A New Member of the Family

Today I received my newly adopted word in the mail and put it promptly on my fridge door.... Healthy now stares back at me every time I'm in the kitchen.


I am very proud of my new word and I plan to nurture and care for it everyday - to make it feel welcome in my life and have it never leave my side. 


Let me explain. For Christmas my father adopted me a word (for charity ~ adoptaword.com).  He bought all of us a word.


For my brother: Honour ~ he is training to be an officer in the British military.
For my older sister: Care ~ she is a pediatrician.
For my younger sister: Protect ~ she is becoming a social worker.


All of these words seem very apt and thoughtfully picked - congratulations Dad - you've done well!


I called him to say thank you and he informed me that he found my word the hardest to pick - he had a tough time choosing between Healthy and Partying!  Anyone who knows me will now be making the universal noise of agreement: 'mmm-hmmm'.


Getting off the phone mildly disappointed with my father's recognition of my dual lifestyle and a little frustrated at the reputation I have created for myself, got me to thinking: am I too much of a contradiction? 


You should know that I am writing this with a mild hangover.  But I can also say that I haven't put anything processed in my body since January 1st.   And honestly - I am happy with both of those choices.


I want to lead by example, and my example is not that you must change your entire life.  It is not put down your glass of wine, only eat spinach and never eat chocolate.  There are few among us that relish and enjoy that lifestyle - and I would never advocate to anyone to stop enjoying life.


Instead I challenge you to this: start to make healthy choices more often.


 ~ Instead of a processed chocolate bar - buy a freshly baked chocolate chip muffin from Whole Foods
 ~ Cook at home more often
 ~ Chose the single patty burger, or only eat half of the deliciously creamy pasta order


You can still enjoy everything you do already - just smarter!


I am now going to cap off my hungover Sunday with a spinach salad, detoxifying green tea and a chocolate chip banana muffin.


A healthy partier - now that's a reputation a girl can be proud of ;)


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