Happy New Year 2023 Wishes

Welcome to our new year to-do list. We have an entire blog series discussing New Year’s Resolutions that we did over two years ago with readers like you. Today, I am going to share my most recent resolution: starting off the year with my favorite foods! The first order of business is finding out which ones to serve this New Year. If they are delicious enough, then I may be able to keep them on rotation. Then, once I pick the perfect ones (which may take several months of trial and error) to incorporate into each meal, I may move onto the second order of priority: grocery shopping in preparation for lunch. And if it helps to get me inspired before I start making any meals, then there may be other options that come up, particularly regarding cleaning out the pantry. All in all, after looking at what food I have been missing out on for the last couple of years, I now realize how much time I was spending simply eating without consuming nutritious foods. So, after weighing my options, here are some ways I would go about incorporating healthy snacks in my lifestyle this New Year!

1. Healthy, fresh salads and fruit

We were so happy while growing up being surrounded by vegetables. Our parents could make such wonderful salad dressings that consisted mostly of fresh veggies. These days, I am learning that fruits and vegetables are just as tasty. One good way to sneak in more servings of this fruit and veggie rich goodness? With pre-portioned produce bags when buying groceries! Just find one from Target, grab some green leafy ones, toss them in the crisper drawer, add water, leave on the counter, and then wash and dry them. You can even use frozen vegetables for easier preparation if you cannot find them fresh. Some great brands are Fresh Thyme, Sprout Organics, Garden of Eatin’, Simply Organic, Natural Harvest, and many others.

2. Protein shakes

I feel like most people would never guess that there is protein powder available to help us stay full longer. It is actually quite easy and quick to prepare and does not require a lot of work. My husband prefers to mix with almond milk because it contains less fat and calories than regular soy milk! This makes for a nice combination of high-quality protein, which helps you eat less food, and carbs, which may help you feel fuller. To get started, try adding Greek yogurt to your routine as well! For the best results, make sure your ingredients are listed below. If using Greek yogurt, avoid added sugars. Check labels, do not buy flavored versions, and read label directions thoroughly. Here is my recipe for homemade shake:

3. Eggs

I learned very quickly to avoid buying store-bought eggs on New Years Eve. Don’t forget to ask your grocer if they sell ready-made fresh eggs, but also pay close attention to the expiration date! Even though store-bought egg yolks are convenient, their quality is questionable. In fact, I found it incredibly hard to tell the difference between fresh and cooked, uncooked eggs. That said, you may have to cook yours yourself if you need to! Another tip is to soak your eggs before putting them into the refrigerator, so they don’t develop unpleasant shells. For more information on cooking eggs, check out this post. If you really can’t resist buying organic eggs, check out these resources below to learn more.

4. Raw kale

I have already mentioned kale this past year. But seriously, raw kale makes such a powerful addition to almost any diet. Not only does it provide tons of antioxidants to protect your body, but it also reduces inflammation and promotes proper digestion. Now, I hope the greens in our local supermarket are 100% grass-fed and free of all pesticides! There are plenty of recipes online that will teach you how to make the ultimate healthy smoothie. Once I have perfected it once and mastered the smoothie part, I hope to branch out to include more of my favorite veggies on my plate. For example: chopped collard greens and bok choy! I would even consider serving cooked bokchoy with the homemade soup; it has that lovely crisp texture and sweet bokchoy flavor. I am still unsure if that would end up working out for me though – I haven’t had the patience to cook it yet! However, some suggestions to get you started with making the perfect batch of collard greens are posted on Pinterest from Angie Thomas who created this simple dish from scratch.

5. Avocados

It seems every New Year’s Day since 2019, avocado sales have continued to increase. While most stores have noticed the increased demand, many still seem hesitant to stock avocados to allow themselves the chance to continue selling them throughout 2021. After talking to fellow sisters across social media, I figured out why exactly avocado is seen by some as “healthy.” When people make avocado toast, they usually add olive oil and sprinkle salt. It’s true, but the same goes for avocados. Their oils are high in polyunsaturated fats, and they contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Although studies have shown avocado consumption could reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (such as coronary heart disease), current research is inconclusive about its effects on overall mortality. Regardless, I am thrilled to see new health benefits brought to avocado lovers this upcoming season! Stay tuned if you know someone planning on including this versatile vegetable in their life.

6. Oatmeal

If those juices I made yesterday have piqued your interest, you probably wondered why oats would be on my list of New Year’s Resolution goals? Well, oatmeal is known for having healthy fibers and vitamins A and B12. They also have beta carotene, lutein, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, copper, phosphorus and potassium. Since the average person consumes less than two cups of whole grains per day (1 cup equals 2/3 cup of grain and 1/3 cup of fiber), and most adults don’t eat enough whole grains (only 16% of U.S. adults consume 5-7 servings of whole grains each week), you can put a little bit of extra emphasis on the importance of whole grains for your health. Also, if you tend to reach for processed cereal before a bowl of porridge, you should definitely reconsider. Many of us have become addicted to instant gratification, especially after reading stories of celebrities who have lost large amounts of weight through a plant based diet that includes oatmeal instead of refined wheat and sugar.

7. Wine pairing tips

I am not always completely open to wine pairings, but if I do choose to indulge myself, I will make sure to make a point to drink sparkling water with anything I like to eat at least two glasses of water with at every meal. Next time I am enjoying something with cheese or crackers, I may opt for drinking unsweetened tea or coffee instead. Other times, if the wine is too strong, I might suggest trying a sweeter variety like red wine to balance things out. Of course, I tend to enjoy sipping on prosecco, although that may take some trial and error! Plus, alcohol contains antioxidants and electrolytes that are vital for maintaining normal bodily functions. Make sure to drink warm, filtered water and never drink from plastic bottles. Finally, remember, moderation comes with a cost. Try taking small doses of wine at various occasions but still enjoy wine to a moderate amount. By cutting down on drinking, you can reduce stress which may lead to unhealthy habits like overeating or smoking. Overall, I love wines, especially sparkling reds and white wines, which both offer fantastic sensory experiences for my senses and taste buds. If you decide to go with wine, make a note of which varieties are better for you and stick to drinking them that way!

8. Cleaning supplies

One year into living clean for me and having no access to trash cans, trash bags or reusable containers, I am learning to appreciate everyday items as they break down over time. I hope to spend less time constantly thinking about cleaning supplies and waste management. One key question I am asking myself is whether I even want to use clean water for drinking purposes in the future! Yes, I understand. Unfortunately, humans have developed certain “cleaning behaviors” that take over. Keeping track of these habits will help me avoid wasting money and keep myself accountable as the year progresses. How often do we think about the laundry or dusting, but never put on shoes? Do I really need to replace air filters at gas stations more than once a month? Or maybe once in a while, but only rarely. Every few years, I try to cut back on these tasks and try to fit in some time to set aside for doing these activities. Maybe next year, I’ll try setting aside half hour every morning to vacuum and mop the floors!

9. Declutter

I cannot wait to declutter and purge once again. What has gotten to the point where you are feeling overwhelmed about keeping your house clean? Think about all of the items you need to use and throw away, throw away! I am hoping to make significant changes this year to begin getting rid of clutter. Who knows: I might end up becoming famous! Maybe I’ll clean-up my closet someday! Perhaps I’ll finally find an excuse to buy all my clothes again. Whatever happens, these are all items that are in the bottom 3 percent of the closet right now! Most importantly,