Today's The Day - My 34 New Goals

Ok - I'm so excited, I had to finish putting these new goals in my composition notebook and got all my little detail items filled in so I can now share my new goals for Dec 2008 - Dec 2009.

So last year I created 33 goals for myself. Some I carried over from the previous year that I was unable to complete for various reasons. When I sat down and looked at my list yesterday, I figured out that I crossed off 16 goals from my list. YIPEE! That is so exciting. I have a realistic expectation that I cannot do everything on my list, but am determined to complete these goals before they get off the list.

SO - DRUM ROLL PLEASE! My new goals are as follows!

1. Complete 2 - 5K races, one in the spring (with my PriorFatGirl cousin) and one in the fall
2. Complete the LTF Triathlon, doing better on my biking time - My finish time goal 2 hours
3. Finish putting together my empty photo albums (8 of them)
4. Date each child alone 2 times a month
5. Write two encouraging notes a month to family and friends
6. Go Skydiving
7. Go to NOLA to help with clean-up that is still needed
8. Go camping up north with the kids (haven't been yet)
9. Have all special event cards done by February
10. Build one house for Habitat for Humanity in MN or NOLA
11. Have a Bunco game night, proceeds going to a local food shelf
12. Read 8 chapter books to the kids *Seperate from regular reading times
13. Write grandpa 2 times a month
14. Read the Narnia Books
15. Volunteer 18 hours this year *Seperate from party room volunteer, Kiosks at church, ect.
16. Go to New York City with Cy for a long weekend
17. Read the Bible in a year with the kids each day
18. Read 3 self-improvement books this year
19. Start the food shelf at church or continue progress towards opening it.
20. Save $$$ each month for all knows presents (b-day, Christmas, Mother/Father Day ect.)
21. Finish putting all recipes into 3-ringed binders *Compelted 1/2 last year
22. Make 4 new recipes a month
23. Finish the new table and cover the chairs with new fabric
24. Paint or varnish the bookshelf downstairs
25. Donate to a food shelf each month - food or financial donation
26. VOlunteer at Feed My Starving Children with Sophia 6 times
27. Learn a magic trick
28. Get a pedicure (haven't had one for 6 years)
29. Bless one neighbor a month with a note and some baked goods (we have 13 neighbors)
30. Teach Austin how to ride a 2-wheeler
31. Create my new hutch area, sell old hutch to antique shop
32. Enter the Pillsbury contest (3 recipes this year)
33. Get all Christmas cards done by October 31st.
34. Cross off 18 goals this year (crossed off 16 on the previous list)

So, again, these are things I want to make a serious effort to do, some are simple and easy, some a little more challenging. Several are things I have not been consistent at or haven't done in a long time. All are very important to me because they are things I find very important for healthy, happy living. If you see one you want to do with me, let me know and we'll do it together. I hope you find in the year to come a list of goals no matter how big or small that you want to make sure you do this coming year. Type them up, post them on your fridge and in a notebook and make sure you take pictures or keep momentos to tape into your goals book.

Now I'm hungry after all that work....here is a super duper brunch recipe. This is again a Skoglund family favorite, one we've eaten for over 20 years and usually on my birthday. Looking at the ingredients, you might think it's different and might not taste good together, but you would be mistaken. These flavors all go so well together. Make a 1/2 batch and try it, you just might like it.

Breakfast Lasagna
8-12 servings

Special Sauce *Mix these 2 ingredients well and chill until use.
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup brown sugar

12 slices of French Toast (freshly made or frozen)
8 ounces sliced ham
2 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can apple pie filling
1 cup granola (*plain, no raisins)

In a 9x13 greased pan, place a layer of french toast (6 slices) on the bottom. Layer the ham, 2 cups of the cheddar cheese then the rest of the french toast. Spread the apple pie filling over the toast and top with the granola. Bake for 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Remove and sprinkle the last 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the granola and put back into the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Cut into squares and serve with the special sauce drizzled over each slice. Enjoy!

I hope this post helps you find those things that are important to you this coming year and make sure to do them.

Until next time,
Kirsten

One Week Until My 34 New Goals Get Posted

Ok - So as I mentioned in my previous post, every year on my birthday I make a new list of goals for that next year, things I actually cross off when I complete them. So I'm down to one last week and then I get to see how many of the 33 goals I crossed off from 2007 - 2008. Then I put the goals I didn't cross off from last year on my new list for 2008 - 2009. I have come up with some new ones so I'm pretty excited for that. I am also looking for anyone who wants to participate in some of them with me to join on in.

So here's my recipe for this week. This is a favorite of mine. When my mom would buy frozen bread dough and let it set out EVERYONE in our house growing up knew what we were in store for. These delicious breakfast rolls are perfect during the holiday season for a special sweet and gooey treat.

Breakfast Sweet Rolls

2 loaves frozen bread dough, slightly thawed (I use Rhodes)
1 package instant butterscotch pudding mix
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar

*Cut dough into 1-inch wide slices and then cut each slice into 4 chunks. Place into a buttered bundt pan evenly on all sides. Sprinkle the butterscotch pudding over the top of the cut up dough pieces. In a small pot over medium high heat, melt butter and brown sugar together until it comes to a gentle boil, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from stove and pour over the ingredients in the bundt pan evenly. Place the bundt pan on a cookie sheet and let it rise overnight. In the morning, bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes. To serve, invert the rolls on a serving plate and pull apart. Enjoy!

Until next time,
Kirsten

It's Almost Time For Setting New Goals, Not Resolutions

Hello friends - Today I'm long winded, so keep with me and you'll get an awesome recipe below as your reward!

In the fall of 2006, I was watching Rachael Ray and she had a guest named Toni Eicher on who was about to have a birthday and had made 30 goals for herself to accomplish in that year proir to her 30th birthday. I thought that was a great way for me to refocus my life to do those things that are important to me while making great accomplishments in the process. So that year, from 2006 - 2007, I was able to cross off 12 of my 32 goals. So in 2007 when I turned 33 I sat down at a coffee shop and wrote out my 33 goals for the year.

Below is my list of goals and the status on each of them. Some of them I've carried over from last year as they are things I want to do every year, but I have increased the goal a bit from the last year. Some of these are new for me. Not everything is deep and full of meaning, but things I don't generally do for myself as a busy wife and mom of two beautiful kids. So I've added things I'd like to do at least once this year. Again, if I don't cross off those I'm serious about doing, I will put them into next years goal list. Some won't get crossed off until the end of the year due to the nature of the goal.

My 33 Goals from Dec. 2007 - Dec 2008

1. 2008 Lifetime Triathlon - Short Course
*Completed July 12, 2008, 2 hours, 7 minutes and 36 seconds.
2. Go Skydiving
3. Have a Bunco Game night, proceeds for charity
4. Organize my closet - Take out old clothes that don't fit or I don't wear
*Completed 5/13/08
5. Run 5K race - beat prior year's time
*Completed 9/20/08 - 7 seconds better than last year
6. Learn a magic trick
7. Memorize 1 Bible verse a month
8. Clean out oven once a quarter
9. Go through kid's toys and organize for garage sale
* Completed 1/1/08
10. Save $$ every month for all gifts (Birthday, Christmas, Mother's and Father's Day)
*Completed 9/15/08
11. Date each child alone once a month
12. Decorate all Christmas Stockings
13. Premake all special event cards for 2008
*Completed 4/1/08
14. Read 6 Chapter books to my kids this year
15. Write to my grandpa 2 times a month.
16. Knit a scarf
17. Read the Narnia books, all of them
18. Make 4 new recipes a month
19. Volunteer 16 hours this year (outside of normal church, school or other normal activities)
20. Read book on helping/guiding mebe a better parent for my children.
21. Get a pedicure
22. Go to New York with Cyrus for a little trip
23 Organize my recipes into 3 ringed binders
24. Go to New Orleans and help with clean up
25. Read a chapter a week in my mom's devotional.
26. Get a manicure
27. Take kids camping for 3 nights - 4 days
28. Send 2 encouraging notes to a family member or a friend each month.
29. Build a house with Habitat for Humanity.
30. Go through boxes in the garage
*Completed 9/25/08
31. Send an audition tape to Survivor
*Completed 6/5/08
32. Finish mom's crosstitch.
33. Cross off 15 or more goals this year.

So as you can see, some are things that might seem silly, but things that I wanted to be sure that I kept track of this year. Some might take time to cross off, but they are things I for sure want to keep on my radar. I'll update right before my birthday as several of these are in the process of being completed, but won't be checked off until my birthday and I review what I've done for the year. This has been a great source of balance for me to make sure I'm doing those things that are important to me so I don't lose "me" in my life.

Now 33 is a lot of goals, but it's my way of doing it. Maybe you want to start small so here are a few steps to doing your own goals for the next year.

*Find the right amount of goals for you to cross off for the next year.
*Type up your goals and paste them into the front cover of a composition notebook.
*Number each page of the notebook and write down one goal per page.
*Take pictures or put evidence on the pages you can to show you completing that goal. Write the date you completed it as well.
*Give a copy of your goals to someone who'll help you stay focused and ask you how you are doing on them.

I have the pleasure of writing new ones soon so stay tuned!

Here's today's quick and easy recipe, it's delicious. I wrote it down for my # 18 goal.

Mexican Crock-Pot Meat
Makes 12-16 servings
8 - 10 hours on low

3 pounds chicken, beef or pork roast
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 4-ounce can chopped green chilies
*enough water to cover the meat
1-2 cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Place meat in the crock pot and add all the ingredients in order except the pinto beans. Cook on low for 8 hours. Remove meat and shred with 2 forks. Place shredded meat back into the crock-pot and add the pinto beans. Stir and cook one more hour. Remove meat and use on nachos or in tacos or burritos with all your desired Mexican toppings.

Until next time,
Kirsten

Politics and Popcorn

For me Politics is like popcorn!

*There are many different flavors and colors of popcorn, but when you strip all the flavors and look past the different colors it's all still bland little pieces of popped corn.

*It's fun when you hear it popping and it smells so good, but it doesn't take long for the action to stop happening and can get burned if not done properly.

*It tastes great with butter and salt, but the greasy butter gets a little too slippery after a while and the salt sticks to your fingers and you just want to wash it off quickly so you can change the channel on the remote.

*Popcorn is great and crunchy right away, but gets soggy pretty quickly.

*It tastes great, but the leftover hulls in your teeth are a PAIN to clean out.

That's my comparison and how I am currently feeling about the politics going on right now. Only 2 more weeks and we are DONE! Whatever that will look like.

GO VOTE!

Here's a great recipe I created for a contest that is a new twist on an old favorite. Just what we all need right about now, politically speaking.

Chicken, Zucchini and Arugula Quesadilla
With Creamy Piquante Pepper Dip
Created By: Kirsten Shabaz
4 Servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25minutes

INGREDIENTS
½ cup sour cream
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 Peppadew® Piquante Peppers
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 large chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, sliced in strips
3 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed
3 tablespoons butter
1 large red onion, sliced in 1/8 inch rings
8 flour tortillas, taco size
1 12-ounce package Cacique® Queso Quesadilla cheese, shredded
1 large yellow zucchini squash, julienne
1-5ounce package pre-washed baby Arugula

COOKING DIRECTIONS
Place the sour cream, softened cream cheese and piquante peppers in the blender. Blend on high speed scraping down the sides as needed until the mixture is smooth. Put in a bowl and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Next, place the extra virgin olive oil in a 5-quart non-stick sauté pan over medium high heat. Add the sliced chicken breasts and garlic to the pan and cook for 6 minutes stirring a few times until chicken is no longer pink. Remove and set aside. Add the butter to the pan, when melted add the red onions. Sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are caramelized and a light brown. Remove from pan and set aside. Wipe out the bottom of the sauté pan with a paper towel to remove leftover butter and onion pieces. Place a tortilla shell on the bottom of the sauté pan. Sprinkle the tortilla with 2-3 tablespoons of the shredded quesadilla cheese, 1/3 cup of cooked chicken strips, 2-3 tablespoons of red onions, ¼ cup julienne zucchini squash and about 12 arugula leaves. Sprinkle with 2-3 more tablespoons of cheese and place a tortilla on the top of the ingredients. Gently press the top of the quesadilla or place another skillet on top of the quesadilla to press it together. Cook over medium heat flipping after 4 minutes. Cook another 4 minutes and remove from the skillet and place on a cutting board. You can also use a Panini press or George Foreman grill. Using a large knife, cut quesadilla into 6 wedges and serve with a ½ cup of the creamy pepper spread.

Soups On

Hello Friends-

I've got a lot of other things on my mind and until I am ready to write about them I just feel like posting a recipe for my favorite soup. Cooking for me is a way to redirect my thoughts that might be consuming me (pun intended). Creating something that others will enjoy warms my soul like this recipe below.

So when I go to restaurants, I'm always looking at my meal or the other meals at our table to see if I can duplicate them at home. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't. Below is one I was successful in creating in my own way. After a string of visits to a family friendly Italian restaurant known to many people in these parts, I decided to skip paying a tip on a "soup, salad and bread" meal and make my own version of my favorite soup. It's always fun to make your own version at home and save money in the process.

Sausage Potato Soup
Servings: 10-12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Crock Pot Time: 5-6 hours on high, 10-12 hours on low
By: Kirsten Shabaz

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 pound Italian sausage or turkey sausage browned, drained
1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
6 unpeeled baking potatoes, sliced
12 cups chicken stock or broth
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper *for less spice, use ½ teaspoon
2 leaves of green kale sliced into small strips
½ - ¾ cup of heavy whipping cream
Salt and pepper
1 loaf of crusty French bread

DIRECTIONS
*Cook the sausage, onion and garlic in a medium sized pan over medium high heat for 10-12 minutes or until the sausage is no longer pink and the onions are tender and translucent. Break the sausage up into small pieces as it cooks. HINT: To remove the excess fat from the sausage; drain on a paper towel before putting into the soup pot.
*While the sausage is cooking, scrub unpeeled potatoes well and cut in half lengthwise then sliced to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick half moon slices.
*In a large pot, combine the cooked sausage mixture, sliced potatoes, chicken stock or broth, rubbed sage, thyme and cayenne pepper. Add salt and pepper to your taste at this time. Simmer for at least 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the potatoes are tender.
*Right before serving, add the sliced kale and heavy whipping cream. Stir well to combine and ladle into your serving bowls.
*Serve with slices of crusty French bread. Enjoy!

**Kale can be purchased at your local grocery store in the produce department.

NOTE: This can also be prepared in a crock pot for 10-12 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high for a ready to eat meal after a long day at work or school.

Til next time,
Kirsten

Ready For School?

Hello Friends -

This month has been so busy and I have been so focused on doing what we can before school starts that I've had no time to write. Sophia is very excited to start school next week and Austin starts the week after her. I'll have a little more time on my hands a few times a week to get those big "cleaning out the ___(fill-in-the-blank)____" jobs done and other projects on my 33 goals list. For those of you like me who have a little extra time here are a few sites that I have found to help me out.

Help with cleaning your house:
http://www.flylady.net/

Help with at home activities to supplement what the kids are learning in school:
http://www.learningpage.com/free_pages/home.html

Help with making a quick grocery store shopping list (at the bottom of the page, no need to register):
http://www.mygrocerychecklist.com/

Help with getting in a quick devotional/weekly encouaragement:
Queen of the Castle By Lynn Bowen Walker
*This book provides recipes, quick tips and lots of encouragement. It's my go-to devotional when I just have 5 minutes.

These are just a few that I've used to help me get through those crazy days and weeks. Hope that you find something that will help you too.

As always, here's a recipe that you might find time to use. It's quick, easy and DELICIOUS!

Chicken Pesto Panini's

1 red onion, sliced into 1/8th inch rings
2 tablespoons butter
1 jar pesto sauce *found in your pasta isle
8 slices of provolone or mozzarella cheese
1 Rotisserie chicken, breast meat cut off and sliced for sandwiches
1 loaf pre-sliced artisan bread *I use portuguese bread, but you could use whatever you like

*Saute the red onion slices in the butter in a medium skillet. Cook for about 15 minutes or until they start to brown and caramelize.
*To make the sandwiches, spread some of the pesto onto the inside of both the top and bottom slices of the bread. Starting with the bottom slice, place one slice of cheese on top of the pesto, then add some caramelized onions. Next, put some sliced chicken on top of the onions and top with another slice of cheese. Place the top slice of the bread, pesto side down onto the sandwich.
*You can either make these on a panini press, George Foreman grill or in a skillet using another heavy pan or brick covered with tin foil to "press" the sandwiches.
*Cook about 5 minutes each side or until they are golden brown and resemble a "grilled cheese" sandwich with melty cheese dripping out of the sides.
*Serve with fruit, veggies and kettle chips.

Get some quality time in with your kids these next week...you'll be glad you did!

Until next time,
Kirsten

Shoppers Beware

Hello Friends -

In light of higher costs of pretty much everything these days everyone needs to be aware of how to save a few pennies here and there. As I was grocery shopping the other day, I did as I always do. I was looking not only at the sale tags at Cub Foods in Apple Valley, but I was also looking at the price per ounce on the original price tag that is usually found under the item you want to buy. People, this is one of the best ways to get more product for your money. I know that people say, buy the store brands and buy the sale items. These are great tips, but they aren't always the rule. Here are a few products I bought that day and how I save by looking at the price per ounce.

~Cub packaged chicken breasts, more plump and juicy than the leading Gold 'N Plump
Cub $3.89 per pound Gold 'N Plump $5.18 per pound
*This is where buying at the meat counter yields you more chicken, better flavor and juicier meat EVERY TIME!

~On average, buying 3 pounds of hamburger (in the 3 pound tube) saves you at least 5-10 cents vs. buying single pound tubes. However, check if there's a sale on the pound tubes.

~Land O' Lakes 1/2 and 1/2 cream is 8.7 cents and ounce vs. Cub brand at 9.3 cents an ounce.
*Checking the ingredients, LOL is pure cream and milk, Cub has a few additive ingredients

~St. Ives face scrub for the 10 ounce tub you pay 54.9 cents an ounce vs the tube at 69.8 cents an ounce.

I didn't have time to price all my items out, but these are a few I buy A LOT of so I'm always saving when I take the extra few seconds to check out ounce price. Also, using coupons in addition where you can will also help cut cost, but that's a given.

This past week I had the pleasure of making a meal for a family in need at our church. I didn't have a ton of time so I made my quick chicken pasta salad with a nice and easy dessert. Since I missed my recipe last time, here's 2 for 1!

Chicken Vegetable Pasta Salad
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Servings 10 - 12

1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
2 packets Good Seasons Dry Italian Mix
2 tablespoons milk *more if you'd like
1 box rotini pasta, cooked, drained and cooled
3 cups chicken breast, diced
2 cups raw broccoli florets
2 cups raw cauliflower florets
1 cup shredded carrots (buy the bag in your produce dept.)
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 - 3/4 cup crumbled bacon

*Mix the sour cream, mayonnaise and dry italian seasoning mix. Add a little milk to thin out if necessary.
*Cook pasta according to directions and drain. Add ice cubes into strainer full of pasta to cool down quickly. Drain well.
*While the pasta is cooking, get your broccoli and cauliflower florets cut up.
*Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and put in fridge to chill and blend flavors at least 30 minutes to an hour.

For Dessert

1 container Philadelphia Ready to eat Cheesecake Filling
18 mini graham cracker pie shells or 1 large graham cracker pie shell (In your baking isle)
Fresh berries, cherries or other fruit
OR
Chocolate, caramel and toasted pecans (turtle cheesecake)

Fill each mini pie shell or the large pie shell with the cheesecake filling. Top with fruit or turtle toppings. Enjoy!

Have a great day,
Kirsten