I read somewhere that it takes 60 days to make something a habit and 6 months to make something a lifelong habit.
I was a little surprised by that but it makes sense once I thought about it.
I started out so strong with my cooking adventure. I sat down religiously and planned out meals, searching for new recipes. And then things began to wane (probably just shy of the two-month mark).
But it really fell apart when fiance and I moved into our new place. Unfortunately, we just don't have the money to constantly be trying new and "exotic" recipes.
For awhile I shelved my cookbooks and recipe planning. But I have been inspired by my two new cookbooks to start again!
In a smaller dose this time. 
My goal is to try one new recipe a week. Something I haven't tried before. Nothing really expensive- no lamb or three course meal here, but something nice that is still fairly inexpensive. And I will be sure to make extra so fiance and I can take it to school so we won't be tempted to buy something there.
I'm going to make it a little more interesting. The recipe I pick has to come from a different section of the cookbook. For instance, one week I might make something from the dessert section, so the next I might make a dish from the breakfast section. I haven't decided if I am going to go cookbook by cookbook (do a recipe from each section of one cookbook before moving on to another cookbook) or if I will skip between cookbooks. We'll see.
To hold myself accountable, I will take pictures of the finished meal. Probably of the cooking process too.
I am also going to set a day of the week to do the new recipe: Tuesday. Wednesday is fiance's longest day at school (from 9 am to 8 pm) so he can take "fresh" leftovers to school the next day and not buy something there.
I'm also doing this partly to curb my sudden desire for more cookbooks. I just got two and haven't even tried any recipes from them and I want more! They are addicting. 
Starting again
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:49 am
September 3rd, 2009 at 07:17 am 1251962278
i have been doing one or two different recipes a week for the past couple of years. it is something to look forward to
September 3rd, 2009 at 01:55 pm 1251986114
(I personally love Taste of Home cooking mags. We pay like $10/year and have recipes out of our ears. Kind of scratches that itch too, for much cheaper).
We try new recipes at least every month though.
September 3rd, 2009 at 01:56 pm 1251986169
Or peruse the website for free!
September 3rd, 2009 at 03:09 pm 1251990565
I have been looking at recipes online, mostly at myrecipes.com. I have gotten SO many recipes from that site! I have a folder in my bookmarks set up for recipes I find online and there's about 100. But there is something about flipping through cookbooks that I just love right now.