In 2009, I set 9 goals.
In 2010, I set 10 goals (here is how I did!).
This year for 2011, I am setting 11 goals!
(I’m scared.)
It’s ok though, I am a Snow Warrior, after all.
I approach New Year’s Goals the same way I look at shoveling a huge mountain of snow:
Tackle a little bit at a time and eventually you look back and the entire driveway is complete! If you get tired during the process, head inside for hot cocoa & warm cookies to recharge.
It’s a life motto, really.
Plus, if I don’t set some fun goals for the New Year, how will I ever make it through the long, cold winter?
I’m convinced that New Years Goals help beat the winter blahs. Goals help us look forward to things and get excited and dreamy eyed, just like in the summer when the warm breeze is at our backs and the hot sun on our face.
On January 1st, anything is possible.
I’m excited.
Eleven in 2011
2011 THEME: Trust myself.
It is said that if you do everything with love you cannot go wrong. I have been trying to trust myself more and more for the past couple of years, but in 2011, I want to make it the theme of my year. I want to cut down on negativity (internally and externally) and only take on tasks that I truly want to do. I also want to work on giving my heart to my loved ones and always showing and telling friends and family how much they are appreciated.
Hell, I will start a day early…I love you guys!
1) Blogging: Quality over Quantity
There was once a time in my blogging journey when I was more concerned with blogging ‘x times per day’ than producing something that represented my best effort. Throughout 2010, I have realized that it is really about quality over quantity.
My blogging goal for 2011 is to never hit publish on something that is rushed or is not my best effort. I think there is too much pressure on bloggers to post as frequently as humanly possible, but I think it is important to step back and breathe.
2) Take care of my health and continue my journey with a Vegan diet.
Committing to a vegan diet is not always easy and this is why I decided to put it on my 2011 list.
I’m sure many of you think that veganism is a walk in the park for me, but there are many days that I really struggle with my commitment. My journey with veganism is always a work in progress and I have never had an end goal of being a ‘perfect vegan’.
I will slip up.
I will occasionally have foods that aren’t vegan.
I was called a ‘hypocrite’ by a few people when I said that I would try some non-vegan foods while traveling in Paris, but not everyone has to agree with my choices for it to be right for me. We need to stop worrying about what others think of us and do what speaks to us on a personal level.
As long as I keep feeling the positive effects of the food I eat, I’m willing to put in the extra effort to continue along this fun journey.
3) Write a vegan cookbook proposal + sign with publisher + start cookbook testing
and writing process
This one is scary to say out loud.
I want to write a vegan cookbook more than anything! Healthy recipe testing, cooking, and baking makes me feel very fulfilled and excited. Nothing would make me more happy than applying my creativity into a cookbook that I could share with all of you. I have a passion for my cookbooks and they bring me great joy. I would love to be a part of that.
With that being said, I don’t want to write any cookbook; it has to be the right opportunity based on my vision or I am simply going to wait. I will not settle for an offer that my heart is not into just to have a book published. I believe that what is meant to happen will happen, even if it is not as soon as we want!
4) Save 10% of monthly gross income into high interest savings account.
At the end of each month, I will assess how much gross income I have and then I will transfer 10% of this income into my high interest savings account.
At the end of the year I shall buy myself some Coconut Bliss.
That shit stuff is like gold!
5) Run my first 5k race in under 23 minutes (which would be <7:24 min/mile or 4:46 min/km pace)
This is going to take a lot of training, but there is a former track and field speed demon inside of me just waiting to tackle the short distance races again! I used to run sprint distances in school and I thrived on them. For some reason the thought of breathless agony appeals to me.
It’s complicated.
6) Raise money for charity.
In 2011, I am going to pick a new charity and spread the love around.
7) Do Body Pump class a minimum of one time per week.
Another fitness goal of mine is to build muscle. Running is great for my heart and sanity, but it doesn’t do much for building muscle I’m afraid. I have had awesome results with Body Pump in the past and I am excited to take the classes again!
8.) Take a photography course.
My photography skills are self-taught, but I would really love to take a photography course (or two) in 2011 to delve deeper into my newest passion. I learn best visually and hands-on as opposed to reading something off the internet.
It’s really a miracle that I can even operate my DSLR camera. I’m not very tech savvy, naturally. Eric is patient.
9) IRELAND or bust!
(Pic source: David Liddon)
Eric and I have wanted to go to Ireland since we met over 10 years ago. My mother in law grew up in Ireland and we have lots of family that we can stay with to cut back on costs. It would basically be a week of chugging beer, eating chips, and pretending I live in a castle. I’m down with that.
10) Meditate for 3 minutes per day.
My approach to things that scare the crap out of me? Shoot low and I might surprise myself. As easy as 3 minutes per day sounds, this is actually one of the goals I am not sure I will accomplish given my prior track record with meditation!
My goal is to meditate for 3 minutes each day in 2011 in an effort to reduce mental ‘noise’. Mental Noise is what I like to call ‘a brain that never stops talking to itself’.
I suffer from Mental Noise, as do many other women. I have this constant chatter in my head and I’m pretty sure it’s not the kind that can be aided by medication.
11) Wild Card
My final goal for 2011 shall remain a secret until the end of the year! I have to have a few secrets up my sleeve!
Do you have any fun goals for 2011? What are you looking forward to?
You should have no problem with the cookbook. I make more of your recipes than anyone elses. I have tons of cookbooks but I constantly come back to your blog for easy to follow recipes that don’t have a lot of hard to find ingredients. I think most of my Christmas items came from you. You don’t depend on tofu or soy and I like that. My husband even likes them and he’s not vegan.
I think a lot of us struggle with being a perfect vegan. We all have to remember that putting that pressure on ourselves to reach perfection is stressful and very harmful to us both inside and out. That defeats the purpose of eating healthy. Your theme of TRUST YOURSELF will fit nicely here. Trust yourself to do what’s right for you…no one else.
Thanks for the great blog. I can’t wait to see where 2011 takes you. I will be first in line (or online) to nab that cookbook when it comes out. Good luck!
I am totally pumped to hear you want to create a cookbook! Your recipes are too good to exist on this blog alone :)
And thanks for sharing your goals. I consort with a bunch of non-resolution-makers, but I love to read about others’. Thank you for fulfilling my voyeuristic side! lol
Wow. Your comment about health/veganism was refreshing! It has seemed at times that it is a “walk in the park” for you (though I had trouble believing it!). It reminds me that my own simple steps (like incorporating more raw foods) are just that: my OWN personal efforts. Thanks for the honesty with your goals. I think it goes along with “trusting yourself”.
As for the cookibook: GREAT goal. Especially if you made is accessible to novices/focused on the cookbook as part of a vegan journey. I think much of the success of your blog is your approachability (honesty, light nature, encouragement to try something that was also challenging to you, admitting some of the difficulties along the way). Incorporating that beautfiul element into a vegan cookbook would a sure selling point. Perhaps you could even try some type of a syndicated column in a print/online publication (beyond the blog) to compliment (and promote) the cookbook’s development.
Girl! please please please write that dang cookbook! I have way way way to many papers scattered all over the place with your recipes on them! Also dont stress over a dollop of butter of a slice of salmon. life is too short to be controlled over minimal issues that are SUPPOSED to increase quality of life. Don’t let people be critical on you. Just try your hardest to be a vegan and if you slip up once in a blue thats NOT the issue. Think about the big picture instead of the polaroid! your making a stand for every time youve said no to meat. But if you have a tiny bit of butter in a restaurant dish thats just peanuts in the grand scheme of things! Pat yourself on the back!
Your theme “Trust yourself” is something I have been struggling with a lot this year. Following our intuition in terms of what we REALLY want to do can be so readily complicated by external factors (comparisons to peers, pressure from family, society, media) and guide us away from our path, especially when we believe their messages about success and joy to be true. I hope to incorporate this trust into my resolutions too and believe that the best decisions are the ones that excite us.
Oh, and I’m with Brittany- I have baked and cooked your recipes for family and friends over the holidays with nothing but positive results. As I read your goal to write a cookbook I thought “finally” haha I whole heartedly support your endeavor! Thank you sharing your thoughts and experiences this year on your blog. Happy New Year!
Honestly Angela, I’m surprised no publisher has approached you about a book! I know there are always ‘scouts’ active in blogland looking for new talent – PLEASE, one of you find this woman and get her a book!! The world needs to glow! :)
I love all your goals for this coming year and am inspired to find some of my own. I’m stuck in a career rut and kind of at a giant intersection in terms of figuring out longer term goals.
Great goals!! I think you should definately write a cookbook, it would great! I’m not even vegan and i love trying out all your recipes, I’d definately buy it!
Dude, am I glad to subscribe to your blog. Currently gorging on chocolate hazelnut fudge ice cream from Coconut Bliss. Had no idea they existed so thank you so much! Totally worth the $6.99+tax and trip to the Yorkville Whole Foods.
bahaha LOVE this…put a smile on my face. Gosh I need to buy some asap!
i love all of your goals angela, and i can not wait to hear the progress that you will make towards writing a book!
I’m so sorry you were called a hypocrite! While you are very mature about it, I would be really irritated!
I also completely love and agree with your opinion on quality over quanitity. I’d much rather read one really well done piece, than three mediocre ones filled with grammatical and spelling errors.
I definitely suffer from mental noise! In fact, I’ve never really thought about it because I figured that’s just how I was. But it’s definitely frustrating at times.
Woohoo!! Those are some awesome goals, Angela. And I have no doubt you’ll be able to handle and take care of each and every one of them.
Awesome goals!! As a reader of your blog, I definitely think that your less-frequent posts have been better in quality. Also I can’t even keep up when you were posting more than once a day! :P Glad to hear you’re letting the criticism about your veganism roll off your back – I fully agree that we have no one to answer to but ourselves in that regard, as we’re the ones who have to live with our choices. Looking forward to reading your blog in 2011!!
Great post! My favorite thing you said: “We need to stop worrying about what others think of us and do what speaks to us on a personal level.” This pretty much sums up my main goal for 2011… I want to continue growing into who I am, not who others expect me to be, and tune out the people that want to bring me down. I never understand why some people are SO determined to be a negative force – but who cares! It’s not our problem. Here’s to a postive, uplifting 2011! xoxo (and I really hope you do write a cookbook, because I will definitely be purchasing it!)
I love the idea of setting 11 goals for 2011!! I may have to try and think of 11 for myself as well.
Thanks for being such an inspiration and all the great kitchen ideas! Happy new year!
wonderful goals, and i wish you the best in ’11! i’m not even close to vegan, but i would be all over an OSG cookbook :)
and i would love it if you’d share your meditation secrets if you get there! i’d love to adopt this daily practice but find it so challenging.
Awesome goals and I have no doubt you’ll be able to accomplish them! I can’t wait to see a vegan cookbook from you sometime in the future. I know it’ll happen for you! ;)
Love the Ireland resolution! Traveling is the best!!!
My big one is to open an Etsy shop this year :)
I’d be happy to be a taster for your cookbook! This past fall and holiday season I made the carmelized banana brownies, twice baked bar nuts, and your classic vinegarette dressing. All were amazing and have been and will be made again. I refer to you when speaking to my husband as “the Candian girl.” And I love that I can make anything you post as I am vegan as well.
Best to you in 2011!
Namaste.
Thanks so much for sharing your goals and I loved your explanation of how making goals helps beat the post-holiday blues. I always look forward to reading your blog and making your wonderful recipes and I wanted to thank you so much for all your open and honest submissions.
Good luck with your goals and get well wishes are being sent to Eric!
I really hope you write that cookbook…I LOVE your recipes and would totally buy it! You go, girl! :)
Thank-you for the quote from Mr Churchill… Its funny how little things crop up just when you need them..
The Nazi Vegan is the worst kind of Vegan. Instead of proselytizing and telling other people how to live their lives, we should be encouraging each other, and act on compassion and not pointing out the small slip ups here and there. By becoming Vegan and living a 95-99% Vegan lifestyle, you are already doing a lot for well, the environment, animals, and your health. That’s better than anyone could hope for. So what if on special occasions one becomes a little lax about being 100% vegan- as if normal people who aren’t vegan don’t make the wisest choices in their diet from time to time? But it’s not even about that- veganism to me is about compassion, and when people start harping on “You’re not a vegan because you ate ____ on _____! It has 2.5% x and yada yada yada..” it really in my opinion, goes further/detracts from what veganism is based on. Treating your fellow human being with respect is more important than pointing out the most minute of issues such as slipping up every now and then. When I had read about Alicia Silverstone admitting to cheating on her [Vegan] diet sometimes, I was appalled at how many people started to lambast her, saying that she should be acting as a role model, she shouldn’t be admitting that kind of stuff, or even slipping up *period*.. well- she DID act as a role model, and demonstrated to people that slipping up sometimes is not the end of the world. She demonstrated that well, she’s human! Like everyone else. Plus if she’s not already brought more awareness on veganism by her being openly vegan and speaking about it publicly.. that’s a lot in itself. The Big Picture, people! :)
Those are some of the best resolutions I’ve read of yet. Mine is to stop being so hard on myself all the time…along the same lines as your theme as well. I think you would make a beautiful vegan cookbook that I would most definitely invest in!!
You have inspired me to make a list of goals!! Good luck in the New Year!
A secret goal, huh!?!?!? You’ve peaked my interest! lol ;)
I’m sure you will meet every one of your goals. Even the cookbook one. I honestly can’t think of anyone better to write a vegan cookbook. I would buy it!
Happy New Year Angela!!!!
Happy New Year, Angela! I wish you a spectacular 2011 that brings you everything you wish (and clearly work very hard) for and so much more!!!
I’ve been following your blog since the summer, but I think I’ve not commented before as I always thought I should create a blog or something first to not appear like some crazy stalker person ;-)
I love your blog, your recipes, your photography (stunning!), everything! You seem like such a nice person!
I’ve tried many of your recipes and have loved them all! I went vegan in the early parts of last year, and your site has been, and continues to be, such a great source of inspiration! Your Project Food Blog posts were out of this world, they really were! I got the feeling the quality of your blog has greatly improved since you started the challenges, and I thought the quality was very, VERY high before! I hope this doesn’t sound weird :-)
All the very best for 2011!!!
PS: Sketchie is the most beautiful cat ever- so unusual!
PPS: Your MIL’s house/decoration/table settings are amazing (I realise that this has nothing to do with this post :-) )
wow thank you so much for such a kind comment! Happy New Year!!
:-)
I forgot something…here’s a PPPS: I am honestly surprised that you have not yet been offered a book deal by a publisher, or been picked up by an agent! I am sure that this dream of yours will become a reality and I can’t wait for it!
Thanks for sharing your life, ideas, dreams, creativity and recipes with all of us!
I’m also surprised that you don’t already have a book deal! Like Nathalie, I’m a relatively new reader, and your recipes are consistently fantastic! I often find myself wishing I lived in the States so that I could order some of your baked goods.
Your warm and open style makes your blog one of the highlights in my feed reader. Best of luck this year! I’m sure you’ll accomplish every thing you set out to, and probably more.
Oh I am so with you on that- I fantasize about GloBars, but I’m in the UK…let’s hope they go global one day ;-)
Great 2011 goals!!! The wild card one is driving me CRAZY!!!!!! (I think it is a baby).
Happy New Year Angela!! Wishing you all the best for this upcoming year. Thank you for your generous blog with wonderful information and yummy recipes. I am actually making a inspiration board which was inspired by the one you did last year.
Happy New Year all!!!!!!
I BET the wild card is to GET PREGNANT THIS YEAR! ;)
Happy New Year!
I love your 2011 goals. One of mine is to continually work out my vegan path. I’m not 100% vegan and I’m not sure that will ever be a goal but I’m going to try to eat this way as much as possible (i.e. at home and in restaurants but just remain dairy-free when eating over friend’s and family’s homes). Oh, and to trust myself. This is the most difficult for me. I left my vegan path for a bit last year due to outside pressures and I just didn’t feel well. If i’d trusted myself then I would have known that vegan food suits my body. Ah well, I’m happy and grateful for the journey :)
Ireland- amazing!!! I’ve only visited southern ireland but it’s so beautiful. How exciting!
Lots of love xxx
I just wanted to let you know how inspried I was by this post and the one reflecting on your 2010 goals. You have given me energy to move forward. I posted my own ’11’ to my blog and my friends loved it and are supporting me. Thanks for your inspiration.
please please please oh please write a vegan cookbook. i will pre-order and love and treasure it forever! even though i love all of your recipes online, having something in print that i could whip out and impress everyone with would be amazing!
love your resolutions & your outlook on veganism – even though we all try to be perfect it’s refreshing and inspiring for someone to openly admit that they can and do struggle just like i do. plus you made france-inspired vegan tarts that looked divine so whatever ;)
you also inspired me to revamp my old baking blog into a vegan one so thank you for all of your honesty & amazing-ness! happy new years :)
I have to say I am slightly relieved to hear that you too have some slight issues when sticking to a vegan diet.
I’ve been toying with being vegan since August. Your blog has been a great place for inspiration! I have been struggling with being a vegan since then. I am able to be vegan at home, but find it difficult when I am away and can’t quite control the situation. I am starting to come to terms with the fact that I am doing all of this to be a healthier, happier version of myself. I think I was honestly worried in the beginning that if I let a morsel of cheese enter my mouth, someone from the Vegan Police Squad would find me and start screaming hypocrite! Now I realize that what I do is what is best for me, and doesn’t have to fit into a label or strict definition someone else sets.
Anyway – this longwinded response is that I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one!
I’m so sad to hear that people called you a hypocrite related to your food choices. I honestly believe that we’re all walking our own path and that we should respect that in one another. People who get so stuck on being the “perfect vegan” or applying that label so militantly have chosen to do so for the wrong reasons. Focusing our energy on optimal health and on living gently on our planet (and all the other positive reasons to choose to eschew animal products) is virtuous, yes, but judging others’ success at that based on that kind of all-or-nothing thinking just means that they have issues!
As for 2011, my mantra is “sink in” or “sink in to honoring what I need in the moment and to assemble a life of “I-would-love-to…”s and “too-good-to-be-true”s”. :-)
Writing a cookbook would be such an exciting process and I know that you would do wonderfully! I’ve always dreamed of doing that myself but I’d need to start actually writing out my recipes (haha). Maybe someday! For now, in 2011, I’m concentrating on graduating college in the spring and either beginning grad school in Education or jumping into a teaching career in the fall. Good luck with your goals and I hope you know how inspiring your positivity and creativity are to a girl like me, trying to find her path and herself along the way. :-)
It took me a little while to get back to you, but thank you so much for mentioning us in your blog post. Out of nowhere…we received A LOT of visits from your link. We are so grateful. :)
(btw, this is who “we” are.. http://coconutbliss.com/about/who-we-are )
Thank you again!
Also…on the down low…we’re releasing some new flavors for 2011. :)
Blissful Regards,
Vince