2017 Goals

Each new year provides a fresh start. Each new day provides an opportunity and blank slate. New is fresh. New is clean. Today, I'm sharing my goals for this new year. 

We've talked about setting goals and defining success. Here are my goals for 2017.

1) Try 12 new recipes.
In 2016, I tried more than 30 new recipes. I like to try recipes exactly as written the first time cooking them. Then, I like to tweak the recipe to my tastes. I'm planning to slow down on trying new recipes and work on perfecting a few recipes this year.

If you're looking for some yummy recipes, here are some of my favorite recipes from 2016:

Blueberry Thyme Crisp

Chicken Marsala

Chicken Cordon Blue Sliders

3 Hummus Recipes

Homemade Granola

Jalapeno Chicken Sliders

Fresh Summer Salad

Lasagna Bake

Grilled Shrimp Poboy

2) Read 10 books.
This goal means that I'm reading about 1 book a month. I gave myself a little grace to have more time for longer books or challenging books that take longer to read. I also know how busy certain times of the year are (aka the holiday season), so 10 books it is! 

I have a running list of books to read, but I would love to hear your recommendations. What books should I read in 2017?

Here are some of my favorite books from 2016:
- Bread and Wine by Shauna Neiquist
- Present over Perfect by Shauna Neiquist
- Let's All Be Brave by Annie F. Downs

3) Be physically active consistently.
I've discussed the benefits of physical activity and the American Heart Association's recommendations for adults. I know the benefits and want to continue to be physically active consistently. 

Its important to set short term goals and rewards for long-term goals. My physical activity goal is a long-term goal. So, I set rewards like purchasing new tennis shoes or a work-out outfit. I also motivate myself by making new playlists with fresh, new music, so I'm excited to work-out. What motivates you to be physically active?

4) Learn and improve a skill.
I haven't fully flushed out this goal, and I'm still working on making this a SMART goal. I may continue to take some cooking or baking classes. Or, I may try to learn a new skill like photography. You don't have to limit goal setting to just January. This goals is to be continues, so stay tuned.
 

Last year, I learned to make tortellini and ravioli pasta. 

I took a cake decorating class and a cookie decorating class. They were so fun! Stay tuned for more!!!

What are your 2017 goals? Comment below or share on social media using hashtag #healthyRD. For more tips, encouragement, and recipes for a healthy lifestyle, you can follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. 

If you liked this post, you might enjoy:

Thoughts on Goals and Resolutions

2016 Goals

Benefits of Physical Activity: Be Heart Healthy

Setting Healthy Goals

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RDTOD's October Goals Update

As promised, I am sharing updates on my goals and 2016 resolutions in the state of my goals address. You can take a look at my 2016 goals and my thoughts on goals and resolutions. Sharing these goals is a way to keep me accountable and help me to improve, grow, and learn. People who share their goals tend to be more successful. So, I'm sharing the goals here to encourage you and to keep me accountable. You're welcome to comment with your goals and share your progress as well. Feel free to tag your goals with #RDTODgoals or #healthyRD on social media.

2016 Goals

Try 30 new recipes. 

In October, I tried a few new recipes including:

• Vanilla and pumpkin scones

• Shredded beef and bell peppers for soft tacos

For those keeping track, this makes my new recipe count 28 out of 30.


Build endurance and strength.
I'm still loving my strength class. I created another playlist of music for motivation for cardio, and I'm glad to say it's helped me look forward to gym days. There are times when I'm busy and working out doesn't seem to fit in to my schedule, but I know physical activity is beneficial. What keeps you motivated? Comment below.

image via Amazon.com

Read more.

This month, I read Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist. I enjoy this author very much. this was a really interesting read that also includes recipes. I tried one recipe so far, and I have a few bookmarked to make in the future. Here's one of my favorite quotes from the book.

from Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

Learn something new.
I keep cooking and baking. I'm practicing what I've learned in my cooking classes, and I continue to try new recipes. I'm starting to plan about what I want to learn next. Stay tuned to find out.

These are my broad goals for 2016. What goals are you working on in 2016?

Comment below.

For more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. 

If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy:

September Goals

Cooking Class Part 1

Summer Pasta Class

Cooking Class Part 3

I went to the last cooking class in the three-part series where we learned advanced techniques. The first class in this series review basic techniques. The second class in this series focused on building on the basics.

In the advanced technique cooking class, we made three dishes. The first dish was vanilla bean panna cotta. The second dish was marinated steak with green olive tapenade. The third dish was spaghetti carbonara. And, the final dish was tomato and goat cheese grilled flat breads. This is the order we prepared the dishes, so they would be ready to eat. Spoiler alert; everything was yummy. Let's start at the beginning.

The first dish we made was vanilla bean panna cotta. We measured everything and prepared our mis en place. 

Then, we made combined everything to make vanilla bean panna cotta. Panna cotta is Italian for cooked cream. It is thickened with gelatin, and it's super creamy. If you can stir, you can make panna cotta. Don't let the name scare you off.  I think of it as a delicious grown up gelatin pudding. Ours was topped with fresh, seasonal fruit. 

The second dish was marinated steak with green olive tapenade. We marinated the steak in garlic, red pepper, rosemary, time, and lemon juice and zest. All the flavors came through in a flavorful steak. The lemon and olive tapenade brightened the steak and kept it from being heavy.

The olive tapenade was a simple to make. You roast garlic, which turns garlic cloves into softened, flavor powerhouses. The tapenade was simple to make. You toss pitted green olives, capers, anchovies, lemon zest, vinegar, lemon, basil, roasted garlic, and olive oil into a food processor. Pulse until you form a paste. It's such a rich, bright, acid topping to balance the rich steak. 

The third dish was spaghetti carbonara.  We prepped everything, so we were ready to cook.

You start by crisping bacon and rendering the fat. Drain the cooked bacon on paper towels.  Drain all but 1-2 Tablespoons fat. Sautéed garlic and in rendered bacon fat. 

Boil pasta in salted water. We prepared the sauce by combining eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and garlic. Drain the pasta. Combine pasta and sauce tossing constantly to cook the eggs without scrambling.

The final dish was tomato and goat cheese grilled flat breads. This was my favorite; I've made it a couple times at home. 

Start by making your dough. Boom your best in warm water and sugar. Add flour, salt, and oil. Mix until combined. Knead on a floured surface until the the dough springs back. Let dough rest in a greased bowl covered with cling wrap. Simple, right?

Next, prepare the topping. Chiffonade the basil, Slice the tomatoes. And, mix together room temperature goat cheese with fresh herbs. In class, we used parsley. I also like to use chives for a mild, onion bite. 

How gorgeous are these heirloom tomatoes?

Next, grill your flat bread on a greased grill pan or on the grill.

Flip after a few minutes when the bread has golden brown grill marks.Top with goat cheese, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and basil. Enjoy!

Looks delicious right? I thought this flatbread certainly couldn't be more tasty. 

Then, you add aged balsamic vinegar. It was a sweet, slightly acidic syrup that was the perfect addition to this flatbread. I will warn you that it's expensive: $30/bottle. You don't have to use a lot to make a difference, so the bottle will last you a while. If you like balsamic vinegar, try aged balsamic. So good!

I made a balsamic reduction at home. To make my reduced balsamic, combine 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar with 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar. Reduce over medium heat until the balsamic becomes a thick, syrupy consistency. So good!

I encourage you to try something new. Invite a friend. Learn something new. Don't be afraid to try a new recipe, and taste something new! That's it for cooking with class part two.

For more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. 

If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy:

Cooking Class Part 1

My First Cooking Class

My First Cake Decorating Class

Summer Pasta Class

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