OPINION: Trends and resolutions

At this time of year many Canadians (80 per cent in a recent poll) attempt to change their lives by making New Year’s Resolutions.
It’s very easy to make rash promises on New Year’s Eve and we often resolve to perform near impossible stunts like losing a few pounds or quitting smoking.

Unfortunately by the middle of January we may have actually gained weight and we’re still sneaking out for a smoke in 30 below weather.

Shortly after that all is forgotten and we’re free and clear for another year.

It’s a harmless tradition and all in good fun but still, who needs the aggravation of one more unattained goal?

This year I decided to do some research before I set myself up for failure in the New Year.

I checked with experts who follow the trends and predict what we can expect to see as 2014 unfolds.

That way I can make more informed resolutions and the chance of success improves.

Many of the predictions for the coming year concern the food we eat, which is good because so many Canadians have an issue with eating or nutrition or weight loss.

New Year’s in Canada is when fad, radical diets appear, everybody buys a gym membership and healthy lifestyles is the rallying cry.

The hundred mile diet is alive and well and environmental sustainability is being promoted by local farmers and country markets all around the region.

More specifically, there are other noteworthy trends that may have some impact on the granola-crunching lobby.

Sadly, if the nutritionists are correct, 2014 could be a bad year for kale as this formerly trendy herbaceous treat faces a stiff backlash from collard, turnip and mustard greens.

I never saw that one coming.  I thought kale was here to stay.

Health conscious consumers embrace ancient grains – so-called because they haven’t been altered or genetically engineered for decades or even centuries.

Quinoa, the new, trendy side dish may face the same future as kale once it is challenged in the ancient grain bin by other old-time favourites such as spelt, kamut and millet.

Reading a menu in 2014 will be an adventure in itself.  I’ll have my kamut al dente, s’il vous plait.

In the dining room chefs are beginning to add new, formerly snubbed cuts of meat to their repertoire.

They are offering such intriguing choices as the Vegas Strip and the Denver Cut – both taken from the less appealing “chuck” region of the cow.

Another trendy product, urban honey, is gaining in popularity and even the Waldorf Astoria now has its own bee hives on the roof.
Of course when it comes to fancy food, it’s in with the new and out with the old.

Losing popularity and continuing on a culinary downslide for the coming year will be Greek yogurt, sweet potato fries and in-house ice cream.

Other unknown snacks and morsels may also be dropped from the menu.

Unfortunately none of this information gave me any good resolution-making ideas and not only that, I now have no desire to eat kale.

However I do have a desire to live better so I turned to a well-known folk hero for guidance.

I borrowed from Woody Guthrie’s 1942 New Year’s Rulin’s and if you’re looking for some simple inspiration, here are a few pearls.

Work more and better, wash teeth if any, shine your shoes and change your socks.

Eat good – fruit, vegetables, milk and drink very scant if any, learn people better and stay glad.

Don’t get lonesome, love Mama, love Papa, love everybody.

All the best to my friends in 2014.