Twas the Christmas before Brexit

Twas the Christmas before Brexit
And all through the country,
Trees glowed and sparkled
And people were merry.

They realised that family and friends
Was what they adored
Not money, shopping and social media
Or governments they deplored.

How we spend our time and energy
All through the year -
Does it truly make us happy
Or is it all about fear?

Brexit - testing faith in government and the world today

Brexit is the most talked about subject in Britain today. While there is more going on in the country and world, the only concern in Britain has been and continues to be a lack of agreement on the way forward.

What has become increasingly clear is that people are losing their faith and trust in governments. This structure and institution, a foundation for our society and way of life is seen as failing spectacularly. Are they out of touch with the people? Is this the beginning of a move away from mainstream parties towards more extremism and a future of even greater uncertainty?

The precedent set by the antics of Westminster, where a party no longer needs to follow its leader perhaps sets the tone for the country. Headlines scream about looming constititional crisis and betrayals. Do we no longer need to follow or respect our leaders? Can we no longer find unity and shared common goals?

Furthermore, though it might be happening in Britain, it is a reflection of the western world that governments need to think long and hard about the messages they are sending to the public. In corporations, they talk about the tone from the top and the culture created. With countries, we are led by our government. What is their tone and what culture are our governments creating?

Are we all acting with our heads or our hearts? How much do we balance economics and fundamental values?  What do we say about democracy,  voting and government?

The divisions in our society will have longer term implications. The growing gap between rich and poor continues to be ignored. The fears about technology, the environment, globalisation and uncertainty need to be addressed. There is too much fear running amok. Governments are meant to be the parents that look after us and make us feel safe. That is not how anybody feels any more. Too much is failing. The strength of religion to organise our society succumbed to countries and governments. Is this the dawn for new hierarchies and structures? 

The decisions we make about Brexit don't just define Brexit and the EU. They define who and what we are, now and in the future.

Once upon a time, politicians were a respected bunch. It was perhaps an occupation a child might aspire to. The governments of today, both in Britain and the world are now no longer praised. Instead, there is disappointment and a lack of hope. When history looks back upon these days, it is sad that we can not point to greatness. Instead, people are drowning in drugs, alcohol, sex, consumerism, information, social media, box sets, money making and fear. Community is gone. Kindness is forgotten. What does happiness mean for us today? What is our actual quality of life?

We are lucky. When we compare our lives to 50 or 100 or 300 years ago, we have achieved so much. Yet we don't feel lucky or happier.

Though there may be few that are doing the best that they can under difficult circumstances, there are many who appear to be self serving. There are more villains in this story than heroes. And to what end?

I try to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. There are bright sparks. There are intelligent and good people. I have to believe that everything works out for the best. There will be opportunities. The strong will survive but how many casualties will there be? I just wonder whether we may win battles but lose the war.

Forever young - adults play at London's Lego Shop

In London's Leicester Square, the Lego shop is two stories of fun which brings out the kid in us. There are some awesome London iconic scenes in Lego 3D glory. They are perfect for the Instagram addicted.

There are cities to see and Lego people to create. This is one example that makes me believe that online shopping hasn't won the war on real life in store experiences.

Yes it's crazy busy with kids and school holidays will be a bit gnarly.

Head to the Lego store experience website.

This gives you an idea of the sorts of shenanigans you can get up to - the mosaic maker (bookings needed 5 weeks in advance!) and the digital box where you scan a lego box set to see the model in 3D.

For Star Wars fans, currently there is a massive range available in store with prices from £8.99 to a whopping £649.99! There's some models in store, so you might want to check them out.

For those who can't head out of town to LEGOLAND, then this will be a decent Lego fix.

Lego has come a long way and continues to be one of those enduring toys that adults and kids love. We want to build, create and play. It is a world of imagination and possibilities. It is the real and tangible.

And when you're done with the Lego shop, don't forget M&M world across the road. You can now personalise your M&Ms with photoes! I wrote about M&M world back in 2013. Check it out here.

Enjoy the Lego shop and happy playing!

St John Bread and Wine - the best bacon sandwich in London

Omg you have to try the best bacon sandwich in London. If you are all about health and fitness, do not read on. You do not want to be tempted. You do not want to know about this.

I must confess, I never eat bacon sandwiches and I rarely eat bacon. If I'm going to brunch, it would not be in my top three choices, in fact , it might be on my list of bottom three.

Apparently, bacon sandwiches are a thing. And this particular one, from St John Bread and Wine in Spitalfields sells out. They are talked and written about. They probably are all over Instagram and Facebook.

Why is it so special? Well the bread is really great. What do you expect when it is baked fresh? The bacon rocks as it's not fatty or oily and is rather tasty. The sauce is a homemade ketchup. It's so simple and proves you don't need fancy, unusual and pretty. A simple sandwich can be absolutely delicious.

The other thing you should know is that the donuts at St John are amazing. These sell out too.

This is their website: 

• https://stjohnrestaurant.com

Who knew that waking up early and going out for breakfast could be so much fun?! If you've not tried the best bacon  sandwich in London, make plans to go now and if you've had it, you probably deserve a treat and should go get another one - bon appetit!

Brexit - why can't we have a win-win?

What happened to all the great thinkers, rational and sensible, admirable and intelligent men and women? When did change become a bad thing? Why does there have to be a winner and a loser? Is it not possible for us to adapt? How come there is no middle ground to see both views, only hysteria and taking sides? And don't we look forward instead of backwards?

I wonder why we behave as enemies rather than friends? Does it need to play out with the media and lawyers creating a spectacle with the audience of public opinion driving our world?

Governments are being tested. Can they truly lead? What will become of democracy, power and the institutions we have? Will they evolve to become even better and greater? Can we change our doomsday negative attitudes and see a rosier future?

I have always been struck by the story of Oprah Winfrey. She lost her job as a news anchor to become an incredible success story about empowerment and overcoming our challenges. Why does brexit have to be any different? Can this not be an age for both the EU and the UK where we harness all of our strengths and find a new way forward that writes history as a moment of good fortune and brilliance for all? Or have we forgotten to invent and to actually go beyond the status quo? Why is there so much fear and discontent? The future has not yet been set.

I also question why there has to be a right and wrong. Why are some people's votes deemed less informed or better that others? Is this not the democracy we believe in where we are all entitled to our point of view? Are these values no longer dear to us?

In our own lives, do we allow others to hold us down, predetermine our future and divide us? Why does it have to become this massive mountain that cannot be overcome? This is a relationship where we seek to agree how we want to move forward? It is not an apocalyptic cliff edge. We have evolved from cave men and women to an age of unimaginable progress. The landscape may change, but it doesn't fundamentally decide who we are or what we will become.

Brexit seems to be making misery. Why can't we see the glass half full? We are talking our countries and world into a depression. If we expect to fail, then how can we ever succeed? If we want winners and losers, rather than winners and winners, then that is what we will have.

And let's be pragmatic too, whatever deal that happens will not tick every single box for everyone. But it can look to the best most mutually respectful arrangement for both the short and long term.

As with any path we take, there are pros and cons. If we are truly allies, don't we build roads together and forge upward in our quest. We may not agree on how we get there, but are we all not just humans trying to do the best that we can?

It is in 3, 5, 10, 50 or 100 years that we can truly judge the outcome, so let's not predict and foretell a future we really have no crystal ball to base it on.

10 reasons to read the October 2018 UK Men's Health mag

Monohan ramen - old street (London)

Lately I've gone back to the hobbies of my youth - listening to the 80s and 90s, getting in touch with my friends from then, and reading magazines. I have to say it's made me happier and healthier. If you haven't read a men's magazine before,  guess what, some of them are actually pretty good.

The October 2018 UK Men's Health magazine was so packed with useful information that I just had to blog about it.

The thing about the magazine is that though it's aimed at men, it has a whole lot on health, nutrition and fitness. The reality is women don't just want to know about beauty and fashion. Plus it's not full of ads and trying to give my credit card a workout.

Top 10 takeaways from the October 2018 issue of Men's Health:
1. Ramen for your pre-workout. Get your GABA.
2. Panic attacks - did you know that adrenalin has a half life of three minutes? Cortisol hangs around for another 2 hours.
3. Justin Theroux in his interview says 'we all doubt ourselves whenever we set out to do anything new. But that motivates us to make it good.'
4. Andy Waugh makes this insightful observation - 'for a nation of so called foodies, it's astonishing how often people show more interest in ticking restaurants off their bucket list than in the ingredients on their plate.
5. The anti-social network - the challenges of modern male friendships. A truly great piece about loneliness. A must read!
6. Have a Berocca in the morning instead of coffee. Thank you - validates my latest habit of Berocca instead of sports drinks. It comes with me to the gym and it's so awesome.
7. Sweat - it's a good thing. Don't stress!
8. Socks - doesn't everyone want better sleep and sex?
9. Male fertility - we all should scream for icecream. Fertility is one of the big problems we dont talk about and it affects everyone whether it's you, someone you love, your friends, neighbours, kids, colleagues and celebrities. We need to start sorting it.
10. Anthony Warner while plugging his new book The Angry Chef says processed food isn't our enemy: 'We're attempting to classify food as "good" and "bad", and, in doing so, damaging our relationship with what we eat.'

And did you know that reading helps you to relax. There is something sweet about flicking through actual glossy pages, nurturing your mind and taking a time out. I highly recommend it.

Gourmet lunch at home - sweet and savoury bruscetta

Meet my gourmet lunch, sweet and savoury bruscetta, a healthy light meal that reminds me of Italy and my teens before carbs became what they are today.

Somehow we now live in a world where certain foods are akin to sin and others are our gateway to heaven.

Sugar, carbs, processed food, fast food, gluten, desserts, anything you might desire or love are now no longer guilt free.  We are doomed when we indulge. Those who are strong and exercise abstinence deserve might praise.

This era of self deprivation is the norm.

I wholeheartedly rejected this mindset today when I had this lovely bruscetta for lunch. It was made with:
1. Fig and hazelnut bread from M&S;
2. Vine ripened tomatoes;
3. Fresh Basil;
4. Crushed organic garlic;
5. Extra virgin olive oil;
6. Parsley (from a bottle); and
7. Camargue fleur de sel salt.

I also added some shredded mozarella to some of them to settle my mini pizza craving.

Sometimes we need carbs. Sometimes we need oil. And we all know about how good herbs and protein are.

Find some fancy bread, slap on some tomatoes, garlic and oil. Treat yourself to some herbs. Spoil it with some cheese. Smash it down.

Enjoy this healthy beautiful gourmet lunch! 

My secret to eating more vegetables

Cheesey corn omelette with sweet potato and kale

There are times you want to eat more vegetables and it's like there is a secret or trick that you just need to discover.

Your reasons for eating more vegetables could be any number of different reasons, including:

• improving your health,
• losing weight, 
• detoxing, or
• saving money.  

Vegetables can be the least exciting of all the food groups. It can feel challenging to eat more vegetables. Sometimes I think I'm just a big kid and I have to coax myself to do the right thing.

Here are my top seven ways to eat more vegetables:

1. Vegetable juices - boost your spinach and celery intake with a green juice or carrot juice. It's yummy and refreshing. Apples or pears provide a great base and a teaspoon of honey makes it more palatable. Grapes and ginger are other great additions. Add lemon juice or spirulina for a bigger health kick. 
2. Go vegetarian - if you don't have any meat or fish in the kitchen but lots of vegetables, you make the choice to eat more vegetables much easier.
3. Soups and omelettes - love my cheese corn omelette. It's my staple ready meal! Chuck a bunch of vegetables in some water with herbs and spices to make a tasty soup. Roast them first if you want even more flavour. 
4. Indulge - I rarely eat carbs so sometimes if I go vegetarian I can justify some rice or pasta to go with it. Do a mushroom medley if it's one veg you like. Make it the hero of your meal and add truffles too if you really want to spoil yourself.
5. Variety - doing a mix of vegetables with different colours and textures makes eating your vegetarian meal more fun. You might roast some kale and zucchini, pan fry or boil corn and mushrooms, raw tomatoes and cucumbers then add some rocket on top. 
6. Herbs make a great addition to make it that bit tastier. 
7. Add your favourite dressing or try some different condiments - there are some posh lovely dressings that make it seem like you are going gourmet. 

It's also important to have the right mindset. You have to focus on the positives and see it as a treat for your body. Feel good about yourself that you are eating more vegetables and then it becomes easier to do it. 

On a good day, I might have seven servings of vegetables. Beat your own personal best and brag about it. A bit of competition can be encouraging. 

Set one day or meal a week if your goal is to eat more vegetables. Dive in and try for three days or a week. If I'm going out for dinner, I might try to do a veg based meal that day to balance the day out.

Feel proud of yourself that you are taking steps towards eating more vegetables. 

Why I don't crave pizza, burgers and sweets any more

I use to be seriously addicted to pizza, burgers and sweets. Pasta was another favourite. Ten years later and these bad boys aren't foods that I crave any more.

The secret is understanding the physical and psychological needs that we have. Physically your body needs vitamins, minerals and sugar.

Burger = Iron
I realised that when I crave lasagne or a burger or a Bolognese, really I just wanted some iron. A lean piece of steak or lamb does the trick.

Pizza = calcium
When it came to pizza, that was my body not getting enough calcium. I would buy a pizza express from tesco and load it with extra cheese once upon a time. I would drool (and kind of still remember fondly) fugazzetta pizza in Argentina which is a heavenly concoction you must try if you ever go. These days I have full fat cheese and milk throughout the day.

Sweets = energy and / or rest
Sweets and sugar were my energy fix. A good meal was not complete without some pudding. When we visited NYC last year, we did some major donut and cheesecake investigating. You'll also see that I've blogges about macarons, M&M world and afternoon tea. They were one of my great loves. These days, I eat a lot of fruit because it is full of nutrients and fibre. They tend to be my breakfast feast and my afternoon sweet snack. That way I can burn the sugar throughout the day. Exercise makes me want to eat more healthily. It also gives me that lovely endorphin rush that sugar used to provide. Sleep, drinking enough water and being mindful of just needing to rest also help manage energy levels. I tend to want sweets if I haven't slept enough or properly. So just making a point to get rest of sleep makes such a difference. Sugar is addictive so watching what additives are in foods and checking product labels makes a difference.

Psychologically the pizza, burgers and sweets made me feel good. They were habitual. These days I focus on a variety of fruit and vegetables, fish, whole grains like spelt and proteins such as nuts, beans and lean meat.

If I am out to dinner, I will enjoy pizza, a burger or dessert. These occasions are the exception rather than the norm.

I feel so much happier and healthier. It's amazing how being in control of your cravings can help you be more positive and empowered. I've won the battle against pizza, burgers and sweet cravings, if only I didn't have so many other bad habits to kick!

The Duchess of Cambridge - grace, style and beauty

I love Reese Witherspoon's story about meeting the Duchess of Cambridge. Though this was six years ago, everyone still loves Kate. She is a woman of grace, style and beauty. Today she's less about fashion and more about her three super cute children and the many worthy causes she works on.

Meanwhile, London is finally going to get it's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle balcony moment. The Queen's birthday celebrations this week on Saturday from 11am will include the newly weds.

For a look back on some hilarious misbehaving children moments on the balcony, read this article:

• Trooping the Colour: Prince George, Prince Harry, Prince William and more royal children misbehaving at the Queen's birthday

See how the future Queen's story has evolved -when she first got married and it was all about
The Duchess of Cambridge - fashion icon.

If you want to know more about the Queen's birthday celebrations this Saturday, read about Trooping the colour.

My natural happy pill - the amazing discoveries from London walks

Walking is like a natural happy pill because you make all these amazing discoveries in London. Today I videoed these baby coots being fed and then they all snuggled underneath Mum.

I'd never seen baby coots being fed like this. I thought they were called moorhens.

When you are out amongst the birds and the ducks, you take time a way from the every day.

You live in the now. Your brain and body relaxes. It's a mini holiday!

Check out the videos of the baby geese in the canal. These guys came right up to me the other week. It was amazing.

These links will take you to youtube:

• Regents Canal baby geese - Part 1
• Regents Canal baby geese - Part 2

Enjoy the glorious weather London is having. Explore the canals. For those times when you can't, then tap your magic dorothy red slippers, watch a video and it's like you're transported to the wonderful world of the baby coot - being fed, snuggling up and getting ready for bed.

2018's biggest event: The Fairytale Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

This Saturday, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding will be held at Windsor. Like any couple, they will want the day to go smoothly. It is a day to celebrate - for them, their friends, family, the country and the world.

When I saw the couple's BBC interview which I've included in this post, it was beautiful to see the love they shared.

London Event: The President of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, talks about transparency at LSE

The President of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, is in London. Yesterday he met with Theresa May and Boris Johnson. Today he spoke about transparency in democracy and corruption at the London School of Economics.

He talked about trying to change things for the better, including investing in education and infrastructure. The President is tackling gangs, drugs and corruption in his country. He spoke about caring for his people and raising salaries.

It was an amazing opportunity to hear him speak. Panama is a strategically positioned country and this President has taken many steps to develop and become globally competitive. He is focusing on his country's strengths and tackling its weaknesses. He is seeking to learn from the experiences of other countries. He seems to be embracing doing things differently.

President Juan Carlos Varela's talk will be available on the LSE website.

Beauty is everywhere

Beauty is all around us. Look up, down and cast your gaze about. Forget about your worries and appreciate what is here and now.

Life is full of so many wondrous things and it is hard not to get bogged down. We are lucky. We live in a time where there is abundance in a civilised society. There are basic human rights.

In parts of the world where it is lacking, benevolent good people seek to redress it.

So why do we still feel a certain discontent? Why do we want more? Why can we not be happy for others and ourselves? 

I believe in progression and growth, but I do despair at the ever diminishing value given to kindness and human decency. People are callous about those who are not their immediate concern. It is an us versus them.

I want to see beauty all around us. I want to hold on to the smiling and laughter. I want to find a way for beauty and happiness to bloom and grow. 

Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston talks bad at the National Theatre

Bryan Cranston who played Walter White in the television drama Breaking Bad took on the role of a mad television reporter at the National Theatre. The London Critics' Circle theatre awards has recognised his brilliant performance. He won the best actor award for his role as Howard Beale.

One of his character's standout lines in the play is:

"I don't have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It's a depression. Everybody's out of work or scared of losing their job. The dollar buys a nickel's worth, banks are going bust, shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter. Punks are running wild in the street and there's nobody anywhere who seems to know what to do, and there's no end to it. We know the air is unfit to breathe and our food is unfit to eat, and we sit watching our TV's while some local newscaster tells us that today we had fifteen homicides and sixty-three violent crimes, as if that's the way it's supposed to be. We know things are bad - worse than bad. They're crazy. It's like everything everywhere is going crazy."

The other line you're likely to notice is:

"'I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE."

The 1976 film which is now a play might strike a chord with the audiences of today. What does it say about progress? What does it say about our world?

So what can we do about our world today? How can we change it for the better? People have been feeling empowered and disenchanted about the past, present and future.

The answer lies in each and everyone of us. We need to question why we do what we do, how we live and our values. If we decide that we want to make a difference then we can. It takes brave people to try to make things better for themselves and others. We have seen that in the women who have spoken up about sexual harassment. We have seen it in the way people have voted for change. What we do each and every day can be a movement and progress to a brighter better world.

Helen Dunmore - the Costa winner on legacy and life

Before her death in June last year, Helen Dunmore wrote the article facing mortality and what we leave behind. Dunmore and her characters remind me how ordinary people live extraordinary lives. There are those who are recorded in history books. Then there are people like you and me. We are all unique and special. We have experiences and stories told in diaries, photoes and snippets over Sunday family dinners.

Her death from cancer also nudges us to take a step back and consider who we want to be and how we want to live our lives. What do we want to be remembered for? What if our time runs out when we turn 64?

A powerful article I read years ago written by a palliative nurse, Bronnie Ware, identified the top five regrets of the dying. It is essentially about following your dreams, investing in your happiness, family and friends. In a world which is about staying connected and the ease of travel, it is funny how little time we truly spend with those we love. We have all these time saving conveniences but less time to truly be happy and achieve what we really want in life. What is holding us back? How can we change this?

Many years ago, I attended a workshop taught by Helen Dunmore. She was a warm and kind woman who inspired me with her novel about mermaids and mermen. I love that she wrote for children and adults in different genres, and she was a poet too. Helen Dunmore - thank you for your great contribution.

Reflections for a happier and healthier you

We need to invest more in reflections. It's important to think about where we have been and what we have done. Then we can build on our fortunes and learn from our experiences.

When I think about last year, the year before that, 3 years or even 10 years ago, I am amazed and feel so lucky. There have been lots of downs but also lots of ups.

We get so caught up in the everyday, trying to squeeze everything in and do everything. We are always busy. There is a long to do list. It can feel overwhelming. How often do we take the time to say the most important thing on the list is me? What do I want? What do I need? Who am I?

We go on autopilot. We are creatures of habit. How often do we reflect on whether the autopilot and habits make sense for our evolving life and world?

This blog has helped me to develop my identity and writing voice. It may have even helped others as I have had thousands of viewers from around the world. That's pretty good since I don't promote it and very few friends or family know about it. This blog has been a collection of my reflections. It is the modern day diary which genuinely tries to seek and show truth.

This is why the new waves and trends involve mindfulness and other hybrids.

I would encourage you to spend some time reflecting and really invest in yourself to help you find even greater happiness and health.

Turn a bad day into a good one

This morning started off badly. I woke up thinking about all the things which were troubling me.

By lunch time, somehow my day had turned around. So what changed?

1. I did a meditation class. I learned about both self-compassion and compassion for others. 

2. I read about the importance of dreams. Paul McKenna's 'change your life in 7 days' is giving me a fresh perspective. 

3. I received messages from friends. Maybe it's the universe's way of saying you are not alone.

It's important to remember when you are feeling down that things change. You won't feel down forever. There are great things in your life. You can make yourself feel better, you can change your circumstances and the universe will send help too. Feel empowered, realise a bad day can become a good day and make it happen.

January - a time of new beginnings

January - it's the time for new beginnings. It might be you are starting or thinking about a new project, relationship or just about wanting to be happier.

In our busy lives, it is easy to be distracted by all sorts of fun frivolous amusements. The internet, social media, box sets, computer games and the list goes on. However if we write down our goals or reflect on our death bed, would we wish we spent more or less time on these things?

We also live with so much fear and anxiety these days. It's hard to remember the ebbs and flows of life which is never always down or up. There is constant change. How do we deal with these challenges? How can we make the best of what we have and achieve even more?

For 2018, I have started on my next project. A long haul flight facilitated this and prevented furthet procrastination. I've realised the way forward for me involves three things. These are reflection, planning and just working to make it happen.

We are now half way through January and before long it will be the beginning of February. It's a new year and a chance to make sure you don't look back on 2018 and wish you had done more. Good luck with your goals and plans. May you find success in your journey. Wishing you beauty, health and happiness.

2018 The Search for Beauty, Health and Happiness - New Year's Resolutions and Goals

As the new year approached and ended, we reflect on 2017 and consider how we can continue to find beauty, health and happiness in 2018. So 2017 wasn't the worst year ever, unless you're Harvey Weinstein. Nor is 2018 going to mean that you will necessarily top Prince Harry and have the wedding of the year. Crudely put, 2017 made winners and losers. Time will tell whether they can emulate their success or reverse their misfortunes. The road ahead for each of us remains unchartered. We all have our critics and supporters. At the end of the day, it is only how we feel about ourselves that matters. 

Many years ago, I decided that I should set out my goals. I realised that the human resource exercise I had to do annually for work should be something that I should apply to my personal life.

Over the years, I have realised some of these goals. I got my dream body, I was healthier than I've ever been, it felt like I was on the path to my dream job, I've fallen in and out of love, bought my almost dream home for now, discovered new hobbies which became life passions and travelled to some of the most amazing places. 

This process of setting out my resolutions and goals has helped me to prioritise and work out what I want and how I can be truly happy.

Broadly, my goals were categorised. These categories were as follows:

1. Family
2. Friends
3. Work
4. Finances
5. Travel
6. Beauty
7. Health
8. Happiness
9. Creativity
10. Large purchases

Writing down my goals helped me to remain focused. I also found that identifying short and long term goals meant that some of those pipe line dreams didn't get lost or forgotten.

My beauty, health and happiness goals for 2018 are all very much centred around one thing. I've also come to a realisation as to a new goal I have. The process of time and distance away from my everyday always reveals what the heart wants. Learning from the experiences and lives of others provides clarity and wisdom.

2017 was full of disappointments  but I did achieve much also. Hopefully this time next year, I can say I have been successful and it has not been as rough a road as this last year. I wish you every success in your search for beauty, health, happiness, 2018 resolutions and goals.