Sunday, December 18, 2005
Resolution tips...
Here's something I picked up from MSNBC/Newsweek. Some simple advice on New Year's resolutions. I know a number of them probably don't apply to us, but what the heck:
Tip Sheet's Guide to New Year's Resolutions
1) Pucker up. Once people are in long-term relationships, it’s 'as if they forget how to make out,' says sex and relationship therapist Dr. Laura Berman of Chicago’s Berman Center. 'Couples come into my office and say their relationship is failing, and I ask them, ‘When is the last time you kissed, really kissed?’ People will say, ‘Well, we don’t kiss, except when we used to have sex’.' Her Rx: smooch every day-and hold the kiss for at least 15 seconds.
2) Take up the tango. Staying active and learning new skills can help prevent dementia. In a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that people who ballroom-dance, an activity that provides a lot of intellectual stimulation (keeping in rhythm, memorizing steps, not mashing your partners’ toes), have a lower risk of dementia.
3) Skip the face-lift. If you want to look younger, plastic surgeon Dr. Norman Leaf doesn’t want to see you. 'Too many people flock to plastic surgery because they want instant gratification,' says Leaf. 'Most people don’t need us.' Leaf’s message: take the money you would 'throw at a surgeon' and for six months to a year hire a trainer, a nutritionist or anyone who can motivate you to eat better, sleep longer and move around more. Once you’re in shape, consult a surgeon for trouble spots.
4) Hang up. 'If cell phones could be amputated from people’s ears, everything would be nicer,' says Cindy Post Senning, codirector of the Emily Post Institute. Limit public cell-phone use to quick conversations-not for real-estate deals or divorce settlements.
5) Change trains. Hoping to meet Mr. or Ms. Right? Try varying your morning commute. If you drive to work, take the train. If you take the train, get on a bus. New surroundings equal new opportunities to see and be seen, says Kimberly Williams, author of 'The Basics: Tantalizing Tips and Techniques for Attracting Good Men.'
6) Have a latte. Nutritionist Keith Ayoob, author of “The Uncle Sam Diet,” based on the 2005 U.S. dietary guidelines, believes deprivation is a recipe for failure. Instead of simply avoiding your favorite foods, add more calcium and protein to your diet. Aside from the obvious choices of low-fat milk or yogurt, indulge in an afternoon latte, which can provide about 400mg of calcium.
7) Want something more substantive? Try these calcium- and protein-rich recipes from Massachusetts-based Peter Davis, chef for Song Airlines and the executive chef at Henrietta's Table, the Charles Hotel, Harvard Square.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Applewood Smoked Bacon
Serves 4
12 oz cleaned brussel sprouts
8oz applewood smoked bacon
Fresh cracked pepper
Slightly score the bottoms of the brussel sprouts by making a 1/8 inch deep X cut in the stem.
Blanch the brussel sprouts in lightly salted boiling water until tender. Drain well and cool.
Dice the bacon in ? inch pieces. Saute the bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until transparent. Add the brussel sprouts to the bacon and stir together.
Place the pan in a preheated 350 degree oven and roast for 20 minutes.
Remove and serve with fresh cracked pepper
Creamed Spinach with shallots
Serves 4
1 pound of spinach, with stems removed
4 oz Shallots diced finely
4 oz heavy cream
2 oz butter
? cup water or chicken stock
Salt and pepper to taste
Wash the spinach thoroughly. Saute the shallot in the butter until transparent. Add the spinach and water/stock and cook until tender. Add the cream and simmer until the cream is ? reduced. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.
7) Loaf more. Bill Doherty, professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota, wants families to hang out together on a Sunday with absolutely nothing planned. 'People equate being busy with being worthwhile,' he says. Better to spend unstructured time with the kids.
8) Digitize your doggie. First, if you have a pet, you’re smart enough to spay or neuter. Once that’s done, forget the fou-fou sweaters and toys. They don’t care. The nicest thing you next year is cough up about $50 for a microchip, a tiny device injected into the shoulder that contains owner and vet contact information and the animal’s health history, says Jo Sullivan of the ASPCA. Almost all vets and shelters in the U.S. have hand-held scanning devices to read the chip.
9) It’s easy being green. If you want to do something nice for the planet, turn off the lights when you leave the room. 'Reducing energy consumption is the single most important thing anyone can do,' says Erik Olsen, senior attorney for the National Resources Defense Council.Consider updating a furnace to a more energy-efficient model, look for fuel-efficient vehicles and appliances and energy-saving light bulbs.
10) Forgive someone. A growing body of evidence shows that nursing a grudge can make you sick. Similar to the stress response, harboring negative thoughts about someone restricts blood flow, decreases oxygen consumption and throws your immune and gastrointestinal system out of whack. You may never forget how your ex dumped you, but 'you will sleep better, be more energetic and be happier' if you can put it behind you, says Boston psychiatrist Dr. Ned Hallowell.
And, oh yeah, don’t feel bad if you fail at any of these resolutions. 'It’s all a process,' says Hallowell. 'Every day can be Jan. 1.'
I'm still working on my list...oh, and while I'm not so sure about the brussel sprouts, I think the spinach will do. And I knew there's something good about lattes...
Tip Sheet's Guide to New Year's Resolutions
1) Pucker up. Once people are in long-term relationships, it’s 'as if they forget how to make out,' says sex and relationship therapist Dr. Laura Berman of Chicago’s Berman Center. 'Couples come into my office and say their relationship is failing, and I ask them, ‘When is the last time you kissed, really kissed?’ People will say, ‘Well, we don’t kiss, except when we used to have sex’.' Her Rx: smooch every day-and hold the kiss for at least 15 seconds.
2) Take up the tango. Staying active and learning new skills can help prevent dementia. In a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that people who ballroom-dance, an activity that provides a lot of intellectual stimulation (keeping in rhythm, memorizing steps, not mashing your partners’ toes), have a lower risk of dementia.
3) Skip the face-lift. If you want to look younger, plastic surgeon Dr. Norman Leaf doesn’t want to see you. 'Too many people flock to plastic surgery because they want instant gratification,' says Leaf. 'Most people don’t need us.' Leaf’s message: take the money you would 'throw at a surgeon' and for six months to a year hire a trainer, a nutritionist or anyone who can motivate you to eat better, sleep longer and move around more. Once you’re in shape, consult a surgeon for trouble spots.
4) Hang up. 'If cell phones could be amputated from people’s ears, everything would be nicer,' says Cindy Post Senning, codirector of the Emily Post Institute. Limit public cell-phone use to quick conversations-not for real-estate deals or divorce settlements.
5) Change trains. Hoping to meet Mr. or Ms. Right? Try varying your morning commute. If you drive to work, take the train. If you take the train, get on a bus. New surroundings equal new opportunities to see and be seen, says Kimberly Williams, author of 'The Basics: Tantalizing Tips and Techniques for Attracting Good Men.'
6) Have a latte. Nutritionist Keith Ayoob, author of “The Uncle Sam Diet,” based on the 2005 U.S. dietary guidelines, believes deprivation is a recipe for failure. Instead of simply avoiding your favorite foods, add more calcium and protein to your diet. Aside from the obvious choices of low-fat milk or yogurt, indulge in an afternoon latte, which can provide about 400mg of calcium.
7) Want something more substantive? Try these calcium- and protein-rich recipes from Massachusetts-based Peter Davis, chef for Song Airlines and the executive chef at Henrietta's Table, the Charles Hotel, Harvard Square.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Applewood Smoked Bacon
Serves 4
12 oz cleaned brussel sprouts
8oz applewood smoked bacon
Fresh cracked pepper
Slightly score the bottoms of the brussel sprouts by making a 1/8 inch deep X cut in the stem.
Blanch the brussel sprouts in lightly salted boiling water until tender. Drain well and cool.
Dice the bacon in ? inch pieces. Saute the bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until transparent. Add the brussel sprouts to the bacon and stir together.
Place the pan in a preheated 350 degree oven and roast for 20 minutes.
Remove and serve with fresh cracked pepper
Creamed Spinach with shallots
Serves 4
1 pound of spinach, with stems removed
4 oz Shallots diced finely
4 oz heavy cream
2 oz butter
? cup water or chicken stock
Salt and pepper to taste
Wash the spinach thoroughly. Saute the shallot in the butter until transparent. Add the spinach and water/stock and cook until tender. Add the cream and simmer until the cream is ? reduced. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.
7) Loaf more. Bill Doherty, professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota, wants families to hang out together on a Sunday with absolutely nothing planned. 'People equate being busy with being worthwhile,' he says. Better to spend unstructured time with the kids.
8) Digitize your doggie. First, if you have a pet, you’re smart enough to spay or neuter. Once that’s done, forget the fou-fou sweaters and toys. They don’t care. The nicest thing you next year is cough up about $50 for a microchip, a tiny device injected into the shoulder that contains owner and vet contact information and the animal’s health history, says Jo Sullivan of the ASPCA. Almost all vets and shelters in the U.S. have hand-held scanning devices to read the chip.
9) It’s easy being green. If you want to do something nice for the planet, turn off the lights when you leave the room. 'Reducing energy consumption is the single most important thing anyone can do,' says Erik Olsen, senior attorney for the National Resources Defense Council.Consider updating a furnace to a more energy-efficient model, look for fuel-efficient vehicles and appliances and energy-saving light bulbs.
10) Forgive someone. A growing body of evidence shows that nursing a grudge can make you sick. Similar to the stress response, harboring negative thoughts about someone restricts blood flow, decreases oxygen consumption and throws your immune and gastrointestinal system out of whack. You may never forget how your ex dumped you, but 'you will sleep better, be more energetic and be happier' if you can put it behind you, says Boston psychiatrist Dr. Ned Hallowell.
And, oh yeah, don’t feel bad if you fail at any of these resolutions. 'It’s all a process,' says Hallowell. 'Every day can be Jan. 1.'
I'm still working on my list...oh, and while I'm not so sure about the brussel sprouts, I think the spinach will do. And I knew there's something good about lattes...
// posted by isa @ 7:15 PM 
