check your sugarcoat at the door

They’re silly. If we really wanted to make changes, we wouldn’t wait for the calendar to tell us when we could do it. And yet, I’ve made some. And I’ve done pretty well for myself in this whoppin’ six days.

• Forever the picky eater, I will try new foods and branch out from my usual favorite staples this year.

A big group of us cabbed it home from the party we went to on New Year’s Eve. The next morning we all went back to the same house for some traditional fixings of pork (for progress), black-eyed-peas (luck) and cabbage (prosperity). I’m a total carnivore but one look at the limp greenish cabbage and the spotted peas and I was shaking my head like a stubborn toddler. Eventually I caved. And hated them both. But at least I tried.

My ‘apartment family’ (neighborfriends) frequent a local restaurant chain because they’re friendly with some bartenders who happen to miscalculate our tab on a good night. I order one of two things to eat every time I’m there and the same tall beer. I have for years. Last time we went I changed up my order, much to my delight, and sampled a different (awful) ale.

The other day I had to run an errand on my lunch break that left mimimal grub time. I almost turned into a chain drive-thru for the same unhealthy meal I always order there but instead went up a few more streets and found a tiny French café that grilled me up my first panini.

Last night my lady friend, Jen, cooked a fabulous dinner for Ree, Kiddo and I. Her awesome green leaf salad, stuffed bell peppers and a side of seasoned vegetables that included cucumbers. I stuck my nose up at the cucumbers immediately. Then I remembered what year it was and my promise to myself and I took several bites. They weren’t nearly as bad as I had thought though I don’t know if I’ll try them again.

• I will spend more time with my sister, assuming she lets me. (Fourteen-year-olds are busy individuals.)

My friend said my mom was ‘brave’ to let my sister come spend a few days at the abode for New Year’s. This is mostly true though it’s unlikely she would be exposed to anything around my group of friends that she hasn’t seen before. We had our bonding time (and she totally bonded with my neighbor’s fifteen-year-old) (IN A SUPERVISED FASHION, gawd). She’s become so much like me that I’m afraid for her. Afraid my genetic code of depression and selfishness and stubborness will find its way into her as she gets older. For now we have music and movies and tons of favorite foods in common so we munch and we watch and we listen and I can and do tell her everything. I hope she does the same.

• I will take better physical care of myself.

Like making concrete habits of stretching, flossing, moisturizing, drinking less alcohol and more water, and refusing to inhale as much second-hand smoke. This is the only body and skin I get. I should be a lot nicer.

When my current stash runs out, I’m going to make some oil based cleansers at home and turn to as many natural products as I can. (Oatmeal soap bar stashed in the shower now!) I start my mornings at work with water before I turn to caffiene and I ditch the afternoon Diet Coke for a glass of water.

• I’ll continue with the green habits I’ve developed (much to my roommate’s annoyance, I’m sure) and research more for daily use.

For now I’m going to make the current recycling at home a little easier with a few ideas I’ve got to encourage Ree and the people who frequent the abode to do it too. Aluminum, paper, plastic and glass don’t go in the Dumpster outside. Ree got me a kickass Buy•ology Reusable bag that I keep in my car. I’m going to dramatically lessen the amount of plastic bags I take home. (Clothes shopping the other day, I asked if I could just carry out the small stack of jeans and a top. The cashier smiled so wide. We were on the same page.) And I’m all over cleaning with vinegar.

Think I can do it? Think I’m a turd for trying?

What are yours?

-CJ