Happy New Year!

I have been debating about posting any goals this year.  But I figured I might as well post them.  I always set goals for myself.  I don't always achieve my goals, but I generally do fairly well.  I did fairly well with my 2010 goals, I think.  I never came close to some of them (especially the running the races goal) since I developed a severe case of plantar fasciitis in both of my feet.  But that's ok.  Thankfully, my left foot is healed as a result of the cortisone injections.  But unfortunately, my right foot is far from healed.  It is still very painful as I continue to work on rehabilitation.  I might have to give in and do physical therapy this year if I don't feel any further improvements soon.  We'll just have to see how it goes. 

So anyway, here are some goals for myself this year... in no particular order.  I have others, too, but figure this will be a long enough post with just posting about these goals.  :)   

Cheesemaking.  I've made a few different types of soft cheeses with our raw milk already, but I want to make more.  Kevin is making me a cheese press, so that will allow me to make some hard cheeses.  I can't wait!  I got the book 200 Easy Homemade Cheese Recipes for Christmas and I'm very much looking forward to getting started with some new recipes!  I'm starting this week by making some homemade cottage cheese.  Yum!  I've also checked out The Complete Guide to Making Cheese, Butter, and Yogurt at Home from the library and plan to buy it at some point.  Its another great resource with some good recipes.  I'd like to make at least one new cheese each month for awhile.  Until I get into the groove and figure out which cheeses will be staples in our house. 

Fermented Cod Liver/Butter Oil.  I've been taking this for quite awhile now, but in capsule form.  I recently got some of the gel since its more economical.  It costs about the same as a jar of capsules, but you don't go through it as quickly.  Or at least I don't think you do.  I still need to figure out how much to take.  My goal is to stick with the gel form... I'm afraid it's going to be difficult, but am really hoping it's easier than I think it will be.  I'm also going to have Carson start taking the gel.  He's been taking the gummy fish periodically for awhile now, but they're pretty silly, in my opinion since he'd have to eat quite a few of them to get an adequate daily dose.  Plus, it was hard to get him to eat just one of them every day... he would usually only eat them 2 or 3 times a week... since they have pretty fermented fishy taste to them.  So we're done with the gummy fish. 

Language Learning and Development - both for myself and for Carson.  I have been wanting to refresh my French language for quite awhile now.  While its not really necessary for my job, it would definitely come in handy since I work with so many french-speaking Canadians.  I also want to teach some basics to Carson this year.  We have some flashcards, a book, and music to start up our learning.  We had been starting to learn some Spanish words a few months ago using a book of spanish words that I got for free through the diaper rewards program, but I decided to start up again with French since it'll be easier (and more beneficial) for me.  I'd also like to learn some Spanish, German, or Japanese at some point.  We'll see how quickly and how far I get with French before I start with another language.  Kevin really wants to learn Spanish and German, so hopefully we can do that together at some point, too. 

Run a 5k.  This will be the most difficult (and most rewarding, in my opinion) goal for me to achieve this year.  With the pain in my foot, even walking a 5k would be quite painful and I'd pay for it for many days after.  But I'm going to try.  I have been making a point to walk on the treadmill at least 4 nights a week and have been doing some kettlebell and DVD exercises for a little over a month now.  It's a start again.  I just need to get back into the groove.  Walking on the treadmill is quite painful, though.  Each step impacts my right heel.  Its good to work through the pain, but there comes a point where I'm just causing permanent damage to my foot... and I'm afraid I'm there, or close to it, since its not getting any better.  We are thinking about buying an elliptical machine if we can find a good deal in the next few weeks.  There isn't any impact on my heels on an elliptical, so I figure it'd be a great way to get some exercise and conditioning in.  While we don't really want to spend the money, we feel like it'd be a good investment in my health and well-being.  Its difficult to get any good cardio in without impacting my foot, but an elliptical provides the perfect opportunity.  If I can just shed some serious pounds, I know it'll help my foot.  Less weight means less harsh of an impact, which means less pain for me and hopefully will allow me to eventually run a 5k! 

Buy a grain mill.  I have wanted a grain mill for several years now.  I have my heart set on the Nutrimill Grain Mill.  I would really like to buy it this year.  Although, it may completely contradict my next goal... :) 

Eat fewer grains.  I love grains and carbs.  Even though I often feel crummy after I eat them.  Which is one reason I want to limit them.  But I mostly want to limit them to help shed some pounds.  I need to lose weight.  Seriously.  I have been struggling with this for years now.  And I want 2011 to be the year that I finally get this under control!  I'm looking forward to reading and participating in the 2011 Weight Loss and Wellness Adventure over at Kelly the Kitchen Kop. 

P90X.  Kevin bought P90X last year and did part of a cycle.  He wants to start it up again this year and he wants me to do it with him.  I'll admit... I'm scared of it.  And I'm not sure I'll be able to make it through... because the guy that does the DVDs annoys the crapola out of me.  But I think I want to give it a go... though I'm not sure when.  Kevin wants to start this month, but I'd rather wait until after our trip to Arizona since I know we won't be doing it while we're there.  We'll see. 

Lose weight.  This seems to be a common theme with several of my goals listed here and several more that I haven't listed.  Like I said, I really want 2011 to be the year I get this under control.  I need to give a little more thought to how I exactly plan to do this, but I have some ideas to get me started.

Catch up on posts.  I have so many posts that I'm behind on and I'd really like to get caught up.  I doubt I'll post everything, but there are many that I definitely want to do.  Hopefully I'll make a dent in them this month. 

So anyway, there are some goals for the year.  I'll post periodically to let you know how I'm doing.  You'll probably see more posts about some things than others.