I'm ready for the promise of renewal that springtime brings us. I'm sure you share the sentiment. I want to be outside digging in the dirt, smelling that tempting aroma from the grill and turning to face the sunshine.
  As I was reflecting on why I get so desperate for warmer weather, an observation occurred to me. We tend to start out the new year like gangbusters with resolutions and new plans of attack. The first couple of weeks in January don't seem so arduous because we're busy with all those new resolutions to eat better, exercise and stay as active as possible. But as winter tends to wear on, can lose their steam and the energy in and around us slows down to a crawl or just simply gets stuck.
   It's tough to keep the energy going as we eat comfort foods and wear heavier clothing and lack those wonderful energy-boosting things like sunshine and fresh air . So, while we try to patiently (ok, sometimes not so patiently) wait out this in-between time we call March, here are some ideas to help you stay busy until the flowers bloom and we can put our winter coats away.

New Years Resolutions  It might seem strange to revisit all the plans and ideas you had put together for yourself at the beginning of the new year. Which ones were you able to keep up with? Which ones could you infuse with some fresh energy? See if you can re-start some of the ones that didn't quite take. Or give yourself permission to let go of the ones that weren't useful or just didn't work. Maybe some of the original concepts can be re-worked and you can try again. I have a tendency to be impatient with myself and the results I'm trying to achieve, so even just identifying what was achieved is a positive move forward.

Spring clean  These days our kitchen sees a lot of action. It used to be where we cooked meals for two. Now, our daughter plays on the kitchen floor with pots and pans and wooden spoons, while we cook our meals and make baby food,. But as the days go by (very rapidly at times), things pile up and all we have time for is to do the dishes, load the dishwasher and do a quick wipe down before it's time to make applesauce again. No matter what it is you're cleaning out, it always feels great when you're done. It gives a great sense of accomplishment and it feels good to see the benefits of your efforts. It frees up space and helps chase away the stagnating air and dust that accumulates during the winter months. So whether you are a busy professional working outside of the home or a busy professional mom working in the home, even cleaning out a couple of drawers or wiping down the cabinets, is worth the effort. You'll notice the difference right away.

Learn to Read Labels  When I started working at making healthier choices, I decided to read the labels on the foods I was buying. Some of them I couldn't even pronounce. And it made me stop and think that if I couldn't spell them, then maybe I shouldn't be eating them. I decided research those ingredients and figure out ways to find healthier substitues. The knowledge I gained, I have been able to apply to everything from frozen foods to a loaf of bread. I even used it for my daughter's baby food. There are many grocery stores out there that are offering their own organic label at a lower cost than some of the high-priced ones.

Try this simple Applesauce recipe. It requires few ingredients and makes a great snack for just about anyone! It goes well with pork chops or look up an applesauce muffin recipe. It will taste better made with homemade applesauce!

Homemade Applesauce

Ingredients
4-5 apples; I like Golden Delicious
1/4 Cup to 1/2 Cup water
1-2 teaspoons cinnamon ( like to use ground, but you can use a couple of small cinnamon sticks instead)
sugar to taste (OPTIONAL)

Directions
1. Peel and core the apples and coarsely chop. (you can choose to leave the peels on. It makes for a chunkier texture and an interesting color.
2. Put in a pan and add the water and the cinnamon. Just enough to keep the apples from sticking to the bottom of the pan. If too much water is added it can make the applesauce soggy.
3. Turn heat on medium and let the apples simmer, stirring occasionally from the bottom to keep from burning.
4. Cook until the apples are soft. When a fork goes through apple easily, they are done.
5. Using a slotted spoon, put the apples in the blender and puree.
Presto! Homemade applesauce with only ingredients you recognize.
Last thing, I don't add sugar because I like to be able to taste only apples. Besides, since you put your own positive energy into it, it will taste wonderfully sweet anyway!

Lola Kern is a Consultant for Internal Energy Plus. If you have a challenging relationship with food or simply want to learn more about cooking with positive energy, email her at lkern@iepcorporate.com. To learn more about IEP's programs and products, log onto our website at www.InternalEnergyPlus.com . Or join our Yahoo Group at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/INTERNAL_ENERGY_PLUS/

Small Steps to Positive Change
Cooking with Loving Intention