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Health & Fitness

New Blog: A New Kind of Resolution for a New Year

January brings New Year resolutions, which are often forgotten by February. Why not try a new type of resolution for the New Year?

The holiday decorations have been put away, the leftovers are long gone and the children are back in school. While traditionally New Year’s resolutions begin the first day of the New Year, I find myself too busy then to reflect on the upcoming year. As someone who loves a good to-do list, I have always enjoyed thinking of the New Year ahead as a fresh start with endless possibilities. Of course, the running joke is that by February the good intentions are long forgotten. Rather than ditching the tradition, this year instead of a list of things I want to change I have come up with a more realistic, and more fun, list of things to do.

"Backpacking through Europe" is probably not a realistic option for my family, but spending a day with friends at Piney Run Park is. Did you know the Carroll County Parks and Recreation website lists 27 different park sites? I resolve to visit one I have never been to before.

Some variation of “lose weight” seems to be a recurring favorite among resolution lists, and a frequent one on mine. But I think I would have more luck, and fun, trying a new, healthy recipe every month. In a few short months the farmer’s markets will be open again. I resolve to try at least one new vegetable that my family doesn’t normally eat.

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While I have always wanted to be fluent in French, I am probably not going to learn to speak French this year. But I can introduce my family to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's wonderful book The Little Prince. The Carroll County Public libraries have a wonderful array of events for readers of all ages, and you can easily search through them online.  I resolve to visit our local library more often and check out some of the other branches I have not been to

Once I have my list complete I will proudly display it on my refrigerator and the next time my family is looking for a break, we will have a ready-made resolution list to choose from!

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Happy New Year!

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