Roll out the red carpet and give me a trophy, because I actually kept one of my New Year’s Resolutions last year.

As 2020 began, I told my husband, “I’m going to reclaim reading this year.” As a child, my nose was always in a book. (Humble brag: I was the number one Accelerated Reader in my elementary school for a couple of years in a row.) But through the years, reading became less of a priority, usually saved for the beach or a plane ride.

So, I set a modest goal to read 15 books in 2020. I figured that was reasonable after only reading maybe one or two books each year in the recent past. Well, not only did I reach that goal (in September as a matter of fact) but I also managed to read five more titles before the ball dropped.

I can now officially say that reading has reclaimed one of my top hobby spots. Getting lost in a book at night after my kids have gone to bed gives me something that’s just for me—it’s a way to refill my cup when I’m often running on empty.

I think there is a stigma that New Year’s Resolutions, or goals in general, have to be something that’s either super hard or something we don’t really enjoy. But with all that’s going on in the world, who has time for that?

As I saw on a fitness-related Instagram post the other day:
If you don’t like running, don’t try to run as a way to shed pounds. If you love breakfast, don’t choose the intermittent fasting diet.

Remember to be true to yourself when goal-setting or resolution-making as we enter what’s expected to be another roller coaster year. And also, remember to take care of yourself first, before trying to help others. There is a reason why flight attendants tell you to put on your oxygen mask first. An empty cup has nothing to pour out.

What will you change this year to improve your life? I would love to hear from you.

Also, book recommendations are welcome—I’m shooting for 30 in 2021.

All my best,

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com

True confessions from a mother, wife and work-from-home magazine editor. Sometimes I pour a can of Manwich into some ground beef, throw some buns on the table and call it a day. (I know. Some of you are throwing your magazine in the trash as we speak. Please keep reading.)

But lately, I’ve set a small goal for myself to try to make more of those quick-and-easy shortcuts “from scratch.” For example, I made my own sloppy joe sauce with fresh veggies instead of relying on my good buddy Manwich. I also was extremely proud of a homemade chicken noodle soup we enjoyed on a freezing night in late March (because it was the winter that would never end). It was nice to slow down and feel accomplished by a culinary creation…instead of settling for what came out of a can.

Seriously—I fished for compliments from my husband for weeks I was so proud of myself: “Remember how awesome that soup was that I made?”

Our goal with this Food Issue is to recharge your confidence in the kitchen as well as your fondness for food. In the Taste department, we’ve compiled dozens of cooking tips from multiple sources.

From time-saving tricks to top kitchen mistakes, we hope you learn something new in “Back to Basics: Helpful Hints for the Home Kitchen.”

The Lynchburg Community Market is working hard to spread awareness about how to prepare healthy food (and other healthy lifestyle habits) in the second year of its “We Got the Beet” program. By focusing on areas of the city that are considered “food deserts,” this initiative has already led to better choices and attitudes among participants. Hear more in our Body feature on page 61.

It’s perfectly okay to let someone else nurture your food-loving spirit. Our much-anticipated Lynchburg Restaurant Week is back for its 7th year with 30 restaurants participating. See all of the menus starting on page 73 and start planning out where you will dine June 23-30.

And if you are on the road this summer and are looking for a new food spot to try, we have highlighted four options for you in four different parts of the state in our Travel feature, “Go Out (of Town) to Eat.”

Now that I’ve finished this Editor’s Letter I can move on to the next item on my agenda for the day: finish building my online shopping cart with Kroger ClickList. And I promise you—no cans of Manwich are allowed!

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com