New year, new look. It was time for the blog to get a little bit of a facelift, and what better time to do so than right now, as we are about to roll into 2013. New Year’s Eve is always quite the time for celebration. Whether you’re headed out to paint the town red, going to a house party or hosting one yourself, or even just spending a quiet night at home, I hope everyone has a great night and stays safe!
Around this time last year, I made a few “foodie” New Year’s Resolutions. Here is the list I posted last December; let’s see how they worked out:
1. Try new cuisine. Indian is at the top of the list, followed by Cuban and Cajun. Check! I didn’t have just any old Indian; I had homemade Indian. Shannon made curry a few times for our Shabbat dinners and I absolutely loved the flavors. I also went to a great Cuban restaurant with Bubby, The Cuban Cafe. I haven’t tried Cajun though, so that’s still on the list!
2. Cook more often. Lately, family and friends have been sending me lots of their recipes to try. No better time than now to start.Check times a million! I definitely cooked so much this year — from other recipes, but I also came up with a lot of original ones too.
3. Develop recipes. I want to experiment more in the kitchen and come up with recipes on my own to post for my readers to enjoy. Check! I experimented and took some risks in the kitchen this year. I wasn’t always sure how things would turn out, but that’s what makes it so much fun. You never know what the result may be!
4. Stock up on cooking & baking equipment. There are many kitchen gadgets that I don't have, which prevents me from making a lot of the recipes I want to try. This, however, is dependent on my bank account, so it may not happen until much later in the year.I did get more fun kitchen things throughout the year — lots of organizational and storage containers, a beaker set, a springform cake pan, just to name a few. Of course, there is still much more to get!
5. Organize recipes. I don't want to have to search through all the blogs I follow for recipes every time I need an idea, so I need to start saving the ones that catch my eye as I find them. This will make it much easier when I'm in a pinch and need quick ideas.This was an easy one to keep and I owe it all to Pinterest. But I do want to make a cute little recipe box to keep the recipes I find in magazines and newspapers. I want to get a wooden box from a craft store and decoupage with magazine clippings having to do with food. Wouldn’t that be cute??? It would fit in very nicely with my whimsical apartment decor.
Did you keep any of resolutions you made last year? And are you making any for 2013? Let’s keep each other on track! Start with something simple — you’re more likely to stay realistic. You’ll feel satisfied when you look back and see that you stuck to your goals. Here are my 5 — tell me yours!
1. I want to write a book. Not a cookbook, but something that has to do with cooking, blogging, and showing love through sharing food with others. I would love to be at a point in my life by this time next year where I am ready to start writing. I need that time to gather all of my thoughts, ideas, and the theme I’d like to write about. Good thing my Dad is my proofreader, so I’ve got the help I need. :)
2. I WILL take some cooking classes! I always say this, but this year I will do it. Publix Aprons Cooking School has classes all the time and it’s right around the corner. Even if it’s just 1 or 2 throughout the year, that would be enough!
3. I want to go to more food blogger events, and make an attempt to meet more of my blogger friends in person (or see the ones I’ve already met, more often!). To all of my blogger friends in Central FL, that means I am planning a road trip out your way sometime this year — hopefully sooner rather than later!
4. This isn’t entirely food-related, but I want to get my apartment lookin’ good. I want to get a cute dining room set and a couch. Then the futon can move into the smaller bedroom, and I can decorate and make it the guest room that it should be. 5. This goal has nothing to do with food or cooking, but rather it has to do with being a part of the Kabbalah Centre. I want to own a Zohar; the Zohar is a spiritual text that explains all of the secrets of the bible and the university. By reading or scanning it, you can attract certain blessings into your life — healing, miracles, prosperity, protection, etc. So I need to save up for this since it’s an investment, but a very important one. Having the Zohar in your own home is an amazing way to connect to the energy of the Light. If you’re interested in learning more, visit www.zohar.com.
