SIMPLE LIVING

December / January, 2012

A Balanced Life

The anticipation of a new year is the perfect time to consider whether your day-to-day life is aligned with the things you care about most- and to make adjustments if needed. Rather than writing a list of resolutions on the first of January, I like to spend some time reviewing aspects of my life that really matter and setting specific goals for the coming year. Your list may contain different priorities, but here are some ideas:

By Eliza Cross

Relationship

"Get away often with the one you love," suggests Evergreen innkeeper Gail Riley, author of the new book Colorado Romance. "Break the day-in, day-out doldrums and remember why you fell in love." Consider specific plans you could make in the months to come, to support and nurture your relationship with your significant other.

Family

Are you having fun and making good memories? Do you feel connected as a family? You may want to plan more family dinners, take a special vacation, or choose a weekly family night to enjoy more quality time together.

Spirituality

Is this an area of your life in which you'd like to experience growth? To give spirituality greater priority in your life, you may wish to attend your church or synagogue more regularly. Perhaps you could add a daily practice of praying or meditating, or go on a spiritual retreat.

Work

"Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition," the late Steve Jobs said. Do you feel like you're doing what you're meant to do? Do you feel secure and hopeful about the future in your chosen career? Is your work bearing fruit? If not, consider what specific steps you might take in the coming year to explore new options, network and learn new skills.

Friends

Few relationships enhance our lives like supportive, positive friendships. Are you generally satisfied with your circle of friends and the opportunities you have to connect? If not, perhaps you would like to reach out to some new friends this year. Alternately, you may decide to spend less time with someone whose negative energy or demands are bringing you down.

Community

William James said, "The great use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it." Happy people generally derive deep satisfaction from giving back in a personally meaningful way. Do you have a heart for a particular cause or group of people? Are there specific steps you could take in 2012 to contribute in some way to the greater good?

Self Care

"We need to cultivate an overall lifestyle that supports our ability to maintain our energy from the inside out," recommends Denver life coach and yoga teacher Diane Sieg. Busy people sometimes put everyone else's needs first, but taking care of ourselves, relaxing and recharging are essential elements of a balanced life. How might you carve out a little more time for yourself this year?

SOUL-SOOTHING MINESTRONE SOUP

Nothing beats a healthy pot of soup as an easy-to-prepare meal on a chilly night. This recipe features a hearty mixture of vegetables, including a turnip instead of a potato. Turnips maintain their texture better after cooking and absorb the delicious flavors of the soup.

6-8 SERVINGS

4 slices bacon, diced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 carrots, peeled and cut into1/4-inch dice
1 onion, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 leek (white part and 1 inch of the green part), well rinsed, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
1 turnip, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
6 cups chicken stock or broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
5 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, divided (or substitute regular parsley)
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
salt, to taste
1 16-ounce can cannellini beans, drained
4 ripe plum tomatoes, cut into1/4-inch dice
1/2 cup small pasta, such as tiny shells or short macaroni
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cook bacon in a large heavy pot over low heat to render the fat, about 10 minutes. Add the butter, and when melted, add garlic, carrots, onion and leek and raise the heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about ten minutes or until tender.

Add cabbage, turnip, chicken stock and tomato paste. Increase heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of the parsley, the oregano, pepper and salt. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes.

Add beans, tomatoes and pasta. Simmer until pasta is tender, about 10 minutes. Adjust the seasonings. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons parsley just before serving. Garnish each bowl with a spoonful of Parmesan cheese. (Note: for a vegetarian version, eliminate the bacon and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil before sautéing the vegetables. Substitute vegetable broth for chicken stock, and skip the cheese.)

Eliza Cross (elizacross.com) is an award-winning writer and the author of five books. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications including Parents, Writers' Digest, Natural Home and Mountain Living, and she blogs about sustainable living, organic gardening, saving money, eating well and living simply at HappySimpleLiving.com.