The year just began and it already made me think about small changes that happened. I do not like doing big plans because I am sure I won't be able to do it. I just want a year that feels simpler and more relaxed for everyone.

What I Chose to Release This Year

This year I decided to release taking ownership of other's work.

I was taking ownership of my sister's schoolwork instead of just helping her learn how to do it herself. Instead of letting her struggle a little, think through the problems and figure things out on her own, I would jump in too quickly to make sure everything got done perfectly. The result was that the work was finished, but she didn’t get the full chance to learn or take responsibility for it.

Meanwhile, I ended up always stressed and exhausted because I was carrying and thinking of her tasks on top of my own. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to help her with her assignments. I just realized I was doing too much and not letting her grow. So now, I try to support her without taking over. She can learn as I supervise her and I can focus on my own work too.

The Meal I Love to Prepare

One meal I really enjoy preparing is simple egg fried rice. It is easy to cook and it always makes me feel full and comforted. I usually cook this when I am alone at home before school.

The ingredient that it needs at all time is garlic. A lot of people don't like the garlic breath but garlic changes everything and makes the dish smell better and tastier. I start by heating oil then adding chopped garlic until golden. Then, I add rice, soy sauce and pepper and mix well. I push the rice aside crack an egg and mix everything together.

Nowadays, I add TVP to make it more filling. I soak the TVP first in boiling water, then squeeze the water out before adding it to the pan with the garlic. It may not taste like meat but it works well with garlic, egg and rice. This meal is very simple to do and yet very filling that it can keep you up throughout the day.