A new year brings with it promise and hope and a chance to start again.  I’ve read in papers, on blogs, and in magazine lists and lists of resolutions and ways to change everything.  The temptation here is wanting to change so many things that nothing actually ever changes.

I saw a book advertised, “In Defense of Food – An Eater’s Manifesto” that echoes discussions I’ve had with many people this year.  We were talking about organic and sustainable foods and how our farmer grandparents and great grandparents were so robust.  Not that they were without illness, it just seems that their early years were plagued with more contagious illnesses than with obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes.  They might have suffered from these later in life but they still seemed be productive into their 80’s.

In light of the new year might I suggest that we focus on just one change for now.  This change is mentioned in this book and was the also the general conclusion of these many discussions.  Quoting the excellent advice of In Defense of Food,  “eat food, not too much, mostly plants” ; my suggested change is to eat simply.

Don’t eat anything that comes from a box unless it is a single ingredient, like oatmeal or rice.  As much as possible eat foods that look like themselves.  By that I mean foods in their original form like apples, carrots, beets, broccoli, and so on. 

Drink mostly plain water.  Hot water with a twist of lemon is actually a very energizing beverage.  Add to this some ginger and honey and you have a warming beverage.  I have nothing against tea, but the more exotic the concoction, the more processing it takes.

People often complain about the cost of their groceries (especially when you suggest they buy organic).  I am beginning to think it is because we tend to buy a lot of already made foods.  As I’ve begun to buy whole foods I find that I have a lower grocery bill even though these foods are organic. 

My own kids are used to opening the pantry and pulling out something to eat.  I’ve stopped buying processed foods so they’ve had to relearn to open the refrigerator and pull out fruit or vegetables to eat.  If they want a treat, they have to make it.  Funny, but they eat a lot less junk when they realize they have to mix ingredients together to get a cookie.  And guess what?  I eat a lot less too.  Maybe this will take care of another resolution I want to make, seeing less of me in 2008.

I’ll keep you posted on how we make out as we make this change and I’d love to hear from you if you decide to do this too.

May you have a happy and blessed New Year in 2008.

Deb