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: Acorn Squash

Written on April 11, 2011 by Alisa.

As a kid, I never ate squash. My mother relied heavily on bags of frozen vegetables, and fresh squash just wasn’t on the menu. Imagine the surprise of my adult self when I discovered that I actually liked it. Acorn squash is plentiful, cheap and tasty. There are two primary cooking methods: baking and microwaving. […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Training: The Disney Way

Written on April 10, 2011 by Alisa.

When I packed for our trip to Florida, I brought my running shoes and my TRX, assuming that I’d use both. While the runners were used, the TRX never came out of its bag. The Plan Monday: Off Tuesday: Run Wednesday: TRX Thursday: Disney walking Friday: Disney walking Saturday: Off Sunday: Run Ok, so maybe […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Carrot Cake

Written on April 8, 2011 by Alisa.

This recipe was my mom’s. I’ve always marveled at how good it is, particularly considering that she wasn’t exactly what you would consider to be a good cook. We never had sweets at our house, so the carrot cake was reserved for holidays and church bake sales. Its rarity made it all the more precious. […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Allergy (is Such a Lonely Word)

Written on April 6, 2011 by Alisa.

Please forgive the awful title of this post, but as I lay on the couch, groggy yet awake in the night, surrounded by a pile of tissues, my twisted mind started singing to the tune of Billy Joel’s “Honesty:” “Alllllergyyyyy, is such a lonely word….” I’m going to blame this entire post on the Benadryl. […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Try Something New: Roasted Cauliflower

Written on April 4, 2011 by Alisa.

I like cauliflower… as long as it’s raw. Try as I might, I’ve just never been a fan of it when it’s cooked. Of course, it recently dawned on me that my objection to it might just be the fact that I’d always been served cauliflower that was overcooked. It was time to find out […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Training: After the Race

Written on April 3, 2011 by Alisa.

Just when you think you’re hitting your stride, life decides to conspire against you. The Plan Monday: Gym Tuesday: Kickboxing Wednesday: Pilates Thursday: Kickboxing Run? Friday: Gym Saturday: Big, giant, hilly hike Sunday: Does the mad-dash through the airport count? Last week, all was well. I ran my first post-injury 5K in what was, for […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Gyro-Style Lamb Over Quinoa

Written on April 1, 2011 by Alisa.

I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve eaten lamb, and I’ve never particularly enjoyed it. While it might be a perfectly reasonable meal, I just can’t get over the fact that nobody has ever renamed this meat for the sake of marketing. I mean, let’s face it, we’ve spent our entire […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo What’s in Season? April

Written on by Alisa.

The Tiny Kitchen Assistant and I went back east for a family visit in early February. I wanted to stop by the supermarket to buy some produce and milk for my 92-year-old Nana. “Why don’t we just go to the market and get her the good stuff?” the Assistant asked. Oh baby, we are so […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo About That Eye Makeup

Written on March 30, 2011 by Alisa.

If you met me in real life, you’d quickly realize that I rarely wear makeup. Sure, I’ll use a bit of eyeliner in the morning, but shadows, foundation and blush? Uh, how often do I attend weddings? It wasn’t until I spotted the expiration date on my mineral makeup that I realized that I was […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Try Something New: The Freezer

Written on March 28, 2011 by Alisa.

No, this week’s entry isn’t a new food. It’s a new approach to food. What’s in your freezer? No, seriously: what’s in your freezer? My freezer is always absurdly full, and yet I can tell you honestly that I haven’t the faintest idea as to what’s actually in there. I decided to dig in, see […] Read More