Happy New Year!!!!

Well another year has gone by and what a year full of personal accomplishments and adventures it has been.This is the time that I take to sit down and write the pros and cons of the year passed and my dreams and goals for the new year.It is the best time to write a few notes in my grattitude journal. Everyday I write something that I am thankful for, no matter how small,this helps me start the day on a positive note and gives me that extra boost and energy to have the best day ever!!!
If I stop and think of all the great things that have happened in my life this year, I am very proud of my accomplishments...
1. I started my first cooking seminars in January 2010 with 7 participants and now at the end of the year, I am pleased to announce that close to 300 people have enjoyed and lived the seminars, many of which have changed their lives for the better.
2. I cut my 10 inch ponytail for "The Angel Hair for Kids Foundation" (they create real hair wigs for children that are victims of alopecia, burn victims or cancer victims). These wigs go to children from less fortunate families. This was definitely a highlight for me this year. What a feeling!!!
3. With the success of my cooking seminars, I decided that the next logical step would be to create my own health website. My nephew Eric (a very talented web designer), really helped me make my dream come true. He included me in every exciting detail and it has been a very positive journey. I really wanted this website to be a great tool for anyone that has always struggled with their weight, that wish to maintain their weight loss or that just want to learn to make healthy meals for their loved ones.
4. I did my first recipe video for You Tube...very exciting...quite the experience!!
5. I actually attempted my first roller coaster ride "The Comet" at The Great Escape Theme Park in Lake George this summer. I promised myself that I will never do that again!! What was I thinking!!! The only good thing that came out of that life experience is that I could see that my 12 year old son Alex was so proud of me for trying...at least something positive came out of it right???Ha!ha!
6. I climbed "Mount Hurricane" in the Adirondack Mountains in the Fall with 5 friends. This was quite the climb, very challenging but beautiful at the same time. What a view of Saranac Lake at the summit, so worth the climb and the view was breathtaking!!
Now its time to sit down and write down my goals and dreams for 2011...I know that there will be a few more recipe videos added to You Tube. I would love to try zip-lining or parachuting, definitely horseback riding, most probably a family trip to New York City or Disney.
We will see what path our lives will take this year...its always exciting and life is a big bag of surprises, you have to live it out while you are young and healthy!!!You have to have dreams.....
But most of all, the best thing that 2010 gave me is LOVE with my husband and son, WEALTH with my wonderful family,FRIENDSHIP with amazing friends and the number one thing is definitely HEALTH!
When we are younger we are consumed with our wants and needs. As I get older I realize how all of these pieces of the "life" puzzle fit together to make it as perfect a life as possible....

Happy New Year and stay healthy.....

Sylvie Thibert

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.

In this day and age we need to get back to the basics, to live the true meaning of Christmas. Over the years, Christmas has become so commercialized that we seem to have lost the true meaning of it. We no sooner finish one event (Valentine's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving) that the stores are already selling products for the next holiday. We are in a society that is fast-paced, forgetting to stop and take the time to sit down with family and friends and relax.

I remember when I was younger, how we would all go to the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve as a family and then come back home to great food that my mom had prepared all day. We would open gifts that Santa had brought, sing songs and play games. What a fond memory. I also remember that orange that was always in my stalking along with a few candy canes and other treats that we only received at this special time of the year.I really cherish those memories and I am happy that I got to appreciate the simple things in life. It really helps me appreciate what I have today .One thing that I know for sure, if you have health and happiness you are a very rich individual.

When you stop and think about it..Christmas is a time of giving and being helpful and generous towards others. My sister and her husband every year choose two less fortunate families in the surrounding area and bring them a month's worth of groceries and Christmas gifts individually wrapped for everyone in the home. Every year my family picks an angel with the name of a less fortunate child off the Sears Christmas tree, to try to make a difference and realize how lucky we truly are.Some friends devote their Christmas day helping, preparing and serving a Christmas meal at the local food bank. Now this is the true meaning of Christmas.

This is truly the most wonderful time of the year. It is personally my favorite. Everyone seems happier and friendlier than usual. Children are always so excited about the visit from Jolly Old St-Nick. It is truly a magical season and we need to try to live this special time of the year, all of the excitement through their eyes.It is the one time of the year where I really don't mind if it snows, nothing like a beautiful white Christmas!!

I wanted to live this Christmas with good old-fashioned tradition. This is why I decided to participate in my first "Home for the Holidays Christmas House Tour" with my sisters, here in Cornwall  a couple of weeks ago. It was truly amazing and a breathtaking life experience for sure for everyone that lived it.

http://cornwallfreenews.com/2010/11/home-for-the-holidays-christmas-house-tour-november-24th-2010-from-5-9-pm/

The seven  homes had many unique Christmas decorating ideas created by volunteer decorators and home-owners. Delicious appetizers (and very original I must add...) were served at each home. This year's proceeds went to the Boys and Girls Club of Cornwall and surrounding area.(a very worthy cause for sure..)

So, I guess that what I'm trying to say is that we need to make memories and build traditions with our loved ones. This way when they grow up they will have great Christmas values and they will be able to pass this on to their children and future generations

Stay healthy....merry Christmas from my home to yours....

Sylvie Thibert