You read that title correctly. It’s New Year’s Resolutions Time. Despite what the retailers tell you, Advent, the Christian new year, starts tomorrow. This year, there are only 22 days in Advent.
I plan on trying my best to order my life according to the traditional Christian calendar. I am not big on making New Year’s Resolutions, but this year I am going to give it a try. Starting with the way I attune the rhythms of my life.
the second of my New Year’s resolutions
Number two on this list is making a point of sharing a meal with someone, at least once a month. I am single and live on my own. As a result I very rarely sit down with another person at meal time.
This will mean getting my house and kitchen organized. I used to invite people for meals on a regular basis. Sadly, and somewhat shamefully, I can’t remember the last time I did this. Opening your table to people is a great way to build stronger relationships.
I also need to call people up and invite them to join me for a meal at a restaurant. I’ve always tended to a loner, and since Covid, that tendency has only deepened. This one is really hard for me. I always find it difficult to simply pick up the phone and call somebody.
As a final point in this section, let me just say, I’m always open if anyone wants to invite me over to their place for a meal, or even just coffee. I’m also willing to pitch in and help in the kitchen. Many times the best conversations take place in the kitchen as opposed to the dining room.
Seeking out creative ways to promote food security
I know it’s unpopular to say this, but when it comes to food security, food banks just ain’t cuttin’ it. Food bank usage is soaring. This model for feeding people is unsustainable. We need to find better ways of helping people put food on the table.
So, how might we do this? Just remember that none of these suggestions will solve all the problems. However, solving some problems is better than solving none.
Winnipeg needs to replace it’s tree canopy. We are falling behind in this process. Here’s a potential two birds with one stone idea. We make a point of planting a pile of fruit trees as part of this canopy.
Yes, someone has to harvest the fruit. Yes, people will eat fruit that they didn’t grow. However, if we get past the “I didn’t get it for free, so nobody else should” mentality this could be a great way of providing fresh, healthy food for anyone who needs or wants it. We also used to have the Fruit Share program in Winnipeg, which helped to distribute this fruit.
We also need to work on changing the rules around the ability of restaurants to share leftover food. This will require many people to make this one of their New Year’s resolutions. These kind of changes only come about if enough people demand change.
That ends up only being a couple of suggestions. Feel free to add your own in the comments section.
THE FOURTH AND FINAL OF MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
The final resolution on this list is: Putting my money where my mouth is. I already try and limit the amount of food I purchase from chains, whether they are restaurant or supermarket.
This year, I would like to double down on that. To do this, it means I will have to make do with less. One of the appeals of cheap food, is that we can eat as much as we want. I love bacon, and cheap bacon is always appealing.
If I support my local butcher, I have to sacrifice quantity for quality. Portion sizes need to be smaller. Yet, on the whole that’s probably better for me as well. Like anything, we can only do that in relationship to our income level. However, there are many of us who could do more in this regard.
There they are, my New Year’s resolutions. If you have other suggestions for me, or New Year’s resolutions of your own, please feel free to leave them in the comments.
