Late Happy New Year!

I don't usually make New Year's resolutions.  I haven't for many years, because I seem to have better luck deciding throughout the year what changes need to be made, and hopefully making those changes.  In the past, I would sit through the last quarter of the year waiting until New Year's Day to make any changes.  That was just lost time for me, not to mention that the issue would build up to a big thing, waiting for the new year to begin and make any change. 

Since we have completely changed our way of eating this year, the New Year seemed more significant to me.  As of January 1, we have been on a whole food, plant based diet for five months.  We both feel better and have lost a little weight.  We haven't really concentrated on the weight loss aspect much, because it was overwhelming enough to figure out this new path.

Although these aren't officially New Year's resolutions, (I'm a little late for that),  here are some thoughts of how I want to proceed for the coming months. 

I am ready to start working on bringing down the calories a bit.  When we first started this way of eating, I felt so much pressure just getting meals on the table.  As I have found new grains that we enjoy, new healthy recipes, and even a few vegetables that we didn't eat before, I think I am ready to go to the next phase.

One of the goals is to cut down on the amount of fat I use.  I have always tried to use as little fat as I can when sautéing or roasting in the oven.  For years I have replaced at least half the fat in baked goods to applesauce, so we are used to that.  Well, really there is not much getting used to it, since I can't usually tell the difference.

With a little more effort, I know I can bring our fat use down more.  It still confuses me when I hear "health officials" such as Dr. Oz state that we should include olive oil or coconut oil in our diet.  I remember hearing Dr. Oz say we should drink a tablespoon of olive oil every day.  I would assume that means it would be in addition to any other oil used that day in our foods.  I choose to use olive oil and coconut oil as healthier oils, but surely we should use as little as necessary to prepare our foods.  Some plant based people use little or no added fats to their diet.  I don't know if I could do that.

My main goal in the coming year is to treat myself, including my body, with the respect I deserve.
No one is as hard on me as I am on myself.  I sometimes expect way too much from myself and don't appreciate all that I accomplish.  I have been given this one life, and I plan to start making the very most of it! 

Husband's Note:  Sorry honey I know you don't like pictures of yourself.  I had to include this photo of two amazing women.  My wife Jo Ann and our wonderful daughter Ashley.