FoodFoodFood

Ah, my New Year's challenges. Challenge sounds better than resolution, doesn't it? Like, it's okay if you fail, since it's challenging.

Right. I usually don't really make resolutions. I was certainly busy enough last New Year's with a 20-hour old baby. This year, well, this year I'm up for a challenge. Or three:

1. Eat less sugar. Remember that root beer is a treat, not a beverage. (Strangely enough baking is not at odds with this plan. For some reason I'm able to limit myself to, say, one peanut butter cookie per day.)

2. Try one new recipe a week (I have over 30 cookbooks- that number seems less ridiculous if I actually cook from them) and record the successes in my recipe spreadsheet so that I remember to make them again. Yes, I have a recipe spreadsheet. Shut up.

3. Make at least three vegetarian suppers per week. This is the big one. We like meat in our house. Fortunately, we also like tofu and a good veggie curry. Although we regularly eat a couple of vegetarian meals and many meat-light ones, I want to cultivate a better repertoire of meatless meals.


Menu for the week of January 17th

Sunday: Carnitas Tacos, Pinto Beans, Fixings



My husband surprised me by rendering some lard so that I could do the beans proper like. So, so, so good. Oh and the carnitas... porkalicious.

Monday: Spinach, Goat Cheese and Oven Roasted Tomato Frittata

Tuesday: Leftover Carnitas Enchiladas

Wednesday: Pizza with Artichokes, Olives, and Oven Roasted Tomatoes, Salad

Thursday: Pasta Bolognese*, Salad

Friday: Broccoli Pad Thai *New Recipe*

*I make bolognese sauce by the vat and freeze it in portions.

Notes on a Holiday Season

Just as everything was settling down after all the celebration, the visits and visiting, my boys, grownup and baby, have come down with nasty cold. Before I come down with it, here are my notes on the end of the year:



The New Year-
I try to avoid making New Year's resolutions, but this year I issued myself some challenges. Mostly food related. More on that some other time.



The Birthday-
I can't believe that my baby is a year old. And that he wanted nothing to do with his cupcake. Probably would have rather had green beans. Strange child. Love him to bits.



Christmas-
Next year I will take the Buy Handmade Pledge.
Next year I will begin making gifts early. Like tomorrow.
Next year I will craft some Christmas decorations*. Starting right after Halloween.

Tune in a year from now to find out if actually manage any of these things.

*This year my mother pointed out that I don't decorate much for Christmas. She is right. But it's her fault. My Christmas memories are adorned with homemade decorations. Clothespin angels, crocheted Santa toilet paper cozies, beaded snowflakes, and an entire village of ceramic buildings (that I painstakingly painted over several years as a teenager). My mom has always been a craft nut and instilled the same nuttiness in me. I tried to buy some Christmas doo-dads in the store this year, but failed. I need to make the time to make them myself. And involve my son. So the cycle can begin anew.