As is probably more typical for me than I’d care to admit, I thought I’d picked some easy goals for my inaugural “countdown goals.” Run 5 miles, post 4 times a week, have 3 new experiences, read 2 books, and give up 1 thing. I’m finding it a bit trickier than I imagined, particularly regarding new experiences. I realize, what does that mean? Sign up for a class? Talk to new people? Cook/eat new foods? Watch new tv shows? In my comfort zone or out?

Well, at the very least, I know I need to be more specific next time I set this goal. The fact is, I’m probably having “new” experiences that I’m just not processing as “bloggable” new experiences all the time. So….right now, a new experience is whatever I decide it is (and as I said, next time, more specificity!).  And I’ve decided that the fact that I made myself some fried rice for the first time the other night….it counts!

So, the inspiration….I had bought some broccoli crowns last week. It was 99 cents for a pound. I bought 1 set of crowns which cost all of 37 cents!

the inspiring veggie!

I also had some leftover brown rice from something I’d cooked earlier in the week….and I decided to add cashews for crunch/protein/because I love stir fried cashews!

rice on top, cashews on the bottom, part of my leg and left foot on the left!

So, I stir fried the broccoli and cashews first, then added in the rice.

fried rice in progress...

[I started laughing when I saw this photo because of my little friend by the spoonrest, to the left of the pan. Let me assure you he is one of those southwesternish[?] bobbleheaded turtle figurine thingies (not a bug or anything crawly…)….he just resides on our stove. See…]

of course, he did somehow manage to crawl over to the spoonrest....

[Okay, now that I've cleared that up....back to cooking.....]

Finally, I added in an egg for more protein and because it seemed like the right thing to do. Oh, and I’d added in dried onions earlier (those things are genius…). I ate it with soy sauce and Chinese mustard (we have a ton of packets from our Chinese takeout nights…)

fried brown rice, strivingcynic style!

So, there you have it for new experience number 1. I can tell you I already have another new food experience in mind, but will vow right now that the third will not involve food!

On another note, I am finally reading The Chocolate Bridal Bash and would say….so far, so meh. I am intrigued by the mystery…but the writing itself isn’t grabbing me (maybe this is part of the problem of reading the sixth book in a series without having read the others…). Also, Thanks for your suggestions and thoughts on gadgets in response to my last post! I now feel I have some avenues to investigate.

Anyway, if anyone wants to share how they qualify or identify the new as “new,” (and where “comfort zone” fits in)  I’d love to hear about it. Also, has blogging or putting photos online made you rethink your photography skills? Did you try to change/improve and how?