- In the Garden it’s time to start growing indoors from seedlings your tomatoes. You should start harvesting the kale and lettuces planted in late fall. If you missed that marker it is still perfectly fine to plant seeds for lettuce, radishes, carrots and beets now. It’s a good time to establish berry bushes too; such as blueberries and black berries. As for the flowering garden, snap dragons, pansies and delphiniums as well as dianthus and hollyhocks should be planted so they are ready for arrangements and yard show in the next months ahead.
2. With the beginning of the year it’s time to take inventory of all things. Starting with the kitchen, I am going through pots and pans, knives and utensils and yes, even those speciality cookers to see what I need and use and what can be given away to someone who might need it more than me. Kitchen space works best when highly organized and the best way to prepare dishes is when you have everything you need at your fingertips and anything that you don’t out of your space!
3. Set for yourself a time everyday to write in a journal. Studies have proven that for those that write goals and thoughts regularly the chances of meeting your new year resolutions are 97% more likely to actually be accomplished. It’s a new year, a new YOU and another opportunity to be your very best!
4. Now is the time to get your family time organized too. Grab a calendar and carve out weekends, holidays and decide where you would like to travel this year. There’s so much to do in Houston and there’s so many places to see around our beautiful world, but if you dolt set aside the time now chances are real good that life will happen and weeks will turn into months and you’ll find other things creeping into your time that should be saved for creating memories with those you love.
5. On my nightside table now is The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner. Why? Because I am featuring all recipes from it this year on my all new Youtube channel where you can follow my family’s journey of living healthier and longer.
6. For a stress free and easy to follow healthy diet I write down all meals on Sunday for the following week. Then I run it past the family and see if there are any special requests, once that has been cleared I write all of this on a board in the kitchen so no- one is asking what we are having and if I am having a busy day, other family members can get started on the prep so we are on time for supper to be done by 6:30pm. This has proven to be the best way to not only plan well rounded meals but to also subtly get help with the prepping!
7. Strong marriages thrive on quality time. Plan a date night for you and your spouse weekly. It does not have to be one that involves leaving the house. Perhaps it’s a early meal for the children and a later meal for the two of you once they have been put to bed.
8. Create a Valentine’s Gift Box for a neighbor or shut in. Get the children to make homemade cards and pick up the essentials in toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant and snacks. You’d be surprised at how such a simple act of kindness will be received.
9. Plan an afternoon with two girlfriends. Go shopping and have a lunch at a cafe and enjoy being girls for a few hours!
10. As always find time to sit with the children and ask the not so easy questions such as what do they think about God or how does money work? Teaching them about life skills takes practice and patience and these lessons and through provoking conversations will be some the best memories they will cherish of time in their childhood with you.
