Let's Get This Party Started

A few months ago, I was scouring my oodles of recipes, trying to decide what to cook for dinner. And I came across a Cooking Light cookbook that I have never opened. That's when I had my mini-epiphany:
Instead of cooking the same things over and over, why not try to prepare a different recipe each night for one full year?

Soon after, I had my second "aha moment" (thanks Oprah): Why not blog about it?

And thus, "My Great Big Recipe Challenge" was born.

A little bit of background:

• I work full-time, and typically cook for my husband and 8-year-old son five nights a week (Sunday - Thursday), give or take a day or so depending on schedules. The baby sticks to pureed food.
• I try to cook healthy and clean (i.e., not a lot of processed foods) as much as possible. Not necessarily organic, just healthy.
• My husband is not a fan of most fruits and veggies.
• I am not a chef or particularly creative in the kitchen. But I can follow a recipe without burning the house down.

And here's how "My Great Big Recipe Challenge" will work:

• For every night I cook, I will prepare a different recipe.
• I will document the recipe and source, my edits and my family's reaction on the blog.
• The no-repeat policy also includes all parties, holidays, etc.

Here's what "My GBRC" ISN'T:

• I am not attempting to change the way we eat. Will we try new things? Of course. Am I going to serve my non-veggie-eating-hubby a plate of broccoli and call it a day? No.
• I am not trying to cook 365 days in a row. Schedules and life make this impossible. I am instead going to continue to cook our family meals as always, just with new recipes each time.
• Will I make recipes I've made in the past? Sure. I just won't make them again for the rest of the year.

So, there you have it. My GBRC starts August 1, 2011 - see you tomorrow!