Despite the dreary weather and belly bursting meals as of
late, I have somehow managed to get my body upright and in front of the
computer. It wasn’t easy. I know I’m not alone when I say I’m feeling somewhat
lethargic these last few days of 2015. I
spent this week visiting family and friends, eating everything from crispy
pig-ear salad at
Monument Lane (the
farm-to-table restaurant my friend manages) to Kenyan fare at my friend
Angela’s Christmas party, and I think I am the fullest I have been all year. I
don’t like to advocate for
overindulgence
but if ever there were a time for it, it would be during the holidays,
surrounded by friends and family.
 |
| Me (right) at my friend Angela's (middle) Xmas party in the Poconos |
 |
| My cousin Brittany & I being naughty on Xmas eve |
But as special as these merry times are, they must come to
an end sooner or later, which means getting back to reality and getting back to
work. I don’t necessarily believe in New Year’s resolutions because every day is an opportunity to make life better. But after a week of excess and
lying around on the couch, I can certainly understand the need to carve out
some new goals and begin again.
 |
| Play time's over! Time to get your butt off that couch!!! |
2015 has been a year of accomplishments for me; I
have (finally) graduated college, seen some of the world, and restored my
health by making positive changes in my diet and exercise routine. Not to
mention I began this blog, which I consider the first tiny step in a life
devoted to learning and living better. Still I can’t help but feel like there
is so much more I need to do. The world is full of conflict and suffering, and maybe it always
will be, but it seems no one has a clue what to do about it these days. I recognize that
the world’s problems are my problems
and I believe my greatest goal, or New Year's resolution if you will, is to help
heal the injured world in any way I can.
To do this, I have to work harder, sacrifice more, and
conquer my fears and weaknesses. Most of all I need to hold myself accountable
and stop blaming others for the decisions I make, like, for example, blaming corporate America for not shopping local, small businesses. If I enact even small
changes, and live what I believe, then perhaps in time it can add up to something big.
This is my hope and this blog is my opportunity to do some good. It’s my obligation to keep working to say more and
do more, but I can’t do it alone, so I hope that whoever is reading will feel
welcome to share their opinions, advice, and any resources that might help on this quest of mine.
Additionally, I will be making my own changes too; in the
very near future I will add several new pages that offer contemporary ways of
approaching food in hopes of empowering people to improve
the world, and of course their lives as well. I also plan to explore different histories of food and uncover flavors, rituals, customs, and traditions belonging to cultures of long ago. Perhaps most importantly, I will give more of my time
to help others “taste life” through volunteer work and simply offering my
goodwill wherever it can be received, and then write about it as always.
So to sum up, if I had to name my one resolution for 2016, it
would be to work harder so that I can give more. Au Revoir 2015, it’s been a tasty year,
made even more delicious by all the people I’ve shared it with, Santé and Happy New Year To All!!!
 |
| African Mandazi to the left |
What are your resolutions? Ideas? Advice? I’d love it if you shared!
...Brian, "Working-IT"
