I Resolve To® . . . Make Good On My Resolution To Get Out Of My Cooking Comfort Zone, Experiment A Little!

Some people live to eat, I, on the other hand, eat to live.  Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy eating and work to maintain a healthy diet (improving my eating habits with more fresh fruit and veggies, for instance, is among my Daily Resolves).  But I don't really enjoy spending a lot of time in the kitchen on a daily  basis.  I tend to cook simple meals like crock pot veggie chili, grilled salmon, and salads of every variety.  Quick, easy and healthy would be accurate words to describe my optimal diet and cooking habits.

With that in mind, I intend to 'Feast On My Favorite Macaroni Salad Recipe', as part of my I Resolve To . . . Challenge:  365 Resolutions For Health & Happiness.  Why not join me?  The objective is very simple:  Do at least one thing each and every day to promote health and happiness for 'YOU'.  Banish the 'Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome'.  Instead, make every day New Year's Day.  Make every day count with 'daily resolves'.  The list of possibilities is infinite and can be tailored to your own dreams, resolutions and daily goals.  If you need some help - a little nudge, a bit of inspiration, tips, advice, and news about the best ways to make resolutions a reality - please use IResolveTo.Com and the I Resolve To . . . Group at Gather as two of your resources.  Resolve365 in 2009.

A few years ago, a friend gave me a Macaroni Salad Recipe that was love at first sight because it is simple, healthy and tasty (and it provides enough leftovers for a week!).  I like to get creative with the original ingredients by adding different varieties of fresh olives and varied types of fresh peppers, along with paprika, dill, basil, and other spices to taste.  If you like Macaroni Salad, give it a go some evening!

Macaroni Salad 101: 

8 Ounces Macaroni (small elbow)

1/2 Cup Diced Green Pepper

1/2 Cup Diced Celery

1/4 Cup Diced Onion

1 Cup Cut Up Tomatoes

5 Cut Up Hard Boiled Eggs

2 1/2 Teaspoons Celery Seeds

2 Cups Mayonnaise

1 Envelope Hidden Valley Original Ranch (Dry Mix With Either ButterMilk Or Sour Cream)

Boil macaroni in a three quart pan for 40 minutes, or until desired tenderness.  While waiting for water to boil, and macaroni to cook, cut up celery, green peppers, onion, hard boiled eggs, and other desired vegetables like olives, fresh broccoli, or carrots.  When macaroni is done, drain.  Cool macaroni with cold water, then place in a large bowl and add all the ingredients, but the mayonnaise and Hidden Valley.  Mix two cups of mayonnaise and Hidden Valley in a separate bowl (along with one cup of sour cream or buttermilk if desired to taste).  Pour over macaroni, mix and chill.  That's it . . . Enjoy!

Remember:  I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps:  Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It!

Kim Simpson, a former journalist, provides communications, fundraising services and strategic planning, for Members of Congress, non-profit organizations, corporations, and associations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. A self-employed entrepreneur, with more than 30 years of experience, she launched IResolveTo.Com in 2005 in an effort to help others to achieve their New Year Resolutions, Dreams and Goals.  Get your daily dose of inspiration at: http://www.iresolveto.com - As added incentive, why not make and keep your New Year Resolution by wearing it? Drop by: http://www.cafepress.com/iresolveto

This article is Copyright © Kim M. Simpson, I Resolve To, Inc. * All Rights Reserved.