Wishes = Dreams = Resolutions

Finally… a new, fun way to set New Year’s resolutions! Instead of writing down the usual suspects – better health, more money, spend time with family – let’s get really specific in a new and unusual way. The theory behind resolutions is that if you say you’re going to “get in shape,” it’s hard to follow through because it’s vague and difficult.

Let’s change that around and create wishes and dreams, instead! This new, simple way of looking at and creating resolutions is simple: turn your resolutions into something you’re excited about doing, and you’ll succeed!

STEP 1: GRAB SOME PAPER AND A PEN.

See? We told you it would be easy.

By Michele D. Baker

STEP 4: “ACT AS IF”

The next step ventures even further into the realm of imagination. (Be sure your Imagination Cap is on tight.) Looking at the wish you just circled:

STEP 2: PUT ON YOUR IMAGINATION CAP AND BRAINSTORM!

This isn’t your “thinking cap…” it’s much stronger! Give yourself a short time limit – like five minutes – and set a timer. Ask yourself these questions and write down the first things that spring to mind. This is a brainstormed “laundry list” and you should totally ignore those little negative thoughts – not enough time/money/ support – in the back of your mind. Don’t “think” – just “wish”!

• What would I like to happen most just for myself in 2025?

• What would make me happiest in 2025?

• What would make my life easier, more fun, more exciting, or less stressful?

If you want, get specific. “What health-related change would I most like to happen for me in 2025?” or “What financial windfall would make me happiest in the first half of next year?”

STEP 3: WHITTLE DOWN YOUR LIST

Take a look at your brainstormed list. Does one of the items stand out? Do you find yourself returning over and over to a certain word or phrase? Does one of the wishes seem “brighter” or “happier” than the others? Great! Circle that one!

• Pretend it has already happened.

• Write down how it feels to be actually experiencing the wish. Happy? Excited? Motivated? Joyful?

• Describe how it affects you: what is better? What is easier? What is more fun? What are you going to do with those casino winnings? Be specific.

STEP 5: MAKE YOUR WISH

Now that you’ve got your wish down and you’ve felt how it feels to already have it, state your official wish, adding in any details to make it specific. Give it a time limit. Here’s an example:

“I wish for a perfect health report from my doctor in April. My eyesight is 20/20, I have lost ten pounds of belly fat, my hearing is excellent, my blood pressure is 120/80, I can easily pick up my grandchildren with no strain because I’m so strong, and I have the circulatory system of a 25-year-old. My doctor can’t believe it – she’s calling me a medical miracle. And boy, am I sexy!”

STEP 6: TUCK AWAY YOUR WISHES

Last step: hide the wish somewhere you’ll find it in a couple of months. Then stand back and see how far you’ve come! Happy wishing!

Strawberry Peanut Butter Pie

This easy and delicious pie will remind you of wax-paper wrapped sandwiches in grammar school lunchboxes – a tasty combination of peanuts and fruit. The recipe is made with a can of strawberry pie filling, but if you buy fresh berries at Strawberry Fest, substitute those instead.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. crushed pretzels

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup butter, melted

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese

Method:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1-1/2 cups frozen whipped dessert topping, thawed

• 1 (21-ounce) can strawberry fruit filling/topping

Combine pretzels and granulated sugar then stir in butter. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and sides of 10-inch pie plate. Cover and chill.

With electric mixer on medium speed, beat together peanut butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar. Fold in whipped dessert topping.

Spoon 1/2 cup pie filling into crust-lined pie plate. Carefully spread peanut butter filling over top. Top with remaining pie filling. Cover and chill 2 hours before serving.

Orange Cauliflower with Rice and Edamame

An Asian-inspired twist on the standard cauliflower side dish, this delicious and nutritious dish will have you headed back for seconds. Save time by preparing the rice and edamame ahead of time and reheating before serving.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon corn starch

• 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• 1 large Florida orange

• ½ cup Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing

• 1/3 cup ketchup

• 2 teaspoons sugar

Method:

• 2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce

• 5 cups cauliflower florets (about 1 head)

• 1 cup edamame (soya beans), shelled

• 3 cups fresh, hot, cooked longgrain white rice

• Chopped green onions (optional)

Mix the cornstarch and vinegar until blended.

Wash the orange; using a vegetable peeler, cut 5-6 strips of peel and place in a large saucepan. Cut the orange and juice it over the peel strips. Add dressing, ketchup, sugar, chili-garlic sauce, and cornstarch mixture; mix well. Bring to a boil over medium heat and simmer 3 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add cauliflower florets and carefully toss to coat. Cook covered on medium heat for 5 minutes; uncover and cook an additional 5-6 minutes or until cauliflower is tender.

Microwave the edamame on high for 2 minutes. Plate the rice and sprinkle over some edamame.

Remove the orange peel strips from the cauliflower and serve florets and sauce over hot rice and edamame.

Sprinkle with chopped green onion before serving hot.