Soboro Beef

Happy 2016!

How was your holiday?

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I hope it was wonderful, peaceful, and relaxing

At our house, we've spent the past few weeks unplugging from all things Internet and catching up with friends and family.  Every night it seemed, we were off with a plate of cookies in one hand, and a bottle of champagne in the other.

We also decided to tackle some around-the-house projects

At the top of the list, wouldn't the living room look great with a fresh coat of paint?  Of course, once one space was so clean and fresh, it was hard to stop.  So now the living room, kitchen, dining room, family room, and laundry are all looking their best(!)

After we'd put down our paintbrushes, and crossed items off of our winter break list, including lots of walks with the puppies around the neighborhood to see the lights, I noticed my Christmas music wasn't quite as exciting as it was a month ago

I was ready for the calendar to flip

When I look back at 2015, I can't help but smile and realize how good it really was.  I don't know what 2016 will hold, but whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be ok.

I thought it might be fun to look back on a few posts I wrote this past year.  Certainly, many were light (like the joys and sorrows of new hair), but also others that offered a kick in the pants, a jolt in perspective, or a gentle nudge when I needed it most

In many ways, this past year was a season of change.  A new addition to our family (here, and here), along with the loss of someone very dear.  I also started to volunteer at a recovery shelter that's touched our lives over the years.

Our family celebrated milestone anniversaries, new houses, and applauded as close friends and family retired after long careers.  I'm excited to watch as the next chapters of their creative lives unfold

There were a few interesting trips to the ER.  The kinds of events that serve as gentle reminders to always foster a spirit of thankfulness (here, here, and here)

I especially loved re-reading stories from the year about my sweet husband (here, here, here), along with some of our weekend get-aways

Photo Credit: Pinterest.com

We celebrated the people in our lives who we love so very much, with our monthly Spaghetti Saturdays

Then there are friends and neighbors who threw the best parties and tended to incredible gardens.  Not to mention, meeting some pretty great people at quaint vintage stores, and water walking in the summertime

I wish I'd have kept better track of the miles I walked (there were many!).  It was also fun to try out some new exercise programs like CrossFit

Admittedly, there were times I longed for what could have been, and practiced saying “no.”

It was fun to learn so many new things this year while studying Holistic Nutrition.  A few of the highlights?  Special series covering Food Sensitivities, Calcium, and Water

Happy 2016, friends.  Here's to getting what we need, and to realizing we already had it all along

Every time I see a new Bon Appetit appear in my reader, it's the first thing I open.  If you've yet to pick up this month's issue of Health-ish, my goodness you may want to; it's really great.  I think I've flagged nearly recipe(!)

According to the Japanese Food Dictionary, Soboro is a crumbled topping of minced meat.  It's served on top of plain rice in bento or donburi (rice bowl).  The meat can be anything really, from ground meat of any kind: chicken or flaked fish.  Add whatever you'd like to the bowl and dinner is served.

Don't limit yourself to a bowl; it's great with veggies, in omelets, on top of your salads, or any time you'd like to add a bit of protein to a meal.  The kind of make-ahead protein you can store easily in the freezer for nights when a quick and easy meal is what's required

“Japanese home cooking is full of flavor, light on ingredients, good for you, and surprisingly quick to make.  In other words, the holy grail of weeknight meals”  ~ Bon Appetit | January 2016

Enjoy!

xoxo

~ Adapted from Bon Appetit