Hello Loyal Soup People!
Happy 2020, everyone! This time of year, our feeds are flooded with ideas, quick tricks, and programs focused on new years resolutions. Unfortunately, most of our new efforts are out the door by Valentine’s Day. With good reason! Are we really likely to stick to a new habit of getting up every day at 5am to run and then eat only salad – in January??
However, recently two trends have emerged that I find very intriguing: Veganuary and Dry-January (or Dryuary – which I find very hard to pronounce!). The “challenges” are pretty simple. Many people, for the month of January, go vegan. Others give up alcohol until the end of the month.
My reasons for appreciating these challenges (for lack of a better word) are probably not what you think. Yes, I’m a big proponent of choosing plant-based foods, and also I am not a huge fan of alcohol. But, what I really appreciate about these goals is that they encourage us to be mindful. We are forced to really pay attention to our food and drink choices at every meal we eat and every event we attend. We have to ask ourselves – why am I choosing this food or drink? What is it doing for me? Can I live without it? Do I want to? We must take a step back and examine the choices we make – every day.
And then it’s done. We aren’t compelled to adopt new habits permanently – or even for a full season. Just one month. Psychologically speaking, that’s attainable. There is always an end in sight. And at the end of the month we can analyze our new habits and decide how we want to proceed. And, our new habits of mindfulness can be a positive addition to many other aspects of our lives throughout the year. As can limiting meat and alcohol… but that’s for another column.
Love,
Soupermom
*NOTE – Soupermom is not a licensed dietitian, doctor, personal trainer, or anything like that. She’s just extremely knowledgeable about healthy living!! But if you slip and fall while taking her advice, it is not her fault!
Marilyn Polon (Soupermom), Co-Founder and CAO (chief anxiety officer) has been worried about Soupergirl since the company launched in 2008. Actually, even before that. Her career has also been random and fascinating. After twenty years as a speech therapist, Soupermom changed careers and became a volunteer coordinator. She then had a wonderful stint as a docent at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. She was then dragged out of retirement by her daughter who insisted that they start a soup company. Could that be any more random?
All of the company’s recipes come from Soupermom’s kitchen. Honestly, she’s a testament to the power of healthy eating. Her hobbies include really long hikes, walking, doting on her granddaughters, and coming up with new recipes for Soupergirl. She is also a guru of all things health related but gets the words to every single song she sings incorrect. All of them. Loudly. Lastly, her laugh is contagious.