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: Spaghetti Squash

Written on February 21, 2011 by Alisa.

I’ve tried spaghetti squash before, and really, it’s a very likable veggie. How can you go wrong with anything that can be served like a pasta? For me, once a food meets tomato or parmesan, it achieves hallowed status. The problem is that I haven’t been able to convince the Tiny Kitchen Assistant that this […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Training: Accepting What I Cannot Change

Written on February 20, 2011 by Alisa.

Last week, I came to grips with the fact that maybe, just maybe, my focus should be less on running and more on cardio and strength conditioning. This simple change in mindset has made all the difference this week. Even though my first 5K is only five weeks away, I don’t feel the same kind […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Emergency Ziti

Written on February 18, 2011 by Alisa.

Imagine if you will: through the In a Pinch program from the mothers’ club, you’ve agreed to deliver a meal to a new mom. Now, hypothetically speaking, imagine that you’ve completely forgotten that today is the day that you’ve arranged to deliver the aforementioned meal. Complicating factors? You’re due to deliver the meal in an […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Does BMI Really Matter?

Written on February 16, 2011 by Alisa.

“According to the Kaiser BMI chart, I’m obese,” said a friend who does not visually appear to be anywhere close to obese. It was the sort of conversation that made me doubt the value of the body mass index (BMI) chart. Obese? Really? It was the sort of thing that made me question the validity […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Try Something New: Kale with Bacon

Written on February 14, 2011 by Alisa.

I was determined to find a recipe that made kale work for me. Unfortunately, it required cooking it with bacon and likely obliterating all of the health benefits, but hey, it’s a process. This recipe serves two. You can easily double or triple the recipe for larger groups. Ingredients 1/2 bunch kale, rinsed, dried and […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Training: Would You Look At the Size of That Hill?

Written on February 13, 2011 by Alisa.

“It’s steeper than it looks,” said my friend, as we stared at the vertical climb ahead of us. This, my friends, is bad, bad marketing spin. The Plan Monday: Travel (off) Tuesday: Kickboxing Gym Wednesday: Pilates Run and gym Thursday: Kickboxing Friday: Gym Saturday: 5-mile hilly hike at Lafayette Reservoir Sunday: Driving range (first time […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Slow Cooker Rice Pudding

Written on February 11, 2011 by Alisa.

Crock Pot Arborio Rice Pudding Rice pudding feels like a flashback to childhood. I can remember Betty standing over the stove, stirring the pudding, worried about  the mixture sticking and burning. I loved the outcome, but I couldn’t imagine the endless stirring, especially with the Tiny Kitchen Assistant also requiring nearly constant attention. I’ve come […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Reading: Good For Your Health

Written on February 9, 2011 by Alisa.

When I’ve had a long, hard day, there’s nothing that relaxes me quite like a book. I had long assumed that this was just some sort of personal preference in the way that some people like watching TV or doing crossword puzzles. But it turns out that reading has actual health benefits, according to this […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Try Something New: Kale Chips

Written on February 7, 2011 by Alisa.

I struggle with the battle between Knowing that Green Leafies are Good for Me, and Not Particularly Liking Anything More Daring than Spinach. Searching the vast resources of the internet for palatable recipes for kale, I discovered that lots of people swore by kale chips. The details varied by seasonings and oven temps, but the […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Training: Just Breathe

Written on February 6, 2011 by Alisa.

I’m writing this on the world’s slowest hotel internet connection, wondering if it will ever see the light of day. There will be no images because I can’t get enough bandwidth to upload. The Plan Monday: Gym Tuesday: Kickboxing Wednesday: Pilates Off Thursday: Travel (off) Friday: Travel (off) Saturday: Travel (off) Sunday: Travel (off) I […] Read More