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. 

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Setting Healthy Goals

Happy New Year! About this time of year, everyone is ready for a fresh start. The business of the holiday season is over. It's a new year. Time for goals. I like setting goals and resolutions; however, I do realize some people are anti-resolutions. You can read more about my love of goals here.

For those who have tried to set goals and not had success, here are my tips:

1) Make SMART goals.
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. Making specific goals is a way to set set yourself up for success. If you have a big or long-term goal like running a marathon, consider setting smaller, short-term goals. For example, your goal may be:
Long-term goals: Be more physically active. Run a marathon.
Short-term goals: Be physically active 30 minutes for 5 days a week. Run a 10-minute mile by February 28.

2) Define success.
What is your definition of success? How will you measure your success? If you've set SMART goals, your success will be defined in the goal. For me, any positive change or progress is a success.

3) Give yourself grace.
Many of my clients express frustration, anger, or are self-deprecating when they don't reach their goals. Goals are an opportunity to grow and change. Any positive change is a good change.

For example, let's say your goal is to run a marathon. If you run a 5K, is that success? I think any progress in a healthy direction is successful. Would you have been able to run a 5K before? If not, you met a small goal and made healthy progress. Celebrate it!

So, let's set goals for 2017. Start fresh. And, give yourself grace. 

What are your goals for 2017? Feel free to comment below or share them on social media with the hashtag #healthyRD. I'll be sharing my goals and progress with #RDTODgoals and #healthyRD. Join me in my journey to health.

For more tips, encouragement, and recipes for a healthy lifestyle, you can follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. 

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Thoughts on Goals and Resolutions

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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. 

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Cooking Class Part 1

Summer Pasta Class

Cookie Decorating Class

I think it's important to always be learning. I love watching Food Network shows to learn about cooking. I think it's event better to take classes. So, I am taking out some cooking and baking classes. My first class was a pasta class. My second class was cake decorating. Then, I took a 3-part cooking class. This was my second dessert class to take. I took a cookie decorating class at a local bakery and baking store.

We had about 30 students in the class. There was one instructor and one helper. The instructor provided us with a packet that included the cookie recipe, royal icing instructions, and some basic decorating techniques. We learned how to decorate cookies using royal icing and fondant.

Here's our set up. The cookies are baked and cooled. The icing for outlining is in a bag with a small tip. The flooding icings are colored and in squeeze bottles. One of the cookies is iced, flooded, and dry, so we can add decorations. And, we had buttercream icing in an icing bag fitted with a star tip.

When decorating cookies, start by outlining your cookies with outlining icing.

I really like this technique we used for the cupcake liners on the cupcake cookies. Flood the cookie in alternating colors. Then use a toothpick or scribing tool and drag the icing int horizontal stripes to make the design. 

I practiced new techniques with buttercream icing. We learned a zigzag, star, and rosette techniques.

Combining this technique makes a visually interesting and yummy cookie.

We flooded the middle of a flower and used yellow nonpareils to decorate the center of the flower. 

Then, make dots around the flower to completely cover the cookie.

To make the sandal cookie, pipe border icing and flood with a light pink royal icing. Use edible markers to make a design on the sandal.

Pipe small circles and add a sugar decoration to complete the sandal.

This fish cookie was so quick and simple to decorate. Put two colors of flooding consistency royal icing into shallow plates. I used yellow and orange. Dip a sea sponge made for crafts into the icing and lightly sponge onto cookie. Start with the lighter color, the yellow. Let the icing dry. Then, lightly sponge your second color on the cookie. I used orange. Use royal icing to adhere the candy eye on the fish for expression.

This was the fastest technique for cookie decorating. And, I love the result! Start with two shades of pre-made fondant. I used white with a little navy to make the lighter color. Kneed the the light blue and navy together to marbleize the patterned. Roll to 1/8 inch with a fondant roller. Use the cookie cutter to cut out the fondant to the cookie's shape. We used piping gel to adhere the fondant to the cooled cookie. Use the fondant roller to gently roll and stretch the fondant to the size and shape of the cookie. Use royal icing to adhere the eye. Use the larger end of an icing tip to make indentions in the fondant to represent the shark's gills.

I love this shark cookie. I love the marbleized color of the fondant and sharp edges. I think it looks professional. Some people do not like the taste of fondant; it is sweet. I think fondant tastes like marshmallow, so I don't mind it.

I tried decorating cookies with royal icing once before taking this class. There was a learning curve, so here are my helpful tips for successfully decorating iced cookies. Here are my six tips for successful cookie decorating.

1) Completely cool your cookies before decorating, or the icing will melt

2) Cover your prepared royal icing because it will dry out. 
-  If you are coloring your icing, divide it into container and cover with plastic wrap.
-  Keep a damp paper towel over the tips of your icing bags or squeeze bottles.

3) Use a toothpick or scribe tool to get air bubble out of your cookies.

4) Allow your icing to dry for 24 hours before stacking.

5) Practice on a piece of wax paper or parchment paper. When you learn a new skill, there is a learning curve. Most people are not experts when they start something new. That's why we practice. I love watching YouTube videos or videos on Instagram. Then, you can learn a new skill and practice at home.

6) Have fun decorating!

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

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My First Cooking Class

Summer Pasta Class