And just like that, it’s December and I’m writing my November 2023 roundup. Is anyone else not quite believing that we’re into the last couple of weeks of 2023? It feels like the year just started and here I am in the middle of Christmas preparations again.

Read on for my monthly goals update, and terrific posts on protein, how to have an eco-friendly Christmas, the power of connection, the state of America, AI-enhanced blogging, and love.

Happy reading!

Cool things I read in November

Since publishing my first monthly roundup at the end of 2020, it has been an honour to introduce you to some of my favourite bloggers. I started the roundup to say thank you to the blogging community and bring attention to talented writers who create funny, inspiring, and informative content.

Here are 6 pieces that caught my eye in November.

Protein: Functions and risks – Micro of the Macro

If hearing the word protein makes you immediately think of animal protein, this informative post from Lisa will give you something to think about.

Over the past few decades, animal protein has been considered superior to plant protein (due in large part to marketing by those who benefit financially from our eating animal products.)  But many functional medicine physicians and other experts on natural healing, including Dr. Joel Fuhrman, have shined a light on studies that disprove that.

Micro of the Macro, Protein: Functions and risks

How to have an eco-friendly Christmas: 15 tips to help you celebrate sustainably – Lisa’s Notebook

Christmas is almost here. As you complete your last-minute preparations, check out Lisa’s post for ways to ensure your celebrations are kind to the planet.

Yes, I’m talking about an eco-friendly Christmas. And there are lots of easy and practical ways we can do this without compromising on the fun.

Lisa’s Notebook, How to have an eco-friendly Christmas

The power of connection – Thriving together in the face of challenges – Wise & Shine

In this thoughtful piece, Cristiana looks at the importance of human connection in all aspects of life.

Human connection has an extraordinary ability to transform adversity into an opportunity for growth. When we open up to others, sharing our vulnerabilities and triumphs, we create a supportive environment that fosters resilience. This isn’t just a sentiment; a wealth of psychological research backs it.

Wise & Shine, The power of connection

What happened to America? – Aspiring Blog

This post could just as easily be titled “What happened to our world?” It’s a thoughtful essay on the divisions in our world, along with a proposed solution that could solve them.

We have drawn lines in the sand, divided into factions and we all scream out, “nobody, but nobody is right, and everyone is wrong until they agree with me and my faction.

Dennis Elton Stanley, What happened to America?

A spotlight on the ethics of AI-enhanced blogging – Transatlantic Notes

In this thought-provoking and informative post, Molly provides an overview of the pitfalls and ethics of using AI in blogging—along with some excellent suggestions of how AI tools can help without crossing ethical lines.

There is a valid argument that using artificial intelligence to produce written content for blog posts results in work that lacks genuine human insight, emotional understanding, and creativity.

Transatlantic Notes, A spotlight on the ethics of AI-enhanced blogging

LOVE, The Four-Letter Word – Frank J. Peter

You might think you know what love is, but I guarantee this delightful post will make you pause and think.

LOVE is the radical faith and freedom to care about those I differ with, dislike, and fear—and even those who, in their ignorance and anger, would do me harm.

Frank J. Peter, LOVE, the four-letter word

What I wrote in November

In case you missed any of these, here are the new posts I published in November here on Boomer Eco Crusader.

• The Sunday Spark – Maybe island life isn’t for me
• The link between climate change and food insecurity – A Climate Change Collective post
• The Sunday Spark – The power of an hour
• The Sunday Spark – Visiting faraway loved ones
• Just say “Hi” on World Hello Day
• The Sunday Spark – We will meet again, A poem
• Roundup of ways to simplify your Christmas celebrations

And, here are the posts I wrote in November for Wise & Shine.

• How would you spend a bonus hour?
• Feeling stuck? The two-minute rule can help
• Turn Black Friday into Buy Nothing Day
• Reduce stress by rethinking your holiday to do list

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Let’s keep in touch! Join my mailing list and I’ll email you when I add a new post.

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November goals – How did I do?

November was a mixed month on the goals front. Let’s look at how things ended up.

Fitness goals

My goal for November was 150 minutes of exercise a week, plus 30 outdoor walks. When I set these goals, I underestimated the busyness of catching up at work after two and a half weeks out of the office. I also didn’t consider the impact of a week in British Columbia visiting my daughter.

The first couple of weeks of November were a bit slow in terms of workouts and I didn’t meet my goal. I picked it up in the last two weeks and exceeded my goal both weeks. My average for all four weeks was 156 minutes—decent result overall.

My daily walks, on the other hand, were a bit of a bust. Between a busy month at work, and the dreary and cold weather, I found it hard to get outside and managed only 18 walks for the month.

Reading

This is a goal that I exceeded in November with a total of four books read:

• Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
• Picture Me Dead by Heather Graham
• Truth Telling by Michelle Good
• Little Ghosts by Gregg Dunnett

Finish Christmas shopping

I’m usually an early shopper but I hadn’t even started at the beginning of November, so this was an ambitious goal. I’m happy to report that I did it!

Writing

One of my 60 before 60 goals was to write a children’s story. I’ve had this on my goals list for August, September, and October with no progress made. I was determined to get this one done in November, and I have a draft written. The story is tentatively titled Ellie’s Butterfly Garden, and it’s not ready for publishing but it’s written.  

Health

Once again, my goal was to limit candy to once a day. I really didn’t do well with that this month and stopped keeping track. I think I ended the month with 17 out of 30 days where I managed this.

My December goals

So, November was a mixed bag of results, and the Christmas season will make December a challenge. But here are my goals for the month:

• Fitness goals: I’m hoping to build on the momentum I gained in the second half of November. I’ve increased my goal to 180 minutes of exercise every week, including two strength training sessions. And, recognizing that winter is here, I’m switching up my walking goal to 30 daily walks—indoors or outdoors.
• Reading: I have some time off over Christmas so I’m increasing my reading goal to 4 books for the month.
• Writing: My writing goal is to come up with my blogging plan for 2024.
• Decluttering: I haven’t had this on the list for a while, so my goal for December is to come up with a decluttering plan for 2024.
• Nutrition: It’s December so I’m abandoning my candy goal for this month. Instead, I’ll focus on fitting in a minimum of 5 servings of fruit and vegetables every day.

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Thanks for dropping by to check out my November 2023 roundup. I hope your December is off to a great start.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of the posts I’ve shared. Tell me what you think below.