13. Cook 50 Ethnic Dishes

Robin's Forgotten Jambalaya
Wow.. this was as easy as it was delicious.

Everyone loved it, kids included. It is very filling, but no one wanted to stop eating it.

We served it over rice, but a bowl of this just by itself would be dinner in itself.  YUM!

29. Cook for my Grandmas once a month for an entire year

Noon on Saturday, Grandma Peg, Grandma Del, Grace, Chloe, Adrian and myself gathered around the dinner table to enjoy a feast of tacos. Both of my grandma's had never tried tacos, or don't recall anyways.

Grace led the way showing the ladies how it's done. The kids were thrilled with their tacos, Chloe tried a "tortilliaaaaaa" as Edith had taught her to say on Friday evening.

 Lunch was very easy and I felt a bit guilty about not going "all out" for my grandmas, but was thrilled when I was told they'd never had them... i think they're both heading out to the grocery store to buy a taco kit to try themselves.

We had two desserts, an Angel lush and chocolate cake for Grandma Del, I forgot about her not being able to eat cool whip, next time, I'll make it with real whip cream, ~ real is always better anyways!

11. Read 50 Books

The Happiness Project 
 by Gretchen Rubin

a link to the summary

I think this is a must read for everyone. It was such a good book. A sort of how-to-book on becoming a happier, lighter person. I didn't agree with everything she said, but I do catch myself thinking of ways to make myself happier, when I'm starting to feel annoyed, I take a step back and remind myself to find a better way to deal with it.

This is one book that I will definitely put on my buy list oh and one that I think I should read once a year just to remind myself how important happiness truly is.

Thanks to the book club for the suggestion! Fantastic read.

13. Cook 50 Ethnic Dishes

Jamaican Jerk Pork

Last thursday, I cooked up Jamaican jerk pork for my family. It was delicious. The flavours are awesome. 

I absolutely love flavourful recipes and this one is definitely packed with flavour!

Here's the link if anyone wants to give it a go.

Jamaican Jerk Pork

Oh next time I might try chicken.. that would be delicious!

78. Cook my way through an entire magazine/cookbook

Cinnamon Bagels with crunchy topping
January edition of Healthy Cooking Magazine.

Chloe and Adrian helped cook up these little delights. They had fun mixing and kneading the dough, but that was about all they wanted to help with.. no problem. I shaped them and boiled them for a the required time covered them in the cinnamon sugar topping and baked them.

The kids loved them, I'm not a huge bagel fan but these were pretty dessert-like and really who doesn't like dessert. I would use the topping on buttered toast.. that would be delicious. The link is up top if you want.

31. Take up jogging

ok... I'm finding week four a bit of a struggle, so I think I'm going to repeat it before I get to week 5.. in week 5 we jump to 8 minutes and that's a pretty big leap for me. LOL. So a repeat of week 4 is the best plan for myself. I also was busy this weekend and didn't get my 3 run in... so an extra few days on week 4 is only fair, well in my thinking anyways!

31. Take up jogging

Week 4
Well, I made it, not without hiccups though. This weeks runs consist of a warm up, followed by a three minute run, a 90 seconds walk, a five minute run and two and a half minute, repeated twice. So, my calculations were off on the first three minute run, I slowed to a walk at two minutes in and realized after a few seconds that I hadn't completed my full three minutes... back up to a run. Good, not too hard, it's surprising how fast our bodies adapt! Five minutes is upon me.. phew, I was dreading this as you all know, but I did it!  I pushed myself the last two minutes of those five without stopping, and was pretty proud of myself for that. caught my breath with the two and a half minute walk and back to running the three minutes. I was onto the last five minute set, was doing pretty good and then it hit me at the three minute count, that I was OUT of breath (or so I had convinced myself), I jumped off onto the sides of the treadmill as the track went whirring between my legs, gave myself a quick pep talk and jumped back on. Now, jumping on a treadmill at a running pace is a feat in itself... I had a bit of a trip but regained my balance quicker than I had anticipated, I really did have visions of my under my treadmill. I finished out the last two minutes and a 30 second penalty I gave myself for quitting. I am feeling pretty accomplished with myself this morning and a wee bit proud! In fact, after a run, I feel downright great!

My hairdresser, Chrissy, and I discussed my couch to 5k and she had a bit of wisdom for me, so I'd like to pass it along... she told me we can all do anything for a minute, so if we break things down into minutes, we can accomplish anything!

11. Read 50 Books

Sold

by Patricia McCormick

This young adult book opens your eyes to the very sad truth of young Nepalese girls sold into the sex slave business in India.

I finished this book in two days, I couldn't put it down. It's a powerful tale about 13 year old Lakshmi, sold by her step-father into sex slavery. You follow Lakshmi from Nepal to India and into her new life, the friends and discoveries she makes along the way.

I really liked the way the book was written. It's a reminder to be thankful for our good fortunes.

Here's a link to the summary

Sold

13. Cook 50 Ethnic Dishes

Kwesi's Ghanaian Fried Rice
We had a semi-retirement party for my Grandma Saturday. It was an around-the-world potluck. Everyone chose a country and cooked a dish from their country. I was given Ghana. My boyfriend is Ghanaian so, I had a decent idea of how to make his fried rice.

Some of the dishes we tasted were Croquettes from Netherlands, a Green Curry from Thailand, Sushi from Japan, West Indian Dressing from the Carribbean, Swedish Rye Bread and so much more. We even started the dinner off with Irish Bar food and Bruschetta. It was a great party, phenomenal food and incredible company. Cheers to all the chefs... delicious!

11. Read 50 books

The Sugar Queen 

by Sarah Addison Allen

I love stories like this, light summer reading, in the middle of winter. A really cute, magical little tale.

Here's a link to the book's summary

The Sugar Queen

I've read another of her novels (Garden Spells). It was super cute too. I definitely like her style, it's sort of whimsical magic meets happy love story.

31. Take up jogging

Week 3

Ok we are into week 3. I did my first run from week three yesterday. My feelings... not bad at all. I feel pretty comfortable with week three. Could I be getting a build up of endurance? Oh let me tell you.. I am excited about this new found enthusiasm.

Dreaded week four is upon me next week. I don't know how to go from 3 minutes and 90 second bits to 3 and 5 minute running intervals.. phew! If there's no post next monday, I've fallen off the treadmill and I'm stuck underneath it.. send help!

93. Do 5 things to reduce, reuse, recycle

Ok, this may just be reduce and not so much reuse and recycle, cause I am pretty diligent with recycling.

Gabe (my thrift coach) reminded me – things that are are plugged in, but not turned on still suck energy. So last night, I went around the house and unburdened my outlets! There was a lot that was just eating up electricity, electronics that barely gets used.

I also set the timer on my infrared heater and had a very peaceful night, no constant humming from the spare room.

With all the planning I've been doing, and my pro-active approach. I'm feeling great!

Thanks Gabe... you're the BEST!

36. Make a budget and stick to it

Speaking to Gabe yesterday, I've decided to get serious about my finances. It'll take a bit of work, and some sacrifices on my part, but I can do this.

So with Gabe's help I've made a realistic budget to follow. It'll be tight for a few months, but once I get use to the "jar system" I should be good to go.

This month (no fun February) my fun jar is empty, but that's okay. I have a Times party this month and a jewellery party in my home, so that'll be fun without costing more than part of my allotted grocery money!

38. Read a newspaper front to back

So I did it! I read the newspaper from front to back. 

I've not followed any weekly columns so I was a little in left field on some of the references, but I read every story, glanced at each ad and even skimmed yesterdays flyers!

I do feel more informed this week with what is happening in our neck of the woods. I think, I'll add staying informed on my second edition list! Maybe it'll be read one newspaper per week, that may just be a bulletin, but really a newspaper is a newspaper regardless of size, right?

Here's what I've learned...

• President Obama has been invited to our annual international tug-of-war. (pretty exciting stuff)
• Ten cows from Cornell Farms have been shipped to Kazakhstan to help regenerate their herds.
• Snow removal cost a fortune, seriously a small fortune!
• A 100 Things Challenge exists. A minimalistic challenge...Get rid of everything but 100 things... I don't think I couldn't even attempt this.
• Snowshoeing is a hilarious tale told through the eyes of Beth Caldwell. She is one funny, funny lady.
• Kwesi being in Ghana means we'll miss out on romeo and juliet, cupid's arrow, and shrimp in love all served as part of La Flambée's valentine's menu.
• Salt water fishing is something I definitely want to take part in. (Second edition list)
• We love our hockey.
• And maybe the best news of all... Cold snap nears end. Woot woot!