What can I cook for dinner for a family of 5?

purplelily

I live in a person's home for free to cook dinner and I would appreciate ideas.

Answer
Smoky Chicken Fettuccini
6 slices bacon
1/2 cup diced onion
6 large cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 cup coarsely chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated smoked Provolone cheese
8 ounces uncooked fettuccini noodles, broken in half
1 cup frozen peas
2 cups diced cooked chicken
1 cup half and half
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley


1.Bring water to a boil in (8-qt.) Stockpot. Meanwhile, cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces using Santoku Knife. Cook bacon in (12-in.) Skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from Skillet; drain on paper towels. Drain grease from Skillet (do not wipe out).
2.Dice onion using Chefâs Knife. Thinly slice garlic using Ultimate Mandoline fitted with thin slicing blade. Coarsely chop bell pepper using Food Chopper. Coarsely grate cheese using Deluxe Cheese Grater; set aside. Add onion, garlic and bell pepper to Skillet. Cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove Skillet from heat; set aside.
3.Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions (see Cookâs Tip). Add peas to Stockpot; carefully drain pasta and peas using Drainer. Add pasta and peas to Skillet. Add bacon, cheese, chicken, half and half, black pepper and salt; toss well to coat. Cook and stir over medium heat until sauce is slightly thickened and mixture is hot. Sprinkle with parsley; serve immediately.
Cook's Tip: A simple way to adjust the consistency of pasta sauce that is too thick is to remove about 1 cup of pasta cooking water using the Nylon Ladle before draining the pasta. Stir a small amount into the sauce as needed.

Smoked Provolone cheese is smoked over applewood for a full-bodied, smoky flavor. Plain Provolone cheese can be substituted for the smoked Provolone cheese, if desired.
Nutrients per serving: Calories 370, Total Fat 13 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 75 mg, Carbohydrate 36 g, Protein 26 g, Sodium 380 mg, Fiber 3 g
Yield: 6 servings
© The Pampered Chef, Ltd., 2001

Need a recipe for a two person dinner for my fiance?

bunnigirl

something tasty, not too hard to make and something a man would like. My fiance is a man btw. any ideas and suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer
I'll give you 3 recipes:

1. CREOLE FISH SOUP:

Ingredients

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 bay leaves
1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
1 pound fresh or frozen cod, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
Directions

In a soup kettle, combine the first eight ingredients; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add vegetables; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add fish; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Discard the bay leaves.

2. CHICKEN RICE SKILLET:

Ingredients

4 (4 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
2 celery ribs, chopped
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/2 cup chopped sweet yellow pepper
2 cups frozen green beans, thawed
1 (4.5 ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
1/4 cup water
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups uncooked instant rice
Directions

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown chicken in oil for about 4 minutes on each side or until almost tender. Add celery, onions and peppers; cook until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in the beans and mushrooms; cook until chicken juices run clear.
Stir in the broth, water and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Stir in rice; cover and remove from the heat. Let stand for 5 minutes or until rice is tender; fluff rice with a fork.

3. GINGER'S SHRIMP AND GRITS:

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups skim milk
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup stone-ground white grits
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons bottled hot pepper sauce

1/2 cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, drained
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Directions

Pour the milk into a large saucepan with the salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Sprinkle in the grits, cover, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
Uncover the grits, and add 1 1/2 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese and the hot pepper sauce, beating the mixture with a spoon until the cheese melts and the mixture is smooth. Cover the cheese grits and set them aside to firm up.
Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, and cook and stir the onion and garlic for about 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Add the shrimp, and toss them in the hot oil for about 3 minutes, until the shrimp just turn pink and opaque. Stir in the garlic powder and diced tomatoes with chile peppers, and set the shrimp mixture aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and spray a 7x11-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place about 1 cup of shrimp mixture in the bottom of the dish, followed by 1 cup of cheese grits in a layer. Continue layering shrimp and grits, and top the final layer with 1 cup Cheddar cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until the cheese topping is bubbling and beginning to brown. Let the casserole set for about 10 minutes before serving.

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What should I cook for a Spanish dinner?

8 person dinner set image

vintagelov

I am planning on hosting a spanish dinner and I need some help with creating a tasty but simple manu

For starter I obviously want to cook tapas but I'm not sure which ones so please suggest some

The main I am cooing paella and I have a recipe for that

Are there any spanish deserts except churros? I don't think that they will finish the meals well

I am also making sangria to accompany the meal

Your suggestions and reipe ideas will be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Answer
Here's a big list of tapas. At times I've made all of them. Yesterday I went to a paella party and brought the olives, the meatballs and the dates (spanish devils). Those 3 made a really nice group. And yes - be warned - long post ahead ;-)

TAPAS
__________________________

Roasted Bell Peppers with Honey & Almonds (some of the best roasted pepper you can have)

8 red bell peppers, quartered
4 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 oz flaked almonds
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp sherry vinegar
2 tbsp chopped parsley
salt and pepper

Preheat broiler to high. Place peppers, skin side up in single layer on a baking sheet. Cook under broiler 8-10 minutes until skins are blistered and blackened. Transfer to plastic bag, tie off and let cool. Peel skin when cool and chop into bite-size pieces. Place in bowl. Heat olive oil in large heavy-bottom skillet. Add garlic and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes or until golden. Stir in the almonds, honey and vineagar, then pour mixture over bell pepper. Add parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper, toss well. Serve at room temperature.
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Olives with Orange & Lemon (again, awesome olives and they look really cool)

2 tbsp fennel seeds
2 tbsp cumin seeds
1 ¼ cup black olives
1 ¼ cups green olives
2 tsp grated orange rind
2 tsp grated lemon rind
3 shallots, finely chopped
pinch cinnamon
4 tbsp white wine vinegar
5 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp orange juice (I used more - juice of one orange)
1 tbsp chopped mint
1tbsp chopped parsley

Fry the fennel and cumin seeds in a small heavy bottom skillet, shaking frequently, until they begin to pop and give off aroma. Remove from heat and let cool. Place olives, orange and lemon rind, shallots, cinnamon, and toasted seeds in a bowl. Whisk vinegar, olive oil, orange juice, mint, and parsley together in a bowl and pour over olives. Toss well and refrigerate.
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Spiced Almonds (yum, though the seasonings didn't stick as well as I'd liked)

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ancho chile powder
1/4 teaspoon Pimentón de la Vera (smoked Spanish paprika)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 pound blanched almonds

Preheat oven to 350°. In medium bowl, mix all spices. Add almonds and toss to coat with the spice mixture (does this need olive oil to help make it stick?). Spread the almonds on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes, stirring halfway through baking, until lightly toasted. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Spanish Devils (freaking AMAZING - everyone loved these, even non-date eaters) Note: these use the pre-cooked Chorizo (for eating as opposed to for cooking as was explained to me at the Spanish store)

24 Medjool dates (approx 1 lb. package)
2 ounces dry chorizo, skinned and finely chopped (1/3 cup)
3 ounces Italian Fontina cheese, shredded ( 1/2 cup)

Preheat oven to 350°. Make a small slash in each date and remove the pits, keeping the dates intact. Mix cheese and chorizo together in a bow. Fill each date with chorizo and cheese, pinch them closed and set them on a baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes, until the cheese is melted. If they are large, cut each date in half crosswise, transfer the Spanish devils to a platter and serve warm. The stuffed dates can be refrigerated overnight. Bake them before serving.
__________________________

Spanish Meatballs in Almond Sauce (again AMAZING - really different, we did have one person who wasn't blown away, but the rest of us fought over the leftovers the next day)

MEATBALLS:
2 oz bread, crust removed
3 tbsp water (or a little more)
1 lb ground lamb (or beef)
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 tbsp chopped flatleaf parsley
1 egg, beaten
nutmeg
flour
2 tbsp olive oil
salt & pepper
ALMOND SAUCE:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 oz bread
4 oz blanched almonds
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2/3 cup dry white wine
1 ¾ cup vegetable stock
salt & pepper

For meatballs: In bowl, soak bread in water for 5 minutes. With hands, squeeze out water and return bread to bowl. Add meat, onion, garlic, parsley and egg. Season with grated nutmeg and salt & pepper. Knead together to form smooth mixture. (you might want to cook a pinch in a frying pan to test taste)
Spread some flour on a plate. With floured hands, shape into about 30 meatballs, roll each in flour until coated. Heat olive oil in large heavy bottom skillet. Add meatballs in batches and cook for 4-5 minutes or until browned on all sides. Remove with slotted spoon and reserve.
To make sauce: heat olive oil in same skillet in which meatballs were fried. Break bread into pieces then add to skillet with almonds and cook gently, stirring frequently until the bread and almonds are golden brown. Add garlic and fry for an additional 30 seconds, then pour in the wine and boil for 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and let cool slightly. Transfer mixture to a food processor. Pour in vegetable stock and process until smooth.
Simmer meatballs in sauce for 25 minutes. Add salt & pepper if necessary.
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Patatas Bravas (a classic Spanish dish - there are tons of recipes on the internet - this was okay, but basically just roasted potatoes with a hot tomato sauce - a VERY spicy hot tomato sauce)

Potatoes:
1 ½ lbs potatoes, cut into 1 ½ inch pieces
¼ cup olive oil
Sauce:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
½ tsp ground cumin
½ - 1 tsp dried chili flakes
1 tsp paprika
¼ cup dry white wine
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
1 tbsp tomato paste
dash Tabasco
1 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley

For sauce: heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat, add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, chili and paprika and cook for 1 minute. Increase the heat to high, add the wine and simmer for 30 seconds, then reduce the heat to medium and add the tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until the mixture is thick. Process the sauce in a food processor or blender until smooth.
For potatoes: Preheat the oven to 425 F. Place the potato pieces in a 12x8 inch baking dish, pour the oil over, sprinkle with some salt and toss to coat. Bake in the top half of the oven for 40 minutes, turning once, until the potatoes are cooked through and light brown.
To serve: Heat sauce in pan, stir in the Tabasco, parsley and some salt. Pour the sauce over the potatoes and serve hot.
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Garlicky Wild Mushroom Sauté (nice, simple, really good for the less adventurous eaters)

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound oyster mushrooms, tough stems trimmed, large mushrooms halved
3/4 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded, caps quartered
1/2 pound chanterelle mushrooms, halved
1/2 pound enoki mushrooms
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 large garlic clove, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 tablespoons dry sherry

Heat 2 large skillets over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to each skillet and heat until shimmering. Add half of the oyster, shiitake, chanterelle and enoki mushrooms to each skillet. Season with salt and pepper and cook without stirring until browned on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Stir and cook until browned all over, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to moderate and cook until all of the mushrooms are tender, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to 1 of the skillets and heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook over low heat until the garlic is golden, about 1 minute. Add the sherry and bring to a simmer; pour over the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and toss. Serve the mushrooms warm or at room temperature.
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Chorizo with Figs (I couldn't find canned figs, but fortunately I found fresh and cooked them in wine - oh yum - very popular) Note: this uses the other kind of chorizo - the for cooking type

1 pound chorizo, cut into 1" pieces
1 small onion, sliced lengthwise
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup red wine
1 can figs
½ cup sugar
½ cup red wine vinegar
1 stick cinnamon
½ teaspoon cloves

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan and add the chorizo and garlic; sauté until garlic in golden brown. Add red wine, sugar, vinegar, cinnamon, and cloves and simmer 30 minutes. Just before serving, stir in the drained figs. This can be made in advance and reheated just before serving.

What midday meal should i cook for a person who is on a slimming diet + me included?

DaMo

I have an assignment to cook for 2 people a midday meal for me and a person on a slimming diet
what should I cook? It probably doesn't have any carbohydrates in it and salt.
Please someone help me.
Send me recipes if you have
thx

Answer
I thinnk saldas are great - they are so versitie. And, some great soup. Here are some of my favorites:

Thai Waterfall Beef Salad

This beef salad recipe offers a feast of flavors & textures with every bite! This salad is based on the famous "Waterfall Beef" dish in Thailand, so called because of the splashing sound of juices falling on a hot grill. The beef is lightly grilled or oven-broiled, sliced thinly, then served with a mixture of salad greens & fresh papaya along with a special Thai dressing. Serve as the main course for a nutritious & oh-so-delicious dinner that's naturally high in protein & low in carbs.

1 to 2 sirloin steaks, depending on the amount of meat you prefer

Marinade:

2 tablespoon oyster sauce
2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
2 tablespoon brown sugar

For Salad:

1 large bowl salad greens
1 cup bean sprouts
handful of fresh mint or basil leaves, lightly chopped or torn
1 cup fresh coriander
1 cup fresh papaya, cubed (for tips on buying & preparing papaya, see below)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, left whole or sliced in half

Dressing:

2 tablespoon fish sauce (available at Asian food stores)
3 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
1+1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 tablespoon toasted & ground sticky rice, OR 2 tablespoon ground peanuts

Preparation:

For tips on preparing fresh papaya, see: Buying & Preparing Papaya.

Mix marinade ingredients together in a cup or bowl, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour over the steak(s), turning meat to coat. Set in the refrigerator to marinate.

For the ground sticky rice: Place 2 tablespoon uncooked sticky rice in a dry frying pan over medium-high heat. Stirring continuously, dry-fry the rice until it starts to pop & is lightly toasted. Remove rice from the pan & allow to cool slightly before grinding it up with a coffee grinder, or pounding into a powder with pestel & mortar.

Combine all salad dressing ingredients together in a cup or mixing bowl, stirring until sugar dissolves. Then prepare your bowl of greens & other salad ingredients.

Grill the steak over a hot grill, turning only once or twice to retain the juices (meat should still be pink in the center).

To Oven-Broil the Steak:

Set oven to BROIL setting. Place steak on a broiling pan OR on a foil or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place in oven on second-to-highest rung. Broil 5-7 minutes per side, or until steak is well done on the outside but still pink on the inside.

While steak is cooking, toss the salad with the dressing. Taste-test for salt, adding more fish sauce if not salty enough, or more lime juice if too salty for your taste.

Portion out salad onto serving plates or bowls.

Slice the steak as thinly as you can. Top each portion with a generous amount of sliced sirloin & serve immediately. ENJOY!

=============================

Cream of Carrot Soup

1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled & sliced (about 7 or 8 medium to large)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 teaspoons sugar
3 fresh sprigs thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 medium potatoes, peeled, coarsely chopped
5 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup Maderia or sweet sherry
Salt & pepper to taste
Dash of cayenne pepper

Cook carrots with butter, sugar, thyme & potatoes in 4-quart pot over medium heat until carrots soften, about 10 minutes. Add stock & bring to simmer. Simmer soup until potatoes can be crushed with spoon, about 15 minutes.

Cool soup slightly. Working in small batches, transfer soup to blender or food processor. Puree until smooth. Return mixture to soup pot & whisk in cream & wine. Add salt & peppers. Return to heat & bring back to simmer. Remove from heat. Makes 6 servings.

Source: Mimma's, 1307 E. Brady St. Milwaukee, WS

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What is the best quick and easy dinners to make?

8 person dinner set image

Q. Sometimes i'm too tired to make dinners so would love a quick go-to recipe ideas for a dinner.
Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer
We are now doing the following for easy and fast cooking - microwave and etc:

1. At your grocery store, buy the sealed PRE-COOKED meats that come is small packages such as the following. You can make two or three meals out of them (or you can freeze the meals too):

Beef tips with gravy,
Roast with gravy,
Pork roast,
Chicken,
Baked ham,
Pork chops,
Meatloaf,
etc.

Just heat in your microwave; directions are on the packages. You will find these packages in the cold section (not the freezer). Ask a clerk to help you find these. They are delicious.

Use these for your meat dish with a side dish or two of canned or frozen vegetables, beans, potatoes or sweet potatoes which can all be found on shelves or in the freezer section and they are already cooked.
.
You can now buy bags of different flavors of precooked rice that you put into your microwave for a minute or two. These are on shelves at the grocery store. We like the chicken flavored best of all. Have a clerk help you find them.
.
Real mashed potatoes that come in a bag...add water, butter, milk. Delicious. Read the directions.
.
Jars of all types of sauces for making pastas. On shelves.
.
Boxes of pastas with everything needed inside the boxes. On shelves.
.
Buy top brand cans of stew for each person. Serve with cornbread, crackers, or toast.
.
Soup and a grilled (fried) cheese sandwiches. Go to this video to see how to make a quick grilled cheese sandwich:
http://startcooking.com/video/326/Grilled-Cheese-Sandwich
.
Omelet with Cheese - Video:
http://startcooking.com/video/326/Grilled-Cheese-Sandwich
.
You can buy all types of salad greens in large packages now. Buy the ones that have been pre-washed. Add your own dressing which you can buy in bottles.
.
2. The top brands of microwave frozen dinners are very good now. These come in single servings or in family sized bags. Follow directions. Look for the words "No Preservatives" marked on the box or package.
Just add a canned or frozen vegetable as a side dish.

Top brands of dinners that are found on shelves. No fridge needed. Add water, microwave. These are good to take to school or work. Follow directions on the containers.
.
3. Video On How To Cook A Rib Eye Steak on Stove Burner (turn on your sound), click this link:
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-rib-eye-steak
.
4. Supermarket deli's have pre roasted chickens, fried chickens, roast beef, and side dishes. You can stop in on the way home and grab a quick dinner to take home. I buy their roasted chicken often...they are delicious.
.
5. Buy a crock pot. You put everything into the pot in the morning, set it on low for 8 hours, and your dinner will be ready for you when you come home in the evening! I kid you not. Be sure to read the instruction booklet.
There is a recipe booklet that comes with the crock pot. You can buy crock pots at places such as your grocery store and department stores.

Here are 1,160 crock pot recipes:
http://www.cooks.com/rec/search?q=crock+pot

DON'T FORGET TO PLUG IT IN! This happens more than you would think. lol

6. Salads. All types:
http://southernfood.about.com/od/saladrecipes/Salad_Recipes_Salads_and_Dressings.htm

7. Twenty three Snacks for watching TV movies and Football games:
http://startcooking.com/blog/277/Top-23-Snacks-for-All-Night-Gaming/

Addictions handle life, how a person addicted can start managing your life?

Jaimel

When it has been a hard worker and has fallen
in the grip of the vice of
alcoholism, drugs, gambling, lust, etc ... How can
do?I Listened to an interview with a person who
said that does not know his life because he was addicted.
Some people have multiple services at once. How
start managing your life and what are the first steps
not to fall? What would an action plan for no
fall? Thanks for your attention. Each person is different
and I think they will work not all the same. In line
general and can be employed?

Answer
Get into a quiet place where you can think and feel without being distracted by other people, noise, duties, etc. Very first thing in the morning can be best: when you wake up, are most refreshed and least distracted - and when your body-mind system is least drugged up because you won't have had a drink, smoke, shot, etc, for 7 or more hours.

Visualise the you whom you would like to become. Imagine how you will feel when you are managing your life well. In your mind's eye, see yourself being this person.

Now, choose one target that you can reach in stages within a relatively short time. If you are averagely patient, you might say "in 3 to 6 months"; if you are impulsive and impatient, one month may be as long as you can wait. ANY target that moves you towards the you whom you have visualised will do, provided that it is realistic (not grand). For example, if your present habit is to drink a bottle of spirits a day, starting at 8 in the morning, you might set a target of not starting until 10.30, or of having only half a bottle a day (mix it with water), or of switching to beer and having maximum two litres (five pints) a day. It doesn't matter how small your target is, provided it's clear in your mind, and in the right direction.

Then do something - anything - that moves you immediately in the direction of that target. Add water to your first drink. Wait till 8.20 this morning. Switch to beer in the mornings and only open the spirits at 1pm, and limit the total alcohol use per day to 10% less than you've been used to.

Train your mind to new, manageable, achievable habits of self-discipline. Re-visualise daily or at any rate twice a week the you whom you have now started to become.

When you have reached your first target, celebrate with something that you feel is rewarding and which is nurturing and wholesome. e.g. if you have a partner, take him/her out to dinner; or give yourself a new hairstyle; or take that trip to the National Park you've always promised yourself...

Consolidate the target by maintaining the discipline. Select a new target that will improve your life in the direction of your vision. Take the first small step in the direction of that target this very day.

Alongside all this, make and act on some positive new choice that breathes fresh energy into your life. Anything that for you is new, envigorating, and feeels more like fun than work. A brisk walk; a study course; tai chi; taekwondo; meditation; an English language improvement class; a book club (where everyone in the group reads the same book and they share about it and how they respond and feel); a hobby that uses your hands; learn to play cricket (or squash, or rugby....).... let your inner self guide you to your own choice.

After 6 months or a year you may want to deepen this choice or change it for something else that now seems to have more of the key qualities - active, energising, and fun.

One other essential suggestion. Mix with people who have the qualities you want to acquire. Avoid mixing with people who share the habits you want to free yourself from. So in the example you give - avoid addicts, and socialise with people who are sober, dislike sex, don't do drugs, and don't work 20 hours a day. Don't go to meetings of groups where other people are also addicts. By all means join a (psycho)therapy group, but if so, let it be a mixed group i.e. one where the other people's problems are different from yours. If you can't walk past a pub without going in, find a route that has no pubs on it. I mean it. It's worth minimising temptation.

If you are willing, ask God to help you. Ask God's friends to help you with their prayers. Begin to become one of God's friends yourself by getting involved with a church, temple, mosque, circle dance or whatever spiritual group or activity attracts you. Preferably one that supports positive thinking, rather than one that calls you a sinner - one that believes you and God, working as a team, can achieve your goals.

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