Ring in the New Year with Fire Crackers and Iced Cranberries

After years of the same New Year’s Resolutions making American’s Top 10 List, Parade magazine is offering 55 ideas to switch up things for 2021. Idea number one is to “focus on a passion not your looks” followed by “workout to feel good not to become thinner.”

Other Top 10 Resolutions for your consideration include:

• Start each day with gratitude. (Latham’s Marketing Team members begin its weekly meeting by expressing something for which they are grateful. It helps set the tone for a great meeting!)
• Give one compliment a day. (Learn how to graciously accept a compliment.)
• Do a random act of kindness weekly.
• Read one book each month.
• Go someplace you’ve never been.
• Travel on a small budget.
• Drink more water.

Ten resolutions sounds lofty, doesn’t it? Perhaps that’s why only 50% of people who make resolutions are successful after six months. Sometimes less is more; fewer is better.

There are a few, simple practices you can put into place to increase the likelihood of achieving success.  University of Scranton psychology Professor John Norcross, in a special story to CNN, offered these evidence-based tips for making and keeping your New Year’s resolutions:

• Make short, attainable goals.
• Develop a specific action plan.
• Publicly declare your resolutions to hold yourself accountable.

To hold herself accountable, one of my friends reviews her resolutions daily. She prints her annual goals on an interesting piece of paper and places them in a cute frame beside her bathroom sink.  Then each morning she reflects upon her list and decides what she needs to do to continue to work toward achieving her goals.  She is truly one of the most productive and successful people I know.

In the short term, my holiday weekend goals are to “Eat. Drink. Be Merry.”  That’s why today I’m sharing with you two of my favorite recipes from my mom’s recipe box. Cranberry Slush has been a holiday tradition for more than 30 years. The Fire Hot Crackers are always a hit.  Try topping these crackers with summer sausage and cheese.

Happy New Year!

Related posts:

• 5 Secrets to Becoming the Best YOU in the New Year
• Set Goals, Not Resolutions
• Resolution #1: Get Organized

Fire Crackers

Ingredients:

• 1¼ c. oil
• 1 T. garlic powder
• 16 oz. box of Keebler® Club Crackers
• 1 T. red pepper flakes (double the flakes for a little more “fire”)
• ½ T. onion powder
• 1 pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix

Directions:

1. Mix oil garlic and onion powder, crushed pepper, and dressing mix.  Pour into a 2-gallon bag.  Add crackers and carefully shake bag so that crackers get coated.  Let the bag set for 15 minutes and then shake it again.  Pour onto paper towels and let dry.  (COOK’S TIP:  Top with paper towels, as well, to remove excess oil.)  Store in airtight container.