Wellness In Progress: November 2024

[itsfi]

Hey there, BIC! I don't know about you, but keeping up (or even just doing) things for my own wellness or self-care can slide off my radar or just get pushed aside for some other activity. That happens even more often at the end of the year and with the holidays.

Here we have a game of wellness bingo for November. I thought it would be a fun way to try to keep at it, or to keep it top of mind, by making a little game of it. I also thought this might be a good way to get a leg up on resolutions for the new year. Wellness takes work - let's do the work together, BIC!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

🌻  There are a couple of ways to participate. You can aim every week (or every month) to try to check off a different 5-boxes in a row - vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. OR, to add a different take to this wellness challenge, you can use this sheet to see how many boxes you can check off this month. Those are just 2 ways to participate; I'm sure there are other ways and if there's an approach that you find works better for you to get in a little more self care, more regularly, please do share! 

BONUS CHALLENGE: This challenge is certainly one you can do on your own. It's also something we can take part in together! Share about the activities you did to earn each square. I love hearing from this Community - I learn about new things I wouldn't have thought of otherwise. Or, share challenges or questions.

🎀  We are all at different stages of our wellness / self-care journey. I'm not at expert at all at this and if there's an activity that is not something you are ready for or that you shouldn't engage in, make the adjustments you need to, or just skip the activity. For instance, the first square is to take a walk outside - if it's storming outside or you're in an area where it is not safe to walk outside (e.g., weather advisory, shelter-in-place, etc.), then skip this one and stay indoors. Be safe. For some of these activities, particularly the physical ones, please consult with your physician or health care provider before starting, if and as appropriate. 

⏲  The time periods I included are arbitrary - if you want or can do more than a 10 minute walk outside, go for it. If you're starting out or if you're crunched for time, aim for 5 minutes and work up when, if and as appropriate for you.

🗒  Wondering about the activities mentioned in the squares? Check this out - Wellness In Progress: November 2024 - Activity Summary

[itsfi]

Thank you so much @Mellmars1185! 100% agree about crisper weather being a motivator for picking up the pace when I walk. Yeah, I hear ya too on doing the same meals. It has its pros and cons. My goal is to try out a different recipe once a month. We'll see how that pans out but I'm going to give it a try.

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi If SEPHORiA wad held in the colder months, I don't know how we would keep up with you! 😆

[itsfi]

Hahahaha @Mellmars1185! 😂 🚶‍♀️ 🏃🏻‍♀️ 

I dunno about a colder location though - clothes for cold temperature take up more room in the suitcase and that means less space for all the stuff. 🤪 I suppose another piece of luggage could be the answer … lol 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Wow! Awesome wellness week, fish soup actually sounds so good and I bet you made it delicious I’m so glad it was still warm enough for a walk, you did excellent @itsfi 

[itsfi]

Thank you @peculiarzmakeup! The fish soup is a work in progress, I think. I have been thinking of other spices to add to it. Next time, I may go for a Caribbean or Thai version of the soup. 🤔 That will take advanced planning as I'll need to make sure I have the right seasonings. 

[peculiarzmakeup]

I think it’s neat to step into a new venture and something you’ve never made! Kudos! For Thai I know coconut milk is a really good base, I know your working with fish, I’ve had it with shrimp. Just an  idea. I bet it’s fun playing around with it it’s all part of the process! Looking forward to hearing more 😎❤️ @itsfi 

[itsfi]

Oh, that's a great idea @peculiarzmakeup. Thank you! I didn't even have coconut milk on my radar but it sounds like it would be delicious! 😋

[Samtian]

@itsfi What are Sugarbee apples? Fish soup sounds interesting! 

[itsfi]

@Samtian, Sugar Bee apples - they're like a cross between the crispness of Honeycrisp apples and the sweetness of Fuji apples. 😋 nom, nom, nom

Fish soup is like a variation of seafood soup but all I had at home was fish, no seafood. 

Spoiler

- extra virgin olive oil

- onion (diced)

- garlic (minced)

- tomatoes (chopped) or in a pinch, can of diced tomatoes

- herbs & spices - oregano, thyme, basil, parsley, salt & pepper

- fish, cut into 2-inch pieces - firm white fish works really well. I used salmon and cod this time because that's what I had at home. 

- veggies 

- optional: sriracha or Tabasco sauce, or red chili flakes

- optional: dry white wine (i.e., sauvignon blanc), clam juice, tomato paste

- optional: any veggies - spinach, bok choy, yellow squash, okra, celery, zucchini, green/red/yellow/orange peppers, etc.

Prep: Clean and cut up fish (1.5" - 2" pieces), season with salt & pepper and other spices

1. Heat medium heat, olive oil. 

2. Add onion and saute. I'll add heartier veggies here as well.

3. Add garlic, parsley and other aromatics and stir for a couple of minutes. 

4. Add tomatoes and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring gently.

5. Add "wet" ingredients - chicken broth (and if desired, dry white wine, clam juice) and let simmer - if you included heartier veggies in the earlier steps, simmer until those have softened (not too crisp, not mushy, unless, of course, you like the veggies that way).

6. Add fish and leafy green veggies and bring to simmer until fish is cooked through (flakes apart easily) ~ 5 minutes. Remember, the fish will continue to cook in the broth after you turn off the flame. 

7. Add additional seasoning, as desired

Serve by itself. Or with bread or rice. I poured the soup over some quinoa.

[Samtian]

@itsfi Ooh yep both of those sound delicious, thank you for the recipe!

[caitbird]

@itsfi  love this! I am really enjoying following this thread, it is so fun and inspiring to hear about everyone's self care routines, both regular staples as well as trying new things! thank you for mentioning the music thread too!

P.S. how funny, I am actually burning Nest Pistachio & Wild Fig 🕯 right now too! You know, when I first had lit it I got more of a maple-y scent vibe, but this time I am definitely picking up on the chocolate like you mentioned. Isn't it interesting how scents can change like that?

[itsfi]

@caitbird, that’s so great to hear!!! Made my day, thank you!!

I have absolutely loved reading what folks are doing for their self-care, beer as part of the routines, we’re trying out one of the activities in squares. 💯 

Ohhh, that candle smells so good. 😊 I picked up a larger size; I’m going to pay more attention to see if I pick up something other than just chocolate. I mean, not that chocolate is bad - it’s great - I am just curious to know whether I pick up anything other than chocolate. 🍫 

[Mellmars1185]

BINGO! 🎉

This past week I was able to:

Take a walk outside - This is something I have been wanting to do more. I walked to the convenience store near my house to pick up some lottery.

Mask time  - This week I used innisfree Super Volcanic AHA Pore Clearing Clay Mask 3.38 oz / 100 ml (the older packaging) twice. I followed with a serum and a skincare device.

Quiet time - Last week I might have over did a workout and slightly injured my back. After work this week I decided to listen to my body and have quiet/rest time. Usually I feel like I need to get things done after work before I relax but this week I leaned in to the quiet.

Hand care - I painted my nails on Thursday. I want to build on this. I would like to use cuticle out and learn how to take care of my hands and nails more.

Speak kindly to yourself - This builds off of the category "Quiet time". I usually feel guilty when I don't follow a structured routine. I gave myself grace instead of feeling guilty about slowing things down. 

I can definitely see myself getting a few more B-I-N-G-O's this week. I look forward to sharing!

[peculiarzmakeup]

Congrats on bingo I hope your back is okay I like speak kindly to yourself! I hope you’re doing better ❤️❤️❤️ rest! @Mellmars1185 

[Mellmars1185]

@peculiarzmakeup Thank you very much for your support! I am feeling a bit better everyday 🙏

[peculiarzmakeup]

I’m glad! That can be so hard, I am so glad to hear that! 😊 @Mellmars1185 

[Samtian]

@Mellmars1185 Woo congrats on the Bingo! I hope your body is feeling better. 

[Mellmars1185]

@Samtian Thank you! It is s l o w l y getting better 😊

[caitbird]

@Mellmars1185  this is great, congrats on your bingo! Love hearing about everyone's self care wins, so inspiring! Sorry to hear you hurt your back, I hope it heals and you feel better! 💜

[Mellmars1185]

@caitbird Thanks very much! This is a fun way to play Bingo. I played actual Bingo at the end of October and did not win. At least in this version I get some swlf care in ☺️

[PDXXXX]

@Mellmars1185 yay to the BINGO! You doing your nails is inspiring me to get in a little hand care as well. Bonus points for listening to what you needed as "quiet time" too - I like how you put that and also need to work on it myself.