L’anno nuovo è appena arrivato e con lui l’occasione di iniziarne un altro con un elenco di buoni propositi per stabilire cosa lasciarsi alle spalle e stabilire nuovi obiettivi: cosa cambiare nella vita personale e professionale, quali progetti realizzare, cosa valorizzare e approfondire o eliminare, quali priorità perseguire.  In un recente sondaggio, gli Italiani hanno messo buona salute e maggiore serenità  in cima alla lista dei propositi per il prossimo anno. Non sarebbe una cattiva idea se anche in America adottassimo un simile approccio per il 2020, che - se non altro  altro – avrà il merito di rendere la quotidianità più divertente! 

Felice Anno Nuovo!

It’s that time of year again. Time to look back on the things we wanted to do and didn’t. People we wanted to reconnect with, weight we wanted to lose. Some of us may have wanted to get in higher gear but forgot to shift and others wanted to slow down but couldn’t find the brake. 

It’s that time of year again. Time to look back on all the things that we did accomplish and did right. Spending more time with our children or aging parents. Starting an organic vegetable garden. Remodeling the house. Taking that trip to Italy that we’d been thinking about for years.

It’s the future that we have the possibility to control and the past that we cannot change. What we did or didn’t do before doesn’t really matter right now. By being in the present, we can direct our future and let go of the past.

This month’s topic: I Buoni Propositi per L’anno Nuovo!

In a survey taken in Italy regarding New Year’s resolutions, the top responses were good health and more serenity, but in the U.S. it was a desire to eat healthier. It would be to our benefit if, in 2020, we emulated the Italians and made some resolutions that will make our lives, if nothing else, more fun!

Here are some resolutions that will bring out the Italian in you.

1. Speak your mind. Italians are not shy about telling you their opinion, whether it’s about how you are making your tomato sauce or what you are wearing. This year, speak your truth and express yourself. Just show a little tact!

2. Make pasta by hand. One of the cornerstones of an Italian diet is pasta and for a true Italian it will be homemade. Not hard to make, all you need is flour and water…and a little bit of wine – not in the pasta, but to drink while making it!

3. Call your mother more often. Smartphones have more uses than texting friends or streaming live videos. Stay connected to tua madre and video-chat if you can. The first thing she’ll ask is what you are making for dinner!

4. Explore your own hometown or community. The best places to walk to or explore could be your very own neighborhood. Take a passeggiata like the Italians do and maybe you’ll find a hidden gem you didn’t know was there or meet some new neighbors.

5. Save electricity. Fancy clothes dryers are a luxury to most Italians. Electricity is too expensive even here in the U.S. and we don’t think about the environmental cost when using it. Try hanging clothes out in the sun and using your dryer minimally.

6. Start your own vegetable or herb garden. All it takes is water and sunshine. Plant a few seeds and watch tomatoes ripen on the vine and fresh basil grow for pesto or to add to your homemade tomato sauce.

7. Make your house a home. Your home is your sanctuary and a place to invite and entertain friends and family. Most Italian homes have their own personality showing through. Add some unique touches to transform your space into a refuge for you and yours to enjoy.

Tip of the Month: Resolve to live more like an Italian.

Slow down, eat healthier, love your home, your community and your mamma. I guarantee it will make you feel better!

Whatever you decide to do to improve yourself or your life in 2020, Forza!!

Please send your questions about nutrition, exercise or mindfulness to Diana at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. “If I don’t know the answer, I will find it.”

Diana Lucarino-Diekmann, has been working in the field of Health and Fitness since 1980, helping others achieve optimal health and happiness. She has a BA in Exercise Physiology, as well as Pilates and Yoga certifications and an extensive knowledge of nutrition and disease. Having taught almost every type of exercise class, she now specializes in Yoga, Pilates, meditation, and mindfulness, not only in exercise but also in life.

The contents of “The Healthy Italian” are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your personal health.