My 2016 New Year Resolutions

January 14, 2016

It’s that time of year! Gyms will be filled to capacity, health food stores will have lines out the door and everyone has a new attitude towards food! As we head into the New Year, I know many people will resolve to eat healthier. As a mom of two young kids ages 2 and 4, I resolve to eat healthier for myself AND my kids. After this past month filled with holidays, parties and loads of cookies, my kids and I need to lay off the sugar! I can feel it in my body, so much processed food and sugar! I just don’t have as much energy or feel good. So, with that in mind, I wanted to share my New Years resolutions to keep myself and my family healthy and re-focus our attitude towards food.

Be Prepared

I find myself going through the drive through, ordering pizza or grabbing a juice box for the kids when I have nothing else on hand. Most of the time, I enjoy grabbing a banana or trail mix at home for a snack, but if I forget ahead of time to pack something healthy while I’m out, all bets are off (except of course if I’m near a Berkshire Natural vending machine!). For the New Year, I pledge to think ahead. I will pack healthy snacks on the go, like bringing an apple and plan meals ahead of time so I’m not stuck making yet another dinner of grilled cheese or chicken nuggets.

Say No

I’m sure many of you, like myself, have a hard time saying No! Both to my kids while we’re in the grocery store while they whine about picking out a treat or grabbing a box of Disney-themed sugar-filled gummies and also saying no to myself. I’ll just grab a bagel or donut in the drive-through, because who is there to stop me? I need to remind myself that it’s ok to say no. I can disappoint my kids and myself. They might whine, cry and beg and I might really be craving sweets, but I’m going to stand up and say No. We don’t get treats all of the time. They are for special occasions.

Don’t Feel Guilty

That being said, I also resolve to not feel guilty when my family and I DO have treats. It’s ok to indulge and good to enjoy treats. So long as they are treats that you can feel good about! Like when I make homemade chocolate chip cookies, or a sweet treat out of a Berkshire Natural vending machine where I can feel good knowing that it is all organic or natural or made with whole grains. Having a healthy attitude towards food means enjoying the deliciousness that foods have to offer!

Try New Things

My kids are picky, but I think as adults we can be picky eaters as well. For 2016, I resolve to try new things. Perhaps I’ll pick out some new recipes to try and see if my family likes them. Often, I’m intimidated by vegetables that I didn’t grow up with and I vow to try out new ones and figure out recipes to go along with them. I need to remind myself that my kids follow my example. If I taste test new foods, perhaps my kids will follow my lead as well. And, it’s fine if we all decide that we definitely don’t like something – we’ll just make a point of all trying new things this year!

Cook with My Kids

I’m very guilty of turning on the TV while I prep dinner to distract my kids so that I can have 30 minutes to myself to focus on dinner without four tiny hands grabbing at everything and ultimately doubling the dinner prep time. However, I’ve read articles again and again about the importance of involving kids in the cooking process so that they can truly appreciate food and develop a good relationship with food. And, I know that they love being involved – it’s just hard with so few minutes in the day. My resolution this year is to take the time to get them cooking with me in the kitchen!

So, there it is – down in writing so that I have to keep my resolutions! What are your New Years resolutions? Comment below or tell us on Facebook and Twitter. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2016!

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