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2013 2014 about me change Family goals intention Life lifestyle motivation New Year's NYE one word reflecting theme word word of the year

Happy 2014 & My Word For the Year!

Happy New Year!!

As we say goodbye to the year that has just passed, we look forward to the New Year with excitement. Many people decide to create a few resolutions for a New Year, but I try to stay away from that. I don’t like to wait until a new year arrives before I make necessary changes, so I’ve bid farewell to resolutions a long time ago. What I have begun doing is coming up with a theme word at the beginning of each year, and that will be my driving focus both personally and professionally.

As I look back on 2013, it was a great year for this blog. Readers like you who have read and shared my posts, commented, pinned and supported what I do are what caused my traffic to more than TRIPLE in the past year. I’m so grateful for YOU! I became a better cook, traveled, pushed myself, became an ambassador for great brands and became a contributor and a columnist and surprised myself a great deal along the way. Many of these things I never would have guessed I could accomplish when I started this endeavor.

You know what? It’s been an amazing journey! For 2013 my theme word was progress, and I truly feel that my life and my journey progressed substantially. I tried to remember my theme and my word throughout the year and it was evident along the way that I was always making progress and never less than that.

My theme word for 2014 is Intention.

in·ten·tion

noun in-ˈten(t)-shən

: the thing that you plan to do or achieve : an aim or purpose
Source: merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intention

Since the beginning of this blog, I’ve just done what has felt right for the moment. I’ve made decisions quickly and sometimes have taken on more than I could handle. I’ve just posted what felt right and somehow made it work. At this point I want to be much more intentional. I want to plan, and move forward with purpose. I want to be more organized and accountable for my thoughts and ideas that I love to share with you. I’m often procrastinating and waiting until the last moment. During the holiday season I felt it especially. There were many ideas I had and I simply ran out of time and said “at least there’s next year.” Being more intentional, and planning ahead will allow me to be a better blogger and be able to create a much better space for you! Because that’s ultimately what is important to me. I want us all to feel comfortable here, have a good time and chat about food and recipes.

Being intentional does require forethought and planning, but I will not let this inhibit my authenticity or my creativity. Everyone needs a plan if they want to be successful, correct? In addition to that, over the past year I’ve learned the importance of balance. That it’s ok to take a step back or a day off to spend uninterrupted with your family. My blog won’t implode, and everyone will be perfectly fine if I wait a day longer to post that recipe.

I have some big changes coming soon around here. I’ll be moving my blog and have a complete redesign in the works. You can still find me at the same URL for now, but there are some big plans under way. I will cover more topics than just food. I plan to share more parties – both ideas and planning, some tech reviews for items that I use in my everyday blogging life, a bit of home decor and DIY ideas, as well as some travel posts with food reviews and the transportation that’s getting me there… and of course family stuff. Ultimately the core focus will still be food and recipes, but I want to share a bit more of myself with you and the things that I love and that interest me. I hope you’re as excited for these changes as I am.

 
2014, I’ve been waiting for you – and I’m ready!

Do you have a theme word for the year?

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Comments

  1. Ezzy Guerrero-Languzzi says

    January 4, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    Congratulations on all your progress, Dawn! Your new blog sounds like an exciting venture and I’ll be looking forward to reading more about “you.” Your recipes rock, as does your outlook. Thank you for support through #BlogLove. Here’s to a wild ride for 2014. 🙂

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[Sponsored]: Summertime is coming and will be here before we know it! You all know that I love easy meals during the warmer months, and I also love a good meal in a bowl. It’s also Vidalia Onion season 🧅 so I paired this seasonal favorite with pan-seared shrimp and veggies as a light rice bowl using your choice of grains.☺️This meal is an absolute delight!

Get the recipe and all the Vidalia Onion details by clicking the link in my profile or desktop users can click here for the recipe >> https://mamaharriskitchen.com/2021/06/pan-seared-shrimp-veggie-rice-bowl-vidalia-onions/ .

Also make sure to grab some Vidalia Onions from your local grocer before they are out of season in late August/early September.☀️
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This time of year I love warm, comforting recipes that are super easy and delish. This ridiculously easy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a one pot meal, ready in under 30 minutes and uses already prepared rotisserie chicken for maximum flavor (and ease)! With a tasty blend of flavors and textures, it’s like a bowl full of comfort. 

Get the recipe by clicking the link in profile at @mamaharriskitchen or just google “Mama Harris Kitchen Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup” 🍲 Enjoy!
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(AD) There has been a lot of cooking going on this year, so I’ve tried to make life a bit easier by getting creative with my leftovers. These pulled pork totchos are a great example of leftovers with a few key ingredients to create something new to keep our meals exciting. Adding a few key ingredients like @lamorenausa adobo peppers and jalapeños and carrots definitely livens up something simple. La Morena peppers are hand selected, using only the highest quality peppers to bring you authentic home style flavors of Mexico. I purchased my La Morena items from my local Safeway, but you can find them at your favorite grocery store in the international food section. #PayItForwardwithLM #VivaLaMorena #WeCanWithLaMorena 
 
INGREDIENTS:
- 32 oz tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheese (Mexican blend + Pepper Jack)
- 2 cups prepared bbq pulled pork (check my pulled pork sliders recipe!)
- 1/2 can La Morena Adobo Peppers & Sauce
- 2 tablespoons sour cream 
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
- 1 cup pico de Gallo
- 1/2 cup guacamole
- 3 chopped green onions 
- 3-4 La Morena jalapeños and carrots, sliced

INSTRUCTIONS:
Prepare tater tots as instructed, in air fryer or oven. Heat oven to 450°. 
Cover the bottom of a large cast iron skillet with the cooked tater tots. 
Top with 1 1/2 cup of cheese. 
Combine the chopped adobo peppers and sauce with the prepared bbq pulled pork. Spread the pulled pork mixture on top of the tater tots, then top with the remaining cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes.
Top with sour cream, ranch, pico de Gallo, guacamole, green onions, and sliced jalapeños and carrots.

Enjoy!! 😋
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✨Growth✨
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Happy December, all!! 🎄Since it’s basically Christmas now, it’s time to share ALL the holiday cookies! 

Every year I join my friend @natashanicholes as she heads up her #HousefulofCookies virtual cookie swap, where many of us share some sweet treats for the holiday season. 

This year I’ve created Cranberry Pistachio Citrus Cookies to share as my contribution. 🍪 I know that a lot of things have turned “virtual” throughout this year, but a little virtual bake-off is a fun way to connect with some of your favorite people!

For this recipe and many more, click the link in my profile at @mamaharriskitchen ❤️
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🚨This recipe is always popular after Thanksgiving! 🍗 
To find out how to make these delicious savory crêpes filled with sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese and leftover shredded Turkey click the link in profile at @mamaharriskitchen 😋
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So Thanksgiving is next week and we’re well into soup season, but I’m not willing to give up my Taco Tuesdays. 🌮 At this point we are choosing whatever makes us happy to get through the weeks, am I right? ❤️

If you’re looking for a quick dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes, on taco Tuesday or any other day really, try my baked Turkey tacos with black beans plus all the toppings that your heart desires! 😘
Click the link in bio at @mamaharriskitchen for the recipe!
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Hello Instagram fam! 💖 There’s some new faces around here and it’s been a while since I showed mine!

I’m Dawn, creator of Mama Harris’ Kitchen, and I’m so glad you’re here with me! In this space I share my family-friendly recipes for all occasions, whether it be a 30-minute meal for those busy weeknight dinners or a full spread for entertaining a crowd - and everything in between.

Mama Harris’ Kitchen began back in 2012, in fact it’s 8 years this month! 🥳  What started as a way to document my newfound cooking hobby while managing my “new” life as a stay-at-home wife and mom to a 1 and 3 year along with teens and preteens, and it quickly grew into what it is now - a recipe resource for busy families like mine that enjoy flavorful and comforting home-cooking using pantry staples along with fresh and local ingredients as often as possible. 

🍿Five fun facts about me:
1. I LOVE elephants! 🐘 I collect a lot of elephant items, whether it’s trinkets or  artwork, notepads etc. I love what elephants symbolize and I truly love anything elephant related.
2. I’m a total plant lady! 🌱 I have about 35 houseplants, give or take, and there’s still more on the list of wants. Plants have become such a peaceful outlet for me, and I feel that they really center me within my space. I love the element plants bring to your space and the feel of your home with them in it, and new leaves are so exciting!
3. I have seven tattoos and I have plans for about eight more. 💉 Those that know me aren’t surprised, but those that follow me here tend to find it a bit surprising. 🙃
4. I’ve been a mother for a long time, over half my life! I’ve also been a lot of different “types” of mom - teen mom, single mom, working mom, stepmom, stay at home mom, PROUD mom, military mom, mother in law - the list goes on. No matter what, motherhood looks different for everyone and there’s unique challenges and experiences each mother faces. Please be gentle with yourself! ❤️At the end of the day we’re all just trying our best!
5. I’m a bit of an introvert, and often struggle with the “social” aspect of social media. I tend to go silent sometimes, but I’m working on it.

☀️Thank you for joining me here!
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Did you know that the third Sunday of July is considered National Ice Cream Day? 🍦Not that we need an excuse to enjoy our favorite treat! You can make any day one to celebrate with my Birthday Cake Ice Cream! Full of rich creamy flavor, colorful sprinkles and maraschino cherries. 🍒 No “official” birthday needed to treat yourself!

Get the recipe now! Click the link in my profile at @mamaharriskitchen ✨
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