Resolution New You #10 - Plan a vacation

I realize it is the beginning of the year and we should be focusing on work - not vacation, however, now is the time to schedule your trip and take advantage of the great deals.  Try somewhere new this year or begin a tradition and take the family to an island in the spring.

The Island of Maui is gorgeous.  From February to May, you can see the whales migrate from your very own condo.  We have stayed at the KAHANA OUTRIGGER and you can't beat the price, the comfort, or the location, especially if you travel with 3 couples. (This vacation rental by owner is a relative's so you can trust it is reputable.)

Or try a dude ranch.  In Texas, they have over 95 dude ranches great for kids of all ages.  

For skiiers, Lake Tahoe is ideal. The Marriot's Timber Lodge at Heavenly is near the lake, the casinos, horseback riding stables, the longest zip line in the states, and the gondola is right out the front door.  You can ski to your room.

In honor of this years historical events, plan a trip to Washington DC.  

Taking the time to treat yourself to some fun and relaxation will make you a better you.  So plan now, then work hard so you can go relax.  

In the meantime, where are some of your favorite places to go?

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Resolution New You #9 - Prepare your life for emergency

It is inevitable that a natural disaster will occur and disrupt the conveniences of our daily lives. We don't know exactly when or where, but in order to protect yourself in 2009 - get your emergency plan together.  Make sure your emergency supplies are plentiful for at least 48 hours.

Prepare an evacuation plan and set a meeting location with other family members.  In California, we are rocked with frequent earthquakes every day. The world picture above references the latest earthquakes in the world as of January 13, 2009. You can follow the latest earthquake news at www.usgs.gov. 

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Resolution New You #8 - Meet the neighbors

The expression, it's not what you know, it's who you know, proves true with regards to your neighbors. How many times have you left the house wondering, did I shut my garage door? Did I turn off the curling iron? Did I feed the animals?  Being friends with your neighbors, or being friendly with your neighbors, relieves the worry of these situations for you can call them and prevent yourself a drive back home.  

When we are not neighborly, it can result in greater problems in a community, then city, state and eventually neighboring countries start sending rockets to each other. We can't control what is going on in other countries, much less our own, however we can control how we treat our neighbors now.

So in 2009, plan a neighborhood potluck block party and get to know your neighbors. Make it an international theme so everyone can bring food from their culture. It is a great way to experience the world without having to travel - right in your own front yard.

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Resolution New You #6 - Learn and USE a new word, everyday.

One of my favorite songs is by John Mayer titled, Say.  The message is, say what you need to say: and be confident, proud and true to you.  So, how many times have you wanted to speak up, be yourself, but didn't feel aplomb? You felt pusillanimous and hesitated.  

There are numerous ways to increase your vocabulary and it does require effort. One way is to read, read, read.  (When I read and I come across a word I want to use, I write it in the back of the book.)  

Another is to add a widget to your desktop, or an application such as Mirriam Webster's Word of the Day to your Yahoo page. Todays words of the day are: hidebound, sanction, and candor. Here are the words used in a sentence: The Palestinians and Israelis are hidebound and refuse to approve any sanctions between 

the two. It is with true candor, that I admit I am scared of this hate and destruction and hope it can be resolved. (read recent news of the stituation.) 

Lastly, for parents who splurged on their kids with a Nintendo DS in the past three years, use it for yourself.  There is a great game titled CROSSWORDS.  Crosswords has an umpteen amount of puzzles, wordsearches and anagrams to enhance your vocabulary.  Trust me: it is so fun, you will find yourself making sure it is charged all the time for you to play or you will simply sequestrate it more often as punishment.  Hee Hee.

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Resolution New You #5 - Eat more Fiber

Did you know we need to eat about 35 grams of fiber a day and most of us average 11 grams only! Use this fiber chart to find the foods you like with the highest content.  

These are the leading foods highest in dietary fiber...

• Bananas, 3 grams - medium 8" long • Beans, 6-10 grams - baked beans, black beans, great northern beans, kidney beans, garbanzos, pinto beans, white beans • Berries, 4-5 grams - blackberries, raspberries • Bran Cereals, 5-10 grams - All-Bran, Bran Buds, 100% Bran, Raisin Bran• Bread, 4-7 grams - 2 slices whole wheat, pumpernickel, seven-grain • Broccoli, 4-5 grams • Brussels Sprouts, 2 grams • Carrots, 3-4 grams • Dried Figs, 10 grams - 3 figs • Fruit, 4 grams - medium apple, medium pear • Green Beans, 2 grams - broad beans, pole beans, snap beans • Greens, 4-6 grams - beet greens, collards, kale, spinach, turnip greens • Lentils, 6 grams • Lima Beans - 4-6 grams • Peas, 7-9 grams - black-eyed peas, green peas • Potatoes, 4-5 grams - medium baked Idaho or sweet potato • Sweet Corn, 5 grams.

To track your daily servings, download the fruit and veggie tracker from the American Red Cross. 

The benefits of fiber for our health are too numerous to list in my blog, but the American Red Cross is dedicated to updating the facts for us.  Visit American Red Cross for the latest information on fiber. 

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Resolution New You #4 - Be Charitable

Performing acts of kindness for others develops a positive reaction in yourself and brings you closer to a new you - or an even better you! One of my favorite messages on the act of charity was from the movie, Pay it Forward.  It is the story of a little boy who wanted to make a difference by choosing 3 people to help in life.  His vision was, If he helped three people, then those three people would help 3 people, and those three people would help 3 people, and the goodwill would spread throughout the world.  

Our world is filled with people who selflessly dedicate their time to others in less fortunate countries than ours.  Some people donate money to a charity that is close to their heart.  Many of us dream of doing something "grand" for others but forget, it is the little things that matter most and can make a world of difference for someone.  So don't wait until you can do something big...do something now.  In 2009, take the time at the beginning of each day, to think about how are you going to make someone else's life better? 

Find one charity that you believe in and dedicate your time, money, or support to it at least 4 times a year.  Consider two of the causes below. 

For those of you who love children and cake, give your charity to Let's Eat Cake which benefits St. Jude Children's Hospital.  The details on the event (February 17th) which show how you can make a difference are posted here.  (for bloggers, if you mention the event in a blog before Jan. 31st, $1 will be donated to the cause... so blog it forward.)

And a charity that is personal to me is the National MPS Society.  Student and director, Jonathan Formica produced the film, Courage.  "Courage” is the documentary which tells the poignant story of Sharon Browne and her strength in raising two children with the rare and fatal disorder, Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS). The film was started as a small school project and has since gained attention by affected families around the world. Show your support by attending the movie this Saturday night January 10th, or donate here.

And remember, sometimes the little things, such as putting the shopping cart back in it's spot, can make a world of difference for you, others, and your car.  Be kind and pay it forward.

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Resolution New You #3 - Develop a morning routine

Remember hearing stories of the mothers in the 1950's who would wake up, put on her entire face, pile hair high, and be dressed for the day, BEFORE the rest of the family was up?  Granted they didn't have Facebook, email, internet, or blogging to compete with, but the routines they established set themselves up for success in running their household - while looking pretty as a peach.

Developing a morning routine which sets you up to look and feel your best is a great resolution for a new you.

Wake up an hour earlier than you normally would or before the kids get up.  Stretch, pray, or take a brisk walk around the neighborhood first.  Then shower and prepare yourself to look your best for the day.  (Don't forget the lotion ladies.  Studies show that putting lotion within 5 minutes of showering, increases the elasticity of our skin and prevents wrinkles.) Try this routine for at least a month in order for it to become part of your new lifestyle.  You will be more efficient, feel better, and be a better you. Guaranteed.

What is your morning routine?

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Snow song for kids

This is sung to The Old Man is Snoring
(Collaborated with Taryn Cohn - 9 and Erin Alexander - 8)

Its snowing
Its snowing
The snowmens are growing
Snowflakes fall
Out of the sky
And blanket the ground
With white covering.

Note: the snowmens was an intentional grammatical error.

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Resolution New You #2 - Organize a Junk Drawer

You know you have one - a junk drawer, a cupboard of clutter, a closet of clothes you think you will wear again.  It is time to make a resolution to organize your home for the new you.  It can be overwhelming to attack the problem all at once so here is the solution.  Take it one drawer (or closet, file cabinet, picture box, etc.) at a time, once a week, for 1 year.  Once you free yourself from "things," the peace of mind you will feel is gratifying beyond words.  

If the thought of cleaning out the clutter is exciting but the fear of where to put it prohibits action, here are some helpful ideas on what to do.

Clothes - (ladies, even if you get back in the "ideal size for you" you will not want to wear that outfit again. Get rid of it!) 

Real Simple has some ideas where you can take your old clothes. 

Papers from filing cabinet - Shred your documents to prevent identity theft with this 

FREE community service available through Shredit.

Kitchen Supplies - donate to Vacation Rentals by Owners.

Electronics - there are environmental regulations for discarding electronics - check the EPA for current dumping procedures

Lastly, ebay built its company on the concept, One person's junk is another person's treasure. Luckily this is true as Ebay's theory is proven with these financials.  "But the greatest total number of visitors flocked to eBay (NasdaqGS: EBAY), which drew in 85.4 million shoppers."

So get rid of your junk and allow others to treasure it.  Clean out a junk drawer to become a new you.

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Resolution New You #1 - Share Time

It is here - January 1st - the day we all have the best intentions to become our best selves.  Well who knows you better than your family and friends. They know the good, the bad, and the ugly - and they still like you. (at least they pretend to)   So, get out your calendar and actually "schedule time" with specific people in your life.  

Bring dinner over to your grandmothers house and ask her about her childhood.  Ask your dad to watch his favorite sporting event together, or to hit some golf balls at a local driving range.  

Get the ingredients of a family recipe and prepare it together, just you, grandma and daughter (see memory sheet I created to the left.)  The act of sharing time creates a memory you won't regret, especially when the person is no longer here. So on this first day of the new year, look ahead to the 364 days left of 2009 and make a date with a family member ahead of time.  Share time to become a better new you!

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