Cooking for 1

I am in a bit of a menu rut. I bring my lunch to work everyday, but I am getting sick of having the same thing over and over. And I want to be creative with my "dinners" as well, but I find it so hard to cook for one. You either have something boring (aka bowl of cereal or pb&j) or you have a recipe that makes enough for 10 people. I just want to find a happy medium.

Do you have any suggestions? What do you do to keep a variety in your menu?

Note: I hate spending money on food so I don't want anything to extravagant and I am also looking for light/nutritious options - but I can make substitutions.

Just Live Your Life

One of the ideas in this book I am reading is living the life you want to lead. Sometimes we all get caught up in obligations and the things life throws out at us that we get lost and stray away from where we want to go. Instead of getting all philosophical on you, I will just leave you with one simple thought. I am happy to know that I am making the efforts that I feel will get me to where I would like to be in life. Although I know I may not end up where I envision my life going right now, but I know that I am doing what I enjoy doing and prioritizing the things that are important to me.

Last night, us girls got all dressed up to go to a fundraiser. It was so much fun and so nice to be back in the "socialite" circle we are used to - let's just say we've come a long way since a year ago.

This picture was on the local paper's website!

Happy Oscar night!

A Day to Laugh

Yep, it was just one of those days as my dear friend MJ would say. My day today could be considered on the same level as hers yesterday (just with different ups and downs).

So on a day like today, I just like to find reasons to laugh. This is on our kitchen fridge at work. I am sure you have seen something like this before, but I think you can always laugh no matter how many times you read them.

Enjoy!

Truths For Mature Humans

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your

computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was

younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Coors Lite than Kay.

17. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

18. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

19. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

20. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

21. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

22. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

23. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.



Dear Mr. Groundhog

I know you are nestled in your little hole and that it is probably warm down there, but I just wanted to ask you to NOT see your shadow this year. I mean, you have seen it the past 9 out of 10 years. And although you enjoy the winter, not all of us do. It would just be nice to change it up a bit.

Please, Mr. Groundhog (Phil is it?) bring us an early spring!

Sincere thanks,

Southern Charm

NYRs: How We Doin'?

{I must be channeling Friends a lot lately....I haven't seen that show in forever, but I seem to be referencing it a lot. I think it is a good time to watch it all from the very beginning!}

So team, we have made it through the first month of 2011. At this point, I get excited because that mean most people are dwindling down on their NYRs and my gym gets back to normal (yes, that is the selfish my gym). However, I do hope that all of your are staying up on yours.

For accountability purposes, here is an update on how I am doing on mine.

Be healthier

Of course this is a long journey for us all to make and kind of a general topic, but I think I am making great strides! I am prioritizing working out when I can, and I am tracking everything I eat. I think tracking everyday this month is my biggest success! This month I think I am going to try to make sure I take my vitamins.

 

Be a better person

I am not sure how to measure my success on this one. All I know is that I nearly went off on one of the trainers at the gym last night because I lost my iPod (an angel brought it back though) and he was trying to be friendly to me - I am sure so he could try to sell me some training. I really felt bad for snapping at him, but I was in the middle of a slight panic attack. I wanted to apologize to him later, but I never saw him. Maybe he was avoiding me. We will see if he is there tonight...

 

I am not sure how I am doing on the rest of this goal - I don't think I would be the best judge of it.

 

Be more productive and stay organized

This is also a work in progress. I am definitely being more productive and trying to not let things slide by.

 

Spend more time with my friends

I think I am doing pretty good on this one. As I mentioned before, it is hard because we are all on different schedules, but I think we are doing the best we can. (And this is leaps and bounds over my hibernation from last year! Have I mentioned that I HATE winter?) And now that my family has moved, these girls are my family here.

 

Around the house

This won't happen right away. Need some time and $ first :)

 

Be a better Christian

Yep, sticking with the devotional and I have started going to church. I am making time to prioritize this in my life.

 

Make time for me (but do it with my friends)

Read above, we are all on different schedules so it is hard to do everything together. I have been reading some, but that is about it. But we are taking care of ourselves and doing it together!

 

Now do your gut check for your progress this year. Are you doing those things you wanted to do this year? If not, you have a new month to start over! I have a feeling that 2011 has many exciting things to bring us all!

 

Happy February!