New Year's Resolutions & Lasagna with Warm Kale Salad and Garlic Knots
I hereby declare this summer the summer of George!
George Costanza
My father-in-law has retired at least 3 times. Every time he retires he jokes with me that he is turning a corner, he proclaims his new journey, The Summer Of Bob! 😆
Well, I am officially taking this a step further! 2019 will hereby be known as, The Year Of Kristin!
I have such a good feeling about this year! I just know that 2019 is my year! It is the year that I will be turning 40! It will be the year that I shake off my insecurities and do the things that scare me.
Wait... I am turning 40 😳
Some people dread turning 40… Not me! I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life to be 40 😂 It has taken me almost 40 years, but I am finally beginning to understand myself! I feel like a bottle of wine and that as the years have passed, I get better with age. Ha ha I know how that sounds but in the past 5 years I have grown so much and learned so much about myself. I feel like I am finally becoming the person I always thought was inside of me.
I understand what mindful means. I don’t scoff at the terms self-care and mental wellness any more. I no longer care what people think. I value time. I value my body. I am way more comfortable in my skin now than I have ever been in my entire life. I have started to feel less guilty about spending money or taking time for myself. I have surrounded myself with friends and family that are smart, interesting, funny, and all-around make me a better person having them in my life. I am so much smarter with my money! I am smarter about what I put into my body. I have learned to enjoy the moment and not worry about what is coming next. I have created a wonderful family and I have learned so much about myself through them. I have become so much more self-aware. I am better at not being so hard on myself but learning from my mistakes. I have pinpointed some major flaws in my character and have worked very hard to rectify them and become a better person. I know I still have a long way to go but I am feeling confident that my 40's are going to be some of my best years yet!
To make sure that happens, I have set a few resolutions for myself. I try not to make unrealistic resolutions but work more towards goals that I would like to achieve in my lifetime. This year, I have chosen 10 goals that I believe will help me make 40 the best year yet!
Goals:
New Blog: A big announcement will be coming soon but until then, I have a little something to share… I have chosen a new blog host! I am in the process of making this blog what I have always wanted it to be. Organized, informative, beautiful and user-friendly! I have dreamed about this for a long time but never had the confidence to take my hobby that extra step. Thanks to a friend for pushing me and helping me through the initial process, I am on my way and I can’t wait to share the new look soon! 2019 is the year that I will design my blog to look exactly the way I want it.
New House: Last year in my resolutions I wanted to find the perfect house for my family and I. Well… We kind of did that! We have decided to build... up! Within the first week of 2019 we have already received confirmation that our zoning permits are being looked at, the engineer has been by, we have found our contractor and the 3D design is done! It will be just a matter of time before my dream home becomes a reality! This is such an exciting stage for me because I have never owned my own home! I can’t wait to make the space perfect for me and my family. 2019 is going to be the year that I get to design my personal space exactly the way I want it.
Date: Every year I resolve to date more. My husband of course! 😂 While we have gotten so much better at making time for each other, I feel that there is more I can do to make special time for my Ninja. The podcast has certainly helped us dedicate 1 night a week to each other, however, I am usually in pyjamas with my hair thrown into a ponytail and we are sitting in the garage 😳. So while we do get to chat like adults there is definitely an element of same same. Now that the kids are getting older it is easier to find a babysitter and I fully intend on using one this year! We have found 1 million things to do for families but there are also so many fun things to do in Penticton for adults and we want to do them! 2019 is going to be the year that I get to be a playful, fun, young, sexy wife to my husband and not just the mother of his beautiful children.
Inflexible Yogis on Instagram: I have also noticed that yoga is a recurring resolution. I usually resolve to do more yoga because I know how good it makes me feel. This year I would like to take that one step further! I follow @Inflexibleyogis on Instagram and seeing people post pictures of poses they have worked on over the years is super encouraging! I would love to pick a few poses that I have always wanted to do and work at them, stretch, gain better balance, and challenge myself to do them. 2019 is going to be the year I become the Yogi I picture in my mind when I visualize my practice. 2019 is going to be the year I will get closer to doing the splits!
TV Shows: I know you must be thinking, what? Here’s the thing, my Mom and Dad always taught me to finish what I start. I have always done so, sometimes to my own detriment 😂. Sometimes I watch TV shows and even though they hold no interest to me, I continue to watch them because I started it so I have to finish it. No more! Time is money, time is precious, time is something I value and I will no longer waste it on TV shows that I don’t like. What I really want to do is finish the shows that I put off to watch something I can hardly stand, shows like Game of Thrones and The 100. I love those 2 shows and I am behind many seasons because I watch all the shitty shows on my PVR first. No more! Also, there are shows that I have always wanted to watch and put off because I have shitty shows to watch instead. Shows like the Marvelous Mrs Maisel and The Americans. If I don’t like it, I don’t have to watch it! There I said it. 2019 is going to be the year that I take back my time and only watch what I want to watch.
Get Fit/Dance: Every year I say it but you know what? Last year I actually did it! I feel like I am more active, fitter, and more healthy than I have ever been in my entire life! Granted, when I was younger I was a lot thinner 😂 but I wasn’t healthier. I didn’t exercise, I didn’t eat right, and I certainly didn’t do anything extra to take care of my body. I love my Fitbit! It keeps me accountable. I also love my Facebook challenge group that I run because every month I can focus on a new part of my body that I may not have focussed on in the past! I also love dancing! OK well I don’t actually love dancing 😂 but I do love how I feel at the end of each class! This year I just want to continue on this path! 2019 is the year I give dancing my all and continue to stay active and healthy!
Let Go: This is a tough one. I don’t think this is a yearly resolution thing, more like a lifetime of learning thing. I need to learn to let it go. Let it go when someone says something I don’t agree with, let it go when someone doesn’t live up to my very high expectations, and let it go when I can’t change the outcome. I don’t want to dwell on things that I can’t change anymore. I have never been in a 12 step program but I think there is a lot to be said for the very true quote,
“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
REINHOLD NIEBUHR
Yes! Let me do that! 2019 is going to be the year that I don’t weigh myself down with the problems of the world that don’t affect me or that I can’t change. 2019 is going to be the year that I decide what is going to affect my life based on a choice. I am going to choose to let go of the small stuff and enjoy all the wonderful aspects of my life.
Try New Foods: Now that I am entering my 40th year 😂 there is something about me that I don’t like and I want to change. I am the least adventurous person in the world 🙈 well maybe not the world but I am pretty boring and stick to what I know. I like to talk a big talk but I don’t walk that same walk LOL. This year I want to change that! I want to expand my palate! While some people think our family is very adventurous, that would be untrue 😂 we stick to what we know, Italian, Mexican, fake Chinese and of course Canadian/American! I want to try Indian... again 😜. I want to spice up my food! I want to try lamb despite the cute fuzzy image I get in my head when I hear that word. I want to use chickpeas as a protein! Well, maybe not go that far 😂. 2019 is the year my taste buds are going to thank me for stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things.
Stop Interrupting: Seriously. I have always had a big problem with this. I am inpatient and I assume to know what a person is going to say next so I interrupt 😒. 2 things have made this more apparent to me in the last little while, listening to myself on a podcast 😳 and listening to my children behave the same way 😳 SBean woke me up the other day with a nice letter that she wrote just for me…
Work on My Social Life: I used to bug my Sis that she always made time for her friends. In my mind, I have always been one to think, make time for your family because they will be there forever, who needs friends they come and go. Again, 40 😜… I love my family but I love my friends too! My WinnipegBesty and I have been friends for 35 years! That is not a friend that fits my come and go theory. I have friends that I’ve known for decades that I still talk to on a weekly basis! Some of the women that I’ve met here have been my peeps for the last 10 years! They put up with me, they love me, and they deserve more of my time! So many times over the past few years I’ve heard myself say let’s get together sometime and then shit happens and we don’t get together. Enough of that! 2019 is going to be the year that I stop saying we should do that, we should get together and start saying let’s do that, let me check my calendar and we can schedule that right now.
Last week on How Was Your Week, Honey? We looked back on our week AND our last 100 episodes on Ep 100: Is There an Emoji For This? Wow! I can't believe we have done 100 shows!! Check it out HERE!!
I didn’t make Christmas dinner this year but we did have my in-laws over for a nice dinner before they left on their latest cruise! This dinner was freaking amazing! It is definitely not fat free LOL but if you are looking for delicious comfort food or on impressive dinner for guests… Look no further! I am going to apologize for the pictures right now but when I spend a full day cooking a dinner, I just want to sit with my family and eat it and I didn’t take very good pictures LOL in fact, I even chose the ugliest garlic knot of the bunch to make sure that my guests got the pretty ones! I ended up taking the one that looked like a giant tit 😂.
The Most Amazing Lasagna Recipe
Adapted from The Stay at Home Chef
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large white onion, minced
5 cloves garlic, pressed
1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 6 ounce can tomato paste
1 bottle tomato passata
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley divided
1 pound fresh lasagna noodles
30 ounces ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tub sliced fresh mozzarella cheese
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease a deep pan. To assemble, spread about 1 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared pan. Place 4 noodles on top. Spread with 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with 1/4 of Italian cheese. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over cheese, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Repeat layering two more times to create three complete layers.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Soft Garlic Knots
Adapted from Creations by Kara
1 tablespoon sugar
1 packet rapid rise yeast
1 ¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup milk
1 cup hot water
3 cups flour
Combine sugar, yeast, salt, olive oil, milk, and water in a large mixer bowl. Add enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead on low speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Let dough rest 5 minutes.
Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces. Roll each piece into an 8" long rope and tie into a knot. Place on a greased cookie sheet.
While rolls are baking, combine all glaze ingredients. Brush rolls with the butter glaze while still hot.
Kale Salad With Warm Cranberry Vinaigrette
Adapted from Gimme Some Oven
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, peeled and thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, pressed
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
juice and zest of half a lemon
1/4 cup crumbled Feta cheese
Our last week of winter break was super relaxing! Good friends, good food and good cuddles 💛.
We got ready (I got new jeans and I LOVE them! I have never tried on a pair of jeans that are so comfortable and fit me so well!) and went to The Nest & Nectar for a gin cocktail making class!
ROUND 1: Blood Orange 75 (gin, lemon juice, blood orange simple syrup and Prosecco) which was paired with an Apple Brie Skewer topped with Salted Caramel.
ROUND 2: A Gin Sour (floral gin, lemon juice, honey water, celery bitters, and egg white) and I even tried it with the egg white 😳 SO good! Paired with a Crostini topped with Ricotta, spicy preserves and spicy salted Caramel on top!
ROUND 3: A Floradora (gin, raspberry purée, mint, simple syrup, and ginger beer) paired with Prosciutto wrapped Butternut Squash, a Pepperoncini, and a spicy Chipotle Crema
This week on How Was Your Week, Honey? We chat all about a week of illness and our fabulous date night! Also, we received mail from our DAPFBesties and our RASBesty check out Ep 101: The Spicy Room HERE!!
The Most Amazing Lasagna Recipe
Adapted from The Stay at Home Chef
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large white onion, minced
5 cloves garlic, pressed
1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 6 ounce can tomato paste
1 bottle tomato passata
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley divided
1 pound fresh lasagna noodles
30 ounces ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tub sliced fresh mozzarella cheese
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 bag Italian shredded cheese
In a large pot over medium heat, add in ground sausage and ground beef. Use a spoon to break up the meat into small pieces.
In a large pot over medium heat, add in ground sausage and ground beef. Use a spoon to break up the meat into small pieces.
Add in onion and garlic and cook until meat is well browned, stirring constantly.
Stir in sugar, fresh basil, fennel, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley.
Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato passata, and chicken broth. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer 1-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining 2 tablespoons parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and nutmeg. Refrigerate until ready to assemble lasagna.
Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease a deep pan. To assemble, spread about 1 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared pan. Place 4 noodles on top. Spread with 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with 1/4 of Italian cheese. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over cheese, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Repeat layering two more times to create three complete layers.
To finish, place a final layer of pasta, topped with another 1 cup of meat sauce to cover the pasta. Top with fresh mozzarella and remaining Parmesan cheese. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes to allow cheese to brown. Serve hot.
Adapted from Creations by Kara
1 tablespoon sugar
1 packet rapid rise yeast
1 ¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup milk
1 cup hot water
3 cups flour
1/4 cup butter
2 cloves garlic, pressed
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon basic, chopped
Combine sugar, yeast, salt, olive oil, milk, and water in a large mixer bowl. Add enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead on low speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Let dough rest 5 minutes.
Let rise for 30-45 minutes. Bake in a preheated oven at 350° until lightly browned, about 18-20 minutes.
Kale Salad With Warm Cranberry Vinaigrette
Adapted from Gimme Some Oven
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, peeled and thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, pressed
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
juice and zest of half a lemon
1/4 cup crumbled Feta cheese
1 bag of Kale Salad
Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add shallot and saute for at least 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute. Then add the packet of cranberries/pumpkin seeds that comes with the salad, red wine vinegar, honey and lemon juice and zest, and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
In a large bowl, toss the kale with dressing. Serve topped with crumbled feta cheese.
Dinner!
Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add shallot and saute for at least 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute. Then add the packet of cranberries/pumpkin seeds that comes with the salad, red wine vinegar, honey and lemon juice and zest, and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
In a large bowl, toss the kale with dressing. Serve topped with crumbled feta cheese.
The kids went back to school last week and HBear has been learning curling in PE!
This past weekend Dad took the Girls out for dinner and a movie!
While the Girls were out, Ninja and I had a wonderful date day/evening! We started at Melt and we enjoyed a 90 minute couples massage!!! Ahhhhh
After our massages, we used the GC I won at the Hockey Fundraiser a while back and checked into The Lakeside Resort! We had a beautiful view of the lake from our balcony!
We got ready (I got new jeans and I LOVE them! I have never tried on a pair of jeans that are so comfortable and fit me so well!) and went to The Nest & Nectar for a gin cocktail making class!
ROUND 2: A Gin Sour (floral gin, lemon juice, honey water, celery bitters, and egg white) and I even tried it with the egg white 😳 SO good! Paired with a Crostini topped with Ricotta, spicy preserves and spicy salted Caramel on top!
After the class, we took a cab to the casino and had dinner while we watched The Oilers game at Match.
We ended our fabulous night with a dip in the hot tub, a few glasses of delicious wine and the cherry on top was having a few laughs while recording this week's episode of How Was Your Week, Honey? 💛
Labels:
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lasagna,
Resolutions,
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