2025 Challenges - March

March was the month for movement, for stabilising shoulders, and improving my core. On the 1st of the month, it was one push up against the wall, and one squat. each day, one was added. There were a couple of days when sickness prevented exercising.

My shoulders and back really loved the exercises. I'm feeling stronger and more capable. A few days ago, I saw a video saying if you can do 20 push ups against a wall, you can do five against a bench. Turns out I can do 10 against a bench. I'll definitely be continuing with push ups next month.

Squatting is a different matter. My left foot has not enjoyed the experience. It was broken when the Elde Offspring was a baby, and it's re-asserting its 'I'm damaged' credentials now.

New month, more pushups, and also daily walks. 

2025 Challenges - February

 include the challenges for the month

2025 Challenges - January

 write every day for the month

do not visit Bored Panda for a month

2025 Challenges

 No New Year's Resolutions for me. Instead, I'm planning on completing 25 challenges this year. The idea is to make small, but meaningful changes in my life, even if they just last a month.

I'd also love to read/listen to 52 books, make 52 items, and try 12 new recipes. 

Books: List of 2024's Books

1. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

2. The Very First Damned Thing by Jodi Taylor

3. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor

Dublin 'Trilogy'

A Man with One of Those Faces

The Day That Never Comes

Angels in the Moonlight

Last Orders

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients
INGREDIENTS
150g caster sugar
zest of 2 lemons
70g  butter
½ tsp vanilla bean paste (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
2 medium eggs, room temperature
2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
240g plain gluten free flour blend (Doves Farm Free)

1 tsp baking powder

For rolling

100g granulated sugar

90g icing sugar

Method

Add the sugar to a large bowl, and zest the lemons over the sugar. Combine well the sugar and zest.

Melt the butter, and add to the lemon sugar. Also add the vanilla, and whisk to combine. Add the eggs, and continue to whisk. Next, add the lemon juice.

Mix the flour and baking powder, and add to the wet ingredients, using a spatula until a smooth consistency is achieved. The mixture will look like a batter at this stage. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours (or even overnight). This will firm up the dough to a consistency that can be rolled.

Preheat the oven to 180ºC and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment/baking paper.

Each cookie is made by taking 1 tablespoon of dough, and forming it into a ball. Roll first in granulated sugar, then icing sugar until the dough has been cover. If the dough is sticky, coat hands in icing sugar. 

Place the cookies on the lined baking sheets, about 5cm apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, on the middle shelf. The cookies are done when the cracks no longer look wet or shiny. The cookies will be very soft and delicate immediately out of the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Arm Exercises

1. Wall angels – 10 reps

Stand with your back against a wall and put the backs of your hands against the wall by your side. Maintaining contact with the wall, slowly slide your hands up the wall towards the ceiling, return to your side and repeat 10 times.

2. Incline press ups – 10 reps

With your hands on a bench/step/sofa, concentrate on lowering your body in a straight line. 

3. Knee tucks – 10 reps each side

While still in a press-up position, lift one foot and bring your knee up towards your chest. Return to starting position and repeat on opposite side.

4. Straight arm plank with shoulder touches – 10 reps each side

Still in the press-up position, widen your foot stance and squeeze in your torso holding a strong position, lift one palm off the floor and touch the opposite shoulder, return to starting position and repeat with the opposite hand.

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I've no idea if I'll be able to do all of these exercises, but I'll give them a go. Protecting my shoulders against dislocation is a higher priority than pretty arms.