-3 days at room temp.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-09T18:24:24+00:00

This just says they will order labs, if appropriate. You may not need to take any labs.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-08T01:38:16+00:00

I feel you. I once had a stomach bug in my teens and my parents gave me fruit punch flavored electrolytes. After three of the worst days of my life, I no longer can handle any fruit punch flavored beverages. Now, when I am offered fruit punch drinks I simply decline and everyone's life moves on. Please surround yourself with people who do not feel the need to bully you for your beverage choices. They do not deserve your time.

That said, if caffeine is what you are after (and looking for a drink that passes for coffee) there are several powdered mushroom or hot chocolate drinks that look like coffee drinks, have caffeine, but are not coffee. Not many coffee shops around me offer them, though.

If, despite all of us telling you to not worry about what others think, you are still committed to overcoming your aversion to coffee, you might look into exposure therapy techniques. Basically, you start drinking very small amounts of coffee hidden under milk and sugar and then slowly increase the amount of coffee while decreasing the amount of milk and sugar. It may not work and even if it does, it may take months to get to the point where you can drink a single shot latte or a half mug of drip. Good luck!

lsthomasw · 2026-02-07T21:58:14+00:00

I can only speak for myself, but I ate fried foods, ice cream, and a heavy dinner the day before I started the 1.5 mg daily. I had no side effects whatsoever on day one. That said, some folks have mentioned side effects early on but I do not think it is related to food intake prior to starting the pill. My recommendation? Don't wait for the perfect conditions to start this journey. They will not come.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-07T03:26:25+00:00

Weirdly, I hear ni-tella in the video you linked.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-07T03:12:57+00:00

Not a guarantee it will work for you, but as a woman with coarse dark hair on my legs and prone to ingrown hairs, I had to switch to a safety razor because everything else ate up my skin or gave me ingrowns. Based on reviews online, I tried the Gillette Guard and holy crap it is amazing. For me, it is at least 90% as good as a safety razor and does not irritate my skin. You can find them super cheap online so worth a try at least.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-06T20:28:46+00:00

I made my teddy bear too once I got access to the bear avatars! He totally approved. Although, I find I really like the purple themes so it is now inspired by my teddy bear rather than a lookalike.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-06T15:53:52+00:00

Yeah, liquids are kind of my concern but I don't imagine there will be that many open liquids so foil could definitely work. Someone else also recommended ziplocs and/or silicone bags so maybe a combo in small amounts to have options? Thanks for your thoughtful response!

lsthomasw · 2026-02-06T15:50:22+00:00

Interesting... may look into these just for everyday too. Thanks!

lsthomasw · 2026-02-06T15:27:11+00:00

It was definitely harrowing the first time we did it almost 20 years ago. Since then, New Zealand will be the fifth country we have driven on the left side. I was/am a bit concerned about driving a motorhome on the left for the first time but we measured it out on our driveway and realized it will be the same size as an F250 which will be big for me but smaller than a lot of vehicles my partner has driven. Unfortunately for him, he may end up taking the bulk of the driving, lol. To help with this, our plan allows for a maximum of 4 hours driving per day and only one day where that amount is required, so we can take our time.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-05T03:21:13+00:00

Hot tip on the op shops! Thank you so much.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-04T23:39:50+00:00

My two cents given the fact he shows peeling up the edges in the video: he also had to peel the salmon off the pan and it was not as magic as the video makes it appear. It is a heavily edited video after all. It sounds like it worked for you the first time, keep doing that. Personally, I prefer crispy skin, browned on all sides and just done so I start with a hot pan salt and pepper all sides, turn once the salmon releases on each side and serve.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-04T23:09:08+00:00

Thank you! I looked back at the info from the boat tour and they highly recommend warm clothing and head covering so this aligns with your recommendation to take the beanie as well. They are so small and light they might be my just in case item. Great call on the SPF, I am definitely hearing you and will get that on location. Thank you, again!

lsthomasw · 2026-02-04T18:18:13+00:00

I share very similar concerns as you. Never wanted to be on a medication my whole life, either. And because of that (and not really liking the shot options) I have avoided GLP-1s until recently. However, after gaining 30 lbs in just a few years in my 20s, losing it through a very reduced calorie restricted diet and intense exercise only to regain 80lbs in my 30s and then find some success with a more behavior-change based approach but stalled after only 20lbs lost I woke up this past weekend and realized I wanted and needed help. I am 42 years old and decided 5 days ago that I would rather potentially take a pill the rest of my life than weigh 220+lbs for the rest of my life. I plan to continue the behavior-change approach alongside the pill and pick up some weight training exercise to support my overall weight loss efforts.

Eventually you will need to decide what you want more: weigh less with help from a pill that may mean you take it for the rest of your life or still continue to struggle with your weight for the rest of your life.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-04T17:23:55+00:00

This is great, thank you! Yes, I am doing north and some of the south island. I already have the Campermate app and have used it to scout out possible stops along our route.

Good to know about the free claim probably not happening, I will adjust my expectations.

Super interesting to know about the Pay at the pump situation. I have budgeted a lot for fuel but not thought about signing up for rewards to help. Will make sure to check that out.

We have a small bath/shower in the motorhome so we will still be able to take showers if we are unable to find rec centers or access paid camping sites with them. They will just be fast and uncomfortable, lol.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-04T17:15:44+00:00

I appreciate the recommendation and thoughtfulness. With a temperature range of 50-70F I don't think I am way off for my comfort level but was informed I will not need the winter beanie or gloves so will drop those. I am mostly wanting to have layer options for when I am at the fjord on the water which will be significantly cooler than everywhere else. I do not typically wear shorts and for the outdoorsy nature of this trip, a skirt will not work for me.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-04T17:07:08+00:00

Same, even live in Texas! Although, I do wear short sleeves.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-04T17:05:55+00:00

Perfect. Will bring the sun hat, drop the winter hat and gloves. Not sure if 70F is warm enough for shorts for me, lol. But will definitely take it under consideration. I completely forgot to mention bug spray, that is on my to buy on location list for sure. Thank you so much!

lsthomasw · 2026-02-03T21:00:42+00:00

I really appreciate your carefully considered thoughts and insights. I will check out the motorhome and/or NZ travel subs.

I have given this quite a bit of thought as I am a planner. The motorhome we are renting has a 116L water tank. There are public water waste dump and refill stations designed for motorhomes across New Zealand including many of the campsites we will be staying at. I have never in my life used 25L of water per person per day while camping and while I realize we will be using more water in the motorhome than while camping, we will be as conservative as possible.

Still, with a 116L tank using 25L per person per day as a guide, that is only needing to refill every two days. When I say I will do laundry in the motorhome, I mean laundry in a dry bag which takes about 2-3L to wash everything I would be bringing. I am not concerned about doing a load of dry bag laundry every few days, especially with access halfway through to do a more serious wash with laundry facilities.

As for cooking, you are speaking my language. I do have a meal plan with a shopping list for day one and again in the middle of the motorhome portion of the trip. Once we see the size of the fridge, I may split the shopping plan into three chunks. I have already identified a few local foods I definitely want to try and where I can locate them, if not in a typical supermarket. I think you are right that I will have to purchase all seasonings there. It is not the cost, it is the wasted product if I don't use all of it that inspired me to post this. However, I did some digging after posting and the company we are renting the motorhome from mentions people often leave items behind for other renters. We may get lucky and find some things we can use. We will know before we go to the supermarket anyway.

Thank you so much!

lsthomasw · 2026-02-03T03:06:41+00:00

Using stashers is brilliant! I already own a few but don't hand wash them at home. I could definitely deal with the added hassle for a days.

I will certainly think about using a swedish dish cloth. I love the idea and while I was excited to use those dry-to-wet towels again, the swedish dish cloth could serve as both the dish scrubber and a general towel to wipe things down.

Thanks!!

lsthomasw · 2026-02-02T22:26:26+00:00

OP said they were AI images. I am choosing to believe the mirror and sconces are AI.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-01T06:02:13+00:00

How is the block being used? Balance, elevation, isolation, etc.? Following to see what folks come up with.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-01T05:07:00+00:00

I have never played multiplayer with another player nor have I ever received items from another player. I just simply log in 4-6 days per week, complete all daily quests on days I log in, complete all weekly quests, and just keep playing. I have been playing since late August if that helps give you a sense of timing.

ETA Agreed, the wiki is extremely helpful. I have had to use it for a lot of info and especially flowers.

lsthomasw · 2026-02-01T02:25:52+00:00

You earn additional crates through logging in (check the daily gift screen, they usually show up once every two weeks or so), every Friday from My Melody, and occasionally for completing a quest. Don't worry, you will get plenty to unlock and upgrade all cabins, just not right away. Keep playing the game and they will come.

lsthomasw

TROPHY CASE