365 Fresh Starts

A Blog About Life

We've been conditioned to expect things to be all or nothing. We make dramatic resolutions on December 31st that we break by January 2, and then feel terrible about ourselves. We think that we can't change at all because our annual, dramatic attempts at change just don't work.

We get 365 fresh starts each year.

CookingCooking

FitnessFitness

HealthHealth

What Would Betty Do Logo Betty Says: Embrace the Lard

Written on March 28, 2012 by Alisa.

Looks like someone has been looking in my fridge. Dear Betty, What’s this I hear about you using lard in your baking? Seriously? Lard? What the hell are you thinking? – Baffled in Boise Ok, I’ll admit it: I went out of my way to drive to a farmer’s market on a rainy Saturday morning […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Training: The Long, Slow Comeback

Written on March 25, 2012 by Alisa.

Some of my readers might have noticed that there haven’t been any training posts to speak of for the last few weeks. Two weeks ago, I posted about my malaise and voiced hope that I might be able to run today’s Oakland 5K. Today, I slept right on through the race start and felt no […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Firecracker Pork Fusilli

Written on March 23, 2012 by Alisa.

In the next town over, there was a restaurant that billed itself as serving “world pasta” or something similar. Their selections ran the gamut from ordinary Italian favorites to more Asian-inspired noodle dishes. But the one dish that everyone ordered was the firecracker pork fusilli. Admittedly, this was a strange dish: pasta topped with shredded, […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Betty Says: Playing the Role of Mommy

Written on March 21, 2012 by Alisa.

Sometimes, you just need a change of perspective. Dear Betty, I feel like my kids (and possibly even my husband) don’t appreciate what I do. Nobody notices dinner unless it’s bad. Nobody notices the laundry until nothing is clean. Nobody ever says thank you. It makes me crazy. How can I make them appreciate me […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo What Women Love (an Informal Study of Pinterest)

Written on March 19, 2012 by Alisa.

It seems like you can’t go anywhere on the Internet these days without hearing about Pinterest. For those who are miraculously unaware of what it is, it’s essentially an online scrapbook where you can “pin” things that you find interesting: recipes, home decor, that pair of boots that you covet, the hairdo that you wish […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo No-Cream Creamy Potato Leek Soup

Written on March 16, 2012 by Alisa.

Potato Leek Soup Without Cream I’m lactose intolerant, so I tend to avoid most creamy soups. Sure, Lactaid pills help to some degree, but a bowl full of soup usually contains a lot more milk or cream than what I’m willing to risk. But potatoes — lovely potatoes — are full of starch. And starchy […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Betty Says: Confessions

Written on March 14, 2012 by Alisa.

I borrowed this from the blog of Superfantastic Lori, and had to share with you. This is the place where I confess those weird things that I’m not necessarily proud of, but aren’t so crazy that they’ll land me in jail. And unlike most of Lori’s readers, none of mine involve Kraft Mac & Cheese. […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Training: Malaise

Written on March 11, 2012 by Alisa.

We interrupt the regularly scheduled training posts with a big ol’ dose of malaise. So far this week, my training has consisted of sitting on the couch and… no, that’s really it. Couch. Throw blanket. Books. With two weeks to go until the Oakland Running Festival 5K, I’m seriously hoping that this thing goes away […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Chole Palak (Chickpeas with Spinach)

Written on March 9, 2012 by Alisa.

For the next installment of our Indian vegetarian cooking series, I bring you chole palak, or chickpeas with spinach. Chickpeas are high in protein, and this makes a complete meal when served with basmati rice or naan. This was the first recipe I made that used a ton of spices that weren’t in my standard […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Betty Says: Fearmongering

Written on March 7, 2012 by Alisa.

It was a Tuesday night. I was sprawled on the couch, watching the clock, having the grand debate with myself about how early is too early to go to bed. I’d eaten much too much at dinner and was feeling sort of gross. I was also sore from an intense session with the trainer. I […] Read More