Happy New Year Oxfam Style

By Guest Blogger Kathy Chavez 

Happy Lunar New Year! Today windows and doors are decorated with red to scare off bad fortune and gold to attract wealth.  Many Chinese families are eating fish and drinking alcohol to bring prosperity and longevity, since 鱼 yú, fish sounds like 餘 yú, surplus and 酒 jiǔ, alcohol sounds like 久 jiǔ longevity.  With all these well wishes, we figure it’s a good time to re-visit our New Years’ resolutions.

Every year millions of people make resolutions with promises of sticking to them.  According to the University Journal of Psychology 38% of Americans make resolutions. The top 10 for 2013 are:

1. Lose weight
2. Get organized
3. Spend  less and save more
4. Enjoy life to the fullest
5. Stay fit and healthy
6. Learn something exciting
7. Quit smoking
8. Help others
9. Fall in love
10. Spend more time with family 

If any of your resolutions are on the top ten lists, implementing the Oxfam GROW method can make succeeding more probable. Forbes magazine states that by late January to the middle of February, 22% of resolutions will be dropped.  Having a plan and a support system will increase the probability of success and inspirational goals have a greater chance of being achieved.  Try using the Oxfam GROW method for support and inspiration. What’s more inspiring than a method that will help you achieve a healthier life while improving the food system worldwide? 

Lose weight, GROW style.  Start by adding more seasonal fruits to every meal.  Then try eating a little less dairy and meat at every meal or substitute a vegetarian meal once a week with Meatless Mondays. Cutting meat out of your diet even just one day a week can decrease your risk of heart disease by 19% according to a Harvard University study.  Instead, eat beans, lentils, and green, leafy vegetables for protein. Beans are less expensive than meat, so this change will tackle goal three on the list along with one and five. Also try starting No Fast Food Fridays. Cooking together and eating at home is sure to target goal ten of spending more time with family.


Other simple ways to save money include eating at home more often and packing a lunch for yourself and your family members using leftovers. Cooking at home and eating less processed food is better for our bodies, our wallets, and the environment.   

Dr. David Pimentel at Cornell University explained that frozen dinners take twice the resources to produce than food cooked fresh at home. Seasonal and locally grown foods are also more flavorful and nutritious than those that are shipped from long distances. Still not convinced about the lower cost? Forbes magazine disproved the hype that it is cheaper to eat out.  Previous studies did not include drinks or tips, plus didn’t factor in that most people cook enough food for more than one meal at home.

As for falling in love you might want to adopt a pet from you local shelter, or possibly meet your perfect match volunteering. You can learn new things and meet interesting people by volunteering with Oxfam.  

 If you are reading this and feel like you have already failed at your  New Years’ Resolution, don’t lose hope!  You have a second chance with today’s  Lunar New Year. And in general, it’s never too late to shed the old and embrace the new. Hope this New Year finds you eating well, whether it’s eating seasonally, locally or cooking more at home.