Family Chow Hall

Setting and Attaining Goals

March 16th, 2006

Whether you want to learn to ride a bicycle, get in shape, become a millionaire, or create a wonderful relationship with your spouse, one thing will help get you there.

Setting Goals.

No kidding. You may have a vague idea in your mind that you’d like to be in better shape… healthier… thinner… etc. But it’s quite another thing to define your goal, write it down, think about it, concentrate on it daily. Goal setting makes your efforts somehow more productive. Your goals almost seem to fall right into your lap when you keep them in the forefront of your mind.

I heard in a seminar once that 3% of a certain group were goal-setters. Years later, those 3% had 97% of the wealth in that same group. Impressive.

Here are some tips for goal setting I have learned in the last couple of years:

1. Decide on a well-defined goal. (No room for wishy-washiness here, like “I’d like to be thin.”) Nuh-uh. Make a solid decision, “I am going to weigh 125 lbs. and I’m going to get there through healthy eating and exercise. I’m going to accomplish this by June 1st.”

2. Write it down on a small piece of paper by hand every morning. This forces you to concentrate on your goal early in the day. Put this paper in your pocket and take it out and read it several times each day. That chocolate cake is a lot less appealing with that little slip of paper in your pocket.

3. Share your goal with someone who loves you enough to hold you accountable. Teach him or her to say lovingly, “I’m watching you.”

4. Imagine yourself reaching your goal. Picture how you will look, think about how you will feel mentally and physically. What will you tell other people?

Since one of my goals is to eat healthier, I have learned to make my own mayonnaise using olive oil. Mayonnaise is something that I don’t use often, but there are just certain foods that I can’t make or eat without it. My carrot salad and coleslaw are two of my favorites.

Homemade Olive Oil Mayonnaise:

1 large egg or 2 yolks
3 T. lemon juice
1 c. light olive oil

any of these preferred seasonings:
paprika
dry mustard
horseradish
basil or other herbs
white pepper
salt

Get your blender out or a small whisk and a strong arm. Start by blending the egg to a thick, creamy consistency. Add the lemon juice and blend a little more. The next part is no trick, but requires some patience. Add the oil, just a few drops at a time. This is the big secret to making mayonnaise. The egg will act as an emulsifier if you add the oil very slowly. So, keep adding the oil in very small amounts until it is all incorporated. Then you can add whichever seasonings you like.

Your homemade mayonnaise will be a rich yellow color instead of the pure white you get in a jar. Homemade mayonnaise will last in your fridge for up to one week.

Eat well to live better.

Entry Filed under: Supper