Behold, the vast drifts of snow that closed schools today!
(Not really, we’ve gotten all that we’re getting.)
I am fearful for our lives and worry that we will run out of essential supplies.
(No, not really.)
Woe unto anyone who attempts to drive today.
(The roads are fine, trust me.)
We are delighted to have to make this day up later, because it will be totally worth it
(No.)
And what’s the weather like where you are?
You know the theory of Six Degrees of Separation, right? It’s the idea that everyone on this planet is six or fewer steps away, by way of connection, from any other person in the world.
Here, let me share a photo of the salad I ate for lunch: a combination of raw and roasted veggies on a bed of baby kale and spinach. #obnoxious
This time of year it seems like most people are making resolutions. A new year seems like the right time to want to set some goals. And when you couple that with the desire to undo the gastronomic degradations we’ve unleashed on our bodies over the holidays, then it makes even more sense to want to return to a healthier way of living.
I don’t make resolutions per se, but I do usually set some goals for a year. Two years ago, for example, I pledged to have one date a month with my husband and also to plan one fun family event or outing every month. We more or less hit my goals for 2013 and I was satisfied.
My friend Molly’s approach is to choose three words that will define her year, and then keep those words ever present in her mind throughout the year. Even before I read her post, I had already been pondering what I wanted 2015 to be like for me, so it spurred me to write this post.
Based on Molly’s idea, my three words for 2015 are:
healthy - In November, I had my physical, wherein my doctor and I discovered that my cholesterol had gone up. Since there’s no family history of high cholesterol, the theory is that my weight, which has crept up in the past two years, and my diet are the causes. My short-term goals from that appointment are to bring my cholesterol down by mid-May without meds but instead through dietary changes. In addition, the doctor would like for me to lose around 10 pounds, five of which has already accomplished.
Even before my doctor’s appointment, I had already cut most sugar from my diet and felt really good, so I’ll continue that in 2015 as part of my goal of being as healthy as I can be. I still have a little dark chocolate now and then and occasional treats, but for the most part, I’m eating pretty clean.
studious - I feel like my brain has gotten mentally flabby in recent years and I don’t like it. To that end, in 2015, I’ll be trying to learn more. Part of this goal will be continuing with online Italian lessons, which I started last year after deciding it was time.
Part of my goal will also be reading better books, as well as other materials (magazines, websites). I don’t have a set list of books in mind, but I will be pushing myself to read at a higher level than I have been in recent years.
frugal - In recent years, I have gotten away from my previously-frugal habits and it’s time for me to revisit and reclaim them. To that end, I’ll be carefully considering all purchases and buying less, as well as sticking to more of a budget when grocery shopping.
So those are my non-resolution resolutions for 2015. How about you? Have you made any goals for the year?
rentrée (French) - Return to work / school (most often after August vacations).
Today is probably a rough day for most folks in the U.S. Maybe even across large parts of the globe. It’s the first day of school and work after the Christmas holiday.
Rentrée. Continue reading
My friends, I am going to take a break from this here blog. With the holidays upon us, a little time off is a good thing.
I will still be online:
Best wishes to everyone for the holiday season and the new year. I’ll see you in 2015.
