2015 Resolutions Revisited
Remember the resolutions I made at the beginning of the year? Let's see how those went.
1. Read at least two books a season.
Winter: I Shouldn't Even Be Doing Thing And Other Things That Strike Me As Funny by Bob Newhart & Don't Stand Too Close To A Naked Man by Tim Allen & Meaty: Essays by Samantha Irby
Spring: Are You There, Vodka? It's Me Chelsea by Chelsea Handler & The Bedwetter by Sarah Silverman
So I fell short of this goal by one measly book. That's on me. I'll do way better this coming year.
2. Try two things off of Pinterest a month.
Not even close. I didn't keep track of all of the recipes I've tried, but it certainly wasn't close to two per month. Infact, I didn't care much for this resolution after all. Noted.
3. Apply to work stuff at least ten times a month.
Hahahah, NOPE!
4. Volunteer at least once a month.
Honestly, I think I volunteered twice this year. I'm a terrible person.
5. Do pilates at least five times a month.
January = 7 times
February = 7 times
March = 6 times
April = 3 times
May = 2 times
June = 6 times
July = 3 times
August = 3 times
September = 0 times
October = 0 times
November = 0 times
December = 2 times
Okay, so I sort of fell off my game towards the end of the year. But that doesn't mean that I still don't love this resolution and will likely repeat it for 2016. I actually really like those classes, as you may remember, so I really want to be more consistent this upcoming year. (As a sidenote, in 2014, I went to the gym 37% (137 days out of 365) of that year. In 2015? I went 86 days out of 365, so that's 23.5% of my year that was spent at the gym. A lot less than I went in 2014, but what can you do? I was really proud of that 37% from 2014, so I'll continue to gym it up and try to get in that bracket range next year. And honestly 23.5% is absolutely better than 0%, so I'm not really beating myself up over that one.)
6. Juice at least ten times a month.
January = 12 times
February = 11 times
March = 8 times
April = 3 times
May = 2 times
June = 4 times
July = 1 time
August = 4 times
September = 7 times
October = 0 times
November = 21 times (!)
December = 2 times
Okay, so my juicing was all over the place. When I remembered? That's when juicing happened. But I really want to be amazing at it this next year, especially since it's so ridiculously good for you.
7. Stop falling into the Instagram butt trap.
I totally stopped! Success!
So those are my 2015 results. If any of that is boring to read, my apologies! I like to track my successes and my failures to see what I most need improvement on and maybe it'll inspire you to do the same with your own yearly goals. And if you're wondering how I track all of these things, you really should know by now.
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Mom Says
Illustration by Andrew Hamm
Illustration by Andrew Hamm
New Year's Day Checklist
The following things must be done on New Year's Day to ensure a prosperous year ahead:
Wear red. This brings luck.
Nothing should leave your house - so don't take out the garbage today - because if things leave, then that means things will be leaving you all year.
Don't do your laundry or wash your dishes or wash your hair because you'll wash away luck. And don't you dare sweep at all.
Don't use scissors today or they will cut off your good fortune.
Good Foods To Eat:
Incorporate some black eyed peas into one or all of your meals today. When eaten today, they bring enormous good luck.
Lentil soup because lentils resemble coins.
Pork because poultry scratches backwards, a cow stands still, but a pig roots forward, ergo those who dine upon pork will be moving forward in the new year.
Chicken should not be eaten on the first day of the year or you will have financial difficulties for the rest of the year.
Any greens such as collard greens, peas, chard, cabbage, kale, spinach, broccoli, etc. (because the greens resemble money).
Eating cornbread is supposed to bring wealth.
Some good recipes can be found here.
Wearing new clothes today (especially socks and underwear) is extremely lucky.
Do not lend any money to anyone today or you'll be giving away all your money throughout the year. And try not to spend any money as well.
Avoid breaking anything today or crying. Again, what you do today sets the tone for your coming year.
Keep this in mind: Anything shaped like a ring is believed to be good luck because it symbolizes “coming full circle,” completing a year’s cycle.
Sleep in a bed with clean, new sheets.
So basically - whatever you do today will set the tone for your year. So sleeping in all day is obviously not the best idea since you'll have a lazy year ahead. Some ideas of things to do today for a good year?
Phone friends of family
Dance
Be friendly and polite, more than usual
Exercising, even in some small way
Do a small amount of work, but don't go overboard
Compliment someone
Am I ridiculous for suggesting these things to you? That's your call. I'm a firm believer in this kind of stuff and I'm also fortunate enough to feel a great deal of happiness in my life so I'll continue on with adhering to things like this.
Happy New Year!
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
New Year's Eve Checklist
Make sure the following things are done today:
Make sure there are groceries in the house. The new year must not be seen in with bare cupboards, lest that be the way of things for the year.
Go to an ATM or bank and make sure there is cash in your wallet. This guarantees prosperity in the coming year.
If you're celebrating at home, let all the windows and/or doors open at midnight to let the old year out and to let the new year in.
Twelve grapes, for the twelve months. You also should make a wish on each grape. And for each grape's taste - that signifies what that month will be like. For example, if the third grape you eat is very sour, then March will be an unpleasant month for you.
Wear polka-dots, even in some small way. Anything round signifies good fortune.
Pay January's rent TODAY. You don't want any money going out of your home tomorrow.
Settle any debts you owe, if you can afford to.
Back up your laptop onto the external hard drive. Have you done that lately? God, so important. Go do that now.
Wash your hair today, so you don't have to tomorrow. This will be explained later.
Take out the garbage today, so you don't have to tomorrow. Again, explanations are coming soon.
I'm sorry. I have to do these things. And so, I must pass them onto you.
If you actually give a shit about doing ANY of those things, then return tomorrow to see what you should do on New Year's Day for a prosperous year ahead.
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
New Year's Day Recipes
You'll understand in a few days why I'm posting these recipes with these specific ingredients, but for now all I can tell you is that these would be extremely lucky recipes to make on January 1st. (And if you hate the following recipes? Try to eat something with these main ingredients then - if you know what's good for you.)
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.
Crockpot Pulled Pork Chili - recipe from How Sweet Eats
Crockpot Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Cider-Dijon Pork Chops - recipe from Epicurious
Lentil Tacos - recipe from AllRecipes
Lentil Bolognese
Pork and Black Eyed Pea Chili - recipe from Gourmandistan
Three Bean Salad - recipe from eNourishment
Pesto Lasagna with Spinach and Mushrooms
Spinach, Bacon and Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms - recipe from How Sweet Eats
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins - recipe from Or Whatever You Do
New Year's Movie To Watch - Radio Days
I wish there were as many New Years movies as there are Christmas movies. This is probably the one I like to watch most (a close second being Dick Tracy) around this time of year. There isn't really one reason I enjoy it so much, it's just a warm kind of movie.
Some people might tell you to watch When Harry Met Sally (meh) or, god forbid, New Year's Eve (shudder) - but thankfully, I am not amongst those "people".
Oh! And one that’s not exactly “warm” - but still a good movie? A Simple Plan. So good! Especially if you’re in the mood for a good drama. Love this movie.
(And speaking of New Years, there will be a few New Year's Eve/New Year's Day specific posts coming up. What will they consist of? Well, how to ensure a prosperous year, of course!)