Current Mood

It's only been two months in and this year feels absolutely exhausting already. I feel like I'm in a perpetual state of trying not to lose my mind over what is happening in the US while trying to stay informed. And no the answer isn't to shut everything out because I need to prepare myself for when things really go downhill because all signs are pointing to that. As a POC who is actively trying to keep from becoming disabled, I can't afford to FAFO. I'll talk about what I'm doing more in another post but I've decided that I will be opting out of supporting the economy for the next 4 years while also looking into setting up an exit strategy. I've continued to stock up on our pantry and home essentials before tariffs hit and I plan to limit my purchases to essential items only going forward. I'm participating in the economic blackout  happening today and I plan to continue this practice to protest this administration. Just having a purpose makes me feel a little better. Learn more about the consumer economic blackout and upcoming boycotts. If you're feeling helpless against (fascism) everything that is happening, this is a small action that we can all take that will make an impact. I’m looking at this as is the next level of socially conscious spending. Here's everything else that I've been into lately.

Reading...

How Not To Die

I'm a big believer that whatever we eat shows up on our bodies so I was interested in this book which takes a comprehensive look at health and nutrition. It's written in a way that's easy to understand yet  substantive with great deal of interesting information. The author strongly advocates a whole food plant based diet which eschews processed foods. I'm not quite ready to abandon flexitarianism which works for us but I definitely do see the value of eating clean and trying to include vegetables in every meal. As someone who tries to eat healthy to avoid disease, feel my best, and maximize longevity, it's good to get confirmation that I'm doing the right thing.

Watching...

I'm Married...But!

This Taiwanese rom-com series presents a refreshingly realistic and relatable take on modern marriage that is heartwarming, hilarious and entertaining all at once. The ups and downs the lead couple faces as they to try to maintain marital bliss is done in a way that is genuinely relatable. This show excels with moments of campy humor mixed with heartfelt emotional resonance which is one thing TW shows do so well. We're having a lot fun watching this.

Speaking....

Chinese Exclusively

My husband and I both call Mandarin Chinese our first language and we've been studying and working on speaking it more often to improve our vocabulary and become more fluent. With everything going on in the US, we know that we want to leave eventually and Asia makes the most sense so we are doing our best to prepare ourselves. We're trying to just speak Chinese exclusively to each other. It's also fun to practice with my neighbors and when I'm out shopping and running errands in Chinatown. Even though I was born in the US, my first language was Mandarin because I lived Taiwan for a period as a child. I kind of stopped speaking it because we spoke Cantonese in our house when I was growing up but I retained an understanding. Speaking Chinese makes me feel like I'm not living in this terrible country and gives me hope for an escape.

Eating...

Lion's Head Meatballs

Lion's head meatballs (狮子头) are a childhood favorite that I never really attempted making at home until I found this recipe which doesn't call for the meatballs to be deep fried first. This dish gets it's name from the large size of the meatballs which resemble a lion’s head with the cabbage as its mane. I've only made this a few times but it's a hit in our house because it's so comforting and hearty. I like how it combines protein with vegetables and comes together in one pot.  

Taking... 

Creatine Monohydrate

I'm consciously working to build muscle mass and recently added a creatine supplement to my routine. Creatine is a natural compound made up of three amino acids: methionine, arginine, and glycine. It is a popular nutritional supplement that can improve exercise performance and promote muscle growth. When taken first thing in the morning, it can also improve memory and cognitive function. It's only been a few weeks so I'll have to see how it goes.  on contact with warm water, delicately foaming to release an intensely nourishing formula infused with with calming lavender and nourishing cocoa butter, plant-based oils and natural exfoliants. I love the soothing lavender scent and how it effortlessly softens and moisturizes my skin. Definitely a nice spa-like upgrade.

Wearing...

Alex Mill Jaime Fair Isle Sweater

I featured this sweater in red in one of my holiday gift guides and I set my sights on getting the grey version when it went on sale. I snagged it at 70% off and while I didn't need it, I hadn't purchased a new sweater in 5 years and I think this beautiful fair isle is destined to become a wardrobe staple that will be worn for many years. It's so soft and cozy.

Improving my..

Grip Strength

Regular strength training has definitely improved my strength but I felt like my grip strength could use improvement so I've been working on it with a grip strength trainer on a daily basis. This is important to me because grip strength can predict your overall strength and health, as well as your risk of cardiovascular disease, functional limitations and disability as you age. And a strong grip makes it easier to perform normal daily tasks. Gotta be strong if I'm going to resist fascism and eventually leave this hellscape of a country.

Other things I'm doing: Selling off unnecessary items (luxury and otherwise) because I want to be rid of things to prepare for a potential move in the future. I also don't need that much stuff and cash is better than stuff in this economy anyway. Also looking into taking a self-defense class and am building out a survival kit. We just don’t know what could happen but it’s not trending in a good direction so it’s better to be safe and prepared. And if you haven't heard, prepping isn't just for preppers anymore. Everyone seems to be sick so we're still taking precautions to avoid illness. It's crazy that tuberculosis and measles are back and there is no public health to look to for guidance anymore. On a more personal note, we celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary earlier this month. I'm so grateful to be married to my favorite person who makes me feel like I won the husband lottery every day!

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