Wednesday, January 30, 2013

2013 goals, January roundup

I thought I would check in at the end of every month to see where I am with my 2013 goals. I need some form of accountability and I figure this is the best way. So while this might be super boring to you (sorry!) it is more to keep me on track. Nothing like having to type "well I didn't memorize any verses or cook anything new again this month" to put a little motivation in my step.

So here's where we are at the end of January...

(And I decided to participate in this challenge for scripture memory, instead of what I originally had planned. So I will be learning two verses a month, instead of four.)

Recipes
Homemade Beef/Veggie Soup (no link for this meal. . . my mom was making some for their dinner and gave me her extra ingredients and then talked me through the instructions. It was ok. Brandon requested more meat and no celery next time. Ha. I tried my moms a few days later and hers was much better. Oh well. Wasn't great but wasn't awful either.)

Layered Fiesta Casserole  - Yummy! We loved it. I had some extra black beans that needed eating so I tossed those in too.

Fuss-Free Ravioli & Cheese Bake - This was good, but the sauce was a little soupy. I checked the reviews and many others agreed. Next time I will probably add a bit more sauce and drain the diced tomatoes. We enjoyed the leftovers more than the night I made it, as it gave it more time for the sauce to thicken up.

Healthy Turkey Meatloaf - The meatloaf was good! I hand wrote the instructions a while back and just got now around to making it. If you want the recipe, let me know! Calls for lean turkey meat and several chopped veggies. I actually made this the same week I made the Ravioli Bake. I know. . . who am I busting out with two new recipes in one week?

Baked Chicken Parmesan - Everything about this was great. Easy, fast, healthy, delicious. Brandon actually told me I can make this chicken whenever I want, so I will consider that a big success!

Oven Tacos - Y'all - these were SO good. Brandon LOVED them. I used refried black beans instead of traditional refried beans that the recipes calls for. . . yum! I made these this past Monday night and I made enough meat mixture to get us through several meals. Last night I scooped the meat mixture into yellow bell peppers and baked at 400 degrees, until the peppers were cooked and the meat mixture hot. Topped it with cheese and they were awesome.

January Scripture memory:
"You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance." (NIV)
Psalm 65:11

"Your unfailing love and mercy still continue, as fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise." (GNB) Lamentations 3:22-23 

Oh - and I am on page 170 of my 7 book, so I'll consider that a win for the month.

Computer clean up - well. . . that is a work in progress. . . I have done some but ugh. . . boring!

So there you go. I am actually really excited about cooking attempting to cook these days and also memorizing scripture. Its like a little game where I am now constantly marking recipes I want to try and highlighting scriptures that I want to add to the list. 
If you have any easy recipes that will not completely overwhelm me (read - take 30 minutes or less AND don't have five billion ingredients) then please link in the comments!

11 comments

  1. I have heard a lot about those oven tacos- we'll have to try them! This week we made bacon macaroni & cheese from Cooking Light and it was easy! http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/bacon-mac-10000001918488/

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  2. I just looked over the baked taco recipe and that is getting made very soon here in the Wallwork household.

    I replied to your question on my blog, basically I said you can definitely use creamer, if you like coffee you'll love Pero.

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    1. Ok thanks for the info on the Pero. . . I am intrigued!

      You will love the oven tacos. So delicious.

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  3. Yum!! We love the "biggest loser" beef stew...google it and try it. It's hands down Jordan's fav meal I make. Good job with your goals!

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  4. I've used reg flour instead of oat flour, and usually omit the mushrooms and just add more veggies. I skin and chop veggies during nap time and prep meat then when it's go time it's 10 min of standing over the pot while the meat and onions cook....then you can walk off and leave it. It's super easy. Looks like a lot of ingredients but it's all things you prob have on hand
    http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=811034

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  5. Great job on your progress toward your goals! I'm making this tomorrow night and it looks pretty easy! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cheesy-quinoa-pilaf-with-spinach/detail.aspx

    Hope you're having a great day!

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    1. That looks really good. Let me know if you guys like it :) Thanks!

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  6. Go you! I am doing the Siesta challenge as well to memorize scripture this year. I usually just follow Beth's choices, but I love your second verse too. New verse tomorrow! I am going to try the Parmesean Chicken recipe - husband approval is always good!

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    1. Fun that you are also doing the scripture challenge. It''s motivating to know that so many other women are participating! Enjoy the Parmesean Chicken - so so good!

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