Squee! It’s so great to hear that so many of you guys are going to be joining me on the memory jar project this year. It’s kind of a daunting to think about doing it every day for an entire year, but it’s not a huge time commitment, so as long as you can actually remember to do it everyday, then you’re golden… which is exactly why I’ve placed a few strategic Post-It notes around my place…
I never go to sleep without taking off my makeup, so putting a subtle reminder on my cleansing wipes means I’m not likely to miss it. I’ll also be randomly sharing some of my additions every now and then to try and keep myself on track, but enough about that for now – let’s talk about food. It is WIAW, after all…
I’ve been coming across a lot of diet related resolutions over the past couple of days. Cut back on sugar. Cut back on fat. Eat less. Drink more. Eat more veggies. And while none of those particularly appeal to me, there are some diet-related things I’d like to work on…
First, I want to push myself to eat different things. I tend to get caught up in routine and familiarity pretty easily, and life can become rather dull as a result – usually without me even noticing. To change that, I’ll be trying out new lunches…
Egg scramble (2 eggs, parm cheese, spinach, bell pepper, mushrooms) topped with avocado inside a wrap.
… dinners…
Buckwheat bowl with mixed veggies and chicken.
… and snacks…
Vanilla Greek yogurt with a cranberry muffin.
Plain Greek yogurt with a cantaloupe and granola.
No promises when it comes to breakfast, though… You guys know I’m kind of stuck on my cereal messes…
Second, I want to start putting more effort into photographing my food. I’m not going to lie – it can be a chore, and 85% of the time I end up being too lazy to do it… not really ideal when you [kind of] blog about food. Hopefully, eating some new (and exciting?) meals will inspire me to want to share. Fingers crossed.
Finally, I want to finish all those darned Christmas cookies so that I can test out my new stand mixer…
And with that, I’m off to start my day. I have the day off from work, but my apartment currently resembles a construction zone so I think it’s time to tackle all of the cleaning and errands that I’ve been putting off over the last little while. Ahhh who am I kidding? It’s time to go stalk some blogs 
Happy Wednesday, friends!
. – . – . – .
Are you currently working on any diet related goals?
How did you spend New Year’s Day? With family. Shopping the lingering sales followed by dinner and movie night at my parents’.
What’s the craziest thing you ever ate? I’m embarrassed to admit that I tend to play it pretty safe with food. Even sushi gives me the heebie jeebies…
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
I like your third goal best
But I think they’re all totally doable. I need to start mixing up my foods more too. Time to break the routine and learn to live on the edge!
Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted..Welcome to Beantown!
Those are some great diet-related goals! I tend to be one that finds something I like to eat & just keep eating it all the time. I need to be a bit more adventurous sometimes & I don’t blame you about the sushi & heebie jeebies… me too.
As for diet related goals, I’ve been trying to eat fairly clean, whole foods, staying off the sugar & eating low-carb. Kicked the wheat to the curb too… feeling a million times better for it too (I know, so many will say I’m nuts for not eating wheat – it’s evil to me though & to each his/her own… everyone is different).
Enjoy your day!!
Karey @ Nutty About Health recently posted..How to Avoid the Fad Diet
I’m the same way when it comes to finding something I like and sticking to it, but the only way to find new things you like is to try new things, right?
At least that’s what I keep telling myself…
Ooo that’s so me.. I need to eat different things lol I tend to get so stuck on certain foods/combinations.. I blame the gemini in me
Rachel recently posted..Happy 2013!
Aww but I can’t blame the gemini in me… I’m a capricorn!
I think you know what my food related goals are. <3
But I think yours are totally manageable, doable, and more than fun (esp. #3!). I think that it's going to make for a fabulous foodie year if you can hold yourself to them.
See I think you take amazing pictures, i am in awe at how you make all your food look so good. so freaking good. I know in regards to food stuff, I want to increase my variety. I too get into those ruts which end up meaning i don’t cook a lot, just nuke or roast. i want to do more cooking this year, i got my own place for a reason!
Alex @ therunwithin recently posted..Jam on Your Wednesday
Im doing a 30 day challenge of no sweets. I have done it before, but I like to challenge myself! I also just want to drink more water, I dont drink enough as it is! I just want to be healthy
Sara @ fitcupcaker recently posted..New Year’s Day 2013 : Healthy Apple Nachos
Now these are some diet goals I can get behind! Not surprised at all since they’re from you
The only diet related goal I have for 2013 is to listen to what I really want to eat rather than what I think I should be having and not allow myself to have salads for lunch every day…other than that, I want to keep experimenting with old and new foods and continue to keep making peace with food
Caitlin recently posted..Thrown For A Loop
I remember you mentioning you want waffles for dinner more often… That’s definitely something you ‘should’ do
Ahhhhh now I want those for dinner haha. The boy is making dinner for me tonight, which will be heavenly after working all day, but something tells me waffles for dinner is definitely happening on Sunday after he leaves…they will definitely make me feel a little better about life
Caitlin recently posted..Thrown For A Loop
waffles.
YES, I approve.
Hollie recently posted..Beat the Ball 5k (19:55)
Great goals! Good luck to you.
Definitely no diet goals for me, except to just continue to honor my cravings and eat what I want
Actually…I am going to try to expand my palate a little more like you are since I will be living at home and have access to such a beautiful kitchen with unlimited groceries. I love these resolutions way more than any of the other diet ones I’ve seen out there lady.
I’m not sure what the craziest thing I’ve ever eaten is…I’m the sort of person who seeks out the most unusual-sounding thing on the menu. I guess I’m pretty adventurous. :-p
I’m going to keep trying to gain muscle this year, so my eating habits are going to change a tad to reflect that. But no major diet overhauls!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted..WIAW #16: What I Ate on NYE.
I’m with you about varying up my meals. As much as I love what I eat, I can slowly feel myself getting bored so I want to switch it up before I start to dread them! Fortunately my love for my yogurt messes as breakfast is staying strong! Although I haven’t blogged about it yet, I am trying to stick to eating 3-4 times a day for health reasons (I have PCOS and apparently eating less frequent keeps hormone levels in check). Let’s see how it goes but I’ve found that increasing the size of my meals has definitely helped with not snacking!
Khushboo recently posted..Back on track
Oooo! That’s definitely something you’ll have to share more with us! I’ve been thinking about trying to eat bigger meals to see if I end up snacking less, so I’m curious to hear about how that works for you!
Very good goals and so doable! i love the one with the photos – happens to me too all the time
Well yes, I should maybe try to not want to include eggs in every meal. I could easily eat 8 a day, cause I want to include them in every meal. But I have to say, variety is fun. I just go stalking blogs and pick the most appealing recipes and try them out. I try not to live on a diet. But I have anxieties and therefore cut back on sugar and alcohol – too much of these tempt me to relapse.
Lucie recently posted..WIAW #4 – What I ate Wednesday
“I want to push myself to eat different things” – yeah, that… It’s one of my diet goals that I’m working on. And I must boast… I’m making progress, just like I wanted to. I’;m trying to eat not only pasta or crepes for dinner and also eat more fishes.
The craziest thing I’ve ever eaten? I don’t know… Really… Sometimes I eat pickles with ketchup and mustard
Hmm… Chocolate beans cake, too. It was suprisingly delicious.
whiness recently posted..171. Wednesday / słoik dobrych wspomnień
Love this! I definitely get stuck in a rut with my meals sometimes. It’s totally doable to make change. I need to work on the food photography too. It’s definitely a weakness of mine!
Danielle @ Clean Food Creative Fitness recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday
You know where I am if you need any help finishing those cookies…haha. I spent New Years Day sleeping in, getting breakfast with the boyfriend, and cleaning my disaster of an apartment. Popping bottles of champagne everywhere is a decision I now regret haha
Meghan @ After the Ivy League recently posted..Happy New Year! 2013
Craziest thing I ever ate = escargot many years ago. Tasted like mushrooms. Didn’t hate it, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat escargot these days, haha.
I tip my hat to you, miss. You’re far, far braver than I am.
My only diet related goals are to try out as many new recipes as I can and to hopefully stop counting calories forever! But I also like your first goal–I definitely get stuck in food ruts sometimes, especially when it comes to breakfast. I just can’t deny the deliciousness of a homemade buckwheat waffle
So maybe I won’t be changing up my breakfasts too much either…
The weirdest thing I ate recently was some roasted kabocha squash dipped in salsa and guac. It was surprisingly really good!
Ashley @ AlmostVegGirlie recently posted..WIAW: Ringing in the New Year
You can always send some of those cookies my way. Ill take them off your hands no problem
Im with you on wanting to try new foods. I like being in my little box, but sometimes I really feel like I am missing out on all teh tastes of the world! Id love to try different cuisines and such!
Kat recently posted..Boxer Error
My diet goals are just about getting back to good old solid healthy eating – a bit of a ‘detox’ depending on how you interpret it, but its just more about listening to my body without being restrictive. I would love to try and be a bit more creative with my lunches and dinners as well!
I’m loving your goals! I definitely need to start mixing it up more, instead of relying on the same foods over and over. And definitely need to work on my photography, since I just got a new camera SO excited for that!
Lisa recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday
I would definitely like to branch out more too. It’s a great goal
Elizabeth@myneonrunningshoes recently posted..I am floored
Loving your lunch! I have been eating my body weight in soups for lunch recently. I think I need your buckwheat bowl in my life!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted..{WIAW} Back on the straight and narrow
I am the same way. I constantly forget to take off my makeup before bed and it always ends up halfway down my face. I can’t believe you think your food photography is terrible (?), it looks awesome to me. LOL. I find myself in two week breakfast ruts personally…right now all I want for breakfast or eggs…later I’ll probably want pancakes…maybe even french toast will make the rotation.
Hollie recently posted..Beat the Ball 5k (19:55)
Nooo, not terrible. I just need to put more effort into actually taking pictures. I’ve gotten so lazy that I barely take any pictures anymore.
I so easily get caught up in easy (and delicious) meals that I do day in and day out. I love that you’re trying to switch things up (except for your breakfast…no need to go crazy and change EVERYTHING
). I’m definitely going to follow suit!
Olivia @ Life As Liv recently posted..Adios, 2012.
Glad you had a relaxing and fun New Years – I too spent it relaxing with the family and over the weekend I saw the movie Les Mis – it was fabulous – definitely recommend it when you have time!
As for my diet for the New Year – I too tend to get into food ruts especially when I’m pressed for time so for the new Year I would like to try at least one new recipe a week.
We seem to have similar diet resolutions. I want to work on changing up my meals, too. Especially after the past days at home with such a lot of good food I wouldn’t have prepared for myself only. I’m fed up with my boring thrown-together lunches or even forgoing them in place of many smaller snacks. Hmmm, your buckwheat bowl seems like a great idea … And is there a recipe for that cranberry muffin?
Keeping my fingers crossed for you to finish goal # 3 quickly – hey, why not ask the boy for some help
– because I bet you’re itching to finally use your mixer.
Miss Polkadot recently posted..Happy New Year and setting [realistic] goals
No recipe for the muffin
It’s just a store bought one that’s been sitting in my freezer for a while, taunting me to clean it out. And the boy has been helping 
I think I just went a little overboard with the Christmas baking this year…
Eh, no diet goals here. My 2013 resolution is to try my best, just like every year.
Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted..P&G eStore
I really like these goals! And they sound like they’d pretty addictive (in a good way) too — like you’ll crave trying new things and also get hooked on photography and the editing part of it (which is my favorite!).
My only diet goal is to stop adhering to a “food schedule.” I want to be able to feel more comfortable about eating when I feel like it, instead of eating because “it’s time to eat,” according to some mystical logic
It’s the routine-lover in me AND the ghost of ED past!
Weirdest thing I ate: strawberries and homemade pasta… actually, it’s apparently a Polish thing? Kluski z truskawkami? Heavy cream, strawberries, and thin, rectangular homemade pasta (it has to be homemade though, because otherwise, it has that…. overwhelming noodle taste that doesn’t work!). It’s oddly a very good and filling dish, but yes, one I’ve feared for a few years now because of my ED!
I’ve never had that dish, but when I was growing up I really, really loved ryz z cynamonem. Gah! I should make some again and see if I still like it as much as I used to…
Hmm, I’ve had that before! It was pretty thick and definitely more of a sweet side dish or could even work as a breakfast
I bet you would like it because of the cinnamon! I think it’s also one of those cross-cultural dishes because I’m *sure* I’ve seen it on menus in Indian and Mexican restaurants…
I seriously always look forward to your WIAW posts because all your food pictures are so pretty! I love your memory jar idea…any advice on keeping up with it throughout the year? Sometimes I’m too lazy to get my fancy camera to photograph my food, too. That’s when I begin to rely on Instagram…thank you iPhone
Megan @ runningonjava recently posted..Back on the blogging train?
Aww, thanks hun
For the memory jar, for now I’m relying on Post-Its to remind me, but I’m hoping it becomes habit after a while. Also, I think that putting the jar somewhere visible might help.
Your eats look awesome, especially that egg scramble. I think the jar of memories will be really quick and easy, but you’re right, the hard part is remembering. I like your post-it idea!
kim@hungryhealthygirl recently posted..The First WIAW of 2013!
I love all your goals
I’m adopting one and three 
andrea recently posted..School begins.
I play it safe with my food too! I’m not doing any crazy diet stuff other than keeping foods I’m allergic to out of my diet. I’m still trying to tame the ol’ tummy.
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..WIAW # 31 Mending and Gearing up for the New Year
I am pretty certain that photographing one’s food can turn into a full-time job. Another full-time job: deleting all of the old photos from your phone/computer/e-mail. Talk about a chore!
P.s. good job on the post-it reminders! Very clever!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl recently posted..WIAW: January 2, 2013
Your memory jar is such a cute idea!!! Also, this post reminded me that I’ve STILL never tried buckwheat! It looks so good though!
Liz @ iheartvegetables recently posted..First Eats of the New Year
i like the resolutions! it seems like they’re food resolutions about adding to, instead of taking away.
i’m with you on the photography. i think i write a blog that contains so much food because i love learning to play with my camera, and food is always there getting enjoyed…
happy new year! i just found it, but i am loving your blog.
kristen @ verbs and vignettes recently posted..what i ate wednesday | december assortment
Thank you, Kristen! Happy New Year to you as well
I hear you on the food photography. It’s a pain, but it makes a huge difference in the quality of overall content. That said, I think you’re doing a great job!
caren @ voodies recently posted..{WIAW} Game On!
Ooh, now I want a wrap! I think I may have to take some wraps out and use those for my lunches! I don’t know if this is the craziest thing I’ve ever ate, but one time I ate calamari. And it was like little miniature squids, so you could fit a whole one in your mouth at once. Strange, and I probably wouldn’t eat them again because I’m not sure if fishing calamari is sustainable, but they did taste good!
Dear Amanda,
Please fly to Kuwait like NOW & cook me all those delicious meals. Don’t forget your new mixer so you can bake me lots of cookies to eat too =)
With lots of love,
Jessie
xoxox
Jessie recently posted..Thankful Thursday : New Recipe
i’m not going to lie – i can’t wait to see what you come up with for trying new combinations. i find a lot if inspiration from you concoctions (ahem, pudding and nut butter!) so i hope your new eats inspire me! i’m sure they will!!
Sara @my less serious life recently posted..Christmas Cookie recap
BEST “diet resolutions” EVER! Variety is something I struggle with too – I mean, what can I say, I like what I eat? – and I admit to getting kind of uncomfortable with eating different things. BUT I know variety is important and hey, I might just find a new food obsession right? that buckwheat bowl looks delicious, and muffins + greek yogurt = killer combo. I can’t wait to see what you come up with (and hopefully be inspired myself!)
AHH I’m doing a memory/giving thanks jar this year too!!! I cannot wait to review it at the end of the year, I think it’ll be so much fun to reflect!
I especially love #3…I mean who can go wrong with copious amounts of cookies?! heehee 
Your goals are freakin awesome girl, I love them. Their totally realistic and NOT psycho/obsessive/restrictive–instead they focus on balance, happiness, and COOKIES!!!!
Alexandra recently posted..New Year, Old Fears
Ooo is the buckwheat bowl made with roasted buckwheat (kasha) or raw buckwheat groats? I love and eat both, but have never tried cooking the raw buckwheat groats. I think your diet resolutions are simple, straightforward and doable! My only diet resolution is to learn how to slow it down and spend more than 5 minutes eating a meal. I tend to inhale my food even when I have plenty of time to eat, and it’s a habit I want to break this year. While life shouldn’t revolve around food, I think it is important to spend time enjoying your meals and savoring every bite because delicious food is definitely a source of joy in life
Irina @ Chocolatea Time recently posted..2013! 2013!! 2013!!!
I made it with kasha
I’ve used raw buckwheat groats before, and while they have a nice texture, they don’t really have much of a taste unless you cook them in a broth or with some spices.
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