Resolution-Free New Years!

January 1st, 2007 · 7 Comments

(There is more ice in this photo than in this MA winter, so far)I do Christmas, Easter, the solstices, beltane, samhain, Valentines Day, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, birthdays, all of that (all in an areligious way). I have even done a Seder for cultural growth for the little ones (my husband was amazed and puzzled, poor guy).

(Pure comfort)BUT, I do NOT do New Years resolutions, period. I also loathe new-year diets and dieting. This is my least favorite time on the Food Network. Oy, too much with the diet shows, already.

I am not sure what it means but I spent the day yesterday cooking massive stews and soups and homemade corn tortillas. I scrubbed all my pots and cleaned the kitchen like a fool. I didnt mind either, which for me is novel, I hate cleaning too :-).

For me, at my age, my 40th New Years was relatively free of reminiscing. Its something I do not really like to do anymore because living in the past is tedious and I need all the energy I have to live in the now. I did give thanks once again for our new baby, Baby O. That is a good thing to remember. I did give thanks for the entire family and the opportunities I have had this year to grow creatively.

(Q)

(KD)

(Baby O)I did not (and certainly will not) waste a second worrying about calories or diets or carbohydrates.

I will not indulge in that guilt-ridden consumer trend that sweeps through the US this time of the year. I have lived way too many years on diets (Oh NutriSystem, how many times, I shall not count them) and have begun to break free of that insidious group think. I have three kids to teach healthy food attitudes to, thats a huge responsibility. What I put in my mouth and theirs ARE the lessons, not any lecture I could give. I dont mind telling them that I love pralines, loathe malted balls, and such. I will never tell them to watch their weight or that birthday cake has to many calories to have a second helping.

SO many “will nots” huh.

What I will do this year is love more, hug more, smile more, cook more, create more, live more.

I hope you will too!

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7 comments for this entry ↓

1 Crizette // Jan 1, 2007 at 2:59 pm

Happy New Year!!!

Just like you, I don’t care about dieting or being guilty to eat 2 slices of choco mousse, spaghetti, Crispy Pata (Deep Fried Pork Knuckle)on a single meal. I enjoy eating as much as I enjoyed cooking.

Curious though, what’s that in the second pic and mind if you can give me recipe for it? Thanks…
2 nika // Jan 1, 2007 at 3:40 pm

crizette: thanks for stopping by. The second photo is of some matzo ball soup I made. I used homemade chicken stock with carrots in it. The matzo balls are made with matzo crumbs, eggs, some cilantro and carrot bits (then boiled in water for 40 mins before adding to the chicken soup).

Here are a few good recipes

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/20/dining/20rosh.html?ex=1316404800&en=669fbdf588289694&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

http://www.amateurgourmet.com/the_amateur_gourmet/2006/11/fall_out_of_fal.html
3 Kalyn // Jan 1, 2007 at 4:50 pm

The kids are really cute. Hope you have a great year.
4 nika // Jan 1, 2007 at 4:54 pm

Kalyn: thanks hon and I hope yours is great too, we will share it to be sure, so glad to have gotten to know you this past year.
5 bea at La tartine gourmande // Jan 2, 2007 at 10:06 am

Happy New Year to you Nika. I think your list of things in 2007 is great!
6 nika // Jan 2, 2007 at 10:19 am

Bea: Happy New Years to you too! Looking forward to an even more food photo filled year :-). Its been so great to get to know you this last year.
7 Nicole // Jan 4, 2007 at 6:05 pm

Happy New Year Nika! I totally agree with everything you said! Time to eat!

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Nikas Culinaria

eat with your eyes