Ok...I've got a Resolution

So I've been thinking about my New Year's Resolution, or rather I've been trying to come up with a resolution for 2011.  Last year my resolution was to make a new dish each month, and up until October, I did!  My items included a Pepper Steak, Spinach Stuffed Zucchini, Black Beans and Rice, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Two Pasta Dishes, and Mashed Potatoes.  Even though I didn't make something for the final three months of 2010, overall, I did cook more.  I actually make Black Beans and Rice on a pretty regular basis now.  So with that I mind, I've decided to focus on food again for 2011. 

This year, I will learn to cook dishes that I love to eat, but obviously, don't know how to make.  I'm not going to force myself to cook one of these each month, but the overall goal, before 2012 rolls in, is to cook all of the following:

1. Creamed Spinach
2. Pulled Pork
3. Guacamole
4. Macaroons
5. Tres Leches Cake
6. Coconut Curried Chicken
7. Enchilada Suiza
8. Tiramisu
9. Carmine Pizza (I'm determined to figure out a version of Bertucci's pizza that I can make for myself)
10. Baked Potato Soup

If you've got any recipes for any of these delectable items...send them my way!

I'm working out regularly again...but it's not my New Year's Resolution

We're at the very beginning of the New Year and you know what that means...RESOLUTIONS! This is the time when many people resolve to lose weight, watch what they eat and get back in shape. I haven't made weight loss my resolution for the New Year, but I am on the "Special K (lose up to 6 lbs) Challenge" for two weeks, and I'm getting back in to my gym routine again, after taking a few weeks off to rest my left hip.  I was getting physical therapy on my hip...apparently I have/had hip bursitis and a pelvis that was misaligned.

Anyway, in recognition of all these people who are bombarding the gym right now and will likely fall off by March, if not sooner, I'm going to list a few helpful hints that will make you the ideal gym-goer.  The gym regulars, like myself, will encourage and motivate, but only if you take my advice.

Locker Room Etiquette

1. Do not choose a locker that is immediately next to, above or below a locker that is already occupied. Why would you want to be that close to someone? You don't want to be standing next to or below someone who's sweaty and smelly after a long workout, do you? Create a buffer zone. 
2. Don't parade around completely naked. Towels are available (usually)...so use them! This goes for whether you are fit and toned or fat and mushy...cover up!
3. If, after you leave the shower, you notice lots of hair around the drain that wasn't there before...NEWSFLASH...it's your hair!  Get a paper towel, pick it up and take it away.  There is something about seeing someone else's wet hair around a drain that is really gross and it totally freaks me out.  Don't make others freak out, just wipe up your shed hair and keep it moving.
4. Connected to #2...don't squat and towel down facing people. Turn toward the locker, or, here's a novel idea, dry off right by the shower! No one wants to look at you naked in the first place and certainly not while you are bending and squatting to dry off your private areas. ICK!!

Gym Floor Etiquette

1. Wipe down the machines...  I don't like my own sweat, so I definitely don't like your sweat.  Wipe it away before you go to another machine.  Plus, don't you want to stop the spread of those nasty super germs that live and grow at the gym??
2. Similar to L.R.E. #1, if the gym is not busy, do not choose the treadmill, elliptical or bike that is immediately next to someone else unless there is something wrong with a machine that is a spot or two away.   This isn't the starting line of the NYC Marathon, there is no need to be on top of someone, and or spying on their speed and time to see if it's worse (or better) than yours.  Spread out...do your own thing!
3. In the stretching area, don't be the person who stretches out perpendicular to everyone else, thereby taking up 2/3 more space than you need.  You mess up the parallel pattern and make everyone nervous.
4. If you're not a trainer, don't tell someone they are exercising incorrectly.  **MEN, please take note of this**  It's creepy to think that you are watching someone so closely that you now think you can school them on their exercise moves. If the person isn't harming his or her body while doing the exercise, MIND YOUR BUSINESS or ask a trainer to give some advice. 

There might be few more "rules" that will come up, but this should be good to get your started and surely, if you ever work out with me, I won't be annoyed by you. :)  Happy Working Out!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

New Year, new blog, very short post! More to come but I couldn't start 2011 without posting something.

Get ready for the continuation of my saga...