Farmers’ Almanac® shares Best Days to start diets, quit smoking, more.

LEWISTON, Maine – 2009 is in full swing, which means many Americans are already struggling to keep New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, save more money, become more organized, spend more time with families, and meet other personal goals.

For nearly 200 years, the Farmers’ Almanac has offered its readers practical information and advice to enrich their lives, including an annual “Best Days” calendar that shares recommendations for good days to do everything from castrate farm animals to wash the windows. But the Best Days calendar isn’t just for farmers; the beloved section has recommendations to suit every lifestyle – urban, rural, or in-between – including best days to quit smoking, potty train, and more. This year, the Farmers’ Almanac has expanded its online Best Days offerings, which now includes recommendations for beginning a successful diet, proposing marriage, and begin the potty training process.

The Farmers’ Almanac Best Days calendar is a tradition that dates back centuries. Its inclusion is based on the age-old belief that it’s best to conduct tasks when the moon is most favorable. The dates listed are based on many formulas that take the moon’s place in the zodiac, as well as the phase of the moon, into consideration. Though the results are not guaranteed, readers who follow the Farmers’ Almanac’s recommendations swear they get better results.

January’s Best Days:
•    Potty Train 1, 2, 3, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
•    Propose Marriage 2, 3, 6, 7, 18, 19, 29, 30
•    Start Diet to Lose Weight 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24
•    Quit Smoking 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24

To find out what day is best this month for other habits and chores, go to www.farmersalmanac.com/bestdays

About the Farmers' Almanac:
The Farmers' Almanac, which features an orange and green cover, has been published every year since 1818. Available at grocery and bookstores nationwide, it contains useful and interesting articles, as well as long-range weather predictions, gardening advice, recipes and more. Editors Peter Geiger and Sandi Duncan are available for lively and informative interviews, either by phone or in person. Both love to talk about the weather, share useful Almanac trivia and advice, and offer tips on how to "get back to the simple life." Visit on the Web at www.FarmersAlmanac.com.