When it comes to New Year's resolutions, my success rate is no better than average, by which I mean: I'm not going to the gym in February either. But not all resolutions are doomed to failure. If you want to make changes to the way you eat—whether to improve your health, your attitude or the world around you—I have a few suggestions. These are all changes I've made in recent years or plan for the coming months. Choose one, choose four, or try the whole list. Even number eight is good for you.

1. Shop locally – Some of the greatest food treasures are found in the most unassuming places. I won't deny the convenience of mainstream grocery stores, but once they've filled the shelves with milk and eggs, cereal and breads, there's little room left over for the specialty items. This is where ethnic groceries and corner stores shine—but without local support, they can't stay in business. Seek out one local food store this year, and try to visit it monthly. You will find something new on the shelves every time.

2. Again: Shop locally – When you do need the basics, go to a supermarket in Brookline or just over the border. Remember that eating locally is not only about supporting family businesses and small farms—stores like Trader Joe's and Stop & Shop bring jobs to Brookline and foot traffic to our commercial districts. The Whole Foods in Brighton is a nearby source for natural food, and also partners with Bountiful Brookline to support urban agriculture.

3. Join a CSA – Right now, it may seem that the only things that grow in Massachusetts are icicles. But the garlic is already in the ground, and our local farmers are busy preparing for the growing season. Community Supported Agriculture payments in the winter pay for the materials and labor that produce the first summer harvests. If you would enjoy the convenience and adventure of having your produce packed for you each week, explore your options now!

4. Visit a farmer's market – Along with sidewalk sales and playground sprinkles, summer in Brookline means the return of the Farmer's Market. Make time on a Thursday afternoon (or every Thursday afternoon) to stop by and chat with the vendors. In addition to fruits and vegetables, our market offers fish, cheeses, meat and freshly baked bread—as well as an ice cream truck for your mid-afternoon refreshment. The only way to get your food closer to the source is by growing it yourself.

5. Be a part of Bountiful Brookline – Even if you have no room for a garden, you can still be a part of the urban agriculture movement. Bountiful Brookline aims to create a sustainable local food system through private and public "edible landscapes." Whether you are new to gardening, have been farming for years or just want to learn about Brookline agriculture without getting your hands (very) dirty, mark your calendar for March 27. The full-day Spring Into Gardening event at the Pierce School will include panels and workshops on everything from composting and seed selection to schoolyard gardening and beekeeping. Get involved by volunteering to help with the event, or watch for the registration form available in January.

6. Reduce the waste – If local food isn't your thing, you can still improve your health, and the planet's, by reducing the processed foods in your diet. There's no need to switch to a hunter-gatherer diet. Simple changes—like baking your own cookies, cutting your own apples for a snack, or skipping the individual snack bags of salty treats—can add up to a major reduction in preservatives and wasteful packaging.

7. Listen to your body – Cutting back on processed foods can be painful, but it's easier when you can pinpoint the desires behind your cravings. Instead of grabbing a soda, ask yourself whether you can quench your thirst with water (free from the tap!) or if you're looking for the sweetness of a juicy orange. If you want a gingersnap, a crisp and spicy apple is a good choice—but if you're reaching for the potato chips, you may need the salty fix from a handful of roasted nuts. Confuse those signals, and you will remain probably unsatisfied.

8. Indulge – Every now and then, ignore the previous paragraph. There is no substitute for chocolate.

9. Eat at home – There is no better way to control what you eat than by preparing it yourself. If you can't tell a santuko from a sauteuse, it's never too late to learn how to cook. Find a few beginner's guides at the library or your favorite bookstore, or sign up for a culinary class through Brookline Adult & Continuing Education.

10. Eat out – When you can't stand the thought of entering your own kitchen, Brookline's numerous restaurants offer appealing alternatives. Too many to choose from? Cristin Hoover, Brookline Patch's new restaurant reviewer, is sure to offer some guidance in the coming year.

11. Wherever and whatever you eat, focus on the food – Life moves too fast for us all to sit down for a quiet meal three times a day. But we can all carve out the time somewhere, and be better off for it. Make a commitment: two family dinners each week; breakfasts at home (without checking your email); a monthly potluck lunch with a few of your co-workers. Life is too short to rush through the simple pleasures. So sit down, savor each bite and enjoy the experience.