Harsh January winds have blown 2014 aside and presented us with a brand new year. With it comes that familiar air of New Years Resolutions, promises to stop eating so much pie and vows to do push-ups before bed. The New Year is a time for reinvention, a time to reexamine oneself and make plans to strive for a healthier lifestyle.

But somewhere between the champagne pledges we make on New Years Eve and the noticeably less glamorous date of January 10, most of our resolutions fall away. They fall away with comments like, Who really sticks to their resolutions anyway? Most will pledge fitness and then be immediately daunted once stepping foot into the gym. Others will find that that flashy new diet fad left them struggling and sneaking more and more cheat days. Still others simply wouldnt know where to even start.

This year though, Bastrop County has a new tool to help you stick to those resolutions. A guide to fitness and health options right here in town to get you going and carry you deep into the New Year.

Dont let this years resolutions fade into obscurity. Take control of your life and get excited about the possibility of a new you!

Schedule is subject to change without notice. Please check the website for confirmation.

SUP CUP 2014 in Bastrop, TX.

When embarking on a new fitness regimen or an overall lifestyle change, it can be intimidating to know what is good to eat. The internet is swirling with conflicting information about health foods and what foods are best to burn that lingering belly fat. But sometimes a healthy snack is closer than you think.

Youve probably got some extra pecans left over around the house. Maybe they were used to make that delicious pecan pie for Christmas or youve just got a collection on the ground from some trees in the backyard. But did you know those little nuts are actually a great source of antioxidant activity.

Sure they might not be the most healthy treat when you smother them in sugar and bake them in a pie, but on their own they are actually chock full of minerals. From manganese, which is important in regulating a healthy heart, to helpful amounts of copper to stimulate energy production in the cells. Here is a fun recipe to make your own energy bars from your Texas pecans to get your daily nutrients in a fun and tasty way.

Chocolate Pecan Pie Energy BarsIngredients: 1 cup toasted pecans 1 cup dried apricots 1/2 cup dried blueberries 1/2 cup raisins 1/4 cup cocoa powder

Directions:1. Put the pecans in the bowl of a food processor and process until they are the consistency of cornmeal. Set aside.

2. Put the fruit in the food processor and puree until smooth.

3. Add in the cocoa and the pecans and process until well combined.

4. Line an 8 square baking dish (or equivalent)

with parchment or wax paper, leaving a few inches of paper hanging over either side.

5. Spoon the fruit mixture into the parchment-lined pan and flatten either with slightly damp hands, or by pressing down with the overhanging paper.

6. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator for a few hours until hardened.

7. Place the hardened mixture on a cutting board, peel off the paper, and cut into bars of desired size.

8. Wrap each bar individually in parchment, or layer them in an airtight container with parchment between each layer.

Enjoy!Courtesy of The Paleo Mama

Where to Get FitBASTROP

A+ FITNESS CENTER 512.321.1098apluslifestylemedicalgroup.com

ANYTIME FITNESS 512.321.1005 anytimefitness.com

BODY TONERS FITNESS 512.321.4284 bodytonersfitness.com

CROSSFIT STRIVE 512.394.4328 crossfitstrive.net

CURVES 512.985.6674 curves.com

FIT CLUB FITNESS 512.922.2801fitclubfitness.net

GARNER AND RILEY PHYSICAL THERAPY 512.321.9659garnerrileypt.com

JAZZERCISE 512.988.1259 jazzercise.com

SETON PHYSICAL THERAPY & FITNESS CENTER 512.304.0331seton.net

REDEEM FITNESS 512.988.7513 redeemfitness.com

SMITHVILLE

RECREATION CENTER512.237.3282 x7ci.smithville.tx.us

THE LOOKING GLASS 512.237.4700on.fb.me/14e4VDD

WELLNESS 1ST

512.321.8336 serenitystar.org

BASTROP STATE PARK 100 Park Road 1Atpwd.texas.gov

BOB BRYANT PARK 600 Charles Blvd.cityofbastrop.org

FERRY PARK 502 Water St.cityofbastrop.org

FIREMANS PARK 600 Hill St.cityofbastrop.org

FISHERMANS PARK 1200 Willow St.cityofbastrop.org

JEWELL HODGES PARK 1200 Linden Streetcityofbastrop.org

JUNE HILL PAPE RIVERWALK TRAIL Along the Colorado Rivercityofbastrop.org

KERR COMMUNITY PARK 1308 Walnut Streetcityofbastrop.org

MAYFEST PARK 25 American Legion Drivecityofbastrop.org

MCKINNEY ROUGHS NATURE PARK 1884 Hwy 71 West Cedar Creek, TX 78612lcra.org

NORTH SHORE PARK 603 FM 1441lcra.org

SOUTH SHORE PARK 375 South Shore Rd.lcra.org

BUESCHER STATE PARK TRAILS 100 Park Road 1Etpwd.texas.gov

SMITHVILLE RECREATION CENTER 106 Gazley Streetci.smithville.tx.us

VERNON L. RICHARDS RIVERBEND PARK 107 Highway 71 Westlcra.org

BASTROP SMITHVILLE

Parks and Rec