Welcome, Mr. President. We’ve Been Waiting.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” — Maria Robinson
Congratulations to President Barack Obama. We are not expecting miracles, but we are looking forward to a new ending.

To Heck with New Year’s Resolutions … Choose CHANGE.

I am not a big fan of “New Years'” resolutions. Instead, I am a believer in the idea that you make a resolution the moment you feel an inclination to make a change. There is no better time than now.

That’s why I love the First 30 Day’s Ultimate Guide to Resolutions. Read through the list of tips and you’ll see point #1 is “Never make your resolution on January 1. Actually, don’t even make them in the first two weeks of the year.”

The reason why 80 percent of people who make their resolutions on January 1st fail is because they did not put forth the time that was necessary to properly shape their goals.

Instead, sit down and think about what you really, really want this year. Use the worksheet that comes with the First 30 Day’s Ultimate Guide to Resolutions and start by reviewing the last year. What was the best thing that happened to you? What are the top three lessons you learned? Answering questions like these will help you to assess what you really, really (REALLY) want for the new year.

“What I like most about change is that it’s a synonym for ‘hope’. If you are taking a risk, what you are really saying is, ‘I believe in tomorrow and I will be a part of it’.” –Linda Ellerbee

One of my favorite suggestions in the F30D Ultimate Guide to Resolutions for forming your resolution: Pick a word of the year.

Focusing on one word — whether it is “yes,” “honesty” or “health” — can train your body and brain to move toward change.

My word — Purposeful. I am working toward my goals this year with great purpose. I am excited. I am revved up. And I am ready to welcome change.

What’s your word? What’s your goal?

Like Ariane de Bonvoisin, the creator of F30D and author of The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Any Change (And Loving Your Life More), says, “You have a ‘change muscle’, a part of you that is really good at change, is strong, powerful, and intuitive and knows exactly what to do. It’s time to remember that part of ourselves.”

Now, go set some goals … with purpose.

Must.Eat.Now.

You have to, have to, have to run out and buy these tasty little babies right now. It might sound a little too risque (or icky) for your palate, but these Trader Joe’s dark chocolate soybeans are a sweet treat straight from the chocolate gods.

And, hey, at 200 calories and 11 grams of fat for every 1/4 cup it might sound a little bit high on the numbers scale. But consider this: Edamame packs healthy fats unlike your trusty Double Stuff Oreos. One serving of these oh-so-yummy treats also has five grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein.

I figure, heck, if I am going to snack, then this is surely the better option, right? And seeing as how it’s the most wonderful time of the month . . . I’ll snack as much as I want. Got it?!

I’m Late, I’m Late For …. Getting Over the Holidays.

Is anyone else still feeling the holiday madness? No, not the run-and-buy-presents-at-the-last-minute kind of craziness, but, instead, the pure mayhem that follows once the holidays have ended … ?

I don’t know what it is about the holiday season — perhaps, the egg nog? — that makes everyone fall into such a stupor, but for some reason the most wonderful time of the year is a culprit in helping us to forget that the world is still spinning.

And, now, it feels like so many of us have woken up from the visions of sugar cookies (I like ’em better than sugar plums) dancing in our heads, and we’re kind of like “Oh, holy craptastic this is the real world!”

So, that’s where I’m at right about now — adjusting to being back in Ohio (we spent the holidays in Pittsburgh) and getting organized. There’s so much to do, there’s so much to do … I feel like at any moment I might turn into a little white rabbit and start sneaking glances at my pocket watch every 30 seconds while I run around town.

It’s OK to Have a Mixed Herd …

“Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd.” — Bertrand Russell

During a time in which we have elected a black president, — a monumentous event in our history — it is hard to believe that we can still move forward with such ignorance. It is a staggering reality, however, that we continue to deal with prejudice in several forms throughout this great country, and Propsition 8 is a perfect example of such unawareness.

I am not hear to ask you to change your core beliefs, but, instead, to ask you to move forward with an educated basis on which to base your arguments. An open heart would be nice, too.

Please check out one cause of which I am particularly fond, The Wedding Party, created by Executive Director Anthony M. Brown. This nonprofit organization supports and celebrates same-sex marriages.

Hello, Lovely, Fabulous Readers …

So, it’s the holidays already, huh?

I know so many of us say this every year, but how the heck did it get here so fast?

Anyway, as you can tell by the looks of Eat, Pray, Run, I have not been doing a fantastic job at keeping it updated. And just like the holiday arrival, I don’t know where time has gone and how I missed so many days of writing to my lovely blog readers.

As promised (more than a week ago), Dan will be guest blogging soon, so we can get that fantastic tofu recipe to you. It really is as yummy as it looks. And in the days to come, you will be seeing lots more from me — promise.

For now, my friends, I have loads of preparing for Christmas and Hanukkah to do, so I am going to get my heiny moving.

In the meantime, enjoy this piece I wrote about my new love — the Nintendo Wii. Who would have ever thought I could be so enamored with a video game? Oh, how I love you, Wii bowling.

Happy Holidays to each and every one of you. ♥

And This Is What I Come Home To ….

… Yes, yes. I am blessed with a fabulous fiancé.

But I thought him even more fabulous when I arrived home tonight from an especially difficult Pilates session, and found this:

It was oh-so-fabulous.

I am so very happy that Dan just loves to cook. It keeps my tummy smiling. And look at the presentation! Beautiful, huh?

P.S. Stay tuned for the recipe — tomorrow!

Buy a Gift and Do Some Good!

When I am buying a holiday gift for someone, I am always looking for a way that it can be meaningful or creative. Now, of course there are some times that an occasion just calls for a practical gift — if the man needs pants, then get him pants!

But here is a good one for you — this gift is not only meaningful, but it benefits 100 children who cannot afford to eat every day. What is it? The FEED Bag! By spending just $30.00 you will be purchasing a gift that provides 100 school lunches for children in Rwanda.

Pretty amazing, huh? First of all, it’s almost unfathomable that a mere $30 can feed 100 children. It makes you wonder about the ways in which we can sometimes be so glutonous when it comes to needing more and more food.

And it’s also so cool because not only is it a cool gift for someone, — it is such a sturdy bag! — but you and your gift-ee can feel good about the present because it is helping other people in the process.

I love my FEED bag, and Dan and I have already purchased them as gifts for other people. His sister and mine both adore theirs!

You can also purchase the bag at your local Whole Foods store. And, hey, don’t forget to sneak a peak at the FEED One bag.

Happy Turkey Eve!

Last Year's Thanksgiving Goodies ...

I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving Day tomorrow. I am looking so forward to eating lots and lots of good food. Mmmmm….

Enjoy!!

It’s A Good Time to Be a Quitter.

Today may seem like a regular ‘ol Thursday, but it’s a rather important one in that it marks the “celebration” of the Great American Smoke Out. No one is judging you, — we all have our vices — but this is your chance to commit to living a healthier life. What better time than now?!

The Great American Smoke Out is a national campaign that urges smokers to quit smoking for just one day. The purpose is, of course, to help smokers quit forever, starting on a path toward better habits and a smoke-free life.

This is a cause that is especially important to me for a number of reasons. Both of my grandfathers smoked and died at a much younger age than necessary. Who’s to say whether or not smoking was the direct cause? Not I, but I can tell you this much — it didn’t help.

I also like the idea of giving smoking the boot because, admittedly so, I have always been drawn to the idea of smoking. Don’t get me wrong: I know better than to pick up those babies because I would be rabidly addicted. And I know it’s a nasty habit. But the tendency is there and I would like to see it go buh-bye altogether.

What’s your take on the Great American Smoke Out? Do you think it’s effective? Are you a smoker? Have you ever lost someone as a result of the effects of smoking?