I think waiting until the New Year to set “goals” and improve ourselves is a waste of time – Start now and do something small! You don’t have to do anything dramatic, but by being intentional you can start the new year feeling good instead of digging yourself into a hole. Truly, just keeping my space feeling fresh (that doesn’t mean the floors are clean), drinking water, and taking my vitamins are my only extra goals for the next two weeks.
Something I find very helpful and what I see as the foundation to making healthier decisions to the week is meal planning and making a grocery list, then posting this in the kitchen where it is visible to all. This is what I have done and will keep doing because it works. It’s a necessity.
This is the kind of stuff I daydreamed about. <3
Why?
- Saves time during the week to be organized and have it all ready to go at the beginning of the week …Do you really want to go to the store 3 times per week? That is time that could be spent cooking dinner or kissing your baby or running! A little work upfront really helps the flow of the week be more enjoyable.
- Ensures we are eating balanced meals and having a nutritionally balanced week; helps work towards health goals without feeling restricted and overwhelmed.
- Keeps us on track by being able to reflect on the meal plan posted in the kitchen …Although my husband does still ask “What’s for dinner?” sometimes.
- Helps with budget – You get everything you need at once and are more aware of what the weekly grocery bill is. Also, it helps limit eating out due to not having something prepared. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner can all be prepared quickly at home with ingredients already in the fridge.
- Limits food waste …What is the spinach for? Oh, it’s for spinach tortellini soup on Wednesday night!
- It’s flexible. Sometimes I move meals around because we will eat at our parents’ houses or want to get food out on Saturday. Having a plan without wiggle room leads to failure …Weekly (and life) plans needs LOTS of wiggle room!!!
I have added the grocery list and weekly meal plan template I use to my store, you can purchase here.
It is easy to post in the kitchen on a pretty clipboard, like this one here.
Too hard to do? Well, I’ve got you covered. An updated weekly meal plan & completed grocery list already done for you. I have revamped the design of the eating guide to make it more simple and easy to follow. Just click, purchase, save, and obtain groceries to prepare for the week.
Click here: Eating Guide #3
Other tips for getting a head start on feeling refreshed in the new year? Clean out your kitchen and organize it! You most likely have what you need, you just can’t see it or it’s not organized properly to fit your lifestyle.
If you do need to purchase new items to refresh your kitchen, here are my go-to products for a simple, fresh, happy kitchen.
So, yes… I’m sorry, but it is highly unlikely that any fad diet or product is going to change your life this year. But maybe putting in the work, taking time to change your mindset, and improving your skills will! Take the time to figure out what you actually need, help yourself little by little, and keep at it. The real good “stuff” takes time and work… <3
It truly is all a gift, and that’s all I can say walking out of 2021 – I’m not going to waste this gift. Let’s dance into 2022 with more grace and more grit to live fully and love hard.
How’s that for a New Year’s Goal?
simply wellman
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