A pale, purple-colored vase that sits year-round on Kesha Carter’s kitchen counter is the centerpiece of her family’s annual New Year’s resolution.

Carter and her family—her husband and two children, ages 10 and 20—resolve each year to celebrate the positive things in their lives.

That vase is known as the family’s “Blessings Jar.” For the third straight year, the family resolved to drop notes into the jar whenever something happened that made them happy.

They’ll spend 2017 dropping tiny slips of paper into the Blessings Jar, and on New Year’s Day 2018, they’ll have a family brunch or dinner and take turns reading the blessings.

“It’s a great opportunity to reflect on what made us feel good and how we can build upon that for the upcoming year,” Carter said.

Blessings from 2016

On New Year’s Day 2017, for example, the family had 20 notes—or 20 positive memories—to celebrate from the previous year.

Kesha Carter with her family , celebrating the arrival of the New Year

Her 10-year-old son recounted the tough tests he had “rocked” over the last year. He was sick for a few of the tests—and/or missed the pre-test reviews—and had to do a lot of studying on his own to catch up. He was proud to have earned scores of 92 and 106 on those exams.

Carter, meanwhile, celebrated a yearlong quest to eat healthier by consuming more “real” foods or items that aren’t heavily processed, such as fruits and vegetables.

She also worked hard throughout the year to be less cranky in the mornings.

“I really thought I had succeeded in yelling a lot less in the mornings, and I felt good when my family completely agreed!” she said.

A more positive New Year

Carter and her friends first discussed the idea of a Blessings Jar as a way for their families to celebrate the little things in life that make them happy.

This is an approach to the New Year that focuses on the positive, and not the negative.  You don’t have to start the year by focusing on the fact that you “need to” lose weight, save money, stop smoking, etc.

“Instead of starting the New Year with what’s ‘wrong’ with you, what if you started with what you do well?” said Eileen Wolff, workplace wellness consultant, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

Consider what makes you happy. What do you enjoy doing? What motivates you? In the upcoming year, why not do more of the things you already do that make you feel happy and healthy?

Do you like to read? Why not listen to an audiobook or podcast while on the treadmill? Is it hard to work out because you’re a parent with an active family? Consider doing active things with your family, like taking a martial arts class together or snowshoeing through a local park.

Blessings Jar 101

For Carter, her positive New Year starts with the Blessings Jar. If you’d like to create your own, here are some tips:

1. Avoid jars that are transparent, including those that are made of clear glass or plastic. You don’t want people to read what’s on the slips of paper before the year is up.
2. Set no rules. People can submit notes on whatever made them happy or proud that year.
3. Allow participants to submit any big or small accomplishments.

The Carter Family Blessings Jar

“My husband, at first, only submitted one blessing a year, because he didn’t think he had accomplishments that were important enough to be recognized,” Carter said. “But this past year, he submitted three or four recognitions. He learned that anything that he personally wanted to celebrate was important enough for the jar.”

4. Don’t keep tabs on how many blessings each person submits to the jar. There’s no pressure to submit a lot or a few recognitions.
5. Take note of what makes others happy. If your child was proud that he did his chores that year without being asked, take note and praise him throughout the year for doing just that.

“I learned what matters to my family,” Carter said,” and now I can take notice of that throughout the year.”

God bless the Crock-Pot. Yes, it’s that cauldron-type electronic countertop cooking device made of inch-thick ceramics and a heavy glass top that your grandmother may describe a bit more literally as a “slow cooker.”

I know not one person who has used one and been disappointed. If you are among the uninitiated, let me tell you something: Crock-Pots don’t just make easy, delicious meals. They enhance marriages. They preserve sanity. They feed hungry children.

How do I know this? First, I am a married, 47-year-old father of two children, ages 7 and 8. My wife and I work full-time in different cities and, up until very recently, my wife worked multiple 12-hour shifts at a hospital 90 minutes away from our home, which meant that I would essentially be a married-but-single parent for multiple days every week.

Second, after I graduated from college many years ago and was searching for a job in my field, I took a job as a prep cook as a stop-gap measure and was soon “promoted” to line cook after only a few weeks. That stop-gap job turned into the better part of two years. So, I cooked. I cooked A LOT. I was not content in staying at my parents’ house, so I worked double shifts and weekends between three different restaurant locations to pay my rent and bills. I had steaks and pasta and chicken coming out of my ears. Fast-forward 20  some-odd years – I don’t cook as much anymore. In fact, I rarely cook, and when I do, it’s usually out of necessity. And frankly, I don’t WANT to cook at all.

Third, as I mentioned , my wife and I have two small children. They go to school in the morning and, more often than I’d like, occasionally come home at the end of the day with their lunchboxes, the contents of which are only half-eaten or virtually untouched.

Me: “Why didn’t you eat your lunch today?”
Them: “I didn’t have time.”
M: “You had a lunch hour today, didn’t you?”
T: “Yes.”
M: “Then how did you not have time to eat a sandwich and an apple?”
T: “I was talking to my friends and forgot to eat.”

Now, it’s close to 6 p.m. on a weeknight, my wife’s out of town for the day, I had a busy day at work and I’m tired, I don’t want to cook, and the kids and I are hungry. Enter Crock-Pot.

I take my coat off and see a note on the kitchen counter. It’s from my loving wife.

It says, “Dinner’s in the crock.”

Time stands still for a moment as I soak in the meaning of this message. Not only is my wife’s greatness confirmed, but my kids and I can enjoy a delicious meal in little more than the amount of time it’ll take me to put it on a plate and serve it.

It only takes minutes of prep work to create chicken tacos in a Crock-Pot

My wife created all of this foodborne happiness in less than five minutes. Before she left the house that morning, she emptied a package of four raw chicken breasts into the crockpot, along with one jar of sliced pepperoncini peppers with the juice, and set the crockpot to cook on low for 6 hours.

The only prep that needed to be done when I got home is to pull apart the chicken (it will come apart just like slow-roasted pork) and serve it in a tortilla with toppings, such as diced tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream or olives. The kids, especially, need their vegetables, so I often pair these soft tacos with a side of steamed broccoli (available in steamable bags, such as SteamFresh by Bird’s Eye, found in the frozen section of the supermarket) and a quick and delicious dinner is done.

We often take things a step further by preparing Crock-Pot meals even further ahead of time – by freezing them in gallon Ziploc bags for future chow-downs.

Chicken parmesan can be prepared in advance and served over pasta

For instance, just last night, we enjoyed a chicken parmesan pasta dish that was prepped months ago. To prepare, I diced three to four chicken breasts up into medium-sized chunks, threw them in a bag with our favorite tomato sauce, and put the bag into the freezer. Yesterday morning, my wife took the bag out of the freezer and put the contents into the crock (on low for 5 hours). Last night, when we got home, all we had to do was boil some bowtie pasta, drain and ladle on the chicken and sauce, and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.

Although the two examples I used were chicken recipes, crockpots can be used for just about any meats, vegetables, fish, soups, sauces, and even cocktails (yes, Google “Crocktails”)!  And these days, slow cookers come in many different sizes (4 qt. – 8.5 qt.), shapes and configurations (timers, locking lids for portability, digital displays, etc.) and they’re relatively inexpensive ($30-$80). So save your sanity and your marriage, while feeding your family, with some really easy cooking done Crock-Pot style.

“Too much work, and no vacation,
Deserves at least a small libation.
So hail! my friends, and raise your glasses;
Work’s the curse of the drinking classes.”
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

There are a lot of opinions on drinking out there:

• Red wine is the nectar of the French, and the reason why they live so long (in spite of the fact that they eat lots of delicious cheese).
• Low-carb beers are the key to a beach-ready body.
• Ditch alcohol altogether, because it has no real health benefits.

So what’s a health-conscious person to do when they want to enjoy a drink? Is it better to reach for a bottle of beer, a pint of hard cider, a glass of wine, or to pass them up altogether in favor of plain water?

Well, it all depends.

If you don’t drink, research and health professionals suggest there’s no reason to start. You’re not missing important nutrients the same way you would be if you were giving up say, broccoli, for example.

If you do drink, “the key is moderation,” says Pat Salzer, a registered dietitian with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “What it really comes down to is whether you like beer or like wine or hard cider– have whatever you enjoy. But keep in mind the portion you’re drinking.”

Whether it’s wine made in the Finger Lakes or Niagara County vineyards, hard cider made from New York state apples, or beer brewed with locally-grown hops and barley, there are plenty of ways to support local craftspeople and become engaged with what you are consuming and who’s responsible for it. That has its own health and environmental benefits. There are, after all, some health and environmental benefits of consuming items that are locally-sourced.

But don’t ditch the healthy diet and workout in favor of doing bicep-curls with a bottle of beer. It’s about having the right perspective on a healthy lifestyle.

“Alcohol consumption can be an enjoyable part of life,” says Salzer. “For somebody who takes their time and enjoys it, looks forward to and appreciates it – that whole mindset is so much healthier compared to thinking ‘I had a rough day, I need a drink or I’m just trying to quench my thirst.”

A Word About Portion Control

Gender equality hasn’t reached the libation consumption arena yet: According to dietary guidelines, men should stick to up to two drinks per day, and women should limit themselves to no more than one.

Serving sizes depend on the type of drink : 12 ounces of beer or a wine cooler; 5 ounces of wine; 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits.

Anything more than moderate drinking can be harmful to your health, and can increase your risk of having high blood pressure, becoming overweight, getting cirrhosis of the liver, and cancer. Some people shouldn’t drink at all.

Wine

Yes, wine comes from grapes. No, it’s not the same as eating a fruit salad. “You’re not getting the nutrition of those fresh fruits, so it’s not quite the delivery system we had in mind when we say ‘eat more fruit’,” says Salzer.

Red wine is believed to have more substances that prevent blood clots and relax blood vessel walls, but, Salzer notes that “in practice, the beverage choice has little effect on cardiovascular benefit.”

As the Harvard School of Public Health noted,  moderate male drinkers were 30 percent to 35 percent less likely to have a heart attack than non-drinkers, regardless of beverage choice. The research also shows that men who drank every day had a lower risk of heart attack than those who drank once or twice a week. The American Heart Association, however, notes that research hasn’t conclusively proven  that drinking is as beneficial for heart health as are diet, exercise and maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

So if you do go for the vino:  Pick the kind you really like. For Salzer, “I like a dry red wine, the drier the better!” She suggests measuring 5 ounces of wine in a measuring cup to pour into your glass as a mental marker for where your portion should be.

Beer

Beer – it’s one of the most consumed beverages in the world. There are even more varieties of beer on the market today for those who suffer from food allergies or who limit their intake of gluten (for example, beers like Omission or New Belgium Brewing’s Glutiny).

So if you do go for the beer: Use the bottle or can as your portion size. Pick one that will be satisfying – “Light beer has fewer calories, but if it’s not satisfying to you, and you’re not enjoying it, you’re going to drink more and consume more calories,” Salzer says.

Hard Cider

New York is apple country, and there is no shortage of locally sourced hard ciders available throughout the state. The trick with these beverages, though, is the sugar content.

So if you do go for the hard cider: As with beer, use a bottle or can as your portion size. If you’re planning to have more than one, drink some water in between beverages. (But remember that pesky rule, that women shouldn’t have more than one.)

The main thing

Whatever beverage you enjoy, Salzer suggests starting your night with a glass of water or club soda to keep your body hydrated and avoid consuming too much.

Remember, it’s all about moderation. Research regarding the benefits of alcohol consumption is inconclusive.

“The biggest health benefit would be to enjoy it and avoid the guilt,” says Salzer. “To do that, be mindful of how much you’re consuming and keep it in moderation.”

My 5-year-old, armed with his brand-new Spider-Man fishing rod, peppered me with questions about his first-ever fishing trip.

• Could he put his own worm on the hook?
• Could he catch enough fish for dinner?
• On second thought, he might not catch enough fish. Would that be OK?

I reassured him that I wasn’t expecting a fish dinner that night. “Plus,” I advised him, “after catching a fish, you want to return it to the water. If not – the fish’s mommy and daddy would miss him.”

With this burden lifted off his young shoulders, my little guy left with his best friend and her dad on his first fishing adventure.

My son is probably a bit young to embrace the finer points of fishing, but that’s OK. He ended up having more fun running around and collecting discarded fishing gear on that trip.

I loved fishing as a child. You get to hang out in the middle of nature and learn how to (patiently) catch an actual real live fish. Maybe my son will one day join my husband, his little brother and me at one of the fishing hot spots listed below?

Fishing is Good for Body and Soul

Besides providing a healthy source of protein for your dinner — if you decide to keep and prepare what you’ve caught — fishing has many health benefits, says Janette Westman, workplace wellness consultant, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

For example, fishing can keep you active, especially if you paddle, bike or hike to reach your favorite spot. Spending time outdoors can help you boost your mood, reduce stress and relax.

Another way to reduce stress is to disconnect from technology while spending time outdoors, advises Westman.

“It’s so refreshing to do something so primitive that you don’t need any fancy technology to do it,” she says. “Try to leave your electronic gadgets at home, or at least silence your phone!”

And don’t forget the memories! When I asked my co-workers to share their favorite places to catch fish, many mentioned that fishing not only resulted in great catches, but a boatload of recollections of fun times with family and friends.

Go Fish!

Whether you’re a novice angler, an experienced fisherman or a kid looking to hook his or her first fish, here are some favorite places to catch fish in upstate New York as recommended by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield employees.

Erie County

1. Sturgeon Point Marina in the town of Evans: “We never walked away without having caught at least one fish,” fisherwoman Stef Strosky tells us. “The most memorable time was fishing inside the harbor and catching a 9.5 pound rainbow trout with my best friend Kim when we were both 7 years old. We got to hold that over my brother and his friend for years to come!”

Delaware County

2. The West Branch of the Delaware River from Deposit to Hancock and the main Delaware River from Hancock to Lordville: For fly fisherman Andrew Dober, this is the place to be. These spots in Delaware County, he says, provide some of the best dry fly- fishing on the East Coast.
   

   An 18 inch, brown trout caught by Dober (provided by Andrew Dober)

Franklin County

3. Fish Creek Pond Campground near Tupper Lake: “My family loves to camp there in the summer, and I spend many hours on the lake fishing with my wife and two boys,” shares Mike Tripp. “We catch sunfish, perch, smallmouth and largemouth bass and northern pike. We’ve created a lot of great memories!”

Jefferson County

4. Eel Bay in Wellesley Island State Park: Mark Lemen has had lots of luck with northern pike and smallmouth bass.  “The pike aren’t huge, but when they’re hitting, it’s a lot of fun!”

5. Chaumont-Three Mile Bay area located on the eastern end of Lake Ontario, also known as the “Golden Crescent”: Kevin Moriarty tells us the Chaumont Bay is known for being very family-friendly and a great spot for freshwater fishing

Oneida County

6. At a stream and tiny falls behind the Fastrac in Camden: Alan Zyla takes his son there often. “We catch rainbow and brown trout fish.”
   

   Zyla’s son, Xander, 6, shows off the fish he caught. (provided by Alan Zyla)

Oswego County

7. Redfield Reservoir (also known as Salmon River Reservoir): Catch rock, largemouth and smallmouth bass, panfish, northern pike and walleye, advises Jackie West. “To top it off, the sunsets are to die for!”

8. Salmon River and Lake Ontario tributaries: “We don’t just fish, we also kayak and spend the day having fun in the sun,” shares Marcy Ariel. “Another great place to visit nearby is the Salmon River Fish Hatchery and the Salmon River Falls.”

St. Lawrence County

9. Around the islands near Chippewa Bay: Walleye, northern pike and largemouth and smallmouth bass are plentiful in this part of the St. Lawrence River. Ellen Sorce extolls the virtues of panfish “for a proper river breakfast of scrambled eggs, fried potatoes and fried fish.Yum!”

10. Jacques Cartier State Park: For pros and weekend warriors. You can catch smallmouth bass and walleye in the St. Lawrence River, suggests Sharlene Austin.

11. Black Lake, north of Interstate 81: Although Roberta Burr and her husband fish all over the lake, they prefer Booth Island and Lower Big Bay. “We’ve caught crappie and bullhead fish and smallmouth and largemouth bass,” she says.

Wyoming County

12. On Silver Lake near Letchworth State Park: Although he wouldn’t divulge the exact location, Russ Kuitems has a spot just south of the country club where he catches big northern pike and smallmouth bass.
    

    A beautiful day for fishing at Silver Lake. (provided by Russ Kuitems)