All the gravy has been ladled. The cookies have crumbled. The red and green candies are on the clearance rack.
That can only mean one thing: people all over the country are resolving to eat better, if not less often. The start of the New Year – and with it, a new decade – means that consumers are focusing on their resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle for themselves, their loved ones, and, for that matter, the planet.
Indeed, there is no time like the present to follow up on your pledge to finally shed those nagging extra pounds, add healthier foods to your diet or slowly incorporate natural, organic and sustainable products into your shopping lists. January is the high point of the year for making such changes.
The hardest part about New Year’s resolutions, of course, isn’t making them, it’s keeping them.
To that end, changing a diet or lifestyle should not be viewed from the outset as a hurdle or a chore. Making it easy, affordable – and fun – helps make a resolution stick.
The next best thing – or maybe just the best thing.
We’ve all seen illustrations along the lines of “eat this . . . not that,” that show a bag of chips which should be replaced by, say, a raw handful of vegetables. But for those of us who like to crunch on some salty snacks as we unwind after a busy day or eat lunch in the middle of the day, such substitutions can seem more like a penalty than a reward.
If you’re feeling that way, look for foods that offer some attributes of traditionally craved snacks. Snyder’s of Hanover, for instance, recently introduced new Pretzel Chips that offer the hearty flavor of fresh pretzels along with the slight, crisp texture of traditional potato chips with less than 1 gram of fat per serving. Pretzel Chips, in Original and Garden Veggie, also fit into any resolutions to go natural for 2010: the products are all natural, with no trans fats.
There are many other quick and rewarding substitutions that can be made when the craving for something crunchy and satisfying starts in earnest, from fruit and vegetable crisps to 100-calorie packs. Meantime, if it’s something sweet you’re craving, seek out portion-controlled 100-calorie ice cream novelties or grab a square or two of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate.
BYOT – Bring your own treats
Why be tempted when standing in front of a vending machine filled with chips, snack cakes and puffs or when scanning the menu at a quick-service restaurant? Controlling your diet means literally and figuratively controlling what you eat. By packing a lunch with proportioned servings, such as a sandwich made with lean protein, snacks like bagged pretzels, pretzel chips or veggie crisps and some fresh fruit, you can ensure a healthier meal and snack, and at the same time save on the extra expense of eating away from home. For variety – and fun – mix it up with a variety of foods.
Good for you and green
Feel good about yourself and what you’re doing for the planet by doing more with less. Use a non-disposable container to pack smaller portions of healthy snacks to contain calories, costs and waste. You can also take advantage of packaged products designed to be at once better for you, flavorful and eco-friendly. Snyder’s of Hanover, for its part, recently introduced the markets first 100 percent compostable outer bags for its 22 count variety sacks of 100 calorie pretzels and 1 ounce pretzel sandwiches.
Buddy system
Teamwork can really mean the difference between sliding back or moving forward. Engage a friend, family member or even a large group of friends to help you in your goals to improve your diet and lifestyle. Compare shopping lists and diet tricks – all the better over a brisk walk or during an exercise class.
Reward yourself
If you make it to Groundhog Day on the way to your goal of eating better and feeling more fit, reward yourself with something that’s both healthy and indulgent – and something you don’t have to feel guilty about afterwards. Dip a whole-grain pretzel rod into some melted dark chocolate for some sweet and salty satisfaction, not to mention a dose of antioxidants (from the chocolate) and whole grains (from the pretzel). Roll the chocolate-covered pretzel in some crushed pistachios, which are rich in vitamins and minerals like copper, potassium, phosphorus and B6. Or top one scoop of reduced-sugar vanilla ice cream with a half-cup of crushed pretzels and a drizzle (not a drench) of caramel syrup; or top one scoop of dark chocolate ice cream with fresh blueberries and raspberries.
Make the last day of every month a reward day, and that way, you’ll be surprised that you’re still focused on eating healthy when Memorial Day rolls around.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
We’re not sure what’s happening with Season Two and have been asking anyone who really likes this program as much as we do to write HBO and the BBC!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newswatch/ukfs/hi/newsid_4030000/newsid_4032600/4032695.stm
Choosing a career in the new economy
10/17/2009
(ARA) – Whether heading into the work force for the first time or perhaps being shuffled around by the economy, employees and future employees are evaluating and re-evaluating their career paths.
For most, long gone are the days someone cupped a child’s chin in hand and asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
As children, the answers probably were a ballerina, fireman, basketball player, cowboy or movie star – based on the dreams and heroes admired up close and afar.
“Even as grownups, choosing a career is really an exciting topic, and yes, as we get older, sometimes the process can be a little bit more daunting,” says Danielle Grey, director of Career Services at South University in West Palm Beach, Fla. “When people come to talk to me about career planning, I begin with the hardest part – look inside yourself first. Discover who you are. Then, design what you can do, and what you cannot do, to be effective in the work world.”
The list
Grey directs career seekers to start the evaluation process by making a list. Think of as many things as you can that make you happy and offer some fulfillment.
“The list should include the greatest details you can imagine. Search your heart deeply, and at the end, the list should look like you,” Grey insists. “Don’t dismiss something because you think it might be frivolous, but list everything that comes to mind, for example, from puppies to vacationing in Bermuda to playing soccer.”
As the list takes shape, can you draw connections between your personality and the items on the list? Ask yourself, realistically, why these particular things make you happy or create a sense of fulfillment. Then, ask yourself what things on your list can realistically be converted into a career and, inversely, what career path might bring you the same sense of happiness and fulfillment.
Designating the route
“It’s a good thing to remember, too, that a job is not the same thing as a career,” Grey says. “Many people have jobs, but no defined career.”
Once you’ve figured out a career that fits you, you will discover many jobs that can keep you headed in the right direction. Clearly, there will be jobs that won’t take you in the direction you want to go. It’s important to be aware of the difference, so when you take the next job, it is a job that leads toward your career goals.
You may be looking for any job to begin with, but by seeking employment that aligns with your skill set and ambitions you will create your career path. As a result, you’ll likely be much happier in whatever work you find. As you compare your “list” to what jobs are available in your field, you will hopefully find out that even taking an entry-level position in the right field moves you successfully forward in your chosen career.
Pay attention to the road
Another good tactic for confirming career direction is to spend time with people who are already doing the jobs you see yourself doing someday. “When choosing a career, not only should you investigate the possibilities thoroughly, as they exist today, but also be prepared to adapt – as you change and as you see the industry you choose change,” Grey says. “Talking to people who work in a given field, about what they have seen change and about what they think will change, will give you invaluable information.
“Career choices seem a lot easier when we know where we are headed. It’s truly like being on a road trip. Pay attention to the road, and certainly, we stay inspired when we are looking for the next place we really want to be,” she says.
Talk it up and keep moving in the right direction
One last piece of advice for those who are seeking a career or perhaps a career change: once you’ve settled on a new direction, don’t be afraid to share your dream.
“We all function better with encouragement,” Grey says. “So it can be very helpful to let other people know where your heart has pointed you. Tell someone who you know will be an encouragement and who will also keep you accountable.”
Having someone to follow up with you can inspire you and help you stay headed in the right direction.
“Ultimately, we have to listen to our own hearts,” Grey says. “Friends and family can offer opinions about what we’re good at, or what we should be doing, but we have to remember that in order to be successful, our choices really do have to satisfy ourselves first.”
In that respect, career choices – both those you make when you are young and those career choices you make later in life – are personal and need to connect you to the things you both respect and love. For a look at some career ideas, visit www.southuniversity.edu.
