Food and Personal Goals of the Month - November

I just realized that I didn't do an end of month recap yesterday. So I guess I'll combine that with November's goals. November just snuck up on me :P I wasn't prepared. And with the time change who knows if Rebecca will be up any minute. So I may not have much time to post this morning.

So, October...I did try a few new breakfasts. And I really enjoyed it :) I'll definitely make an effort to have some variety to our breakfasts when I have the time. I finished up the pearsauce for the year. And I did some baking. Just yesterday I made 2 pie crusts (1 for our quiche and 1 for later). I've been wanting to try freezing a pie crust (you can buy them frozen, why not make my own and freeze it?). So we'll see how it works when I thaw/use this one. If it turns out well I'll be very excited! It's the same amount of work to make 1 or 2 pie crusts. So the next time I need one I'll just make 2 and freeze 1. And gradually build up a little stock of pie crusts to have on handle for things like quiche, pot pie and baked goods. No decisions yet on milk. I'm going to start watching sales and stock up on organic when it goes on sale so we can have that most of the time. We're still considering raw milk, but still doing research. I still have to order chicken. Maybe this week.

Rebecca and I have been getting out and enjoying various projects. We're meeting new people and starting to make more friends.

I did survive jury duty :P It definitely was not pleasant. And I hope I don't have to do something like that for a LONG time. But I made it. I am proud of myself for not totally losing it. But I was reminded of just how much my anxiety affects me physically...major headache and GI/stomach issues. I can control anxiety in many situations now. But sometimes it does take over. I'm glad that's over. And at least I made a few bucks :P

On to November. For food I am going to focus on fall flavors...apples, squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes. Since we have a lot of all of them I'll try to incorporate them into a lot of our meals. One thing I want to do specifically is try more things with pumpkin. I've never been a fan of pumpkin. I don't like pumpkin pie at all (crazy, I know). But pumpkin is actually quite good for you. And can be added to a lot of stuff. So I'm going to challenge myself a bit and see if I can acquire a taste for it. I think my big aversion might be to the texture of pumpkin pie...which in turn led me to believe I don't like pumpkin. So we'll see. I already started yesterday by making pumpkin scones (recipe to come). They were soooooo good!!! And I recently tried some pumpkin muffins that my SIL made (I want to make them soon too). And I liked those as well. So hopefully this will be a good experiment. I will still be working on applesauce. I've got a lot to use up. And if time allows I want to do some baking with apples. Believe it or not I don't think I've made a Dutch apple pie since I started my blog! So hopefully I'll get around to that soon.

For personal goals I will continue to work on my usual healthy living/lifestyle. And try to get out and build relationships. I want to keep working on projects with Rebecca. I stocked up on a few craft supplies this week, so that should help. I have an appt. with my psychologist tomorrow. I'm sure that will shape my next month. As I mentioned last week I'm going to try to post fewer details about that stuff...just try to live a "normal" life and not focus on my problems so much.

I would like to focus on a few character traits this month...being positive and being patient. First, being positive...now that I've gained a decent amount of weight I'm struggling a bit with self image. I know I'm healthier, but it still doesn't feel good when all of your clothes are too tight and your body looks different. So I want to shift my focus...instead of thinking about the things I don't like I need to think about the things I do like. Every day I need to come up with at least one thing I love about myself. It can by physical stuff, but also accomplishments, characeristics, etc. Patience...I have a toddler. Enough said :) Some days being patient is very tough. But I want to be a good role model for Rebecca. She is such a little mommy, she tries to copy everything I do with her dolls. The other day she told one of them that she was naughty for not sitting up in the chair :\ Guess I need to work on my patience/discipline. Little ones catch on very quickly. So I will intentionally work on those two things every day.

One final thing is just getting through today/this week as my body adjusts to the time change. Most people love an extra hour of sleep. I hate it! It really messes things up for me. Not to mention now I have a little girl up at 6:30 am. Not what I want. Anyway, here's the recap. The rest of my weekly posts will have to wait...Rebecca is up. I don't feel good. And we have to get ready for church.

~Keep trying new breakfasts
~Fall foods
~Pumpkin
~Applesauce
~Baking
~Crafts/projects/outings
~Live life
~Positive and Patient
~Adjust to time change