I don't really believe in making New Year's Resolutions. I never keep them so it's a useless exercise in futility. And it makes me feel bad that I didn't keep them so I stopped setting myself up that way.

But, a few years ago I started picking one or two things that I was going to make an effort to more or less of in the coming year. Nothing major - but something that would make a difference.

For example, a few years ago I decided I was going to drink more water. Considering that I drank practically none at the time, I had no where to go but up with that one. And, I have increased my water intake over that time. When I had to stop drinking caffeine about a year ago my water intake went up even more. One aside, you save a ton of money eating out when you're drinking water instead of pop. You don't think much about it because it's less than a couple of bucks. But, it really adds up. Yet another thing - people will start asking you what new cream you're using on your face because your skin looks better. Embarrassing but true - just water intake.

This year I've decided I'm going to "eat less fake food." This does not mean you will not see me eating junk food, it just means I'm going to eat less. An apple instead of a cookie kind of thing. An apple is real food. A cookie is a conglomeration of foods and food like substances, i.e. fake food. However, still expect to be served cookies and other sweets at my house. I'm just going to eat "less" - a nebulous, undefined amount that will equal "less" than I consume now - and will, yet, make me feel good about what I'm going for myself.

Much like the "resolution" about water, this will not be hard to achieve. But, such things make a difference over the course of a year. And, they tend to be lasting changes.

In the spirit of such things, this morning at breakfast I chose the apple instead of the waffle, which would have also required syrup - a fake food extravaganza. I already feel superior to the person I was a week ago. Geez, I'm easy.