What are the 10 most popular New Year’s resolutions?

What are the 10 most popular New Year’s resolutions?  Well, that is a question that can have many answers.  Recently, I started asking everyone I met what they think is a good way to start the New Year.  I had many different answers.  Some of them I can’t print here.  I, did, however, discover that many repeated the same ones.  

Whether everyone can keep these resolutions is a question that remains to be seen, but without further adieu, I present the 10 most popular New Year’s resolutions in my neck of the woods.

1.    Quit smoking. (Well that one is just a no-brainer)

2.    Get fit and lose weight.  Whether it’s just a spare tire or a little extra in the chassis losing weight and looking one’s best is very, very popular.  

3.    Get out of debt. Dang those credit card bills coming in from Christmas.  

4.    Get organized. First things first, and all ducks in a row if that is possible in this crazy busy world.

5.    Spend more time with family. (Crazy busy world again)  We do, however, all need to stop and smell the roses, fly a kite, or toss a ball.

6.    Get rid of clutter.  It’s either that or star on the TV show about hoarders and no one wants that kind of notoriety!

7.    Break a bad habit.  Well, this can be all over the spectrum.  Whether it’s too many sodas, too much candy, too much TV or video games.  We all need to evaluate whether the things we enjoy, perhaps a bit too much.  As they say anything in moderation.

8.    Recycle. After all, we are all in this world together and doesn’t hurt to be conscious of the consequences of our existence. 

9.    Control stress. Again, here we go with that crazy busy world.  Maybe we should just stop and think if that thing you just had to get done really matters all that much.  And if it didn’t get done would the world stop spinning on its axis?  I. don’t. think. So.

10. And last but certainly not least, especially for an insomniac such as myself, catch up on sleep.  Go to sleep at a decent hour and shut off the party in one’s head. I know, easier said than done, but a resolution is just that a kind of promise to oneself.

A resolution is a solution to what one views as a problem.  It’s just a matter of how much willpower one possesses.  Even though the resolution is a noun it really does take quite a bit of action to get results.

Resolution [rez-uh-loo-shuhn]

(Noun)

A resolve. A decision or determination.  

How to make lucky New Year's Greek sweet bread

Who will get the lucky coin in the New Year’s Greek sweet bread? Every year from the time I was a child we always had Vasilopita or Greek sweet bread. The baker adds a coin inside before baking and the person who gets the slice with the coin will be lucky all year.

There are so many superstitions and traditions when it comes to New Year’s Day. I always make black-eyed peas with rice, which is a lucky dish to have in the south where I grew up. My grandmother always felt that a man should be the first to enter the house on New Year’s Day for luck and wouldn’t open the door for a woman. My mother would send my brother’s outside to walk back in just to be safe.

The most enjoyable New Year’s Day tradition for us was always the Vasilopita or Greek sweet bread. And all of us kids would hope we would be the lucky one to get the coin.

The bread is only slightly sweet and is great with a cup of coffee. This bread is especially tasty toasted with butter for a super breakfast dish.  If you've never made bread before this one is a really easy one and has a subtle flavor with a dense texture. So it's best to cut the bread in medium thin slices.

Vasilopita (New Year’s Greek sweet Bread)

Ingredients:

• 1-cup milk (scalded)
• ½ cup butter, melted
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 2 packets of yeast
• 2 eggs
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. nutmeg
• 5 – 6 cups all purpose flour
• 1 egg white
• 2 clean coins (washed and dried quarters)

In a large bowl pour hot milk over the butter, sugar and salt. When milk becomes lukewarm add two beaten eggs and the two yeast packets.

Next add cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour.   Knead until smooth. Form into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Then, cover with a clean towel and let rise until it has doubled in bulk.

After it rises, punch the dough down and shape into two round loaves and place in greased pans. Insert a coin in each loaf. Brush with beaten egg white. Cover and let rise again.

Finally, bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for around 30-35 minutes or until lightly browned. Now that your loaves are baking you can see how easy they are to make.

Makes two round loaves.