February, 2nd 2019
Five More Weight Busting Foods You Have to Include in Your Diet
Five More Weight Busting Foods You Have to Include in Your Diet
I had so much interest with regard to my article titled “Eat These Five Weight Busting Foods and Watch the Weight Drop Off” that I am adding 5 more foods to the list.
Considering we are now at the beginning of another year and so many of you list losing weight as one of your New Year’s resolutions, this may very well help you get started.
Boiled Potatoes
When was the last time you ate potatoes? It would seem that they have fallen out of favor over recent years. However, they do have several properties that make them a perfect food, not only for weight loss but also overall optimal health. In fact the common ‘spud’ contains an incredibly diverse range of nutrients, almost a little bit of everything you need. They are incredibly high in potassium, which is often a nutrient that most of us don’t get enough of. Potassium plays an important role in blood pressure control. What is also a great fact about white boiled potatoes is that on the Satiety Index (a measurement gauging how filling various foods are) they scored the highest out of all foods tested. Good news when you are trying to reduce overall calorie intake. Also if you allow potatoes to cool for a while after boiling, they will form high amounts of resistant starch which is a fiber-like substance that has been shown to have various health benefits, including weight loss. Sweet potatoes, turnips and other root vegetables are also excellent.
Tuna
Tuna is lean fish, low in fat, low in calories and high in protein, a winning combination when you are trying to lose weight. Obviously fresh tuna is the optimal choice, however if you are eating the canned variety ensure you opt for the tuna in water not oil.
Beans and Legumes
Whilst most beans and legumes are beneficial for weight loss the best varieties are lentils, black beans and kidney beans. They will often be high in protein and fiber which are two nutrients that make you feel full.
Soups
A diet with a low energy density will often make people eat less calories at each sitting and keep you fuller for longer. It has been proven that most foods with a low energy density are foods that contain a high percentage of water, namely fruits and vegetables. Therefore, with water being a common denominator, adding water to your food gives the same affect. This is where soups come into their own. Some studies have actually shown that if you eat the same food but turn it into a soup you will feel significantly fuller. Obviously avoid creamy, fatty or oily soups, but a hearty vegetable or lentil soup is incredibly satisfying and an overall healthy choice.
Cottage Cheese
Most dairy products are high in protein, however, they can be high in fat. Cottage Cheese is mostly protein with very few carbs and fat. So high protein, low fat means feeling full with a relatively low number of calories – there’s that winning combination again! As an added bonus dairy products are also high in calcium which may aid fat burning. Another great low-fat, high protein dairy product is Greek yogurt, my personal favorite I must admit.
Your Brain on Music
“Your Brain on Music”
14th Season of the Florida Intergenerational Orchestra Opening Concert Stimulates Your Mind
Boca Raton, Florida-On Sunday, January 27th, 3:00 P.M. The Florida Intergenerational Orchestra, the orchestra for everyone, will perform its first concert of the 14thseason at O’Shea Hall on the grounds of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 22094 Lyons Road, Boca Raton. Entitled “Your Brain on Music,” the concert promises to be especially engaging with the audience participating and assisting the orchestra with Leroy Anderson’s “Syncopated Clock”—the audience gets the clock ticking! Also the hall will bounce to the crashes of “The Thunder and Lighting Polka, and the Radetsky March.” Especially exciting will be the orchestra’s rendition of “Phantom of the Opera” with a guest appearance by Julia Langley, who has sung extensively with the Cirque De Soleil, joining our phantom, Vince Zabik. There will be many other great selections, so grab hold of your kids, your friends and your significant others and come on down to O’Shea Hall for a great time.
“If you want to keep your brain engaged throughout the aging process, listening to or playing music is a great tool.”
This remarkable orchestra comprised of musicians spanning the ages of 8 to100 has over the past 13 years delighted audiences. The gifted and award winning conductor, Lorraine Marks-Field, deftly blends the different abilities of the members of the orchestra. Florida Intergenerational Orchestra concerts are engaging and fun for the whole family; everyone leaves with a smile and has a great time.
There will be a pre-concert talk at 2:30 P.M. where you can meet and greet the performers on a personal basis, and learn how the orchestra “Bridges the Generations Through Music.”
Tickets are $10 for adults, and free for those under the age of 12.
Seating is by general admission but is limited-call ahead to assure a seat—561-482-8206. Special first row seating can be obtained by calling ahead for $25.00.
If you would like more information about the orchestra, please call Bob Field at
561-482-8206 or e-mail strings4all@aol.com. Check out our website at www.flioa.org. Visit us on FACEBOOK
Allergy and Immunotherapy in pets
An allergy is a state of over-reactivity or hypersensitivity of the immune system to a particular substance called an allergen. With allergies, the immune response can actually be harmful to the body.
Food allergies and environmental allergies can cause similar symptoms. These symptoms can include itchiness, hair loss, skin infections and ear infections. In addition, there are other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. This is why your vet may need to start with diagnostics to first rule out skin mites, fungal infections and endocrine disease, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s.
An indicator of a food allergy can be the location of the skin problems: If you notice lesions all over your dog’s body, on the flanks, ribs, hips or knees there’s a big chance it’s a food allergy. In some cases, the symptoms involve the respiratory system, with coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be runny discharge from eyes or nose. In other cases, the allergic symptoms affect the digestive system resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
There are four main types of allergy in pets: atopy, flea, food, and contact.
Other than flea bite allergies, atopy is by far, the most common cause of allergies in pets. Atopy refers to environmental allergies; Atopy is the name given to allergies that result from breathing in pollen, dust, or mold. The pet’s body releases excess histamine when exposed to higher concentrations of these allergens in the air, which prompts symptoms.
About ten percent of all dogs develop environmental allergies. Some breeds are more susceptible, such as: Retrievers, Terriers, Boxers, Dalmatians, Bulldogs, Shepherds, Beagles and Irish Setters.
The first way to get relief for your pet is with antihistamines. Unfortunately, antihistamines are only effective in 30% of dogs.
The next option is a much stronger medication: corticosteroids. Steroids are much more effective at treating allergy symptoms but are not recommended for long-term use because of possible severe and permanent side effects
At Anzer Animal Hospital, we continue to exceed all clients expectations by offering allergy testing, a way to get a positive diagnosis for atopy (inhalant dermatitis) and to some contact allergies. When an allergy to a specific substance can be identified, the dog can receive immunotherapy (hyposensitization injections).
Allergy shots are the only effective method to stop the progression of allergies.
Allergy testing should be considered for any animal that is suffering from allergies that occur for more than four months out of the year, and or do not respond to traditional treatment.
It’s important you seek immunotherapy treatment as soon as possible for your allergic pet, since environmental allergies are progressive and will worsen as a dog gets older, it is necessary because of their quality of life, and also because secondary bacterial infections could develop as a result of the allergies.
New Year, New Stage
New Year, New Stage
By Angela Shaw
In junior high school I was part of a student exchange program with Arizonan Navaho Native Americans. In an orientation meeting that included teachers, parents and students, we discussed the possible cultural events available to our exchange guests during their visit. In my naïve middle school manner, I asked, “What cultural things could we take them to?” Everyone laughed and, embarrassed, I immediately thought I’d asked a stupid question. The parents were actually laughing because they were painfully aware that their 1969 Southern California suburbs offered very little culture. It took an hour-and-a-half drive to Los Angeles to find a legitimate art world.
For a time, South Florida was very similar. Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa may have been the few cultural destinations found in this swamp-of-a-state. Roadsides were fraught with sideshow-esque attractions like Sunken Gardens, Dinosaur parks and gator handling demonstrations. There were the Barnum and Bailey’s circus animals and acrobats in the Tampa Bay area. But times have changed and now South Florida—particularly West Palm Beach—has more venues than can be supported by the culture-seeking community. After nearly a century, thankfully, Florida’s live performance standard has raised itself to include world-class acts.
From Palm Beach Gardens to Boca Raton, there are over 30 active performance platforms vying for public attention. There’s the Kravis with his main auditorium and Black Box Theater; the Norton Museum has a stage; the Four Arts has a theatre; Palm Beach Island has the old movie house. And most cities have their own municipal amphitheater. This number does not even take into account the excellent school venues like The Kings Academy, which recently garnered attendance from Disney officials with their premier student version of Newsies.
It’s all too easy for us to snuggle up next to our Netflix and YouTube outlets and feel sufficiently entertained.
One regional house is pouring millions into a renovation seeking to accommodate more concert-going traffic. The Kravis Center is currently under construction to add space to their lobby, parking and common areas.
Recently, Florida’s “Greatest Show on Earth” had to close its doors because it could not compete with the digital age’s plethora of diversions. Let’s hope that the brick and mortar stages of our societal life don’t follow suit.
What does all this have to do with January 2018? What if we all resolved to support the arts this year? What if we saved our Starbucks money and put it toward something that stayed with us longer than the caffeine high of a Grande Peppermint Latte? What if we cancelled some of our online subscriptions to shallow and unedifying sites and channels?
The transforming power of art, music and drama would sure to make us better people; more balanced, socially connected and personally fulfilled. To help us start the New Year on the right foot, here are a few offerings waiting to be enjoyed:
Kravis Center:
- The Simon and Garfunkel Songbook – Jan 2
- Jay Leno – Jan 2
- Celebrating Ella (Fitzgerald) – Jan 5
- National Symphony Orchestra of Romania (Strauss, Ravel) – Jan 6
- On Your Feet – Jan 8-13
- Spamalot – Jan 14
Palm Beach Dramaworks:
- The Spitfire Grill – Feb 12-17
Mizner Park Cultural Center-Boca Raton
- Jan 4 – The Songbook of Carole King
- Jan 3 – Jackie the Joke Man
- Jan 6- Jeff Harner sings 1959 Broadway
Gun Control
Gun Control
By John F. Rifenberg
Now, I’m the hunter, brave and true, and this is my trusty gun.
I hunt wild rabbits, ducks and geese and kill them just for fun.
Those armor piercing, Teflon- coated bullets are the best.
Especially for shooting those squirrels who wear bullet-proof vests.
Now, I’m in the NRA, an honorable man.
Defending the amendments rights as a good American can.
Without the right to carry arms, we wouldn’t stand a chance.
And then there’s all the stock I own in ammunitions plants.
Now, I’m in the Senate and I’m nobody’s fool.
I’m tough and independent, no special interest tool.
Now, I believe in gun control, but all you need to know.
The NRA is the group that gives me my campaign dough.
Now, I was toilet trained at 23 ‘because I was insecure.
I’m a paranoid schizophrenic with delusions of grandeur.
They locked me up because I waved my pee-pee at a nun.
But, though I cannot drive or vote, I still can buy a gun!
So, if you’re the one who takes up the gun.
From the mantelpiece or shelf.
Eliminate the middle man and shoot your damn self!
***
John Rifenberg is co-chairman of the writing group of Royal Palm Beach. He has just finished his newest book “The Alphabet Out of Order,” which is an assortment of stories and poems, including his award winning short stories.
Recovering from Recovering
Recovering from Recovering
By Wendell Abern
Dear Readers,
As some of you know, I experienced a seizure last year. Which included all of its accompanying pals: Ambulances. Stretchers. Emergency rooms. Blood tests. X-rays. MRIs. EEGs. Spinal taps. Smiling nurses with syringes sporting foot-long needles. Doctors who looked like they hadn’t even been b’ar mitzvah’d yet.
Since then, I’ve been recovering. Beginning with rehab at HealthSouth.
I will not bore you with lengthy descriptions of exercise machines, demanding trainers, and the grueling process of learning to walk again. Suffice it to say that I “graduated” after a month, and they gave me a T-shirt emblazoned with the announcement, “My Independence Day … Back to the Things I Love.”
Plus a box of Pull-Ups.
“What are these?” I asked the nurse who had given them to me.
“They’re called Pull-Ups,” she said.
“Yes, I know how to read. But what are they for?”
“Um … protection. In case you leak.”
“In case I – wait! What? Are you saying these are adult diapers?”
“They’re gender-specific. These are the male version.”
“I refuse to wear diapers!
“Up to you. We also have another gift. From your kids.”
She smiled. I did not like that smile. Something sinister was about to happen.
About a year or two after I’d become a widower, my kids realized I had a tendency to flirt with women. Okay, I admit it. It’s true. I happen to like women. Still, that did not prepare me for the other T-shirt the nurse handed me.
The wrapping paper around the T-shirt included a Post-It note, reading, “Never wear this to any Temple, or to any Sunday services.” The front of the T-shirt read, “Senior Sleaze.” The back, “Aging Slut.”
After my stint at HealthSouth, I went home and proceeded to get sick again. Couldn’t eat. The mere thought of food churned my stomach sideways. My daughter had assumed the role of home overseer, and following a siege of dry heaves, she called 9-1-1.
Another ambulance. Another stretcher. Another hospital stay, peppered with countless needles. After five days, they declared me ready for more rehab. This time, they sent me to SunriseHealth and Rehab.
My only real problem at SunriseHealth was a rehab nurse named Cari. A Marine drill sergeant disguised as a physical therapist.
I have never been able to verify it, but I’m convinced Cari had been planted there surreptitiously … by my kids. Beautiful blonde. Tall. Slim. Lake Placid blue eyes.
“You can too walk some more!” she’d bark at me after ten or fifteen steps. “You’re walking to the end of this hallway or I’ll see you get no dessert for three days! C’mon, walk! Heel to toe! Heel to toe!”
Cari did not permit shirking, which she considered pathetic malingering. Grudgingly, though, I have to admit to her expertise. I was walking with a walker in five days; without a walker in ten.
My stay at Sunrise Health & Rehab did have some uplifting moments. I discovered a huge heartfelt, caring support group: friends from my congregation; neighbors whose last names I don’t even know; bridge players from all over South Florida.
But nothing and no one compared to the special attention given me by dear friends, Gary and Karen.
One night, under the cover of darkness, they smuggled in a cheeseburger and milk shake from my favorite five-star restaurant, Steak n shake.
And they outdid themselves three days later, on my birthday.
Several years ago, I had mentioned to Gary and Karen that I considered myself the world’s biggest dog-lover. Somehow, they remembered that. And so, on the day I turned 85, a service dog named Koontz padded into my room (along with his handler).
Koontz may be the sweetest dog in South Florida. We got along famously. For a half-hour, we schnoogled together. Lots of chortling from me. Lots of tail-wagging from him.
When I called my kids and told them about it, my son said, “What a great birthday gift!” My daughter agreed, saying, “That’s about the sweetest, most thoughtful gift I’ve ever heard of! For anybody! For any occasion!”
“I hope you thanked them appropriately!” my son said.
I yawned. “Not really, I said. “I like to give them a hard time. Told them my arm was now in a cast because the dog had tried to take a chunk out of my forearm.”
A double chorus of, “DA-ad!”
“I told them that Gary and Karen had somehow found the only anti-Semitic dog in South Florida.”
“DA-AD!”
My kids, of course, knew I was only kidding. And when I told them I was wearing the “Senior Sleaze” T-shirt to all of my physical therapy sessions, they didn’t believe that either.
The worst part of my year-long recovery process was being told I could not drive. Florida law states that a seizure patient must wait six months before driving again.
Imagine having to ask someone for a ride every time you need a loaf of bread or have to pick up a prescription! I had to choose between bankruptcy proceedings after endless rides from Uber, or extending already-overused friendships. I chose the latter.
Thank heavens for Rick, a friend from my congregation. He ended up driving me everywhere. Doctor appointments. Endless medical tests at the Cleveland Clinic. Shopping trips to Publix. Treks to bridge games in Weston and Pembroke Pines.
One day, I asked Rick to show up at my place at around one. When he arrived, he asked, “Where to, today?”
“Strip club of your choice,” I said.
“Very funny,” he said. “Don’t forget,” he said, “I have your kids’ phone numbers.”
I frowned. “Okay, okay.” I gave him the address of my cigar store. He wasn’t very happy about that either.
*
The year 2018 was some year for me. I was actually sick for about six weeks. And recovering for ten months. Now I’m recovering from the recovery.
Cantankerously Yours,
Wendell Abern
On Global Warming
An Exclusive Interview with Dr. Lonnie Thompson
By Bryan Hayes
The words “climate change” and “global warming” invoke a myriad of strong opinions, emotions and feelings.
Last week, while gathering with a group of colleagues the conversation of climate change became a talking point. What makes our group so incredible is that we are all quite unique individually but collectively we mesh together very well. We have differing viewpoints, can intellectually converse, and still cordially agree to disagree.
I am not a scientist, but since I do write about sustainability I found this to be a great opportunity to take the questions that were discussed and pose those to an expert on the subject. Fortunately, I had the privilege of speaking to not only an expert but one of the most renowned scientists, Dr. Lonnie Thompson, who is a paleoclimatologist and professor at Ohio State University. Through his research, he is internationally known for his study of ice cores and ice caps worldwide.
Is Climate Change a Hoax?
Dr. Thompson provided the most obvious answer to the question – is climate change is a hoax? “Just look out your door.” He replied. And, while most of us look outside our window we do not actually study scientifically what is going on with the climate, and if there is real change that can be measured.
Dr. Thompson and his group drill ice cores all over the world looking at the history of precipitation and the perspective of change. He noted that when looking back over the last 2000 years, and reviewing the isotopes, there is a consistency that has taken place, but there have been significant changes over the last 50 years. These changes are driven by the increase in temperature. Even though we only had actual temperature data going back 150 years, the research of Dr. Thompson and those in other fields, is able to scientifically identity the Earth’s rising temperatures. How different the 21st century changes are in comparison to thousands of years previous, is the most convincing factor that climate change is real.
From a scientist’s perspective, what do you say to someone who says that if climate change is real, it is a natural occurrence, and man is not to blame?
Unfortunately, with the vast availability of information available on the internet there is no differentiating between a credible source and claims made with little or no scientific fact. Anyone can publish their own opinions, post a blog, or shoot a video that are very believable and because of the power of social media can be easily distributed to mass audiences.
It is true that climate has always undergone change through time. The natural forcings such as changes in the orbital energy coming into the Earth which changes the distribution of radiation on the surface of the Earth. Changing radiation output of the sun due to solar cycles, major volcanic eruptions that put aerosols into the stratosphere that can cool the surface of the earth for one or two years after an eruption as well as natural climate variations driven by El Ninos, monsoons, and North Atlantic oscillations, for example.
The theory that climate change is not directly affected by man does not account for, as Dr. Thompson’s points out, that it is man who is contributing to more greenhouse gasses being put into the atmosphere. On of top of that, aerosols are being put into the air at an alarming rate through industry, agriculture, and the changes needed in the last 50 years to support the vast number of humans now currently living on the planet. Along with that, plastic is manmade and is contributing to much of the waste that is seen not only on land but in the oceans as well.
The more people we have living on Earth means more than we need to sustain life. In order to get the food that we need, forests are being cleared, and that in of itself changes the albedo (the measure of the diffuse reflection of solar radiation out of the total solar radiation received by an astronomical body) on the planet. The examples are endless, but simply put, climate change is directly impacted by humans because “there is so many of us” living on the planet, and more than ever before.
If man does at least share in the accountability, how do you respond to the argument that the Earth will heal itself and naturally adapt to said changes?
A widely distributed ideology is that the planet is self-healing and will naturally adjust to whatever change in climate there is, no matter if it is man made or not. And, according to Dr. Thompson “there certainly are balancing factors on our planet.” For example, when taking a simplistic look at the glaciers in Greenland and in other areas of the world, they have the same effect as an old “icebox’ refrigerator. The sheer presence of the glaciers keep the Earth’s temperature cooler, but when that ice melts the Earth’s temperature rises. After a while the natural systems, like the glaciers, that help regulate the Earth’s temperature are no longer there to help cool the Earth.
If there is climate change, and man is primarily the culprit of such, what about the claim that the fears expressed by scientists are at best exaggerated for political gain and at worse for a specified agenda.
There is skepticism from many people, including a lot of my friends, that while they may believe that glaciers are melting, there is skepticism that scientists in general have an agenda that is politically motivated, to which Dr. Thompson addressed, by saying that “anyone who has ever talked to a scientist knows there is no agenda. If I could find another avenue other than rising greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, I would shift tomorrow.” If any scientist could find a credible alternative solution to the Earth’s rising temperatures, they would likely win a Nobel prize – “there are many scientists who have tried to find other explanations but none have been found.”
The motivations of scientists are much different than that of a businessman whose motive is to make money. A company is primarily concerned with increasing profits. Together, they have a singular objective.
A scientist, on the other hand, has strict guidelines and standards for their research. Certainly, it does take funding to do the research but the driving force is much different for a scientist. As Dr. Thompson points out, “Scientists are driven more out passion than out of money.”
Yes, Dr. Thompson did work with Al Gore on the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” and because Al Gore is a politician, and from a particular party there is some who see some political bias, but Dr. Thompson has also worked with the likes of the late, Senator McCain, who was “very much concerned about climate change.” Dr. Thompson had a meeting in Washington with Senator McCain that included not only the most highly respected scientists but also heads of insurance companies as well.
It is insurance companies, and especially property insurance companies, that are losing money, because of climate change. The increase in the Earth’s surface temperature has directly coincided with extreme weather in the form of what we have witnessed here in Florida with not only hurricanes, but much stronger than normal hurricanes. There are also fires, floods, and other natural disasters that are made substantially worse due to climate change.
In fact, in 2017, over $310 billion dollars was lost because of climate change, which has a direct impact on insurance companies.
Looking at the money lost, only a small amount is covered and the difference is picked up by taxpayers as well as individuals themselves. Working in the property/casualty insurance industry, there are major concerns about the increased risk, because they base their future projections upon past performance, but those projections are no longer accurate.
The economic costs of climate change extend further into so many different industries outside of casualty insurance, and includes municipalities right here in Florida. In Miami, because of the glaciers melting all that water is going into the ocean resulting in rising waters, and as a consequence, flooding.
And, while some may think that scientists are sounding the alarm too quickly and causing undue panic, Dr. Thompson states the opposite in that, “the scientists we know are conservative and we generally understate.” Scientists have understated the problem and have even been surprised that we didn’t see coming so quickly the greatest risks. The rapid changes, even from only 20 years ago, is happening at a much quicker rate than most could ever imagine even in the scientific community.
The question is not whether climate change is man made or not, because that does nothing to solve the problem, but rather how do we rectify the effects of climate change, which are all too real?
“Going back millions of years, there were no glaciers, and sea levels were higher, but people weren’t here.” Dr. Thompson stated. “We built on the coasts.” And, it is the coastlines that are the most vulnerable to climate change. Ocean levels are rising, and that puts the people living there (here) at risk. An animal, or a plant, can migrate inland but humans have built so much of our infrastructure in coastal areas that are now at risk.
Never before have we had so many people inhabiting the Earth, to the tune of some 7.5 billion people, and that is very taxing on the biosphere. Dr. Thompson’s expertise is studying glaciers, and during the course of such research he believes without intervention in time the glaciers will disappear.
That is not to say that Dr. Thompson is fatalistic about our future, because he is anything but, and he is optimistic that some of our greatest innovations have been as a result of not having any other choice. In the end, “when there is no other excuse, then we do the right thing.” There is a basic human nature that pulls us together in times of great need. We come together as a community, as Floridians we have done time and time again after hurricanes to rebuild and help our neighbors get back on their feet.
What it is going to take, according to Dr. Thompson, is for everyone to get on the same page and find solutions. These solutions can lead to incredible economic growth as well as provide a much better environment not only for us, but for our children, and their children’s children.
Dr. Thompson is optimistic we will come to this stage where we do come together, and we do find viable, sustainable solutions. The question becomes, how much pain do we endure before we do that? At the end of the day, we have to deal with what is. Nature can be very cruel. “We can deal with this.” Dr. Thompson professed. “We can make the world a better place than it is right now.”
Granted, if you are still skeptical about climate change maybe asking a renowned scientist is not the answer. Maybe it is an insurance executive whose job is insuring residential and commercial property owners?
Change typically does not come quickly. Viewpoints are as much based on emotion as they are on reason. What we think we know is determined by our experience, our background, and our point of view. In order to change the view, we have to look at something from a different point of reference.
When it comes to climate change, there will be fiery debate, but at the end of the day nature always bats last and that will directly affect all 7.5 billion of us.
New Year, New Me!
New Year, New Me!
2018 was a hectic year with events such as the summit of U.S President Donald Trump and North Korean President Kim Jong Un, the Royal Wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, as well as the tragic event of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting back in February of this year, which has also prompted a movement for younger audiences to fight back against social and political injustices. With 2019 coming closer and closer every day, something the world can always appreciate and connect with is coming up with a new year’s resolution. People usually come up with a resolution to lose weight or to stop procrastinating with work or school, but some of us struggle to find the perfect resolution.
Before finding the perfect resolution we must dive into the history behind the modern day idea of a new year’s resolution. The idea of a news year’s resolution traces back to many cultures and religions from around the world. The Babylonians made promises to their gods at the beginning of each year to return objects that have been borrowed or stolen, similarly the Romans made promises at the beginning of the year to the god Janus which later influenced the name of January. In the Christian religion the holiday Lent is a holiday where a Christians fast and give up types of necessities for forty days, many people consider this holiday as a symbol for a new beginning and sacrifice. The modern day idea of a new year’s resolution didn’t start taking off until the first half the the 20th century in which one sets a goal or multiple goals to achieve by the end of that coming year.
Here are some ways to find the perfect resolution that properly suits you….
- When trying to find the perfect resolution, it always a good idea to give yourself a year review and evaluate and highlights and rock bottoms of that year and use those memories as a guideline of an area of your life in which you would like to improve on. Think about how this will affect you and the people around you.
- Clear out the clutter! Before committing yourself to anything, try to add a little organization in your life or start a little earlier on the the spring cleaning this year (because I know I need to). Whether it’s something as little as tidying up the kitchen or something as big as redecorating the entire house. Getting rid of the clutter in your life opens up a new potential pathway to success because not only will your life be more organized, but so will your goal.
- When you’ve finally picked your goal, don’t be afraid of the possibility of failure. Everyone makes mistakes. At first it may be hard to stick to a commitment but over time it will become a routine. Believe in yourself and you will get there!
- Pick a date and go for it.
My new year’s resolution is to hopefully be more organized with school and in my personal life, but overall, I just want to be happy. So whether you’re spending new year’s eve in Times Square , a party with friends, or with your dog at home and your still struggling to find that perfect resolution, remember these steps this coming year but just how the saying goes this year will be a “New year, New me!”
The Rugby Sisters from Wellington
Two Wellington-based sisters — Alexandra and Nicole Wantlin — are headed in late December to participate in a pair of All-American rugby camps/trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. Alexandra is 16 and a junior at Wellington HS. Nicole graduated from Wellington HS this past spring and is enrolled at Army at West Point. Nicole is playing for Army’s varsity women’s rugby team. Both Nicole and Alex are members of the Wellington Wizards Rugby Club.
Alexandra is attempting to make the Girls High School All-American team — U18s.
Nicole is attempting to make the Girls Junior All-American team — U19s.
During the recently completed Thanksgiving weekend, Alex played in the New York 7’s rugby tournament as a member of Atlantis, a travel rugby club based out of Pennsylvania. The Atlantis team played in the Elite Girls HS U18 age division and won it. The tournament was held at the Randall Park in Brooklyn. It was repeat victory Atlantis as the team won in 2017, as well.
The All-American rugby program plays a pivotal role in the identification and development of future U.S. national team players.
Alex is three-year letterman in soccer at Wellington HS. To date, she is leading her team in scoring with nine goals for the Lady Wolverine varsity soccer team. Last spring, Alex and Nicole earned a letter with Wellington High School’s varsity lacrosse team. Plus Nicole lettered in lacrosse and cross country during her junior year, too. As a freshman and a sophomore in California at Rancho Santa Margarita’s Tesoro HS, Nicole lettered in cross country and in track & field where she threw the shot put and discus.
It’s also worth noting that Nicole’s twin sister, Jax, plays soccer for NCAA Division II Florida Southern in Lakeland.
At Wellington HS, Jax lettered in soccer, cross country, and track & field.
“It’s a pure joy to see how they have thrived and helped others to be good role models as teammates,” said Burt Wantlin, the father of all three girls.