Plating
Why: For the last few years, but especially since moving into my apartment, I’ve been trying to elevate my cooking and baking skills. While I’m studying many things, like cake decoration, flavor theory, and the science behind making the food I love, what’s been most exciting to study is plating techniques. I figured that as I improve the actual food I make, I can also improve the presentation of it, and that’ll elevate the dining experience even more!
How:
- Studying techniques on YouTube. Watching people plate food in really interesting ways
- Reflecting on meals I’ve had that I thought were really well-plated and identifying what about them I’d like to replicate
- Experimenting on my friends and family even when they’d probably prefer a family-style meal anyway lol
Help:
- Have a plating technique you’ve perfected? Text me that tutorial bestie.
- Send me inspo, YouTube channels, Pinterest boards, etc for beginner-friendly plating!
Getting my money up
Why: At the time of this writing, I’ve been unemployed for 86 days. The coffers ain’t empty, but baby they getting low. And right now, between my beloved apartment, my need to purchase a car this year, my return to Lagree, my ever-expanding travel notion board, and my never-ending Monet’ Manor events board, I need a job ASAP!!!
How:
- Since Dec 1, I’ve interviewed 14 times with five different companies. I have my 15th interview tomorrow at 2pm. I’m entering the final round with two companies this week and am hopeful I’ll be seeing an offer by Friday
- Praying without ceasing lol
- Enjoying what I expect to be the last few weeks (or even days) of my unemployment era
- Preparing to negotiate like I’ve never negotiated before
Help:
- If it’s on your heart to do so, keep ya girl lifted up in prayer, especially for the next few days. I’m goin need it.
Sleep hygiene
Why: It’s been on my bingo card for a while to get an average sleep score of 80 on my Garmin. For the past week, month, and year, I’ve been missing the mark, landing an average between 71-74 during all those time periods. I have a lot of other ways I want to improve my health, but I understand that they all hinge on how well I sleep.
How:
- Going to bed earlier. My average bedtime right now is between 12:30-1am. My hope is to get that to at least 11pm, if not earlier.
- Building an effective bedtime routine (more on routines in a bit)
- I keep the phone out the bedroom at night anyway, but I need to get the computers out as well. That’s how I end up designing a random dinner invitation for 6 months from now at midnight and expecting to be a worth a dime the next day
Help
- Uhhhh do you sleep well? If so, can you share your secret, plz?
Building routines
Why: The biggest thing I noticed last year was how fragile my routines were. When something bad happened at work or something stressful was going on, my routines would collapse and I’d enter a period of wandering through my days, lacking structure, direction, and intention. I wasted a lot of time last year like that and not to say I need to be more productive, but I do wish I had been more resilient. And I think stronger routines would’ve really supported that. And as I’m prepping to be employed again, it’s gonna be imperative that I walk into this next job with some routines already going.
How:
- Establish a baseline. I need to identify a bare-minimum, no matter what I do X, Y, and Z.
- Add it to the calendar. Y’all know how I am bout my calendar.
- Figure out other adjustments I need to make to support that baseline routine (see: sleep hygiene).
Help:
- Have you successfully built some routines in your life? Put me onnn!
- If we hang out regularly, I’d love some grace during this routine building period!
Increasing my VO2 max
Why: If my ultimate health goal is to hike the Andes with my grandchildren when I’m 85, I have a lot of work to do to prepare for that. Among other things, I have got to invest time and energy into improving my cardiovascular health. My triathlon era is over and honestly I may be downsizing my already struggling running era as well (at least until I get some new running shoes). But there’s got to be other ways I can work on this part of my physical health without suiting up for a brick workout or running up and down the Beltline all the time.
How
- I’ve gotten back into YogaSculpt at Fit With Danielle, theeeee most intense hot yoga/HIIT experience you’re gonna find in the city. 2-3 classes a week gotta do something, chile.
- Longer walks. Me and Khalil walked alllll the way from my house to Piedmont Park and back a few weeks ago and it was actually so pleasant. More walks at that length, maybe with a weighted vest or something? That oughta do something too.
- Once it gets warmer, I’m bringing my beloved bike, Buttercup, back out. I’m eyeing Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, Arabia Mountain PATH, and Silver Comet.
Help
- Want to go hiking, kayaking, swimming, biking, snowboarding, or anything else that requires physical movement? Invite meeeee! I’d appreciate any and all opportunities to socialize and exercise at the same time.
And that, my friends, is what I’m working on. Let’s see how all this goes!
.jpg)