Are you setting New Years’ resolutions this year?

Last year Franklin Covey time management experts surveyed 15,000 people about their New Years resolutions and found that only 23% of resolutions were kept. Moreover, many were broken before the first month of the new year ended. That translates into roughly only 1 in 4 resolutions succeeding. Any regular user of athletic facilities knows that January’s crowded machines and weight rooms will look like ghost towns by February 1.

40% of those who responded to the Franklin Covey survey chalked their unfulfilled resolutions up to having made too many to keep. One might reasonably surmise that resolution makers who over do their make-over goals feel so overwhelmed they drop them all.

A good solution to this problem may be to make just one or two resolutions, or to “bundle” the achievement of several objectives into one activity.

For example, people often receive the gift of an athletic club membership for Christmas, because one of several resolutions is to become more physically fit. Then, when their post-holiday real-world life becomes hectic, they start tossing resolutions off, like a pilot dumping the fuel of a downward spiraling plane. Suppose instead a person sets just a few related resolutions, like:

1.     Improve physical health;

2.     Become more physically fit;

3.     Improve mental clarity; and

4.     Lose weight in order to look and feel more attractive.

That person could “bundle” all four of those resolutions into one and achieve those results by keeping that one resolution: work out at a fitness facility for 45 minutes per day on the same 3 days each week.  Keeping just that one resolution would actually help achieve all of the 4 listed above.

Not so many years ago I had a few problems. I had a time problem, I had a budget problem, and I had a minor weight problem. I didn’t solve my problems by setting New Year's resolutions, but I could have done so by setting just one. I did solve the problems without realizing at the time that one action I was taking had the residual effect of solving multiple problems.

My time problem revolved around the need to shuttle my kids to very time consuming recreational activities, and helping to oversee the rigorous tasks and assignments that came with their accelerated academic programs. I worked and had the responsibility of feeding them, too.

In the budget area more money seemed to be flowing out than was coming in.

In the weight area I was eating lots of “comfort” foods, all high in saturated fats and low in nutrition in order to salve my stress and fit our hectic lives. I needed fast food to keep to our schedule, but the foods I was eating and feeding to my family were bad for our health.

Because time and money were tight I sat down and developed the menu plans and recipes that ultimately evolved into the Easy Weekly Meals eCookbook Series. Of course, this didn’t happen over night! I spent years developing quick and easy recipes that tasted good to my family and also delivered the nutrients we needed to build good health. Not all of the recipes were hits, and those that couldn’t be fixed by the third tweaking were discarded. By following the menu plans, and by recording them for future use, I saved time, money, and lost weight.

I saved time because I made the recipes quick and easy.  Dishes that are simple to make can have complex and really tasty flavors when interesting ingredients and spices are used. Another time-saving trick was using all of my leftovers in subsequent meals. Since the meat was already cooked, the prep time was short. And pairing it with different ingredients, side dishes, and spices from another cuisine turned it into a totally different meal.

I cut my food expenditures significantly by avoiding expensive carry out/drive thru or restaurant food, and cooking at home. By planning my weekly meals in advance, I only bought the food I needed at the grocery store, and then used all of that food throughout the week.

My weight came off because our meals were balanced and healthy. And another side benefit came in the form of the time my family spent together eating and preparing our quick meals. Over the years my collection of easy meal plans grew. As I researched and learned more about healthy diet, I amended recipes to contain less fat, less gluten, and fewer additives. And for even healthier meals, I compiled a list of healthy substitutions to our easy recipes. That list now appears on our Healthy Substitutions Page.

Over the last two years as Nanette and I assembled Easy Weekly Meals for College Students, tested the book on real college students and others, and then began to do cooking demos on college campuses and to sell the book, we found that we were able to help college kids achieve multiple objectives just by using our book! They reported having more time on their hands and more money in their wallets by using our meal plans. In essence, the books have helped users to simultaneously accomplish several goals, such as eating healthier food, losing weight, and reducing food expenses—just as they had done for me when my children were younger. And at only $5.99 and $7.99, the books often pay for themselves in the first week of use.

Did you resolve to lose weight in the new year? To eat a healthier diet? Do you want to focus on finances? Get more organized with your saving and spending? Or spend more quality time with your kids?

Set just one resolution this New Years Day. Resolve to use Easy Weekly Meals for College Students or Easy Weekly Meals for Moms on the Go this year and watch your other goals fall in line.

Have a happy and healthy New Year the Easy way.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Remember the Marshmallow Snowmen I made for the 4th Day of Christmas?

 






















And the Cupcake Games on Thanksgiving Day? 

I’ve got a few leftover ingredients from those creations.

Even down here in the heart of Dixie my Windy City gene pool is chilled to the bone today, so I’m making hot cocoa and flavoring it with marshmallows from the snowmen, and some chocolate, peppermints and butterscotch candies left over from the Cupcake Games. I’ve coated the marshmallows with the melted chocolate and rolled a few in crushed up peppermints.

And others in crushed up butterscotch. They make delicious additions to holiday hot cocoa, especially on cold winter days. 
At Easy Weekly Meals we like to use all of our ingredients, whether sweet or savory. It saves money, time, and makes eating Easy!
Like what you see? Please take a minute to "Like" our Facebook Page so we can keep you up to date on our latest creations and smart cooking ideas. 

Stay warm today, and eat well the Easy way!

Our Happy Hanukahs and Merry Christmases are behind us. With family in town, or kids home for school breaks, many of us are still in holiday mode. Our scrumptious Christmas meals fill our fridges with leftovers that make quick meals to free our days for enjoying the company of loved ones. Still, we can only bear to eat the same dishes a certain number of times.

I like to tweak my leftovers by thinking outside of the box a little bit. I try to pair leftover food with a variety of cuisines that call for different spices or additional ingredients. That way my leftover food can help salve any budget bruises incurred by holiday purchases, but I can feel like I’m eating a new dish every day.

I have turned my Christmas ribeye roast into a beef and mushroom risotto, hot French dip sandwiches, shepherds’ pie, and various stews, stir fries, pasta dishes, stroganoffs–the more I let my imagination roam, the more new ideas occur to me.

Leftover Christmas turkey and ham have made similar transformations in my kitchen.

Of course, even when dishes morph from one form to another, my family and I can still benefit from a little break. On such days I try to keep the holiday spirit alive by using holiday-colored ingredients like green and red wraps for quesadillas or lunch meat rolls.

I have so much fun coming up with new ideas I’ve filled 2 cookbooks with several whole weeks of menu plans, each using leftovers in creative and tasty ways. I find I’ve saved loads of money on groceries over the years and kept the culinary interest of my family, and myself too!

Let your mind wander through all of your favorite cuisines in the post-holiday season. See what inventions pop into your mind, and take a minute to share them with us!

Too short on time or interest to think in that direction, but still want to use holiday leftovers in fun new ways? Check out our cookbook series, and let our books do all of the work for you!

We’re having a feast for Christmas dinner: Horseradish and Herb Encrusted Ribeye Roast, Lobster Tails smothered in Butter, Home-made Caesar Salad the old-fashioned way, Real Chinese Fried Rice, Apple Pie and Triple Chocolate Cake. Most of these dishes are surprisingly easy to make or acquire, and each of them has evolved from trial and error into a family tradition.

On Christmas Day Mom deserves time to celebrate, too. So preparation time for our dinner is one hour or less if I do it myself, and about 20 minutes if I delegate—which I do! My husband makes a mean Caesar, my kids can drive to pick up the fried rice, lobster tail is a cinch to make, and I handle the Ribeye Roast. Our desserts were purchased yesterday at Costco. I could never hope to surpass or even replicate their baked goods.

With dinner in the bag, Moms must still attend to the other two meals on Christmas Day. I handle them differently each year, but always keep them quick and easy. Some years we graze on antipasti while opening gifts and waiting for the big meal. Other years we enjoy a brunch of scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit salad, and bagels with cream cheese. One year we got fancy and twisted the red bacon into bows to place atop the eggs. It looked pretty and started the day with a festive spirit.

For another Christmas lunch one year we ate the Christmas Quesadillas pictured above from the Easy Weekly Meals for College Students and Moms on the Go books. They bore Christmas colors and flavors, and satisfied us all until dinnertime.

Whatever you do this year, make it easy! Enjoy your time with your family, and remember that easy food can also be delicious!

Merry Christmas!

Have you ever experienced that dreadful feeling when a person who you didn't put on your Christmas list hands you a gift? You smile back at them, and thank them, trying to act nonchalant although your scarlet-colored cheeks give away your embarrassment.

If that has happened to you, here are a couple of last-minute Christmas gift ideas to help you reciprocate with all of your family and friends in the holiday gift-giving process.

Most years I make a family Christmas treat, and be sure to make a double batch so I've got some to share as gifts for unexpected additions to my list. This year I made my own honey-dijon-garlic pretzels. My family loves their rich taste. They add a little holiday decadence to palates saturated with peppermint and chocolate.

I found the Christmas stocking tins featured above on sale at the grocery store for $1.50 each. 

And then loaded them up with my pretzels to make a festive treat. I didn't even have to stick a bow on the tins because the tops were so cute.

Of course, another last minute gift idea is giving an ebook. Ecommerce sites are open 24/7/365 (366 in leap years!) Ebooks can be delivered immediately to anyone with an email address. I usually default to Amazon when buying ebooks because I know their free Kindle apps are downloadable to all smartphones, tablets and computers. But there are free Nook apps available too if you know your recipient is a Barnes and Noble enthusiast. Apple product users can always buy books directly from the iStore, but excellent free Kindle and Nook apps are available there, too. 

If you decide to buy an ebook, be sure to consider one of our Easy Weekly Meals cookbooks. They make quick and delicious meal preparation fun all year, while going easy on the food budget. 

Have a wonderful Christmas, and give great gifts the Easy way.



Before you leave, be sure to check out our 12 Days of Christmas Food photo gallery for more great holiday food ideas!

Do your rosy cheeks come from frosty air? Or a blood pressure surge after viewing the mounting charges on your credit account in the wake of holiday purchases? Either way, we all occasionally feel the need for a little pick me up this time of year.

After hustling and bustling through local malls checking off items on my holiday “to-do” list I'm always ready for a snack. As schools close for winter breaks, and play schedules activate, busy moms may have several onslaughts of hungry visitors to the kitchen throughout each day of winter break.

The Peanut Butter and Cheese Toast Mittens pictured here make a quick and easy snack or protein-packed lunch during busy times.  They make a pretty plate, too and leave you with lots of time for holiday fun with family and friends.

Would you like a few more ideas for holiday snacks? Check out our 12 Days of Christmas Food Pictures and Blog posts. And stayed tuned for more holiday food posts from Easy Weekly Meals.

If you like what you see, please take 1 minute to give our Facebook Page a "Like." That way, we can keep you posted on new and creative ideas and information to make eating good food easy.

And don't forget, our cookbooks make great and inexpensive stocking stuffers, and can be sent to anyone with an email address too!

Enjoy this holiday season, and eat well the Easy way!

Strawberry Santas on the 12th Day of Christmas

 

“You better watch out;

You better not cry;

Better not pout;

I’m telling you why:

Santa Claus is comin’ to town.”


-“Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie

 
On Sunday I saw a long line at the mall. It was filled with parents, strollers, and toddlers all gussied up and waiting in line to meet the jolly old elf, St. Nick. Too-tired toddlers rubbed their eyes while parents tried to keep their minds off of the wait. A few shrieks were heard as the occasional child balked at the idea of sitting on the lap of a corpulent, over-weight strange man all covered in white hair and red velvet. As parents, I guess we should see that one coming, but I remember anxiously waiting in such lines with my toddlers excited to have our turn with the big guy. I wonder if Santa could benefit from a 21st century makeover?

In any case, Santa is definitely the man in December. The legend of Santa Claus combines centuries of traditions from pagan, old Catholic, Christian, Dutch, Scandinavian, German and English folklore. Gift-giving good guys entered homes through chimneys in many pre-Christian cultures. The old Norse Odin brought gifts this way during the winter solstice, and Italian witch, Befana, made similar visits.

The Dutch Christian Sinterklass seems to be based upon bearded 4th century Greek Bishop, Nicholas of Myra, who was known for generosity to the poor. Today, St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Amsterdam. Our Santa Claus is believed to have evolved from Sinterklass.

In more modern times Santa usually appears as a happy, stout man dressed in a red flannel suit trimmed in white fur. His long white hair and beard stream down from beneath a stocking-type cap.

The most common American tradition has Santa stationed in his workshop headquarters located at the North Pole. He drives a flying sleigh, loaded with toys for good girls and boys, and powered by 9 flying reindeer—the original 8 from Moore’s poem and 20th century addition, Rudolph. Santa and his elves keep tabs on the world’s children throughout the year, noting their behavior on a long list or in a book. Within the decade I expect to see him using an electronic tablet for the purpose. In any case, Santa and his reindeer make it ’round the world and into our homes while we sleep on Christmas Eve. Deserving children wake up on Christmas morning to find the treasures he’s left for them beneath the tree and in their stockings.

Santa-inspired movies, books, television shows, cartoons, and clothing are everywhere in December. Even in our food. For the 12th Day of Christmas food I’ve made Strawberry and Cantaloupe Santas, which can serve as holiday snacks, appetizers, or desserts. They are as tasty as they are cute. As always, they are easy to make. And anything “Easy” is perfect for me.

Feel free to use this picture as a reference to make your own Strawberry and Cantaloupe Santas. Or take a moment to peruse our 2012 12 Days of Christmas photo series for other ideas, as we roll out a new holiday food picture each day. And check out our smart cookbooks for people on the go. Priced below $8.00 they make wonderful virtual stocking stuffers and gifts for people who love delicious food that’s quick and easy to make. Remember, ebooks can be sent to anyone with an email address!

Like what you see? Please take a moment to "Like" our Facebook page so you can stay up to date on all of our latest creations and smart cooking ideas.

Eat well, and have a happy and healthy holiday season!

 

“Rockin’ around the Christmas tree at the Christmas Party hop.

Mistletoe hung where you can see, every couple tries to stop.

Rockin’ around the Christmas tree let the Christmas spirit ring.

Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie, and we’ll do some caroling.”

-“Rocking’ Around the Christmas Tree,” by Johnny Marks

 

Why do we cut down trees and bring them inside at Christmas time?

A long time ago in a land far away…the custom existed in ancient times when many cultures placed evergreen branches over the entrances and windows of their homes believing the greenery would ward off evil spirits.

Ancient Egyptians decorated their homes with palm branches at the winter solstice in support of their sun god, Ra, whose powers waned at that time of year. The green foliage encouraged a return of his vigor. In early Rome the feast of Saturnalia honored their god of agriculture. Romans decorated their homes and temples with evergreen boughs for the occasion.

Meanwhile the Celtic Druid priests symbolized everlasting life with evergreen ornamentation, and Nordic Vikings paid homage to their sun god, Balder, similarly.

So, I guess it’s not surprising that whole evergreen trees came into decorative use during this time of year for the Christian Christmas holidays in Northern Germany and Livonia during the European cultural rebirth and reawakening of the Renaissance. Decorated trees were found in guildhalls there as early as the mid-15th century. Trees began to appear in the homes of wealthy German Protestants in the 17th century, and their use became widespread in the 18th century.

The American Christmas tree tradition seems to have roots in cities with large German populations. Windsor Locks, Connecticut, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Easton, Pennsylvania each contend they had the first American Christmas tree.

Wherever the Christmas tree custom started, American Christians continue the use today, using all kinds of ornamentation. My parents married just before my Dad reported for active duty in World War II. I have many photos of some of their early trees bearing homemade paper ornaments and strings of popcorn and cranberries. By the time I came along loads of silver-colored, aluminum tinsel strips hung from the branches of our live trees, along with a number of multicolored glass balls. Some of them bore Christmas icons in their middles. These two have survived and hang on my tree each year.

One of my proudest childhood moments came the year I was put in charge of hanging the tinsel on the trees. I happily completed my task, puffed up with pride, not realizing it had fallen to me by default. The older kids had moved on to other interests. The 1960’s brought a silver aluminum tree to our house. It was spot lit with an indoor flood light, and green fabric balls hung from its branches. That marked the end of the tinsel era in our family, and my parents move to artificial trees. I love them all, real or artificial.

So,his year I made Christmas Tree Quesadillas, using spinach wraps, loads of cheese, and sun dried tomato ornaments for the 11th Day of Christmas. They are delicious! As always, they are uber easy to make. And anything “Easy” is perfect for me.

Feel free to use this picture as a reference to make your own Christmas Tree Quesadillas. Or take a moment to peruse our 2012 12 Days of Christmas photo series for other ideas, as we roll out a new holiday food picture each day. And check out our smart cookbooks for people on the go. Priced below $8.00 they make wonderful virtual stocking stuffers and gifts for people who love delicious food that’s quick and easy to make. Remember, ebooks can be sent to anyone with an email address!

Stop in tomorrow to see what we’re doing on the 12th Day of Christmas.

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens;

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens;

Brown paper packages tied up with string;

These are a few of my favorite things.”

-“My Favorite Things,” by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers



Presents are among my favorite things, both giving and receiving them. That’s why I made a cheese tray to look like Christmas presents. Some are tied up in chive strings, others are topped with sundried tomato bows. Both garnishes add flavor to the cheese and drama to the plate. And, as always, they are uber easy to make. And anything “Easy” is perfect for me.

Feel free to use this picture as a reference to make your own Chive and Sundried Tomato Cheese Tray. Or take a moment to peruse our 2012 12 Days of Christmas photo series for other ideas, as we roll out a new holiday food picture each day. And check out our smart cookbooks for people on the go. Priced below $8.00 they make wonderful virtual stocking stuffers and gifts for people who love delicious food that’s quick and easy to make. Remember, ebooks can be sent to anyone with an email address!

Like what you see? Please take a moment to "Like" our Facebook page so you can stay up to date on all of our latest creations and smart cooking ideas.

Stop in tomorrow to see what we’re doing on the 11th Day of Christmas.

 




“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Had a very shiny nose,

And if you ever saw it,

You would even say it glows.”

-“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” by Robert L. May

Did you know that “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was actually the corporate brainchild of the now defunct Montgomery Ward catalogue and retail store chain? I actually worked for “Monkey” Wards all through high school at their Randhurst Shopping Center location to save money for college, and I didn’t know that!

The retail giant secured the services of Robert L. May in 1939 to create their own book to give away to children at Christmas. The book, written in poem form, was published by Maxton Books. The Wards chain distributed 2.5 million copies of the book in just the first year of its publication.

Max Fleischer produced a cartoon version of the Rudolph story in 1944.

The Rudolph story was adapted into a song by Johnny Marks, and singing cowboy Gene Autry’s recording of it became a #1 hit in Christmas week, 1949, selling 2.5 million that year alone. In 1948 the song was added to Fleischer’s Rudolph cartoon.

My two-tiered Rudolph Cupcake featured above has a nose made out of a mini chocolate cupcake, covered with chocolate frosting, and adorned with bits of red twizzlers. The red licorice bits don’t glow, but the red color shines through and the kids love them. They taste great and are easy to make and decorate. And anything “Easy” works well for me.

Feel free to use this picture as a reference to make your own Rudolph Cupcakes. Or take a moment to peruse our 2012 12 Days of Christmas photo series for other ideas, as we roll out a new holiday food picture each day. And check out our smart cookbooks for people on the go. Priced below $8.00 they make wonderful virtual stocking stuffers and gifts for people who love delicious food that’s quick and easy to make. Remember, ebooks can be sent to anyone with an email address!

If you like what you see take a moment to "Like" our Facebook page so you can stay up to date on all of our latest creations and smart cooking ideas.

Stop in tomorrow to see what we’re doing on the 10th Day of Christmas.