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.

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What Would Betty Do Logo Try Something New: Barley Mushroom Risotto

Written on June 20, 2011 by Alisa.

This is a big post for the Try Something New section, because it involves both barley — something I’ve never used for more than an addition to soup — and mushrooms. Yes, I know that it’s weird that I don’t cook with mushrooms. I’ll discuss that later. I was reading the No Meat Athlete blog […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Training: This is What’s Important

Written on June 19, 2011 by Alisa.

Wednesday was That Kind of Morning. I woke after sleeping poorly, achy and uncomfortable from the combination of Tuesday morning kickboxing and Tuesday evening strength circuits (3 miles of running plus strength training at the track) with Team in Training. Work was weighing on my mind. Just getting the boy up, fed, dressed and off […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Indoor Barbecued Brisket

Written on June 17, 2011 by Alisa.

I found this recipe in the Cook’s Illustrated “Spring Entertaining” supplement that I bought at Costco. It’s a good recipe, and available nowhere online that I can find (not even cooksillustrated.com), so I thought that I should share it here. The key to the recipe, in my humble opinion? Coffee BBQ Dry Rub from Muddy […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Reusable Shopping Bags

Written on June 15, 2011 by Alisa.

I absolutely get behind the idea of reusable shopping bags. The problem is that most of them are smallish, not terribly stable and barely hold more than the plastic bags that they’re replacing. I’m all for keeping a stash of bags in the trunk of my car, but less delighted by the idea of having […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Try Something New: Muesli

Written on June 13, 2011 by Alisa.

We’ve reached the season where I’m no longer interested in a hot oatmeal breakfast each morning, but I’m increasingly dissatisfied with the cold cereal choices that are out there. Even the healthiest ones have a lot of additives and stuff that I just don’t need. And so I decided to give my own muesli a […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Training: Unconventional

Written on June 12, 2011 by Alisa.

I drove the Tiny Kitchen Assistant to southern California last week, a tour of Anaheim and San Diego to feed his insatiable desire for baseball, baseball and more baseball (he’s now been to eight major league stadiums). In addition to 1,000 road miles, we also did a lot of unconventional exercise. Sure, there was plenty […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Slow Cooker Pepper Pork Chops

Written on June 10, 2011 by Alisa.

This is a wonderful recipe from Alton Brown of Food Network. I love Alton because he taught me how to cook. I’m reprinting the recipe here because it’s too good to pass up; I’d refer you to the original recipe on Food Network, but I don’t seem to have the kind of readers who do […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Try Something New: Purple Asparagus

Written on June 6, 2011 by Alisa.

Maybe I’m the last person on Earth to get the memo, but I just learned about purple asparagus. I was walking through the farmer’s market, as I do on Saturday mornings, when I came across a booth where they were giving out samples. Of vegetables. Now, that may not sound significant, but if you spend […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Training: See Jane Run. See Me Struggle.

Written on June 5, 2011 by Alisa.

Today was the See Jane Run half marathon (no thanks) and 5K (yes, please!) in Alameda, California. The weather has been abysmal lately — low 60s and rainy in the middle of our 80s and sunshine season. So when the alarm woke me at 6:30, I shouldn’t have been surprised to hear rain. What did […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Braised Mexican Pork

Written on June 3, 2011 by Alisa.

Personally, I think that the pickled onions make the dish, but there’s also something to be said for a meal that can be made the day before and reheated. It’s even better reheated, because the citrus and garlic flavors intensify and have plenty of time to meld. Serve with tortillas or spoon over rice. Because […] Read More