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 Quick Bolognese

Written on February 4, 2011 by Alisa.

I’ve already posted my go-to bolognese recipe, but sometimes you want a hearty sauce that doesn’t take half a day to make. Behold: quick bolognese in under 45 minutes, even less if you buy pre-chopped onions and carrots from the supermarket. Ingredients Olive oil 1 onion, chopped fine 1 carrot, diced 1/2 lb ground beef 1/2 […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Resolutions: Is Later Better?

Written on February 2, 2011 by Alisa.

I don’t make new year’s resolutions. After all, every day is the start of a new year and a fresh chance to make changes in your life. But judging by the crowd at my gym I’m clearly in the minority. And when I say crowd, I mean that the place is packed to the rafters. […] Read More

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

Written on February 1, 2011 by Alisa.

Ok, I’ll admit it: this is the time of year where the market seems pretty dismal. Sure, there’s plenty of stuff for sale, but I just can’t get excited about beets in the same way that I do about a juicy nectarine. Nonetheless, this buttered beets recipe from Whole Foods does look good, doesn’t it? […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Try Something New: Another Shot at Fennel

Written on January 31, 2011 by Alisa.

I wouldn’t have guessed from my last post about fennel, but it turns out that I like it just fine, as long as it’s raw. I saw several online references to fennel and celery as two flavors that worked well together, including this recipe from Mark Bittman. I’m not a huge fan of either, so combining […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Training: Pretending Everything is Normal

Written on January 30, 2011 by Alisa.

It’s just like old times: kickboxing, running and the gym. Except… yeah, it’s a lot harder than I remember it. The Plan Monday: Gym Tuesday: Kickboxing Wednesday: Pilates Thursday: Kickboxing Friday: Rest Saturday: Run Sunday: Rest My triumphant return to kickboxing wasn’t horrible; in fact, I was pleasantly surprised that I could keep up for […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Black Bean Salsa

Written on January 28, 2011 by Alisa.

A longtime summer favorite, I recently realized that my Black Bean Salad also makes a really good salsa, and just in time for Super Bowl Sunday. Again, as with most of my recipes, if we’re not right in the heart of tomato season I won’t use fresh. Canned tomatoes are picked in-season and offer better flavor during […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Keeping Track of My Running

Written on January 26, 2011 by Alisa.

A long time ago — 2009, I believe — I was a Nike+ loyalist. I had the chip and the iPod Nano connector (ye olde Nano, not the fancy kind they have now), and when my Nano gave out, I moved on to the Sportband. I thought it was the coolest thing ever, and loved […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Try Something New: Papaya

Written on January 24, 2011 by Alisa.

It was the prevalence and cheapness of papayas in Hawaii, combined with a reading of In Defense of Food, that got me thinking about trying new produce. Sure, I’ve eaten my share of papaya over the years, but I couldn’t ever recall having purchased or prepared one. It’s a fruit, so it didn’t require any […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Training: Making the Most of Limited Time

Written on January 23, 2011 by Alisa.

Monday was a preschool holiday. Tuesday was going to be booked with meetings from start to finish. Two days off? Nope. I split the difference and hit the gym on Monday night. The Plan Monday: Gym Tuesday: Off Wednesday: Pilates Thursday: Gym Friday: Run and gym Saturday: Much too much yard work Sunday: Much-needed rest […] Read More

What Would Betty Do Logo Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Written on January 21, 2011 by Alisa.

Best Slow Cooker Pot Roast With all apologies to Cook’s Country magazine, I got this idea while thumbing through an old issue in a waiting room several months ago, and only remembered it now because the dreary weather has demanded slow cooker comfort food. I think that the Cook’s recipe was for stew, but the philosophy is […] Read More