State of My Goals Address: August

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 August, I tried a few new recipes including:

• Lobster Rolls

• Crab cake

• Strawberry shortcake

For those keeping track, this makes my new recipe count 24 out of 30.

Build endurance and strength.
I'm still loving my strength class. I've added another day of cardio, and I'm glad to say I've been able to be consistent with physical activity. There are times where I get sick and can't go, but I know physical activity is beneficial. What keeps you motivated? Comment below.


Travel.
There was no big travel this month. But, we have some travel plans later this year. So, stay tuned!

image from amazon.com

Read more.

This month I read Brene Brown's Rising Strong. I enjoyed this book. I became familiar with the author from her Ted Talk on the Power of Vulnerability. If you enjoy the Ted Talk, you will enjoy her book because her writing voice is the same as her speaking voice. I was gifted this book by a sweet friend. Thank you friend! I would summarize this book as learning to accept your story, even if it is one you wouldn't have chosen or written for yourself. I think everyone has experience some kind of disappointment and can relate to this. One of my favorite things are the quote pages dispersed throughout the book (pictured at the beginning of this post.) This is a challenging and encouraging book.

For those keeping track, my book count is 6 in 2016.



Learn something new.

I took another cooking class this month. It was cooking seafood, so stay tuned for that. If you want to know what I thought of my previous cooking classes, here are my thoughts and experiences.


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:

Cooking Class Part 1

My First Cooking Class

My First Cake Decorating Class

Summer Pasta Class

RDtipoftheday Favorites July

Welcome to RDtipoftheday's favorites July edition. This is my blog series that highlights some of the best things I've been watching, reading, listening to, cooking, and eating. These are a few of my favorite things this month.

Eating & Cooking

I have some massive fresh fruit grocery hauls this Summer. So, here's the question we all ask. How long will your produce last? 

For all the bakers, it is more accurate to weigh ingredients. So, here are the weights for common baking ingredients. 

I always think food trends are fun. For me, 2016 is the year of the cooking class. 2015 was the year of Brussels Sprouts. 2014 was the year of the sweet potato. the Here are the top 10 predicted food trends of 2016. Let me know if you've tried any of these foods. in the comments below. Tell me what you're loving. And, let me know what foods you will 'pass' on.

After preparing a yummy meal, I would love eating in this dining room.

 
Reading

I just finished reading Playing with Fire by Bianca Olthoff. It was a great book that I got to read early because of being on the book promotion team. I really enjoy Bianca's speaking style, which was the same as her writing style. This book is a great balance of funny, sharing struggles, personal stories, challenging, and encouraging. My summary of this book is learning more about how God uses your personal struggles to shape you. My favorite quotes from the book are:

"There will be proverbial fires that thrown our lives, moments that make us feel like all hope is gone be nothing can or ever will change. But I want to remind you, the fire that boiled and softens a potato is the same fire that hardens an egg. It's not about our circumstances; it's about what we're made of." page 12

"I was placing all importance not the provisions, not the Provider." page 37

"I spent so much time in the external that the internal was malnourished and withering. Instead of believing I had value and worth heavier I was loved by God, I believed my worth came from being loved by others, and I focused my efforts there." page 41

"As children of the one true God, there is no power, stronghold, or addiction that can overtake us." page 137

*Please Note: As a part of the book promotion team, I was compensated one copy of the book before its official release date.

I'm currently reading Rising Strong by Brene Brown. It was a recommendation to me by a friend. I'll let you know my thoughts soon, so stay tuned.

Watching
Cake decorating technique videos on YouTube. Since I went to a cake decorating class, I learned a few techniques. It gave me more confidence to try new techniques. So, I'm learning through some videos.

This video demonstrates a few different icing techniques including basketweaving, swiss dots, and swag. The chef offers some good tips and techniques.

Encouraging
She Reads Truth phone screens. The screens are available through their app. I love these free screens. I have my phone with me pretty much everywhere I go. I think these phone screens are beautiful, encouraging, and a great way to learn scripture. Enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed these tips, recipes, and all of my favorites from this month. Let me know if this is a feature that you would like me to continue by commenting below. And, let me know if you have something you want to be featured. Thanks! Have a great weekend!

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

If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy:

RDtipoftheday Favorites: June Edition

RDtipoftheday Favorites: May Edition



RDtipoftheday Favorites: April Edition