Many years ago I made a resolution (back in 2002 I think) which I kept for like 2+ years before going back to old habits. This year I'm taking it up again, and making it more challenging in a way that I think will benefit me.
From this point forward – no McDonalds, no Wendy's, no Burger King. And nothing fat fried like french fries or fried chicken. I may make an exception for the occasional chinese dinner, but otherwise, no exceptions.
I'm turning 40 this year, and my body can't process the crap I've been eating lately, particularly when I'm under so much (needless) stress at work.
I'm also going to seriously think about what I'd rather be doing for work, and begin making moves in that direction. Clearly software is the only thing I'm cut out for, but I am getting too old to compete with these youngsters, and I stopped enjoying the work over a decade ago. Twelve years of waiting for it to get better is a pretty good indicator that it isn't going to get better. I need to find something that will keep me reasonably solvent but not work me to death's door because some asshole made a promise he shouldn't have.
So those are my resolutions.
Wow – Chuck – good for you! I wish you strength in following through with your convictions.
Looks like i am returning to my diet, which means I, too, will be cutting back on the fat fried stuff.
Don't you have a recipe for crispy baked fries without oil? Something involving eggwhites or some such?
I've found that Alexia fries (in frozen food section) are pretty damn good and have significantly less fat than real fried french fries. Plus they have some great flavors (rosemary, garlic, onion) in addition to regular fries.
B.O.B.
Those sound like good anti-heart-attack resolutions. Good luck figuring out what you want to do for work and pursuing that, Chuck. Try making connections with people — go to more parties, talk to people at Lynnea's school functions and other activities. It could help to meet people and see what's out there.
The no-fried-food one is a great idea. I think once you stop thinking of that stuff as food, it won't be that hard at all, and I definitely think that's easier to do as all or nothing. (And I don't think the occasional Chinese take-out's going to mess it up, although if you like eggrolls, lean cuisine has a pretty decent eggroll.)
We used to have a french fry recipe that involved whipping eggwhites, dipping the potatoes in the eggwhite, and then cooking them on a pan sprayed with pam. Eh. I've seen similar recipes where you put the potatoes in a plastic bag with oil and spices and shake them up. I'll bet if you search online you can find something for those times that you're really craving a french fry-like taste. I think the key is to substitute another flavor for the fat.