First of all: I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year!!

And thanks for all your dear wishes to me!!!!

The new calendar year is always a good time to review the year and see how we can improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I offer here a few suggestions for New Year's Resolutions. If you have any great suggestions I haven't listed, please let us know!

 frites with mayo or...                   

Before beginning: Tips for Success

First, be specific.

If you need to make a major change in your life, it helps to be specific. Goals such as wanting to "be happier," to "make more money," or to "have better relationships with my children" are great, but they don't give you a pathway to reaching them. Write your goals down, then write down in concrete terms exactly what it would take for you to reach each one. Keep getting more and more specific until you get to a point where you are able to do something. Do that something. Then gradually, as you are able, work your way back up to your goals. Keep your goals posted where you can see them, and mark (and celebrate!) your progress.

Second, don't overreach.

If you make too many resolutions, if you make them too difficult, if they are impossible to achieve at this time, or if you are using them as a way to criticize yourself -- you are setting yourself up for failure. Choose the most important one first and concentrate on that. Keep your resolutions simple and achievable. For every resolution that removes something from your life, try to add something enjoyable (for example, if your goal is to quit smoking, then take up piano playing or ballroom dancing instead).

Third, plan ahead.

 1) If you need to do something or learn something before beginning, then do it or learn it now! Don't start Day One by saying, "Oh, I don't have the food I need to start my diet," or "I have to go get some walking shoes first," or "I still have two cartons of cigarettes left." Start Day One ready to go, with everything you need. 

2) Be prepared for those times when you don't feel like continuing, and plan for how you'll work your way through them.

3) Be prepared for the lull, when your initial enthusiasm gives way to the drudgery of just doing it, or to the dangerous feeling that you don't have to work at it anymore. Figure out how you'll work your way through the lull. Some people like to celebrate their victories -- we support that, but plan your celebrations so they don't end up returning you to old habits.

Fourth, make it official.

Some people find it helpful to write themselves a contract, keep a journal, take before and after pictures, make a pact with friends or family members, write a book or article about it, or put notes around their home or workplace. If you think any of this would help you, let others support you.

To stop smoking I think it's better at once and totally.    Some people are able to smoke not more than three cigarettes  a day, well o.k. that's no problem.

People who drink too much alcohool and HAVE to drink everyday to feel good, have a big problem or will get it very soon. They know it by themselves, although they seldom will say that. Please, stop !