We made it to January 2020.
A new year!
A new decade!
And yet, we’re 5 days in and the same insanity is happening. Australia is burning (but Republicans in the United States would have us believe climate change is not real), and we’re now on the brink of going to war with Iran after our president gave the impulsive order to kill an Iranian Major General that previous presidents thought was too provocative a move.
Welcome to 2020!
I know. I don’t normally get so political and snarky on this blog. But this year, I’m feeling bolder. And I’m sorry, but our world is getting to a point where I feel I need to do more than just bitch and moan about it. I need to do something.
Are you feeling the same? Do you want to take action? If so, I have some suggestions below in this month’s round-up to get you started.
Also, I’m slowly transitioning to a vegan, or at least primarily vegetarian diet.
Why?
Because of the environment. (You can read more about my decision to change my diet here.)
While I don’t expect everyone to give up meat or drastically change their diets, I think we can all agree that eating more plant-based food is good for us.
With that in mind, (and since it is January, the month when everyone is on a diet and back in the gym), I want to share some healthy, vegetarian recipes that are easy to whip up for a weeknight dinner or weekend brunch.
Plus, there’s actually a lot of other positive and uplifting things for us to look forward to this month, and year, so keep reading!
January 2020 – let’s do this!
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January 2020: The Monthly Round-Up
Climate Action
Ok, first things first. If you want to help out with the bushfires in Australia, there are a few places where you can donate:
Australian Red Cross – to help people impacted by the fires.
WWF-Australia – to help the animals.
NSW Rural Fire Service – to help the firefighters.
Election Year Support
If you live in the United States and want to get involved this year with the upcoming election, there is plenty you can do.
You can donate money to a cause or issue that is important to you. Some examples include:
The League of Women Voters – focusing on issues that directly impact women
Planned Parenthood – focusing on women’s reproductive rights
The ACLU – focused on defending the rights of immigrant families
350.org – which supports climate action legislation
You can directly support a candidate by volunteering for his/her campaign.
Or if you’d rather help the party you support, you can sign up as a 2020 volunteer for either the Democratic National Committee or the Republican National Committee.
Host a voter registration event in your community. Rock the Vote will help you get started.
Host a phone bank to reach undecided voters.
Volunteer to go door to door in a swing state or community to create more awareness about the important issues in the balance.
There are many ways you can get out there and make a difference.
Some Positives to Focus on in January 2020
The Golden Globes is going vegan!
Speaking of going vegan, I promised I’d share some vegetarian and vegan recipes.
And if you want to do something more intense to kick off this new year, try a 7-day vegan cleanse.
Have you heard of Sadhguru?
A few months ago, my husband and I visited Adiyogi at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, India. The center was founded by Sadhguru. At the time, the purpose of our visit was to see this commanding statue, which at 112 feet tall, it is the largest bust of Shiva in the world.
What’s funny is that now, we have become big fans of Sadhguru. We enjoy listening to and watching his talks online. He does not subscribe to any particular religion. His teachings are universal. And much of what he has to say is fascinating. I highly recommend listening to one of his talks to learn more.
What are the biggest travel trends for 2020? In a word, sustainability.
Looking for a good book to read? These were my favorite from the fall:
The Idea of You – An unlikely romance between a 40-year-old woman and a 20-year-old pop star.
We Came Here to Forget – Buenos Aires, where people come to forget their past and find a new future.
The Unwinding of the Miracle – A young mother’s brutally honest memoir about her battle with a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Your Perfect Year – When a young man with rigid tendencies discovers a journal with instructions on how to live each day for a full year, a new world opens up to him. (Bonus: If you’re a member of Kindle Unlimited, you can get this book for free! Sign up for your free, 30-day trial, here.)
And this is what I’m reading now:
Trust – about mastering the 4 essential trusts in life.
Don’t Forget About You
There’s a lot to focus on this month. And I can already tell there are going to be a lot of distractions as well.
Do what you need to do to tune out the noise and the clutter. Make sure to find time for self-care and supporting yourself. January can be a great month to get back on track with your goals. Don’t let the craziness of the world get you down or distract you from making progress.
Remember, you got this!
I hope you have a great January, and if you found these tips and recommendations helpful, feel free to share this post with your friends!
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