#8 and #9

Create (and stick to) a weekly/bi-weekly meal plan.

I've got a week all planned out and I'm trying to get together some more ideas so I can have two full weeks of totally different meals planned. As of right now our meal schedule seems to be working our fairly well. I made sure that it's vague enough (and we use a lot of the same proteins) where it's flexible. We've only gone out to eat (unplanned) once since we put this into effect so I think that's a start.


If anyone has any healthy kid friendly meal ideas that they can pass along, I'd love some recipes. One thing I do is cook a large amount of chicken (simmered down with tons of spices for Jason and I) and I use it in all kinds of foods. We make spicy chicken taco salads, breakfast tacos, ect. so it's not like we have to prepare an entire meal from scratch each day. I've had lots of friends tell me that they will make large portions of soup and even freeze them in single serving containers that are easy to take out and reheat during the week and that's a great idea...except that even in the middle of January it's too hot here to eat soup very often. Today we had the boys out in sleeveless shirts and shorts!!! I think I'm still going to try a soup every now and then.


Anyway, I've also been serving Jason and I less food at each meal. I don't really seem to even notice. Isn't that strange? I guess I'm just used to eating everything that's on my plate even though I'm satisfied with eating less, so yay!!!

Here it is! My List.

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focused. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

(for more information, click here)

Start Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2009
End Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Some of these will be super easy to complete and some....well, I'm not sure that I will be able to complete them but I am going to try. I will keep updating this as time goes on, taking pictures along the way.