11′s the new 10

Happy 2011 everyone!!!  Did you realize today’s 1/1/11?  Now..I don’t know if you make wishes on 11:11 or not, but this is pretty much the same thing.  So if you’d like to join me in an all day wishing fest, they’re guaranteed to come true today.

Anyway, another year has come to a close and it’s time to ring in the 2011 strong.   I can’t really remember any of my resolutiong from last year aside from one…so instead I’m going to reflect on the high points of the year.

10 things in 2010:

1. Gained weight.  Yes, my one resolution that I remember.  While most people crammed into the gym to fulfill their weight loss resolutions, I sat at home stuffing my face hoping to gain weight..and I did.  And along with the weight, I gained my health and happiness.  It opened the doors to make 2010 one amazing year.   Honestly, who would have ever thought gaining weight could bring so much joy? 
2. Found a new love.  I was starting to lose faith…thinking maybe there wasn’t a guy out there that could fit so perfectly.  But then Michael came into my life, and I’ve never looked back.
3. Completed YogaFit training.   I had wanted to do this for so, so long.  I still remember practically jumping out of my skin the day I registered for training.  For years I had wanted to do this and finally, finally I was one step closer to teaching!
4. Ran a few short races, including the Fall 5K and Krispy Kreme Challenge.  I wish I could have run more, but running injuries just weren’t allowing it.
5. Traveled to a few new places.  San Francisco March 2010 with the family, then Charlotte, Maine, and Virginia with Michael.
6. Along with traveling to not-so-new places and having very new experiences.  Like Washington DC for The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear and Ohio for my brother’s graduation party. 
7. Started this blog on May 17!!  I had been following blogs for close to two years before buckling down and starting my own.   I never thought it’d be such a huge part of my life, but it’s really made it’s way into my heart.  Sounds lame, I know..but it’s true.  It’s really changed my life for the better and I can’t wait to see what it’ll do for me down the road.
8. Found a new hobby: photography.  Speaking of how blogging’s changed my life- it opened my eyes to photography.  I was never really interested in it until I started taking pictures of food.  I still have a long way to go..but I’m having fun along the way.
9. Had my first ever white Christmas.  It was wonderful.  ‘Nuff said.
10. Saw the Goo Goo Dolls, Seether, Alice in Chains, Theory of a Deadman, and Fuel in concert.   And I only had to go to two concerts to do so.   

11 for 2011:

1. Run at least one marathon.   Yep
2. Maintain at least a 3.5 GPA for the upcoming semester.   Bring it on, physics, statistics, and anatomy.
3. Travel more.  Even if it’s a few hours from home, it’s fun to see new things..wherever they may be.
4. Complete my YogaFit certification.  I had planned on doing this months ago…I don’t know why I’ve put off the 8 hours of community service teaching for so long.  Sure, it hasn’t been easy finding a place to do so, bu so so,t I think it goes beyond that.  I’m scared.  I’m scared to put myself out there in front of a group of people.  I know I’ll do fine…but yet I’m holding back.  I need to break out, get out there, and just do it!!
5.  Keep up with this blog.   Although there are no plans on getting burnt out, I know it happens..and it happens all the time.  So many times has a blogger gotten tired of posting, photographing, or putting time into it..but I hope for that not to happen.  Like I said before, this blog’s already brought so much in the few months it’s been up..I don’t want to miss out on what it can bring in the future.
6. Ride CoCo more.  After her injury a little over a year ago, I’ve taken it really easy with her- riding her, but not like I used to.  We used to go out at least 6 days a week for an hour or so, jumping, galloping, and just having fun.  I’d like to get back to that point.
7. Volunteer at least twice.   This may seem like a small feat, but it’s honestly not for me.  Unfortunately I haven’t volunteered in a very, very long time…something that needs to be changed.
8. Keep in better contact with my friends.   Most of us are in different states and/or colleges so it’d be nice to see them more often throughout the year.
9. Go to more university events.  Why not?  It’s free entertainment and a way to meet new people. 
10. Devolope 5 totally unique recipes.   100% unique.  No “jumping off” from other recipes or anything ike that.
11. Two words: blogger meet-ups.   I’ve never had one before!  It’d be absolutely amazing to be able to go to Foodbuzz or some of the bigger ones, but small ones are just as important.  

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Alright, whew!!  That only took a whole 2 hours to write- HA!  But it’s done and written in stone.  It’s kind of nice actually writing the goals so there’s a physical reminder all year.  I’m excited!!!

So how’s your first day of 2011 coming along for you?  It’s been great over here so far.  First of all, I now have my own computer to work on!!!  We haven’t completely given up on fixing my old one after the wine incident, but decided it’ll be house laptop instead.  My dad and I set out to buy one last night and long story short, no more computer frustrations.

Afterward, we came home to have our last meal of 2010.

Dinner

We grilled up vegetarian wraps with grilled eggplant, spinach, roasted red tomatoes, and guacamole and served them alongside some delicious black bean soup.   I added a Quorn Chicken cutlet to my wrap for a bit more protein.

Lately I’ve been in the mood for tons of wraps or sandwiches, which is kind of odd for me.  It used to be I’d crave things in bowls- stir fries mainly.  But now it’s all “plate food”!  Well, with some exceptions as soup seems to like being in bowls.

After dinner, I went to my friend Laura’s New Year’s party.  It was just a few close friends which is much better than 50 crazy people any day.  It was nice spending time with them and dancing (literally) into the New Year.

As for today, it’s been nice.  Nice and lazy.  Nice, lazy, and rainy.  Ok..I’ll stop with the adjectives, you get the point.

Breakfast

What’s this…no oatmeal?!?!  I know, I know- it’s crazy!    Our Ohio hotel breakfast bar had a waffle maker and I commented on how I hadn’t had a waffle in such a long time.  I was craving a nice, whole grain, waffle.  And yes, while these aren’t waffles..they’re made with a waffle/pancake mix.  Close enough.  

11 Grain Pumpkin Pancakes

• 1/4 cup Bob’s Red Mill 10 grain pancake mix (or any, of course)
• 1/4 cup oatmeal
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 cup pumpkin
• 1/4 cup yogurt
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• dash of cinnamon and salt

Heat large skillet over medium-high heat.  Mix all ingredients well and pour onto greased skillet.  Wait a minute or so until after pancakes begin to bubble (they should flip easily and completely intact without working at it).  Cook on the other side about 2 minutes until golden brown. 

Stack, pour loads of maple syrup over them, and devour.

What a perfect way to start the year. 

Hope you all have an absolutely fantastic day!! 

**How did you start the New Year?

**Any resolutions/goals?

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Tagged as: 2010, 2011 goals, Breakfast, Dinner, Life, pancakes, Quorn, Rambles, Recipe, recipe, soup, wrap