What Would You Improve in Matawan and Aberdeen in 2013?

If you could make a New Year's resolution for the Matawan-Aberdeen area, what would it be?

Jan. 1 marks a new year and a new leaf, with many people making personal resolutions - exercise more, eat less, save money, etc. More than 45 percent of Americans make a resolution every year, according to statisticbrain.com. Some people vow to live a healthier lifestyle, others promise to spend more time with family, and many say they will try to save money. As millions of Americans make resolutions to improve their lives, what could we do right here in Matawan and Aberdeen to make it an even better place to live? In 2012, we saw several new business sprout up in town, including LoCicero's, Papa Ganache and Hand and Stone Facial Massage and Spa. We celebrated Aberdeen Day and Matawan Day, and we came together as a community in the …

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How to Keep Your New Year's Resolution

Five tips to help you keep your resolution.

Are you making a resolution this year? Do you want to lose weight, gain a new skill or organize your house? Whatever your resolution is, here are some tips to help you stick to it throughout the year.    1. Make it attainable. Be sure that your resolution is attainable. Sticking to your monthly budget is attainable—making a million dollars may not be. 2. Tell everyone. If you tell everyone about your resolution, you are more likely to keep it. If you want to quit smoking, you can even go as far as telling your friends that you'll give them $50 if they catch you lighting up. 3. Be specific. If you want to get fit in the new year, set a specific goal. For example, instead of saying you want to get fit, say you want to lose 10 pounds and tone…

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What is Your New Year's Resolution for 2012

Patch asked shoppers at the Monmouth Mall, "What is your New Year's resolution this year?"

New Year's resolutions. Almost everyone makes them, only some of us keep them. Patch asked shoppers at the Monmouth Mall, "What is your New Year's resolution this year?" Check out the video above to hear a wide variety of responses. Share your resolution in the comments section of this article.

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The Playroom

New Year’s Attitude Adjustment

Let’s all resolve to stop whining and start thinking positive before I smack you.

It’s resolution time again, and everyone I know is concocting their admirable, if not impossible, goals for the New Year: “I’m going to lose 50 pounds. By February.” “I’m going to climb Mt. Kiliminjaro. Twice.” ”I’m going to stop drunk online shopping.” Whew. All these lofty goals make me wanna veg on my couch with a bag of chips and a martini, surfing the net for sales. This year, I’m proposing a simpler change: how about we all make a vow to stop whining and start thinking positive? As an amateur optimist, I can tell you, a little tweak in the old attitude can go a long way to creating a happier New Year. For you. Me. And everyone around us. Like Shakespeare said in some play I was forced to read in Honors English and have long since …

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Christina Warren

8:46 pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2012

He he he, I like your optimism!!   more ›

2011 Bucket List: Nine Things to Do Before This Old Year is History

Ideas for reaching 2012 fresh and energized.

Next year is almost here. In 2012, we’re all going to eat better, exercise more, quit those nasty habits, crack down on our children and whip our household into shape, right? Yawn. If you’re like me, the holiday festivities have you let you whooped on. The last thing you need is another action-packed to-do-list. So here, as my gift to you, are a few lazy, easy suggestions for winding down the old year, so you can start the new one fresh and refreshed. 1. Have a Pajama Playdate with Your Kids: Winter Break means no getting up for school, no rushing off to activities and no homework, so why not spend a whole day putzing around in your pajamas? Get on the floor and play with your kids. Believe it or not, they’ll enjoy your undivided attention…

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