Each year, I evaluate the previous year, the progress I made in different areas, and what I want to see happening by the end of the next year. I think this is a great exercise for helping me stay on track and focused on the truly important things. I know many of you go through a similar process, and for many of us, “health” is something of tremendous importance. I was excited to be able to get some really USEFUL tips from Elisa Zied, a Registered Dietitian and Benefiber® spokesperson on how to add health to our lives in simple, very doable ways this year.
Watch Out for Stress Triggers
If you tend to munch when you’re stressed, bored, or working hard (That’s me!), try replacing the negative habit with a positive one. Instead of tackling my stress with a sweet muchie, I am much healthier if I soak in a relaxing aromatherapy bath instead. Sipping an herbal tea and soaking in the tub is a much healthier option for me, but for you it might be a yoga session, playing with the kids, or singing to your favorite CD. What is a healthy, stress-relieving activity for you?
Replace Unhealthy Snacks with Healthier Alternatives
One of the things about healthy living that made us so much more successful as a family was to not approach it from a “you can’t do this” perspective, but rather replace certain elements with better ones. Healthier snacks like homemade fruit snacks, vegetables, healthy chocolate popcorn, etc., are much better than typical snack-food fare and can be as easy to implement as grabbing a bag of apples for your cart instead of potato chips.
Make Healthy Meals Easier
I like cooking healthy meals, but if I have to clean up a million dishes afterwards I’m less likely to take the time and trouble. Recipes like the Chili and Cornbread One-Skillet Benefiber® recipe eliminate unnecessary messes while helping you eat in a healthier, more frugal way. If it’s easy to eat healthy meals, you’ll be more likely to do so. Shop ahead, add healthy elements to your list, and then you’ll not waste time wondering what you should make next.
Being a healthier person – inside and out – should be a top priority for everyone. Not just a “New Year’s Resolution” we write down on our papers because it is expected that we do so, but because we are worth taking care of. Because we have family counting on us. Because we have a world to serve and have to be prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally to do so. Healthy living is a priority and a lifestyle, not a to-do list, and these simple tips can help us move in the right direction.
What will you add to your life this year to help improve your health?
This post is sponsored by Benefiber®, because so many of us aren’t getting the basic minimum nutritional needs for health each day. I loved using Benefiber® to help make sure my family met their daily fiber requirements – especially during the months when our garden was less productive so our fiber intake decreased. I was compensated for this post, but the opinions and passion for health are 100% my own.
Stress! That is something I’m trying to focus on – I’ve gotta add more essential oils to my arsenal to help! And definitely do more yoga – heck maybe yoga WITH the kids!
It seems I get really stressful just by adding too much to my plate, so this year, I’m letting go of some of my responsibilities and focus on what I truly love. It’s nerve racking to let go of some things, but I know it’ll be worth it in the end.
Totally agree with everything, but especially love your last point. I have 3 young kids and finding time to wash a million dishes is very hard. I also have very small kitchen so I can’t really let things pile up. I found myself using the crock pot a lot lately because it is so simple to just throw everything in there and forget about it. Will definitely have to try the Chili recipe, looks delicious. Thanks for this post.