Things are a changing…

The past year has definitely been a year of changes, but not all of them are stuff that I foresaw or sought out.  2014 has already proven to be a year of changes for which I have been praying.

1. I recently started a new job.  This has been something that definitely is going to break me out of my comfort zone, yet it will allow me to grow in ways that I have felt God leading me towards.  While I loved my old job, it was not ideal for my new place in life.  My old coworkers were so sweet to host a goodbye party on my last day, which including many past coworkers dropping by the office.  It touched my heart in ways that I cannot express.

I have grown so much in my old job and will take the lessons learned to my new one.

2. I have started to make an effort to be healthier this year.  We are going on two weeks without a single sip of Dr. Pepper.  While I cannot say that I don’t miss it ever, I can say that I am not tempted to drink it as often as I thought.  I have also started drinking a smoothie for breakfast every morning, which is much healthier and cheaper (see item 3) than picking up fast food breakfast! I feel better and I find myself eating less sweets with this small change.  Today started my attempt to do a small detox.  I will explain that in more detail later.

3. I am trying to save money.  One way is to stop eating breakfast out.  Additionally, I am trying to create some easy but cheap freezer meals for the days when I do not feel like cooking.  Currently, I have taco chili and fajitas prepped and in the freezer for a quick meal.

4. I am starting to ramp on my Jr. League obligations.  Let’s just say that I will be very busy over the next few months.  I definitely think that I need to say NO to some other things that come up in my life in order for me to not lose my mind.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Formal Outfit

Formal Outfit by livingthemclife featuring gold pumps

I purchased the above for an upcoming Mardi Gras Ball.  I will have to see which pair of shoes to keep when they get here, but I am at a complete loss of what earrings to wear.  Any suggestions are welcome!

Tomato, Avocado, and Feta Dip

Recently a dear friend made this dip and to say that I devoured it would be an understatement.  I tend to love all things avocado and cheese related so this dip definitely was my type of dish.  My friend is a nutritionist, so she tries to be healthy.  While you probably could eat this as a salad, I serve it with tortilla chips (not too healthy but the dip is healthy than other cheese dips I make).

 

I promise if you bring this to a party, you will not bring any home with you.  You might even want to double the recipe.

 

Tomato, Avocado and Feta Dip

1 Pint Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, halved

1/2 Cup Feta Cheese

Splash of red wine vinegar (to taste)

Light Pinch of Salt

Light sprinkle of garlic powder

1 Avocado, cubed

 

Combine the first five ingredients and stir.  Taste to ensure that the flavor is right and adjust to your preferences.  (At this point, I cover it with saran wrap and head out the door with it and the avocado.)  When ready to serve, add the freshly cubed avocado and stir.  Serve with tortilla chips.

 

I will add that I have discovered in the past year my favorite tortilla chips, Xochitl tortilla chips.  I buy these chips without salt and do not miss it.  They are close to the thin restaurant chips you find in your average mexican restaurant. We won’t even address the fact that they are organic.

Weekend in Numbers

After an eventful weekend that involved babysitting for two different households, driving three hours roundtrip to help a friend sell his stepmother’s car, 

10 – Number of times that I have said I need to finish putting things away.

9 – Number of times I started freaking out in a good way about the new job.  So excited about that area of my life beginning to sort it self out.

8- Number of days until I start my new job!

7- Number of times my aunts dog growled at me on Friday night.  For some reason, he has decided that he no longer likes me.  (My cousin thinks it is because her parents don’t socialize it enough!)

6- Number of people that my appetizer was intended to serve last night at dinner.  Unfortunately everyone else was running behind and it definitely was screaming our for M and Me to eat it.  

5- Glasses of wine consumed this weekend. Caught up with my cousin over a bottle of red when she got in town Friday.  Tried out a new bottle last night of White Burgundy that I found at Costco.  (Not bad at all…Especially for the price…I might enjoy wine that is well above my budget. Oops!)

4- Slices of pizza consumed last night at dinner.  M and J had me over for dinner since they had family in town.  I guess I would invite people over if my guests were cooking too.  It was very yummy and I spoiled since they sent me home with leftovers. 

3- Sweaters washed since item number one led to one of them being completely mauled. 

2- Number of different houses I babysat at on friday.  

1- Number of disasters with my Vitamix.  I used a fresh banana yesterday instead of my usual frozen banana stash.  Unfortunately, I did not add enough ice to compensate for this.  It led to me trying to add ice and accidentally no replacing the lid firmly.  While the good news is that the partially secure lid prevented the contents of my green smoothie from reaching the ceiling, it did to stop it from leaving the contents over everything else nearby.  Successfully mauled by a Vitamix (and my incompetency): 1 Sweater, 1 Leggings, 1 Clean pair of pants near by, 1 Tea Kettle, 1 Box full of Nespresso Capsules, Food Processor, Dryer rack full of clean dishes, Countertop, Floor, and a Christmas Candle.  Good news is that I do not think I will ever forget to triple check if the lid is secure again! (Bad news is that the trauma of this event and the cleanup led me to forgetting to make my coffee which resulted in cheating on my kicking my Dr. Pepper obsession!…Back to Day 1 on that…)

To be held accountable

To be completely honest, I am not famous for keeping my new years resolutions.

And while I do not think I will make resolutions for the new year, I will make a few goals for this year.  I am posting them here so I have some sort of accountability.

Yearly Goals

1. Write more often on the blog.

I am not promising daily posts ever because I do not know where I would find the time.  Yet, I do want to document things that happen in my life and share recipes and finds with you.

2. Spend more time with friends and family.

This increased last year and maybe it will stay the same this year.  Who knows…

3. Cut out Dr. Pepper and fast food breakfasts.

I have an addiction to Dr. Pepper. If I am running late, I waste my calories and money on a fast food breakfast complete with a Dr. Pepper.   I got a nice new (to me) Vitamix blender for Christmas and hope to make smoothies in the morning.  I have done it for a few work mornings already and I have to say I love it!

4. Take a few short trips

I think I have always had a case of the wanderlust, but it is going to be a priority this year to experience new places. While I love a long trip, I need to start saving up for my next trip overseas.

5. Monthly dates with my godchildren

I have two godchildren and another on the way. They are so special to me, and I want to make them aware of it.  While the youngest is not at the age to really go on an adventure, the oldest one is.  This is especially important since he will only be stateside for about a year and half more.

6. Cook more meals at home

This one is already off to a good start since I made turnip greens,  crispy smashed potatoes, black-eyed peas and cornbread yesterday. I have plans to make breakfast for dinner tonight.

Monthly Goals

1. Cook 5 3 new dishes. – Crispy Smashed Potatoes, Tomato Avocado Feta Dip (Recipe to come)

2. Put aside $100 into my travel fund. (Have $20 saved from Babysitting income)

3. Have friends over for dinner.

4. Go see both of my grandmothers. (Going to my maternal grandmother’s today – 1/5/13)

5. Take my godson on a short adventure.

6. Watch my goddaughter for a few hours so her mom can have some free time.

7. Finish my thank you notes. (2 Down…)

Do you have any goals this year?