5 Simple and Effective New Year’s Resolutions by Josie Riviera

We are all aware that small things can add up to big things, so this year, I’m keeping my resolutions simple. Here are 5 of my favorite resolutions: (And they’re all FREE!)

 

1.  Smile more often

2.  Try to be a more active listener.

3.  Be aware of what I eat.

4.  Add a physical activity to my daily routine.

5.  Be mindful of other people’s viewpoints.

And, I’m sharing one of my favorite quotes by Oprah Winfrey, a woman I admire and respect:

“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.”

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? Please share in the comments below.

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Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovations.

 

To see her latest family adventures, follow her on Instagram.

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New Year's Resolutions...and a low-cal dessert recipe! Roxanne Rustand

I don't know about you, but at the beginning of each year, I decide that this is going to be my year to exercise, lose weight, and work even harder at my writing. 

To that end, I went to the YMCA today and starting my water walking again, and tonight I am limping around the house like a hundred-year-old granny.  :)  Do you have an exercise schedule and keep at it?  I have resolved to get to the Y or use the treadmill at home four times a week this year.  No excuses!  I have also resolved to avoid making heavy, high-calorie meals and desserts. It's only January 5th, but I have high hopes!   :)

Here is a very quick, light dessert, if you are thinking the same thing. There are lots of versions of this recipe floating around, super fast and easy!

EMILY'S  KEY LIME PIE

OREO CRUST 

25 Oreo Cookies —sugar-free (or regular) Don’t remove the white filling.

5 tablespoons butter melted. 

Finely crush your cookies using a food processor or a rolling pin. Stir in melted butter and press crumbs into the bottom and sides of a 9" pie plate. Chill for about a half hour, then fill. For a crunchier crust, bake 8 minutes at 350°F and cool completely before filling. For fewer calories, skip the butter and press the crushed cookies into the pan as-is, though they won't have as much structure.

 KEY LIME PIE  FILLING

2  pkg sugar-free lime gelatin

1/2   cup boiling water

24    oz  key lime yogurt  low fat (I listed total ounces here as the little containers vary in ounces)

16    oz  frozen whipped topping --choose sugar-free or fat-free, thawed

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water.

Blend into the yogurt, then fold in the whipped topping.  Pour into crust.

 Sprinkle with extra crumbs, or “frost” with additional whipped topping and then sprinkle with cookie crumbs.

 Any combo of gelation and yogurt flavors will work.

Note that if you use a purchased graham cracker crust, this will probably fill two of them unless you cut the recipe in half.

Refrigerate for at least  two hours

Best wishes to you all for a  happy, healthy and successful year in 2019!

Roxanne Rustand