If you're determined to stick with your New Year's Resolution to get healthy, stay in shape, and look great, a quick checkup on your diet might help you reach your goals. Making sure you have enough fruits and veggies in the diet each day can be challenging, especially when you're on the go and don't have time to make a salad or a homemade fruit parfait. Still, there are plenty of ways to sneak in a few greens and add some sweet and healthy treats to your day! Here are some easy ways to make sure you're getting more than your 5-a-day:
1. Start your day with a smoothie. A simple banana and strawberry smoothie is packed with quality energy and will give you a natural boost to the day. Try some creative recipes and unique combinations to get your fruit fix for the day, first thing in the morning - and maybe even skip the coffee!
2. Stock up on dried fruit. Dried fruit snacks such as raisins or dried apricots are full of antioxidants and fiber - a simple and convenient way to sneak in some fruit for any busy day.
3. Pre-cut your veggies. Carrot sticks, celery and even cucumber wedges are great for packing in a cooler pack and toting along to your next destination. Just prepare them the night before and store in an airtight container.
4. Vegetable juice. The taste takes some time to get used to, but you can easily down a bottle of V-8 each day for another nutritious boost.
5. Start a meal off with soup. Vegetable soup or chili can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer for easy use. Start with a vegetable broth and add some seasonal vegetables from the Farmer's Market, along with your favorite seasonings and spices for some extra flavor. Not only will it fill you up, but it makes for a great side to any meal!
It's easy to get caught up in taking care of family members, friends, and even coworkers week in and week out, but this can quickly get to the point where you forget about taking care of yourself. While it's great to be the listening ear or confidant for everyone's woes, you need to set aside some 'me' time to regroup and manage some of your own problems! If you're packing in too much social time without space for yourself, you can quickly get caught up in negativity and end up forgetting about yourself; here are five simple ways to nurture yourself and maintain a healthy persepective:
Ways to Nurture YOU:
1. Try natural relaxation. Periods of natural relaxation can help you de-stress and just 'let go,' even if it's for a short period of time. Try yoga, a hot bath, or even meditation to help you get centered and feel grounded. Create a peaceful and tranquil space in your home or apartment to make this a regular habit to turn to in periods of maximum stress.
2. Read a good book. Chick-Lit is the perfect pick me up for any blue day and can give you a healthy break from reality on those challenging days. Just settle in with some hot cocoa and snacks and escape for a few hours.
3. Try a creative activity. From painting to digital photography, take a time out to nurture your artistic side. It's a great excuse to try something new and build up skills in a new area.
4. Cook your favorite meal. Sometimes a little comfort food goes a long way! If you want to stick with your healthy eating plans, track down some lowfat but tasty recipes and dig in! Just the simple act of cooking is a nurturing experience and will help you feel better in no time.
5. Capture your thoughts. Jotting down your ideas, feelings and emotions is a great way to 'vent' and get some perspective on current events in your life. Make a habit of writing in a journal so you can reflect on the situation later if needed.
Rising gas prices, high food costs, and those weekly shopping sprees could be leaving a dent in your wallet. Keeping up with your expenses can be challenging in today's economy but there are some simple ways to trim them down and maximize your hard-earned dollars.
Saving money is a skill you can work on during any season - even when you have extra money - so you can develop a healthy habit for the long run. When you're trying to make the most of your weekly budget and save for that next shopping spree, here are just five strategies to help you reach your financial goals:
1. Cut out the coffee trips. A trip to the coffeeshop can easily cost you $4 - $5 per day, especially when you go for the super-grande size and add a treat from the bakery to your order. Skip the extra cost and make your own caffeine fix at home or at work; instant coffee with a few flavorings and milk is all you really need to get through your day!
2. Carpool to work or school. Avoid paying the high price of gas and save on your gas bill each week by carpooling to your most visited destinations. Find out if friends and family members are already sharing your route and organize your schedule so you can all take turns for the drive.
3. Buy groceries in bulk. Avoid extra trips to the grocery store where you're bound to buy a few too many items and shop just once per week instead. Plan on buying 7 - 10 days worth of groceries at a time so you can buy in bulk and trim away some of your grocery expenses each week.
4. Cook at home. If you're not too skilled in the kitchen, learn to make some basic recipes of your favorites and stock up! Eating out too much is an easy budget killer, but you can make 'imitation' versions of your favorite items at home; all it takes is some creativity and research to dig up the recipes and you can enjoy a gourmet meal at a fraction of the cost.
5. Monitor your spending. Simply writing down how much you spend can make you more aware of your habits and makes it easier to cut out those small purchases - the ones that quickly add up. Just fill out a small notepad with a week's worth of expenses to get a close look at your trouble spots.
While you've been busy with spring traveling, enjoying the great outdoors, and counting down the days until even warmer days of summer, it's easy to forget there's another holiday ahead!
Mother's Day is right around the corner (May 11th, to be exact) but if you're short on cash after all that spring fun, there are some creative ways to show you care. From homemade baked treats to a spa party for you and mom, here are some creative ideas to celebrate Mother's Day and create a day you'll both cherish forever:
1. Send her a balloon bouquet.
Thought balloons were just for kids? You can share the fun of balloons with an elegant balloon bouquet delivered to mom's workplace the Friday before Mother's Day, or just give her the bouquet yourself on the special day. Pick out her favorite colors and add a thoughtful card for a creative and fun gift she won't miss very easily!
2. A homemade card.
Flex those creative skills by gathering your scrapbooking supplies and designing your own card. Pick a special poem or quote as a tribute to Mom on this special day and write a heartfelt message for a personalized touch. A homemade card is a great creative project you can get started on weeks in advance.
3. Put together a goodie basket.
Does your mom have a favorite dessert? Bake up something special for her and decorate the goodies with a special basket or gift box. This is also a great surprise gift for her workplace the week before the event, or as a centerpiece for any party or get-together you're hosting.
4. Frame a special photo.
A photograph of just the two of you will be extra special in a custom frame or even a photo frame you've designed yourself. It's fairly easy to find blank frames at the arts and crafts store, and you can decorate this with paint, sequins and other accents for a unique gift. Digital frames are also a fun idea for giving her a gift full of your favorite memories together.
5. Prepare a gourmet meal.
Pull together her favorite dinner and dessert recipes so you can treat mom to a special meal. If you're not a culinary whiz, you've got plenty of time to practice in the weeks ahead!
Remember when you were a kid and cartoons or bloopers on television were all you needed to cheer you up and keep you in a good mood? Laughing, giggling, and even telling a funny joke are all great ways to lift your spirits - and reduce stress! Health experts explain that 'laughter therapy' is a natural way to relieve stress and tension in the body, so a belly laugh a day could be all you need to stay positive and enjoy the moment.
If you're having a particularly stressful day and think you need a break, try some of these strategies to help you 'shake it off' and feel like your old self again:
1. Read a funny comic each day. Comics aren't just for kids, so make sure you pick up at least one comic strip out of the newspaper, or even online to cheer you up for the day. A quick chuckle each morning can ease tension and put you in a postivie mindset - essentials for getting through any rough morning!
2. Tell a joke to a friend. Telling a random joke is a great way to take your mind off problems - even for a few minutes - and share some fun with a friend. If you can't think of a joke off the top of your head, pick up a joke book and start reading! A few quick laughs could be all you need to break into a good mood in no time.
3. Find a funny quote. Dig for a few funny quotes in a quote book, or just jump online to search for something that really strikes you. Write it down if it's something you really feel resonates with you at this moment so you can look back on it the next time you feel down in the dumps.
4. Make a funny face...at yourself, in the mirror! Cracking yourself up is an easy way to remind yourself not to take things so seriously. You can also look at pictures of friends or family members goofing off or making funny faces at the camera - anything that will make you laugh out loud will work.
5. Watch a funny movie. Browse the comedy section, or checkout a few slapstick clips from the local library to keep your humor bones in good shape. Remember, keeping a good sense of humor no matter how troubled you may be will help you get through hard times with ease.
st once per week instead. Plan on buying 7 - 10 days worth of groceries at a time so you can buy in bulk and trim away some of your grocery expenses each week.
