The week between Christmas and New Years is the ultimate time of transition. While some individuals are unenthused going back to a humdrum routine, others are dreading January 1 as they vow to restrict treats and indulgences for forever. About mid-week, I polished off holiday left overs and was ready to make the leap towards fresh foods ( aka less southern styled casseroles) in the hope of feeling more energized. While I have a few secret weapon recipes that typically get me back on track, they seemed mildly drab for the start of a new year. My own attempt to reset made me consider how just a small shift in perspective can make 2018 a healthy year of the word “yes” that does not require monotony or constraints in our food choices. Here are some recommendations for making 2018 the most tasty, healthy year yet:
Give your grocery list a makeover
We all have our staples, and a lot of times it’s because we are creatures of habits and our staples work for our lives. However, even trying different brands or types of your favorite items is a great way to spruce things up. This week I investigated new brands of my typical favorite perishable foods and snacks. Some of my favorite new discoveries were:
- Kodiak Cakes Granola Unleashed, Wild Blueberry Flax individuals: eat hot or cold, or with yogurt!
- The Good Bean Chickpea Snacks: Sweet Cinnamon: great savory snack full of fiber and protein
- Banana Organic Chewy Bites: convenient to keep as a tasty pre workout snacks without the worry of a banana smooshing in your bag or over ripening. Only ingredients are bananas and banana powder.
- Barney Butter Cocoa Coconut Almond Butter Grab and Go Dip Cups: individual almond butter cups that tastes like chocolate that you can take on the go? It was a no brainer.
Be Real With Yourself
Do not set unrealistic expectations for your 2018 diet. For example, to piggy back off of the last tip, if you are bored of your routine then change it. We are more likely to be consistent with a “reset” list if we enjoy the foods that are a part of our plan . By simply eliminating foods that are pleasurable, we will resent the foods we are using to replace the “fun” foods. If that grilled chicken salad for lunch no longer does it for you, there’s a plethora of healthy foods out there that most likely could get you salivating.
Remember, we have endless access to new, fresh recipes and tutorial videos. Spend ten minutes to search for new recipes that include healthy foods you are excited to eat. Some of my favorite places to go (aside from Pinterest) are but not limited to:
- prevention rd.com
- cooking light.com
- ohsheglows.com
- marksdailyapple.com
- well plated.com
Also, old fashioned cookbooks deliver some of the best inspiration. I combined cookbook recipes to put my own spin on this Turkey Meatball and Farro Bake with Cranberries.
Make your food choices have intentions
Make resolutions that do more than demand that you cut out this or that. By focusing on purposeful nutrition, you can create a “yes” mindset to food rather than “no’s” that make you feel restricted. Consider what you want for yourself and your health this year. This can help you develop some of your own intentions. For example, maybe you want more energy throughout the day, or to simply share more time with friends or family away from or with meals. Once you are able to identify, you will be better more apt to choose foods and meals that align with your intentions.
We wish you all a healthy, happy New Year. Stay tuned for new exciting recipes, events, and blogs in 2018!
