Saturday, January 22, 2011

Ode to January and Mother Nature


January. Not everyone's favorite month. It begins after the holidays when everyone has to clean up and find room to store the presents received (including enough toys to open our own store). Then there are those new year's resolutions which always include losing weight and doing more exercise. Shoveling must count, right? Oh yes, the lovely weather in January has our attention, too. Tons of white snow against the dark sky that comes all too early in the afternoon. And we wonder why we feel out of sorts this time of year?

I could say we should all let our hair down and take up a winter sport like skiing or snowboarding. But my lack of heeding past new year's resolutions having to do with losing weight and moving more caution me that my body probably won't be able to handle this new hobby too easily. Never mind my back or knees.

All right, then how about a less physical new hobby? How about hooking Netflix up to my tv so I don't have to mail them back and wait so long in between movies? Or does shopping for deals at the mall count? The cold and dark just make me want to stay under my covers. Animals hibernate this time of year - shouldn't we take their lead? My body needs rest. Hey, have you seen the snow out there? Travel isn't easy - another reason to stay close to home.

Oh, January. I'm really trying. Forgive me for not sticking to those resolutions - but my mind is numb from the cold. My body is sore from shoveling. And I'm too busy reading directions on those toys from Santa to spark a creative thought. Have patience with me, January. Things will be different next month with Valentine's Day and only 28 days to get through until we feel closer to spring. Who am I kidding? My ode to February will be coming next! Winter in New England. You've got to love it - why else would we put ourselves through it?!

We have seasons for a reason. Listen to Mother Nature and allow yourself time to enjoy the winter slumber. Forgive yourself. You can start fresh at any moment - it doesn't have to be January 1st! Spring is coming. What better time to change than when birds are singing and the sun reappears? Hey - we'll all feel just like freakin' Snow White! Energy is on the horizon so be gentle with you and chill out with people who make you smile. It was why January was invented. Mother Nature constantly reminds us with her fresh white blanket, tucking us in like newborns. And you don't mess with Mother Nature!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

The Magic of Chocolate!


Welcome 2011! All that rushing for the holidays - then they're over in a flash! Now it is time to celebrate you! Isn't it time to "live" it up? You do so much for others - how about doing something special for you?

One thing that truly makes me happy (besides my wonderful family and friends, of course!) is chocolate. Milk or dark, with caramel or nuts, hot or in big chunks. Chocolate can change my mood. It allows me to escape, even for just a while, and think of a simpler time when people used to drink it for its magical powers. And with the crazy lives we all lead, what's wrong with a touch of magic in your day?

We recently enjoyed a great trip to Taza Chocolate Factory in Somerville. For just $5, we got to sample all sorts of funky flavors of chocolate (salt and pepper, chili, cinnamon, vanilla bean, and more), tour the place, and learn how they make this great stuff straight from the cocoa bean! They use traditional Mexican stone methods, using all organic ingredients. And it tastes great! Who knew all this could happen in Somerville? I highly recommend this adventure (maybe combined with dinner at Redbones BBQ, like we did!).

If you're willing to splurge, there's still time to join us for a trip to Boston to the "Chocolate Bar" on Saturday, January 15th. The cost is $65 per person for all-you-can-eat incredible desserts, tea or coffee, tax and tips, and roundtrip bus from Middleton or Saugus. Once you do this, you will not be the same! It will make 2011 seem a whole lot brighter already! Hope to hear from you before January 7th!

I know the new year is when you're supposed to be dieting and eating better. And you still can take care of you! But there's nothing wrong with living it up with a new experience and splurging every now and then! Besides, you gotta love those antioxidants in chocolate!

Whether it is at Taza, the Chocolate Bar, or just with a few Hershey kisses, wishing you the sweetest and most satisfying new year ever!