Tips For You & Your Family To Feel Happier & Healthier In 2012

Typically I share a recipe that is near and dear to my heart, but for the start of 2012 I've decided to share some other tips that may help you and your family this year. We all set resolutions in the beginning of the year but how many of us really stick to them? I know, I know ... you've probably told yourself this is the year I am going to make a change! And I bet a lot of you out there have been great so far seeing that we're only five days into it! But how many of us set unrealistic goals? 

In the past years I'd set New Year's resolutions too. But I stopped doing this as I felt you really should start helping you and your family live a happier and healthier lifestyle NOW! Don't wait until Jan. 1! If March rolls around and you've slipped up, get back on board! Don't say, "I'll start Monday."  Don't say, "I'll join the gym when I have more time." And certainly don't say, "I'll just have this last piece of chocolate cake and then never again!"

These are three tips I try to live by that may help you and your family stay on track this year:

Tip #1

Allow yourself to splurge but remember that you should be eating and living a healthy lifestyle MOST of the time. For me and my family, we try really hard to be good about eating when we are at home. But for special occasions like going out to dinner (which we only do at most one time per month) or holidays we tell ourselves it's okay to splurge. 

We always sit down as a family to eat breakfast and dinner together (I eat lunch with my children when my husband is at work). I pack my husband a lunch which guarantees he'll eat well. My children and I eat two healthy snacks between meals and a balanced lunch. And for dinner I try to make something that is healthy as well. Each meal I try to make sure there is a little protein, a healthy carb and veggie/fruit. For snacks, my husband and I eat fruit/yogurt/nuts/cheese. And for the kids they'll have fruit/cheese/or a Nature's Promise snack from Stop and Shop (like honey graham sticks).

Tip #2

Make an organized grocery list each week AND plan your menus out. Every week I sit down for about 30 minutes and make my grocery list for the week. This is something I used to watch my mother do when I was little and it sure does help! I usually write it on an envelope (so I can stick my coupons inside). I list everything out by the produce, deli, health food, middle aisles, meats, dairy, frozen and dry goods sections. This helps to me move faster with my two children when I shop. I read that it's best to avoid the middle aisles if possible, but I do head there for things like pasta, tuna, beans, olives, bread, oils, baking goods, etc. We stay away from unhealthy chips, snacks and all of that processed junk you don't want in your body. I find that Nature's Promise (the Stop and Shop brand) offers a great variety of snacks that you don't have to feel too guilty about eating or offering to your family. 

When I plan out my dinner menu I list out the days of the week on the back of the envelope and write a meal for every other day.  For example:

Monday: Ground Turkey Chili

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheese and Basil Panini

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Lemon and Onion Chicken with Brown Rice and Green Beans

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: We almost always do a Sunday Sauce

So really I only make four meals a week (Sunday sauce is super easy so I don't even like to count that one, so it's more like three meals). I found that having three nights of leftovers has helped me to spend more time with my family and less time cooking which I love to do but have little time since I stay home with my 2.5 year old and 15 month old). Sometimes I cook before my husband leaves in the morning or during naptime.

If you plan out your meals for the week, it will help you stick to a plan and eat healthy! Trust me ... it really works! And when you go to the market, don't deviate from your list (unless it's for more apples or an extra cucumber!).

Also, I display the "menu" on a chalkboard for my family to see so they know what they'll be eating that day (and to eliminate the famous, "What's for dinner?" question!)

Tip #3

Exercise for at least 30 minutes 6 out of 7 days of the week — or all 7 if you can! You need to make exercise fun! For everyone this is different. For example, my husband enjoys running on a treadmill and riding a stationary bike. I like walking my kids 3 to 4 miles a day in the stroller. Some people like going to the gym or taking a Zumba class. Whatever you know you will LIKE and you will DO, do it and stick to it. Just like you need to shower everyday, you need to find time to workout, even if it's 30 minutes. There are a lot of great DVDs out there you could try too if you have a TV, a player and some space. I used to do these in college with my roommates and it was so much fun! Even though it's cold out right now, bundle up and head outside ... the fresh air makes so much difference in how you feel that day. 

And remember, we all have lazy days where we don't feel like doing anything, and that's okay ... once in awhile! If you are sick or feel like you are getting sick, don't push yourself and eat what your body needs.

Happy New Year! I hope these tips help you and your family to live a happy and healthy life!