New Year, New Goals

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday spent with family and friends. I was lucky enough to spend Christmas, Hanukkah (yes, my family celebrates both) and my grandfather's 87th birthday with my own family in CT, and then the next week through New Year's Day in Austin, TX with Patrick and his family. His cousin got married and we had a wonderful time in Austin!

Here we are enjoying some beer at HopDoddy's Burgers & Beer

I usually don't give into the idea of "resolutions" because I feel like it's just an excuse to wait until January 1st to make important changes to your life, but this year I decided that a few changes were definitely in order for me. I've generally always been fairly active and haven't struggled too much with my weight, but when I moved to New York City and started working in the food industry, let's just say that I haven't been as healthy as possible lately.

For the new year, I made a few goals that I'd like to share, because I think having them written out publically will help me stick to them. Also, as I review restaurants this year, I won't be trying everything on the menu anymore with no restrictions. My new eating plan will have an effect on my blog posts, so it's only fair I share my goals. I made 8, because it's my lucky number:

1. No more Bagel Friday: My office gives us free bagels every Friday morning. I will no longer be participating

2. Replace unhealthy snacks with fruits & vegetables: My faves so far are raspberries, bananas and carrots

3. Take 2 Fish Oil pills every day: I was cursed with high cholesterol and want to try this natural remedy

4. Still allow myself to splurge, but make it count: I love steak. I love fried chicken. I can still have these things, but only in moderation and only for special occastions. And no, "Monday night" does not count as a special occasion

5. COOK MORE OFTEN: At least twice a week, if not more. This also means I need to food shop more often

6. Only go out to get lunch ONCE a week: Or zero times a week, if I can help it. I'm allowing myself once a week in case of emergencies. This will be a big change from my 5-days-a-week habit. Sorry, Seamless. Cooking more means more leftovers, so I can bring lunch from home

7. Drink less: Alcohol should also be saved for special occasions. A glass of wine with my steak or a cocktail with friends. Not 5 beers because the Patriots are on

8. Make smart choices when dining out: I don't need to eat half the loaf of bread or get mac & cheese with my chicken

I'm sure I'll come up with more, but those are my main eating goals for 2012. What are yours?

Let's Eat (Healthy!)
-The Fabulous Foodie