A Fast Foodfest (y02w18)

I’m flying by the seat of my pants this week. I’m not going to get into why because I’m really trying not to focus on the drama or let negativity bias dominate my time and energy.

I’m going to do what I can when I can, and it is enough.

Now, with that out of the way, let me share some fun stuff!

Two weeks ago, I hosted a dinner party, and I really wanted to share the menu because I’m proud of it.

• Cocktail:  The Hugo Spritz
• Appetizer:  Whipped Ricotta Dip with Honey
• Salad: Romaine & Butter Lettuce with White Balsamic and Shaved Parmesan (paired with a Lambrusco)
• Main: Grilled Swordfish Salmoriglio with Pearl Couscous, Lemon, Mint, Peas, & Feta (paired with a Verdejo and a Vermentino)
• Dessert: Almond Cake served with Berries and Vanilla Whipped Cream (paired with a Vinsanto)

We have a book that lists 50 wines you have to try, with food-pairing ideas. I used that as my starting point and then scoured America’s Test Kitchen for inspiration. It took me days to settle on a menu I was happy with, and the entire dinner came out perfectly!

Here are some random shots we all took throughout the evening.

I really enjoy the entire process of planning a dinner party. It’s a lot of work, but always worth it when you have good friends to relax and spend the evening with.

I don’t have time to link everything, but if you want any of these recipes, I can share the ones I used for inspiration.

Okay, I need to assess my goals this week. I’m feeling really scatterbrained, and this will help me refocus.

2026 Goal Tracking

Cooking/Food

#SaladTime

Goal: Once a Week ❌ On Hold Retiring
Revised Goal: 5 Big Salads a Week ✅

Killing it!

I forgot to snap a photo of one, and I can’t even remember what it was now. The rest were: Steak and Sweet Potatoes over Kale (top left), Ham, Goat Cheese and Pistachios over Mixed Greens (top right), Chicken, Goat Cheese and Sourdough Croutons (bottom left), and Pasta and Sausage over Arugula (bottom right). Yes, I turned pasta night into a salad and it was delicious!

Weekly Soup/Stew/Prep

Goal: Once a Week ❌

Not this week, BUT I made stock AND I have all the ingredients to make my roasted red pepper and sun-dried tomato soup. I’m hoping to record a little video this weekend when I make it so I can share the recipe!

Sourdough

Goal: Once a Week ✅

Yes! I made a loaf since my last post, and I’m super proud of it.

I made my first ever loaf of sourdough without measuring a single thing, and it came out pretty darn good!

I may have underfermented it a little, but I was really happy with it.

I don’t think I’ve shared this, but sourdough is now my go-to pre-workout breakfast. I have a slice every morning topped with protein peanut butter and sliced banana.

The protein peanut butter is just powdered peanut butter and chocolate protein powder mixed together with a little milk to make it thick and spreadable.

Homemade Pasta

Goal: Once a Month

• January 1/9 ✅
• February 2/15 ✅
• March 3/1 ✅
• April 4/18 ✅

Already hit this goal this month, so my sights are on May!

Evan in the Kitchen

Goal: Once a Week ❌ Retired

I have an update!

I’ve been including him in kitchen tasks a few nights a week when the family is eating together. I’ll say, “Hey Ev, can you crack these eggs?” or “Ev, can you please stir the sauce?”

He’s helping without me making it all about him cooking the entire meal. It may be small, but it’s something — and he always contributes when he’s hanging out. So I’ll take it!

Fitness/Weightlifting

Olympic Lifting Training

I started a new three-week session and I am sore as hell right now! It’s all good stuff though… chin-ups, snatch pulls, front squats. I am really enjoying it and I’m feeling strong.

I feel like I’m in the minutiae right now. I’m enjoying what I’m doing, but it’s pretty boring stuff that will hopefully pay off when I start training for another weightlifting event.

Handstands/Pull Ups/Jump Rope

With the addition of chin-ups in my programming, I’ll be posting updates weekly. Right now I’m scaling them, but I’m excited to see how I progress by focusing on them now.

Tomorrow is jump rope day and I may try to do some handstand holds. I’ve been slacking in that department.

Daily Walks

Still killing it. This goal is so ingrained I may need to remove it from my journal. The Husband and I walk every night unless something prevents us, like a storm. It’s a nice, easy way for us to catch up with each other at the end of the day.

Hikes

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/3, 1/15, 1/23 ✅
  • February ❌
  • March 3/21, 3/28 ✅
  • April 4/3, 4/12 ✅

I didn’t get back out there. This past weekend just got away from me.

Hot Yoga

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/4, 1/11, 1/18  ✅ 
  • February 2/1 ❌
  • March 3/1, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29 ✅ 
  • April 4/12, 4/18, 4/25 ✅ 

I switched my yoga day to Saturday since I reduced my lifting by a day, and it’s been a great decision!

Pickleball

Same as last week… We got our asses KICKED again! Still had a blast though.

Creative/Other Pursuits

Music

I’ve been slacking. The days are just getting away from me. I’m committing to playing at least 10 minutes before bed tonight! I don’t like to let more than 2 days go by without touching the guitar.

Painting

YES! I was inspired by the illustration I posted last week and painted this:

Acting Class/Drum Lessons

Update!! I reached out to a local acting class and I will be scheduling a session in the next few weeks!

Spanish

Keeping up with Duolingo… and starting this program!

Alcohol Reduction

• Goal: No more than two days of drinking a month.
  • January 1/1, 1/31 ✅
  • February 2/1, 2/21 ✅
  • March 3/21 ✅
  • April 4/1, 4/2, 4/18 ❌

I failed but… did I?

Looking Ahead

I’m still in day-by-day mode. Work is really monopolizing my time and energy at the moment, but there is an end in sight. I have a lot of open projects, but with classes ending in the next few weeks I’ll be able to manage my time a little better.

Other than that, I can’t believe tomorrow is May. Like… what in the hell happened to April?