30 things before I turn 30 - 30 day challenge

In lieu of my upcoming 30th birthday on December 6th. I have decided to give myself a 30 day challenge to complete before I turn 30.  Here's a list below that I intend to complete with photographic evidence starting on November 6th.  I haven't been decided how I will update this on my blog; either posting as I go, a weekly round-up or in a big wrap up.

1. Build a snowman
2. Order a drink I've never tried - perhaps an old fashioned
3. Complete another Freezer, Fridge & Pantry Challenge
4. Blog a recipe completely from scratch (I have two in my head I've been wanting to test out for awhile)
5. Complete a project off of my craft diy pinterest board
6. Order a croque monsieur (I've always wanted to try this sandwich and have never ordered it)
7. Have my second standard driving lesson from my dad
8. Record a song; Sabotage by the Beastie Boys
9. Take a full roll of film whether it be with  my 35mm or my 2 1/4
10. Clean up my balcony
11. Wear something from my closet that has not been worn before
12. Bring a bag to the Salvation Army
13. Watch a classic movie that you have never seen before
14. Do something out of your comfort zone
15. Go watch the sunset down by the river
16. Go to a Target (in full disclosure I'm going to the States next weekend on a shopping trip so this one is pretty much going to happen, but I have always wanted to go)
17. Go somewhere you never have been (not counting the States trip)
18. Get some of the clutter out of my apartment (kind of the same as 12, but I already do have a bag ready to go)
19.  Have pancakes for dinner
20. Go back to Sidedoor for fish tacos (I have literally been craving them since August)
21. Have a super nintendo afternoon
22. Finish all the Breaking Bad on Netflix
23. Brown Bag it to work for at least two weeks if not the full 4 weeks
24. Watch one of my dvds I've never watched (I have at least 5 I've never seen if not more)
25. Sign up for a Starbucks card and start working my way to a gold card
26. Make a recipe out of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Cookbook that I haven't made yet (it's one of my favourite cookbooks)
27. Eat more quinoa, hemp seeds and chia seeds
28. Finish all the frozen fish in your freezer
29. Eat vegetarian 2 nights a week
30. Cut down on soda

So there it is. I know near the end it's not as exciting, but it's hard to think of 30 things to finish. Wish me luck!

-mjb

Freezer, Fridge and Pantry Challenge: Day 3, 4 & 5

So here we are a few weeks later with the rest of my Freezer, Fridge and Pantry Challenge. The first image is of Black Bean Tacos that I made at a friends house. I think I may have pursued her to do her very own challenge.

Black Bean Tacos with Lettuce Wrap

Next up, is a simple pasta recipe that I just added a bit of olive oil and freshly grated parmesan to one of those Ziggy fettucini fresh pastas - full disclosure: I had to make this that night because the pasta was one day from expiring.

Parmesan Pasta with Sauteed Vegetables

The Friday I did my original challenge I went out to dinner with some girlfriend's so last week I challenged myself again to another challenge as I was going out of town for the weekend. Here is the only photo I took of my food. I will definitely make this meal again.

Poached Chicken, Asian Broccoli Slaw, Roasted Veggies and Spinach Salad

cheers

-mjb

Freezer, Fridge & Pantry Challenge: Days 1 and 2

A few weeks ago I brought one of those flavoured tunas to work to go with a salad. When I opened it up and noticed the expiry date from over a year ago, I realized a) I am kind of over flavoured tuna, b) I really need to go through my pantry more and c) I keep my pantry fully stocked to the point that I am not eating what I am buying.  Therefore my 'Freezer, Fridge & Pantry' challenge idea was born; I may coin the term after this.

Day 1 - Cheeseburger on roasted red pepper bun with homemade 3 bean soup and peas & carrots

Day One:

It may not look like much, but it was sure tasty. When I was younger, my dad was diagnosed with diabetes and this is a take on the meal he would make himself.  I make this when I'm feeling a little nostalgic. The soup was from my freezer, as was the peas and corn. Everything else came from the fridge.

Day 2: Poached chicken with spicy sauce, shaved asparagus salad and asian broccoli coleslaw

Day 2:

I decided I would poach some of my frozen chicken breasts I had after a friend had successfully done it last week and raved her outcomes. It is beginning to feel like summer and I do not want to use my oven more than I need to so poached chicken will soon be a staple. The sauce I made for it consisted of sesame oil, soya sauce and some pimento paste, I would say maybe 1 tsp of each. The broccoli coleslaw came from my fridge. The shaved asparagus salad is my new favourite! Crunchy and satisfying similar to cold noodles with this meal. Here is the dressing I mixed for both

Asian Dressing:

1 tbsp rice vinegar
1-2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1/2 tsp minced ginger
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp chili paste
a few drops lime juice
a few drops honey/agave
sesame seeds

I cannot wait to eat this again for lunch

-mjb