WeekNight Bite: Healthy, Easy, and Delicious Recipes

I've never been huge on setting New Years resolutions because I typically go too big with my resolutions, stick with them for a couple weeks, and then they're out the window. This year though, I'm making a list of realistic goals that I really want to work towards and I feel confident that I can stick with them! I had originally put together a whole list, and when I read them to Mitch, he said, "They're great, but none of them are actually measurable. How can you measure "spend more quality time with each of our kids" or "cook dinner more often"? You'll look back at the end of the year and say... "I think I did it??" But you need to be able to quantify it so you can track it and see if you're sticking with it." And obviously, he was totally right! So here are my very specific goals that I'm going to check in on and track throughout my year...

Cook dinner at least 3 nights per week:
You probably assume by this blog that I cook every night. Definitely not the case! We ordered in wayyy too many meals last year and it's because I just wasn't on top of my meal planning at the start of each week. This year, I'm going to plan out my weekly dinners on Sundays or Mondays, and cook at least 3 meals per week with extras for leftovers. I'll make my own recipes, some from the cookbooks that have been sitting on my shelves, or some I've bookmarked on instagram, and I'll share them in this story highlight on IG!

Lights off, eyes closed by 10:30pm:
I know 10:30 still seems kind of late, but a lot of times, Noah doesn't go to sleep until 8pm and I just feel like I need some time after that to either be productive and answer emails and finish some work or just unwind with a good show or book, so getting in bed around 10ish feels realistic to me. So many times I'm up scrolling or doing nonsense past 11, so 10:30 is going to be my official bedtime for the year.

Wake up before the kids:
This is a hard one for me because I'm not a morning person. But starting the day with the kids startling me awake just isn't the way I want to begin each morning anymore. Then I'm scrambling to get ready while Max is climbing all over me, Noah is demanding a million things, rushing to get their breakfast ready, and race out the door to school, and it just sets the tone for a chaotic day. If I can set an alarm and get up 30 minutes before the kids are typically up, I can get ready in peace, prep breakfast, and not feel so rushed every day. Fingers crossed!

"Special Time" with Noah 1x/week:
Since Max hasn't started school yet, I'm able to get lots of special quality time with him. Noah is in school every day and after school, he often has art, soccer, and is soon starting ninja training (lol). I know how important one-on-one quality time is for him and how the lack of it really affects his mood, so I want to make sure we get at least one "date" in per week. That could be a stop for lattes & a healthy muffin (his "latte" is just steamed almond milk) before school, going to a playground together after school, taking a bike ride around the neighborhood, doing a project or puzzles or a game together -- just making sure we get that solo QT in. I always call it "Noey Mommy Special Time" to point out that this is special and just for us, and I always see him light up when I say it.

Weekend adventures with the kids 2x/month:
We tend to get stuck in the same routine and activities every weekend, so we're going to get out of our bubble and do something fun and different with the kids at least every other weekend. New museums, hikes, parks / playgrounds, classes, just some different activities to shake things up for them (and us!).

Workout Routine:
Pilates Reformer classes 2x/week + 1-2 strength training workouts
I'm not changing much from last year's routine because I feel like I've finally found a routine that's really working for me and that I enjoy. I have a package of 8 classes per month at my pilates reformer studio (it's Lagree for my pilates girlies), and the package automatically renews each month, so that holds me accountable for 2 classes every week. I also workout with a trainer once a week, focusing on strength training, and occasionally I do his group training on Saturdays. So that guarantees me at least 3 workouts a week, and aside from that, I get my steps in by strolling Max to the park or chasing him around the playground, or going for a walk by the beach on one of my other days.

Date night at least 1x/week:
It's so easy to skip over date night because we're tired after a long day and the never-ending bedtime routine with the kids, but keeping up weekly date night is so important! We all need that kid-free quality time to reconnect. We usually do Wednesday Date Night because it breaks up the week.

Mindful Snacking:
Ok this is a hard one for me to quantify and measure, but I still have to put it on my list of goals. Last year, I had Invisalign and I joke that it was the best diet hack I've ever discovered. Since it took effort for me to snack (taking out my trays, brushing my teeth after eating...), I really had to decide if the midday snacks were worth the hassle. Many times, they were, so I'd decide to take out my trays. But wearing my trays completely eliminated all of those times I used to mindlessly walk by the pantry and grab a handful of this or that. I feel so much better when I choose my snacking wisely, so I'm definitely going to try to keep this up, even though my Invisalign days are behind me!

Read one book a month:
1 book every month feels doable and is something I can definitely stick with. It will also help with spending too much time scrolling on my phone before bed because I'll be reading instead. I just finished my first book of the year, Lessons in Chemistry, a must read if you haven't yet! Here's the kindle I use and love -- easy to throw in the purse and take on the go with you for those moments you can sneak some extra reading in.

Travel:
Mitch and I set a goal to take at least 3 trips without the kids this year, even if it's just a quick weekend away, somewhere local that we can drive to. One of these trips will be a big trip for our 10 year anniversary -- we're thinking Italy! We also want to take at least 2 trips with the kids this year.

I think that's everything! I'll check back in on these throughout the year and make sure I'm sticking with them! What are some of your goals for 2024?