The New Year Resolutions & a Healthy Start

To start today's blog, I have the link to my latest TV appearance on KQ2's "Hometown this Morning" show.  I hope you enjoy it.  Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

It's the beginning of a new year - 2012 - and many people make "New Year Resolutions" at this time.  Many of the resolutions have to do with changing a habit (like smoking), meeting new goals (like finding a new job) or changing ones looks (like losing weight).  Whatever you choose to do, I wish you the best in achieving it.

Unfortunately, most people don't achieve them or at least not fully.  We all have great intentions to start but find obstacles that get in the way.  Here are a few tips that might help you meet that New Year Resolution.  I hope they can help keep you on task.

1.  Set an achievable goal.
2.  Set a measurable goal and measure it (daily/weekly/etc.).
3.  Set several measurable points along the way to the goal.  That way you see your making progress.
4.  Write it down and look at it every day.
5.  Tell someone that will help keep you accountable and give them updates.
6.  Just because you have a bad day with your resolution, don't quit.  Start again because everybody has that bad day or moment.  The object is to win the war even if you lose a battle or two.
7.  Reward yourself with something reasonable as you meet certain points and the goal.
8.  Don't let the fact that someone else is doing better on their goal.  It's like the tortoise and the hare.  It is crossing the finish line not about how fast you get there.

Good luck and remember that you are not a loser because you didn't achieve your goal.  You at least had the "Where-with-all" to at least try.  A lot of people didn't even do that.

Some ideas to help get you off to a healthy start are below.  And yes, all my suggestions have to do with food.

1.  If you don't cook now, try cooking just one meal a week.
2.  If you do cook now, try cooking one new dish each week.
3.  If you are going to the grocery store without a plan, start at least planning what main meal items you need.
4.  If you are not planning a weekly menu for all meals, at least plan all the dinners.
5.  If you are not eating in a healthy manner, add just one well balanced meal to the menu each week.
6.  If you are using too much butter and cream (me), back off a little.
7.  If you are a picky eater, try just one new item/dish each week.  You won't like them all but you could be surprised.
8.  Instead of always using canned or frozen vegetables, try at least one fresh vegetable each week.
9.  If all you eat is red meat, try chicken or fish at least once a week.
10. If you eat too much or not the right kind of food, try a little moderation in your diet.

Ten suggestions is probably to much, but I'm just trying to give you some ideas.  Whatever you decide to do or not do, I wish you all a healthy, happy and best 2012.  Tomorrow is a recipe.  Thanks.