In many ways, I’ve always believed New Years to be an overrated holiday. The expectations are so high — the plans, the party, the new year’s kiss — that invariably someone feels let down. Or hung over.
And then there are the reflections on the past year, the evaluation of how you have or haven’t made your goals set last January, and the new dramatic resolutions, destined for most people to be a distant memory by February.
For years I simply didn’t make “new year’s resolutions,” just to avoid the self-recrimination when I didn’t live up to them. Now, I realize that I was going about it all wrong. Instead of resolving to change my life in a major way, one which would require a lot of effort, constant monitoring, and strict discipline, I could set smaller goals of things that I could practice every day: to be a nicer person to strangers and friends, to smile more frequently, to have healthier habits. To subtly shape myself into the person I wanted to be.
The funny thing was, these small lifestyle/outlook changes would have effects that would reverberate through my life in other ways. I would have more friends and be happier. I would lose weight without really trying. I would have less stress. I would find interesting things to learn about and feel intellectually stimulated. I would feel better, healthier, happier.
So, in this spirit, starting on the first Monday in January (that would be next week), I will be sharing specific strategies I’ve found to help you live a healthier life. Just little baby steps that translate into small lifestyle/outlook choices. Nothing drastic, I promise you.
If losing weight is one of your goals, you won’t want to miss the posts on Mondays, which will contain detailed, doable, weekly weight loss strategies provided in small, manageable, bite-sized bits of information. No diet fads, counting calories or unrealistic promises: just slow, steady progress toward your body’s natural equilibrium.
Days other than Mondays I’ll continue to talk about the other elements of living a natural lifestyle, as I have been so far.
2008 is off to a great start — stick around and we’ll enjoy it together! Happy new year to all!
This is one of my favorite reference books to have around: 
. Meticulously researched and invaluable when you’re looking to make substitutions or find a specific flavor, it makes a great addition to any foodie’s kitchen!
Weleda is an Australian company and I love their products. Calendula is a soothing herb for skin inflammation, and I found the Waleda Calendula cream to be a miracle product for making red, sensitive bottoms feel better. I also use it on bug bites, itchy scabs, raw upper lips from runny noses, and other skin irritations with unbroken skin.
When a physical barrier against wetness is needed to stop or prevent diaper rash, I reached for the Weleda Diaper Care ointment. Sometimes, I used the Calendula cream first, then the Diaper Care ointment on top of that, for super healing and protection for those little bottoms.