Tag Archives: new years resolutions

A taste of France: easy creme brulee

Happy New Year, one and all. I hope this post finds you well and working towards your goals for this new year. One of my goals for this year is to create more unique recipes for my (and your) enjoyment. Approaching 10 years ago, I went to France. It was there that I tried various different dishes from exotic cheese, nutella crepes, duck, escargot, and orangina soda. One of my favorite dishes I discovered there was creme brulee. In recent months, I decided to get around to creating this delicate French dessert.

For this recipe you will need the following: 4 ramekins, 4 egg yolks, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/4 cup of sugar for the caramelized topping.

First step heat the cups of of heavy cream in a small pot on medium heat until it is hot but not boiling.

No bubbles, no troubles

Next, whisk your egg yolks and mix with your sugar and vanilla

This is the desired consistency

Your next step will be to add the egg mixture to your heated cream while being careful to stir it at a steady pace. Once all the mixture is together, pour it all evenly into your ramekins about 3/4 of the way to the top. Afterward, fill your baking container with hot water until it covers 3/4 of the ramekins from the outside.

Pardon the mess, delicious recipe in progress

Next, in an oven set to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, place the baking dish into the oven for 45 minutes or until the substance is set with some jiggle to it.

Nice and spongy looking

Once the custard has reached room temperature. Refrigerate for about 2 hours. Once chilled, remove the custard from the fridge and apply an even layer of sugar to all the ramekins on top of the custard. Once coated with the sugar, torch the tops of the custard with a butane torch/cooking torch until the sugar has been rendered carmalized

It looked a little cold so I had the turn the heat up

Once caramelized, it is ready to serve. Amy leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days maximum. And there you have it, a lovely french dessert you can enjoy anytime! Until the next time, dear readers, excelsior!

The finished product

Realistically SMART goals

Going into the new year, I have quite a few goals to accomplish. This is normally the time when we would all set a New years resolution. We can set goals, but when we lack directon and consistency, we end up short. This issue is best tackled by SMART goals.

A SMART goal is one that is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timley. Defining these parameters as they pertain to your goal helps ensure that your objectives are attainable within a certain time frame. An example of this would be: losing 20 pounds by the end of the year. To track progress, someone might do morning or weekly weigh-ins to gauge progression. Additionally, changes to ones diet and exercise regimine will aid in the process. As time goes on, one will be able to see how progress is going along to see if progress is being made in a timely fashion. If things are not being done in time, there are metrics that might need to be updated, like eating even more differently and lifting more weight and longer, more intense cardio sessions. These metrics will change as time and circumstances change.

No matter what your goal is, in order to obtain it, there must be purpose and direction as we as a way to monitor progress. A SMART goal is a specific way to measure out and make your goals more attainable in a realistic and timely fashion. Going into the new year, i encourage you to make SMART goals to have a successful new year. Until the next time, dear readers, excelsior and happy new year!

New years Solutions

Happy new year to you dear reader! I hope this post finds you well and happy. This is the time of the year that people make their new years resolutions for various things. Resolutions in regards to health, money, relationships, business etc. Resolutions statistically have been broken by many people (including yours truly). So the question to be asked: What is the solution?

First, let’s look at the definition of a resolution: a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner. That means a decision to take a course of action to achieve a particular goal. This is the conscious decision to do something to better one’s situation. 80% of New years resolutions failed by February of that year. Why aren’t we more successful at keeping our New Year’s resolutions? Some reasons include the idea that we’re thinking too big and not knowing where to start, not considering a “why” behind it, and the fact that one might not be ready to make such a change.

This points out a need for a change in approach would be not a resolution but a solution. A solution is a means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation. This means in order to reach a solution, one must look at all of the variables in a problem. This involves looking at the broad scope of the problem and why the problem persists. Once the solution to the problem is found one must implement said solution to fix the problem and stick to it.

Instead of a new years resolution, one would make a New years solution. Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic Timely) that you will be able to stick to with conviction to accomplish your solution to your problem. Write it down on a vision board or a journal, and whenever you feel like quitting, look at what was written down. If you can write it, you can achieve it because it will serve as a reminder of the decision you took on to solve the problem you are facing in life.

Statistically speaking, New years resolutions can fail. If you can turn your resolutions into solutions and create a clear road map, you can reach your goals and clear your challenges. Once you start, keep writing reminders down to encourage you to keep going until you hit your goal. Until the next time, dear readers. Excelsior!

You are what you drink

This month marks the beginning of the year and of a new decade. Lots of us are making goals and resolutions being crafted. One such goal I have often heard is drinking more water. As someone who drinks half their body weight in ounces of water at a minimum, I want to share with you some really great things about drinking water on a steady basis.

Drinking water helps maintain the balance of body fluids. Your body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature. What is neat is when you need water your brain activates a thirst mechanism to tell you that you need water. Secondly, water can help you get some control over your calories. Food with high water content tends to look larger, its higher volume requires more chewing, and it is absorbed more slowly by the body, which helps you feel full. Water-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, oatmeal, and beans.  Additionally, drinking water with your food will help in trimming your calorie intake.

Image result for drink more water

Water can energize your muscles before a workout by helping maintain the fluid level in your body. During a workout when you sweat, there are electrolytes lost and there is fatigue. If you drink water before a workout your physical performance will be better than without drinking water beforehand. Your skin contains plenty of water and functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. But don’t expect over-hydration to erase wrinkles or fine lines. Proper hydration will help keep your skin look better and not as dry. You can also use a moisturizer to help lock in moisture on your skin.

Body fluids transport waste products in and out of cells. The main toxin in the body is blood urea nitrogen, a water-soluble waste that can pass through the kidneys to be excreted in the urine. Our kidneys can filter a lot of toxins from the body but keeping your body hydrated, the kidneys can continue their job in flushing out all the toxins in your body.  When you’re getting enough fluids, urine flows freely, is light in color and free of odor. When your body is not getting enough fluids, urine concentration, color, and odor increases because the kidneys trap extra fluid for bodily functions. Drinking less water will increase your risk of kidney stones and other disorders connected to the kidneys being unable to flush out toxins it takes in. Adequate hydration keeps things flowing along your gastrointestinal tract and prevents constipation. When you don’t get enough fluid, the colon pulls water from stools to maintain hydration and the result is constipation.

Image result for waterboy meme

Some of the best ways to keep yourself on track with drinking water would be eating foods that are water-rich, like fruits and vegetables. Keep some water for during and between meals as well. There are even water bottles designed to help motivate you to keep on chugging the H2O. Let’s keep the goal of drinking water flowing this year. Until the next time. Excelsior!