New Year's Resolutions

They're the same every year. Practically the same for everyone. 

Save more money. 

Lose weight. 

Spend more time with friends and family.

It's new year, new you! Every year. 

Photo from dribble.com

It's the time of year when you need to get to group fitness classes 30 minutes early just to get a spot. But hey, if you're hard core that is 30 minutes of weights before spin, or a quick run before Killer B's weight class. So as frustrating as the crowds may be, think of it as extra workout time! And you know what, most of those people will be gone in a few weeks and those that don't give up...props to them! Make them your new workout buddy since they have killer determination! 

Motivation!
Photo from fitsugar

My resolutions for 2013 are few and it's the first year in a long time I've made any, so I'm going to give it my all to keep them. 

1. Be a better long distance friend -- As we've all grown up and moved to different cities it's been really hard to stay in reliable contact with my friends. Even with a bajillion methods of communication, it can sometimes take me two weeks to return a phone call, or two days to return a text. I am, however, a great letter writer! But, I will do better friends, I promise. 

2. Have more patience -- With my patients, my family, and overall with my life. Everything will happen when it's supposed to happen. Faith in God includes faith in his timing.

On a less serious note, for those of you whose resolutions include eating healthier, here is a recipe for my favorite kale salad. Kale has been getting a lot of hype recently as a super food and truth is, it is delicious...if you know what to do with it. Leave the kale chips behind and try this awesome, unexpected salad instead!

Favorite Kale Salad

Adapted from Eat Drink Smile

Hands on time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

What you need:

• 1 bunch of kale, washed and torn from the stems

• 1/2 cup raisins 

• 1/2 cup golden raisins

• Juice from one freshly squeezed lemon

• Zest from the fresh lemon

• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

• 1/4 cup olive oil (start with half and add more if needed)

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

• Pinch of sea salt

Tear your kale from the stems and wash it. Pat it dry with a paper towel or maybe even use a salad spinner! Throw back to a great infomercial! Pulse the kale in your food processor until it is in small pieces. Put kale into a medium sized bowl and add lemon juice, lemon zest, parmesan and the raisins. Mix together. Start with 1/8 cup of olive oil and toss with the salad. If you can't coat all the kale, add a little more, but not more than 1/4 cup or it will be soggy tomorrow! Toss in the walnuts, salt to taste and devour! 

What you get:

Let's talk about kale! It has gotten so much press lately and is a "nutritional powerhouse". Kale has tons of fiber and is very low in calories. Vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and vitamin K are all abundant in this meaty, leafy green. Calorie for calorie, kale has MORE CALCIUM than milk! Believe it! AND antioxidants. Kale also has omega-3 fatty acids -- 10% of the daily recommended value in one cup. Fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and can be beneficial in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and may help to lower the risk of heart attack!