My 2018 Specific Goals: Cooking, Reading and Learning

January 23, 2018

My 2018 Specific Goals: Cooking, Reading and Learning

Hello fellow earthlings, booklings and peoples. I decided to also share with you my more specific 2018 goals in the cooking, learning and reading departments. Hope you enjoy it!

Source: freepik

Cooking:

I absolutely LOVE cooking, though I do not know even half of what I'd like to. Here are a few things I would like to learn more of this year:

Using herbs in my cooking (I mostly cook with sauces)
Making my own sauces and/or sauce combinations
Cooking with wine (I hear that this makes meat taste sooo much better and makes it nice and tender)
Preparations to quicken evening cooking times (i.e. meal prep)
Incorporating more veggies into my meals (neither hubby nor baby likes veggies so hidden ways are definitely a must)

I also though I'd add some cooking utensils and goodies I'd like to get (perhaps more of a reminder to myself :P):

Himalayan Salt (A lot of people say this is sooo much better than regular table salt)
Silicone spoons
A slow cooker or crockpot (These make yummy stews - one of my hubby's favourites)
A Le Creuset pot (This will definitely be my splurge of the year)

Source: freepik

Learning:

I am sure we all have some things we would like to learn to improve our arsenal of skills. Here are mine:

How to edit and proofread professionally
I am quite keen on learning a new language as well - since my hubby LOVES anime I think I'll start with Japanese (Naruto will definitely be easier to watch then :D)
Recording and editing videos (I also mentioned this in my 2018 Goals and Resolutions)

To be honest, this is all I am going to plan for myself - no point in taking on too much right? :)

P.S. Don't you guys just LOVE the wackiness of the above picture? Kudos to freepik for sure!

Source: freepik

Reading:

Source: Colors Are Magic

I love reading and find myself having more time every month now that baby is getting bigger. Here I will share with you my wishlist of books I hope to have read by the end of 2018. Affiliated links to eBay are below all the pictures (these will give me with a small commission). Links to Amazon (for International readers) and Takealot or other stores (for South African readers) for all these books are also below.

The book that I have started but not finished yet:

Sherlock Holmes - The complete collection. This is a BIG one. I was given this book by my previous employer as a birthday present and stopped reading it when I got pregnant (it was just too big to hold up over my belly). I definitely want to finish this one. (more here)

This will be the only book in this list since it, technically, is 4 books on its own (not counting the short stories of course).

Books that I own but have not read yet:

William Shakespeare - Hamlet. I know, I have not read it yet - SHOCKING. I bought this classic at a flea market once and have always wanted to read it, so I decided that this year is the year to do so. (more here)
Catherine Cookson - Riley. Bought as part of a 3-book bundle in December, this would be a relaxing weekend read that I am looking forward to. (more here)

Books that I would like to buy and read:

Prof Tim Noakes and Others - The Real Meal Revolution. A part myth-busting scientific thriller, part mouth-watering cookbook meant to change your life by teaching you how to take charge of your weight and your health through the way you eat. (more here).
Jacques Pauw - The President's Keepers. Those keeping Zuma in Power and Out of Prison. Investigative journalist Jacques Pauw exposes the darkest secret at the heart of Jacob Zuma's compromised government. Should be worth the read and information. (more here)
Rick Warren - The purpose driven life. The perfect book to answer the question: Why am I here? This book helps readers understand God's incredible plan for their lives. (more here)

I hope you all enjoyed this post!! :) I know it is a bit lengthy, but I think it was worth it. May you all have a prosperous 2018 doing more of what you love each day!

Bye bye :)

Michelle Smillie
Let Life Be, Let Love In

P.S. Here are the links (along with pictures of the books):