Hey friends!
I hope (if you’re playing) your Eat in Month is getting off to a great start! For us 9-to-5-ers, we have packed lunches to look forward to this week. Bah! lol But I’m sure we’ll come up with some yummy eats. I’m having leftovers of this…
But more on that in a minute.
We had breakfast hubby style – a rye bagel with a fried egg.
Shortly after breakfast, I got started on dinner. I made my mom’s slow cooker pot roast – a family favorite for years now. I subbed celery for the potatoes.
Out of curiosity, I wanted to see if I could get dinner prepped in under 10 minutes. So, I put 10 minutes on the microwave timer and took off! I had all my ingredients in the fridge or pantry, so no cheating here. I managed to get the pot roast in the slow cooker, cleaned, chopped and added the veggies, and opened and added the soups with 1 minute and 25 seconds to spare. Not too shabby!
Dinner ready in less than 10 minutes. I’ll take it!
Hot tea – mixed berry zinger.
Lunch was fab and so simple.
I had roasted tofu, bok choy and brown rice. I made the rice for lunch knowing I’d be able to have it with dinner, too. Gotta love efficiency.
More tea after lunch – this time Yogi Tea in Calming.
Yogi tea quote of the day – “The universe is the stage on which you dance, guided by your heart.” Gotta love a good dance-related quote. 
A Bailey photo – since I know you guys love it.
Since dinner was already done, I used my newly found free time to get crafty with a sewing project.
I made a camera strap cover for Caitlin as a thank you for running my first 5k with me. Ok, not just for running with me, but for going above and beyond! She stayed at my pace, helped distract me with fun chit chat, and even tracked my stats on her Garmin. She rocks, right?
I also threw in a couple coconut macaroons.
Doesn’t she look fabulous with her new DSLR camera strap cover!?
After dropping off Caitlin’s gift, it was time to dig into dinner. Gosh, this meal never gets old! I love how tender the meat gets and the flavor is so nice.
Dough balls and macaroons for dessert. Mmm.
Possibly the best part about pot roast – leftovers. I already have lunch packed for tomorrow!
I put the pot roast and veggies on the bottom of my tupperware and the rice on top. Usually my rice gets soggy from the sauce, but I’m hoping this will help it stay drier.
I took a minute before blogging to turn my Christmas tree lights on again and play with some bokeh photos.
Yay bokeh!
Eat in Month
Pantry Tips – Ok Eat In Monthers – I’m sure you’re hitting up the grocery stores and stocking up for the month. Please be sure to check out my tips for creating the perfect Eat In Month pantry (click).
Recipe Ideas – Let’s collaborate on recipe ideas guys! I’ve started some discussions on my Facebook page where we can share recipe ideas and post questions and answers for how we’re doing each week. Please be sure to check out the Discussion tab of my Facebook page for some great ideas and inspiration. There are different threads for different types of recipes.
Not doing the challenge but have some recipes you think the challenge participants will like? Please go ahead and add links to your recipes in the Discussions on my Facebook page. Pimp your blogs people! I’m serious!
Running into any challenges or complicated situations and want some advice? Please post your questions (or answers to others’ questions) on this Discussion thread for the first week or Eat in Month (click).
Resolutions 2011
Establish Date Night – Once a Month
Plan and Host a Zumbathon for Charity
Pitch Idea for Invention or Create Prototype
Add Printable Versions of Recipes to Blog
Create a Budget
Use Budget
Spend Less Time on Computer / Establish Computer Schedule
Start doing photos for local restaurants
Enter a photography contest
Volunteer at least once a month
Go to church at least once a month
Execute ideas instead of just dreaming them
Execute ideas faster
Speaking of executing ideas, record those vlogs you’ve been meaning to do. Heck, maybe do 1 vlog per month?
Take cooking classes.
Do one new challenge a month. (I have big ideas for this friends…BIG! Challenges are being drafted and will be published before the start of each month.)
2011…BRING IT!
PS Check out my latest recipe – Irresistible Coconut Macaroons!
What’s your favorite resolution you made for 2011?
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
I didn’t make resolutions this year . . . but I do have to say I like your “execute ideas instead of just dreaming them” one
i think the eat in idea is a cute one. i have the sole income, so we’ve been trying to eat out very rarely. i dont mind at all though since it makes me get creative. i love the quickie crock pot recipe (minus the meat). i bet i could sub in tofu and it would be awesome too. great idea!!
Hey Diana , I saw your resolution to go to church more. You should try going to church at night! My church has service at 5:00 on Sunday night. I love getting to sleep in on Sunday morning, make a lazy breakfast, do laundry, buy groceries, work out, and then go to church later in the day. You’re more alert, and you still have time to come home and have dinner (since you’re eating it!
) and get ready for the work week.
That last photo of Bailey totally rocks. And that camera strap cover is such a cute gift idea!
I can’t wait to see your monthly challenges!
Your blog is so much fun.
I think these kind of meals ONLY taste the best in the slow cooker. Looks fabulous hun!
You have big plans this year, good for you!
love the pantry tips! eating in more is definitely one of my new yr goals!
Good luck on your New Years Resolutions! I think the Eat In Month is such a great idea after the holidays. I think I may join you, with the exception of my birthday on the 31st of January
By the way, where do you buy those rye bagels? They look amazing!
I really love blogs that teach my something, and your blog is definitely in my top 3 for useful & inspiring blogs
.
I saw Angela also recently got that print recipe thing going on, how exactly do you do that?
x sabine
Love the idea of an eat in month! I am going to have to give that challenge a try in a month that we won’t be traveling (which we all know kind of requires eating out)! Cute dog photos!!
All of your food looks great! How funny that you timed yourself prepping dinner for the crock pot—that’s a really great idea. I think we sometimes are so “off” on our time estimations—that just makes it sound more manageable when planning out a morning schedule.
Nice bokeh photos!
~Lisa
Loved that camera strap cover!
You’re the sweetest, Diana!
CUTE gift! Love the camera strap cover!
And great resolutions! Love the sound of the Zumbathon!
Great resolutions! My #1 resolution is to SAVE!
yoga is my fav resolution! I have already started and am feeling the benefits already- i hope I can keep up and improve!
Hmm. Does anyone have any slow cooker vegetarian recipes?
Also, day 3 going strong! Heading to the store to pick up so Thai basil stir fry ingredients. I might need to buy an espresso machine though because I am seriously missing my lattes.
Diana – love the bokeh pics. Have you tried playing with different shapes for bokeh? Like squares or hearts?
Miss Ambitious. Go get ‘em! 2011 is yours
Day 3 and i’m holdin strong! Even convinced my gf’s to eat in tomorrow instead of meeting at a restaurant!
Hey Diana – I took a bit of a break from blog reading over the holidays, so I’m still catching up on your posts, but I am loving your Eat-In-Month ideas! Seems like you’ve found a lot of other people who want to save money and eat healthier too
Can’t wait to read more of your recipes!
I am going to become a certified scuba diver! I cant wait
love the idea of eat-in month. we typically only eat out once a month so i’m not going to deprive us of that, but i’m excited to see what kinds of meals you make this month! the slow cooker is so awesome for busy working peeps like you and i! i have tons of great slow cooker recipes on my site if you’re interested
I LOVE all your goals for this year.
I am also loving your eat in challenge. So far it’s been a breeze, as I have TONS of leftovers we’ve been nibbling but in another night or two I have to get creative and keep my fridge and pantry well stocked. (my biggest problem)
Caitlin’s neck strap is awesome! HOW SWEET!
How sweet of you to make that strap for Caitlin, what a great friend you are.
I think I saw you sporting your own strap at Foodbuzz right?
Anyways, I like the bokeh pictures. What lens are you using on your canon to get that? Or is that just a camera setting? Please help! I would like to have pretty pictures like you.
Making a camera strap cover is such a good idea! Very nice gift too
.