A few weeks ago I wrote about habits: how hard they are to change and the steps I'm making to change them. I tried using an app on my phone called Habitica. At first it was kind of fun, but to be honest, it wasn't working for me. I do best with pencils and paper. Maybe this is an example of how stubborn I am when it comes to change, but I still use an old-school At-A-Glance monthly and weekly calendar. I write notes to myself on Post-its and I even mockup all my shots on yellow lined notepads.

The hilarious thing to me is that I have terrible handwriting and also my spelling is the worst. Part of the reason that I have never wanted to keep a journal or write down my thoughts is the fear that someone will try to actually read them! They will see how bad my spelling is or judge me for my illegible handwriting. Starting this blog has been an amazing opportunity to overcome my fears!

Small shifts in how we think about ourselves can have a measurable effect on other aspects of our lives. I started the blog in February, a little over two months after having my hysterectomy. Since then, I have learned how to build and maintain a website, I created 33 recipes, expanded my business to include food photography and started to understand SEO. All of these things have fundamentally changed my day-to-day work habits. I am capable of change, and I am trying to understand how some habits are easier to change than others.

I decided to go back and re-read The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business. One of the biggest revelations in this book is that it is harder to simply stop a habit than it is to change one. The author describes habits as a cycle. There is a cue (something that triggers our brain to expect something it desires), a habit (this could be drinking alcohol, smoking, eating cookies, chewing your nails) and the reward (an end to boredom, pleasure, numbing anxiety). If you keep the cue and reward and change the habit, you will have the best results!

I have written down a few habits I would like to change. I am working on reverse engineering them to get to the heart of what is the cue and what is the reward? Here are the habits I would like to change first; eating out for lunch (this also includes drive-thru coffee), drinking wine on weekdays (including Friday night), and being more productive on weeknights at home (stop sitting on the couch watching stupid shit on TV). The hardest part of working through this process is truly understanding the reward. When I think about these three habits, which have been a part of my life for years, I can't recognize the reward? This is my goal for this week.

What habits do you want to change? What strategies have you found to help change bad habits into positives ones?

A few months back, in an effort to save money, my husband and I agreed to stop eating out for dinner. Dinners are always more expensive (because of the adult beverages) and end up being too much food. I would come home overly full and feeling like I spent way too much money. Every week, I write down (on my yellow lined notepad) what dinners we are going to make. The more complicated they are, the less likely we are to make them. So, I am sharing with you some of my simple and vegetarian 5-ingredient Trader Joe's dinners. I hope you enjoy them!

#1 Falafel Pita Wraps, 4 servings, $4.16 per serving

Tandoori Naan, 4 pieces, $3.69
Tzatziki, 12 oz, $3.49
Zhoug Sauce, 8 oz, $2.99
Falafel, 12 pieces, $3.99
Organic Baby Lettuce Mix, 5 oz, $2.49

This is a quick and easy meal that can be made in less than 20 minutes. I grill my Naan bread on high for about 1 minute per side. This makes the bread have a better texture and adds flavor. Bake the falafel according to the package directions (for 10-15 minutes). To assemble the wraps, place your grilled naan on a plate, top with about a cup of lettuce, add 2 TBSP of tzatziki, zhoug to taste (taste it first because it is HOT), and 3 falafel balls.

If you have fresh onions, cucumbers, tomatoes or feta those will taste amazing on these wraps!

#2 Red Lentil Pasta with Alfredo Sauce, 4 servings, $4.01 per serving

Red Lentil Sedanini Pasta, 12 oz, $2.99
Alfredo Sauce, 11.6 oz, $4.99
Fresh Basil, 2.5 oz, $2.79
Baby Zucchini, 12 oz, $2.49
Heavenly Villagio Marzano Tomatoes, 10 oz, $2.79

Are you tired of traditional pasta and marinara sauce? This recipe is easy and can be made in under 20 minutes. Cook the pasta according to the directions. The Red Lentil Sedanini Pasta has a nice almost nutty flavor and is a gorgeous red color. If you are not a fan of the texture of whole wheat pasta, I would suggest using regular pasta for this recipe. While the pasta is cooking, in a large pan, add olive oil, chopped zucchini, salt and pepper. Cook zucchini for about three minutes a side on medium heat. Add all of the Alfredo sauce to the cooked zucchini and allow the sauce to become hot. When the pasta is finished, drain and add to the zucchini and Alfredo sauce. Top with 2 TBSP of chopped basil and ½ C of chopped tomatoes (you will have left over tomatoes and basil).

#3 Asian Weeknight Feast, 4 servings, $5.01

(2) Chickenless Mandarin Orange Morsels, 9.25 oz, $3.29 each, $6.58
Stir-fry Vegetables, 16 oz, $3.29
Thai Vegetable Gyoza, $3.99
Organic Jasmine Rice, $3.99
Gyoza Dipping Sauce, 10 oz, $2.49

Sorry I do not have a picture of this recipe cooked! We ate it before I could take a picture!

To make, cook the Thai Vegetable Gyoza according to the package. Serve with a side of Gyoza dipping sauce. This makes a great appetizer or side. Cook the other ingredients according to the package and assemble into 4 bowls with rice, vegetables and chickenless morsels. You could even add a splash of the Gyoza Dipping Sauce for a bit more flavor!

#4 Black Bean Soup with Chorizo and Corn Chips, 4 Servings, $2.45

Soy Chorizo, 12 oz, $2.29
Latin Style Black Bean Soup, 32 oz, $2.29
Canned Black Beans, 15.5 oz, $79
Canned Corn, 15.25, $69
Blue Tortilla Chips, 16 oz, $2.95

I love this recipe! It is so simple and tasty! To make, add the soup, drained black beans and corn to a sauce pan. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes. In a separate pan, add the soy chorizo (and any vegetables you have on hand. I added onions to mine). Cook the soy chorizo on medium heat for 10 minutes until it begins to brown and crisp. Add soup mixture to four bowls and top with Soy Chorizo. Serve with tortilla chips.

#5 Tamale Buddha Bowl, 4 Servings, $4.33

(2) Cheese and Green Chili Tamales, 10 oz, $2.79 each, $5.58
Mexican Roasted Corn, 14 oz, $3.29
Broccoli Slaw, 12 oz, $1.99
Cilantro Salad Dressing, 12 oz, $3.49
Mirepoix, 14 oz, $2.99

Again, oops...we ate this before I got a chance to take a picture! Cook the tamales according to the package. In a large pan, add 2 TBSP of oil, the bag of Mexican Roasted Corn (set aside the cheese packet) and half of the mirepoix mixture on medium high heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes.

To assemble the dish add about a cup of broccoli slaw to 4 large bowls, divide the corn mixture, top with tamales and Cilantro Salad Dressing.