RD Tip of the Day : 2017 Goal Update

Every year I set goals. Goals are challenges that motivate me. They are benchmarks to strive for. They give a little more concrete purpose to my everyday life. They encourage me to change, try something new, and push myself.

Here are my 2017 goals and progress.

1) Try 12 new recipes.

I set this goal to challenge myself to try new things. It can be so easy to get into a rut of cooking the same things over and over. Ask my husband, it still happens. To challenge myself, I wanted to try at least one new recipe per month. Here’s my progress:

Dutch baby

Snicker doodle cookie pie

Homemade chocolate peanut butter cups

Stuffed peppers

Chocolate nests

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

Homemade Pita Bread

Berry Shortcake

Vanilla cupcakes and vanilla bean buttercream frosting

Cinnamon swirl bread

Oatmeal bread

Cinnamon chip scones

Chocolate peanut butter pie with chocolate cookie crust

Gingerbread cookies

2) Read 10 books.

I love to read! It’s one of my favorite hobbies, but sometimes I find that I waste too much time on social media or watching television. Can you relate?

So, this goal challenged me to read about one book a month. I gave myself a little grace period for longer books or busy seasons. I found myself gravitating to memoirs, books about cooking, and anything encouraging. Here’s what I read.

Kathleen Flinn – The Kitchen Counter Cooking School: How a Few Simple Lessons Transformed Nine Culinary Novices into Fearless Home Cooks

Annie F. Downs – Looking for Lovely
Kathleen Flinn – The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter and Tears at the World’s Most Famous Cooking School
Ruth Reichl – Garlic and Sapphires: the Secret Life of Critic in Disguise
Kristin Schell – The Turquoise Table: Finding Community and Connection in Our Own Front Yard
Chip and JoAnna Gaines – The Magnolia Story
Jenna Weber – White Jacket Required: A Culinary Coming-of-Age Story
Melanie Shankle – The Antelope in the Living Room: the Real Story of Two People Sharing One Life: A Memoir
Kathleen Flinn – Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good: A Memoir of Food and Love from an American Midwest Family
Samantha Verant – How to Make a French Family: A Memoir of Love, Food, and Faux Pa

Melanie Shankle – Sparkling Green Earrings: Catching the Light at Every Turn

I met my goal! I read a few more books, but didn’t really enjoy them. So, they didn’t make the list. I also started a few other books, didn’t enjoy them, and stopped reading. I omitted them from the list as well because I want to keep things positive.

Do you have any book recommendations for me?

What is one of your favorite books?

What’s genre of books to you gravitate toward?

3) Be physically active consistently.

I have a gym membership and enjoy attending classes. I found a great instructor who is positive, encouraging, and even learns the names of the people attending class. So cool!

I started the year strong. Then, I had a few injuries, which stopped my physical activity for a while. Then, the weather was amazing this autumn! So, I was able to enjoy the weather and be physically active.

I’m restarting this goal during the holiday season. And, hope to be ready to start classes again in the new year.

4) Learn and improve a skill.

I imagined taking more cooking classes this year, but I didn’t. I was able to be a part of a recipe video at work. It was so fun! I learned a ton!

I was a "hands-in-a-recipe" video. So, I did all the chopping, mixing, and cooking. I learned a ton about the behind-the-scenes of how videos are made, and got to be a hand model. Hahahaha! Who would have thought?!? So, I’m counting that as my new skill.

What are your thoughts?

Do you set goals?

What did you accomplish this year that you’re proud of?

What is one goal you have for 2018?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to comment below or on Instagram or Twitter.

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