5 New Year’s Resolutions Beyond Weight Loss

Although losing weight is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions, this year might be the year to stop worrying about your appearance and start working toward a more positive mindset. You just might find that bettering yourself from the inside will have positive effects on your body as well!

  1. Devote more time to loved ones. If you don’t get to see your family and friends as much as you'd like, aim to fix that in the upcoming months. Cut back on work, schedule a visit, or simply ask a loved one out to dinner—and leave your phone in your pocket!
  2. Butt out. Giving up cigarettes does just as much good for your body as dieting, so toss out your pack after the clock strikes midnight.
  3. Improve your finances. From paying off your credit card bills to setting aside money for savings, getting out of debt can make you feel a bit lighter in a completely different way.
  4. Volunteer for a cause. Even if it’s only once a month, donating time to a cause that you believe in is a great way to improve yourself in the New Year.
  5. Get active. Instead of making a New Year’s resolution to improve your physique, vow to simply get outside more and become more active. You just might shed a few pounds along the way.

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions [About Travel]
10 New Year’s Resolutions You Might Actually Keep [How Stuff Works]
Popular New Year's Resolutions [USA.gov]

Decadent Dessert Recipes for Your Holiday Soiree

No holiday party is complete without something sweet for guests to nibble on after the big meal is over, and this special occasion requires a dessert that’s a bit more elegant than your usual cake or cookies. Here are a few festive dessert recipes that will make the perfect ending to any seasonal soiree.

Cream Puff Tower
While cookie tables are fairly casual, an artistic cream puff tower makes a much more decorative way to display self-serve desserts. This recipe shows you how to create light, fluffy cream puffs covered in a flaky pastry crust, and it also offers inspiration for artfully arranging them on a tiered stand.

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Brownies
Everyone loves a warm, chewy brownie, and this recipe adds festive red and white peppermints on top to make the old favorite more appropriate for the holiday season. Best of all, this recipe is best served the day after baking for a fudgier consistency, so you can even make them ahead of time.

Holiday Biscotti
If you plan on serving hot coffee after dinner at your holiday party, this holiday biscotti is the perfect accompaniment. Traditional cranberry pistachio biscotti cookies are dipped in white chocolate and covered in red and green sprinkles for a decorative look that’s also delicious.

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