A New Goal for a New Year
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
A lot of people are talking about goals and resolutions this time of year, and to be honest, I’m a bit hesitant to even bring up the topic. Many of us have made big plans in the past, only to watch them fizzle out by February. It’s not fun to feel like you failed at something you were excited about. Even with that in mind, I still like using the new year as a chance to reset my focus and be a little more intentional about what I want to accomplish in the coming months. For me, I’ve found that I’m much more likely to hit my goals when I’m honest with myself about what I actually want to change and what I’m willing and able to do every day to get there. This year, one of my major goals is to learn Spanish. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Our area has a strong Hispanic community, and I’d love to communicate better with the people I live and work around. Like a lot of things, the challenge is that learning a language takes real commitment, and most days are already packed with work and family. Finding extra time isn’t easy, but I’ll also admit I’m a little nervous to start because I don’t want to quit after a few weeks and end up feeling like I blew it. That doesn’t mean I’m not committed, though. I’ve already lived too many years not speaking Spanish, and I want to spend the next stretch of my life changing that. And I know there are a few things I can do to help me stay focused. With any goal, it’s always helpful to write it down and keep it somewhere you see it every day. Goals also seem more attainable when they are specific and “bite-size.” For instance, instead of saying, “I’m going to become fluent this year,” a better option would be something like, “I’m going to practice Spanish for a minimum of 20 minutes each day.” Accountability is important, too. Tracking your progress and having someone who’ll ask whether you followed through can keep you honest. MAKING RESOLUTIONS WITHOUT THE PRESSURE
Ingredients
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3 dried guajillo chiles 2 dried ancho chiles
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1 tbsp dried oregano 2 tsp ground cumin
1 medium onion, chopped 4 garlic cloves
2 bay leaves
1 tsp salt
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Pepper, to taste
1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes 3 lbs beef chuck roast
Corn tortillas
Fresh cilantro and diced onion for garnish
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2 cups beef broth 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Directions
1. Soak dried chiles in hot water for 15 minutes. 2. Process chiles, onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a blender until smooth. 3. Place beef in a slow cooker and pour the chili mixture over it. 4. Add beef broth, vinegar, oregano, cumin, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. 5. Cook on low for 8–10 hours or until the beef is tender. 6. Shred the beef using forks, then mix back into the sauce. 7. Fry tortillas in oil until crispy, then assemble tacos as desired.
Inspired by SimpleWhisk.com
If you’ve set your own goals this year, I’m rooting for you. I’ll be over here working on my Spanish and trying to get a little better one day at a time.
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