So a new year is here. And per usual there is going to be a million and one blog posts, videos and status updates about what people are leaving behind in 2016 and what they PLAN to do in 2017…….blah blah blah. So just brace yourself. Get a glass of wine. Do a Netflix marathon. Something. And because I have been one of the said persons in the past, I’m not going to go too hard on anyone.
Instead, I choose to attempt to be helpful. Because you know what is going to happen. Almost everybody and their mama will have some sort of vague “healthy eating” resolution, that means absolutely nothing and has no measurable means of success.
So, given the year that I had in 2016 with all of my health issues (if you follow me on periscope or Instagram then you already know what I’m talking about), I decide to share some simple, actionable, tangible and measurable healthy eating resolutions to choose from for the upcoming new year.
Simon says, repeat after me:
- I will drink 16 oz of water upon rising. Why?… because you’ve been sleeping all night, your body has been in recovery mode and it’s a great way to flush out toxins. Plus, by making it a part of your morning ritual, you are far more likely to actually do it. There are specific amounts and a repeatable time every day. You know you need the extra water, so just get it in right from the begging. Tip: Put the glass next to your bed before you go to sleep, I put a napkin or something over mine so no dust falls in during the night. Or simply put a 16 oz bottle of water there and when you wake up, roll over and take it to the head.
- When I go out to dinner at a restaurant, when the waiter or waitress comes to the table to get my drink order, I will order and DRINK a full glass of water before my meal and ask them not to bring the bread to the table. #JustSayNoToDough Why?… because a lot of the time when we think we are starving or in my mind when I’m hangry, drinking some water reduces the hunger pangs, keeps me from being dehydrated, keeps me from over eating and holds me over until my meal comes.
- I will cook at least 2 meals a week at home (and eat the leftovers). If you already cook 2 meals a week or more, add another day. Eat the leftovers for lunch. Why? I’m glad you asked. Cooking your own meals and eating a home is the beginning of every healthy food journey. 9 times out of 10 you are not deep frying everything that you make at home and cooking at home is not only moe cost effective, but it makes you very aware of what you are putting into your body.
- I will eat something green every day. EVERYDAY! It doesn’t have to be kale, but I will get something green into my body Every day! Why? Remember the phrase and apple a day keep the doctor away? #TrueStory Here’s another one you may not have heard; “ A green vegetable a day, keep disease away” Green leafy vegetables or any vegetable with tons of chlorophyll (what makes it green) is know for detoxing the body, reducing hunger pains, reducing swelling and inflammation in the body, cleanses the body, reduces body order, is a powerful anti-oxidant, help prevent and fight cancer, aids the body in healing itself, keeps your iron levels high and etc….etc….etc…..Tips: Put some baby spinach or baby kale in your smoothies, eat a salad at every meal, always order a green vegetable side dish instead of two starchy sides, drink a green juice every day, just get them in. #EatSomeGreens
- I will carry a healthy snack in my purse or work bag every day. Why? This keeps you from stopping by your local fast food restaurant right after you go grocery shopping because you are starving and too hangry to wait until you cook something to dinner. Consider this healthy snack as emergency food, your get out of jail free card. Remember: Snacking SAVES LIVES.
- I will set multiple alarms on my phone to remind me to drink water. And I will drink it whether I want to or no. This is not up for debate. Why? YOU KNOW WHY! Because we need more water. PERIOD. Trust me, your body will thank you for it. It will take some time getting used to all of the initial trips to the bathroom, but once your body knows how serious you are with the water, it will become easier.
- I will switch out my sweeteners. Because it’s almost 2017 and you know better. When I got diagnosed with cancer this was the first thing every single doctor told me to do, NO Sugar. Did you know that brown sugar is just white sugar with molasses in it? Did you also know that white sugar has a very similar molecular structure to cocaine and also has ZERO nutritional value? This is why being a “sugar addict” is a real thing. Ever try not eating sugar for an extended period of time? The withdrawal effects are intense. So it’s time to trade traditional white and brown sugar for stevia, coconut sugar, maple syrup, agave nectar, coconut nectar, or even honey. You get the point. Swap the Sugar.
Do you have any other, realistic, actionable, and measurable healthy resolutions for the New Year? Leave them down below, because ‘sharing is caring’.
Interested on how to Eat Organic on a Budget? Join me for a FREE WORKSHOP on Thursday, Jan 5th, 2017. You Can Register here: I Want to Eat Healthy Cheap