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Health & Fitness

FAB FRIDAY

Since the Babylonians, people have been making New Year's resolutions. I have a way you can keep those resolutions including a healthy recipe for a Green Smoothie!

For this week’s Fab Friday I’m giving  New Year’s Resolutions the spot light . What choice did I have? Change seems to be in the air and on everyone’s mind this time of the year. It’s almost like you would have to be from a different planet, if you didn’t have any resolutions for the New Year.

From the time of the ancient Babylonians to the present, people have been making promises or resolutions to enhance their lives.The Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts.

The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named.

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In the Medieval era, the knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.

In fact the practice of New year’s resolutions partially came from the Lenten sacrifices. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually.

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Popular goals include resolutions to:

* Improve physical well-being: eat healthy food, lose weight, exercise more, eat better, drink less alcohol, quit smoking, get rid of old bad habits.

* Improve mental well-being; think positive, laugh more often, enjoy life.

* Improve career: perform better at current job, get a better job, establish own business.

* Improve self: become more organized, reduce stress, be less grumpy, manage time, be more independent, perhaps watch less television.

*Take a trip

These are just a sampling of the many resolutions that people make starting the New Year. A 2007 study by Richard Wiseman from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions failed, despite the fact 52% of the study’s participants were confident of success at the beginning.

If we are to accomplish our goals at this time of the year or any time, we have to really believe that we can accomplish them and constantly hold a picture in our mind’s eye of the results that we desire. It can happen, but we need to do the work that it takes, to make it happen. I’ve always told my kids, if it’s easy, it’s usually illegal. Don’t  ever give up, persevere, and be patient with yourself. You will reach your goals.

One of the most frequent resolutions is to eat healthier, and lose weight. That’s always one of my goals every year. I found a few recipes for smoothies that you can have in the morning for breakfast. I made the Green Morning Smoothie this morning for breakfast. It probably doesn’t sound delicious, but it was, and it’s healthy too!

GREEN MORNING SMOOTHIE       2 servings

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups unsweetened soy milk or almond milk

1/4 cups whole oats

i banana peeled and halved

1 cup fresh or frozen peaches ( or any light-colored fruit)

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup ice cubes

1 cup fresh or frozen baby spinach ( or 3/4 cup spinach plus 2 or 3 cabbage leaves or other leafy greens, chopped)

Directions:

Pour the milk into a blender jar. Add the oats and the banana and blend on high for 15 seconds. Add the peaches, honey, and vanilla, followed by the ice cubes and then the spinach. Blend on high until smooth, about 45 seconds. Drink immediately.

Next week I’ll have another healthy recipe to give to you. Remember, picture yourself the way you want to be and keep that picture always in your mind.

 

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