This is the first year in recent memory when I didn't set and post a lengthy list of resolutions or goals for myself. I did brainstorm a few ideas (the usual: spend less, eat healthy, work harder, etc) but I am trying to let change happen more organically rather than putting unnecessary stress on myself.
One of my loosely framed goals, even prior to the new year, was to be more mindful about what I am eating. Not to lose weight as much as to eat less chemicals and think a little more about what I am choosing to eat.
Since we've been back in Ottawa we've been trying harder to make better choices and cook more from scratch. Having K-Fed living with us is also helping to expand our standard meal rotations, we've eaten something new and exciting every night for the last two weeks.
I made one delicious pasta dish from scratch that I am proud of, check out the pictures below. Chicken, veggies and noodles tossed in homemade lemon basil garlic sauce, served with homemade garlic bread. It was quite the undertaking (it might not sound like it, but it really was!), and turned out delicious!
This weekend I also made some Superfood Chocolate Cupcakes from a recipe in Chatelaine. Again, far greater an undertaking then it sounds, and I even made a meringue style icing to go on top. I'll be honest, I didn't love them (due to the flax-seed), but Jay and K-Fed enjoyed them.
I also made homemade fruit snacks (fruit leather), which tastes delicious but didn't photograph well so until I make another prettier batch you will just have to imagine it. I just pureed cranberry sauce, peach slices and a little bit of honey. Then pour it thinly on a baking sheet and baked at 170F for about 7 hours, until it dried out. Really easy and delicious!
This cooking thing isn't without flaws, I made another pasta dish with steak and veggies but it just wasn't as delicious. Tonight I also tried to make some oatmeal cookies but my experimenting nature led to them being a little unbalanced (too thick instead of gooey). I am enjoying having more control over what ingredients are in what I am eating though so expect many more stories about my (mis)adventures in the kitchen over the coming weeks.
I am hoping to extend this simple living thing to other aspects of my life. I want to clear the clutter in my life and try and be less of a consumer, buying more of what I need and less stuff I want for superficial reasons. This is a more difficult aspect of my master plan, so it's something I plan to work on over the next few months. I've seen a lot of great ideas in the blog world the past few days, one is Kate's Seven In Seven idea for eliminating clothing she no longer wears, found here. Another idea I loved was one shared by Bekuh at Secondhand Sundays. She is getting rid of 100 things by donating, recycling and throwing away what can't be reused.
We haven't had a chance to start our one 100 Things list just yet, but when I do I think I'll share it. What's the fun of making a list if it isn't being shared, right?
Speaking of sharing I do have a few pictures from the past few days and some of my yummy creations!
One of my loosely framed goals, even prior to the new year, was to be more mindful about what I am eating. Not to lose weight as much as to eat less chemicals and think a little more about what I am choosing to eat.
Since we've been back in Ottawa we've been trying harder to make better choices and cook more from scratch. Having K-Fed living with us is also helping to expand our standard meal rotations, we've eaten something new and exciting every night for the last two weeks.
I made one delicious pasta dish from scratch that I am proud of, check out the pictures below. Chicken, veggies and noodles tossed in homemade lemon basil garlic sauce, served with homemade garlic bread. It was quite the undertaking (it might not sound like it, but it really was!), and turned out delicious!
This weekend I also made some Superfood Chocolate Cupcakes from a recipe in Chatelaine. Again, far greater an undertaking then it sounds, and I even made a meringue style icing to go on top. I'll be honest, I didn't love them (due to the flax-seed), but Jay and K-Fed enjoyed them.
I also made homemade fruit snacks (fruit leather), which tastes delicious but didn't photograph well so until I make another prettier batch you will just have to imagine it. I just pureed cranberry sauce, peach slices and a little bit of honey. Then pour it thinly on a baking sheet and baked at 170F for about 7 hours, until it dried out. Really easy and delicious!
This cooking thing isn't without flaws, I made another pasta dish with steak and veggies but it just wasn't as delicious. Tonight I also tried to make some oatmeal cookies but my experimenting nature led to them being a little unbalanced (too thick instead of gooey). I am enjoying having more control over what ingredients are in what I am eating though so expect many more stories about my (mis)adventures in the kitchen over the coming weeks.
I am hoping to extend this simple living thing to other aspects of my life. I want to clear the clutter in my life and try and be less of a consumer, buying more of what I need and less stuff I want for superficial reasons. This is a more difficult aspect of my master plan, so it's something I plan to work on over the next few months. I've seen a lot of great ideas in the blog world the past few days, one is Kate's Seven In Seven idea for eliminating clothing she no longer wears, found here. Another idea I loved was one shared by Bekuh at Secondhand Sundays. She is getting rid of 100 things by donating, recycling and throwing away what can't be reused.
We haven't had a chance to start our one 100 Things list just yet, but when I do I think I'll share it. What's the fun of making a list if it isn't being shared, right?
Speaking of sharing I do have a few pictures from the past few days and some of my yummy creations!
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| The picture is a little smokey but it smelled too good to wait for a better picture! |
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| Homemade garlic cheese pitas |
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| Jay modelling some fab new glasses I picked up at Nans. |
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| Seriously, I made this, all of it, and decorated. I think this is my best work yet :) |
Hope you are having a wonderful week, only two days until the sweet glory of weekend! Yay!
Keep Smiling :)
I don't like that twisted pasta...just sayin
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