This is a sponsored post. All opinions remain my own.
Can you believe it’s 2020 already? Where has the time gone? “New Year, New You” will be on the face of every magazine cover for the entire month of January and I’m still over here with my list of things to do “tomorrow” from 2015, with one hand still in the Christmas cookie jar. I’m not really one to make “New Year’s Resolutions” because I can fully admit that it’s highly likely that I won’t be able to keep them. I do, however, try to adopt lifestyle changes that are reasonable and easy to incorporate.
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In the last year, I’ve begun adopting a few small changes to daily habits that will better my spirits, body and mind. It’s all about focusing on happiness and living your best life because when we are stressed, it truly wreaks havoc on our bodies. We begin to release hormones that increase blood pressure and sugars into the bloodstream, which could lead to the development of chronic diseases. Yuck, who wants that? When we feel happy, we help our bodies maintain a stable baseline, and in the end it improves our overall health.
Question is, how do we get and stay “happy”? Thing is, true happiness is about finding a place of peace, not more money or another glass of wine. Once we figure out what truly makes our body, mind and heart feel at peace, then we are finally touching on the core of well-being.
I’ve mentioned them a few months ago, but as a reminder, these are just a few of the ways I have been able to find that peace and live an overall healthier lifestyle:
Exercise
There are so many benefits to just getting up and moving. It doesn’t have to be in the gym. Go for walk after dinner with the family, play a game of soccer with the kids, deep clean your bathroom (ok, ok) – you get the idea. Whatever it is, getting your heart pumping, your muscles moving, increases energy levels and gives you a nice sense of euphoria. It’s also a great excuse to buy those cute leggings you’ve had your eye on!
Get More Sleep
I am so guilty of spreading myself too thin. I try to multi-task because I think I’m getting more done, but in reality, I’m doing more harm than it’s worth. For instance, working on my phone at bedtime or even worse trying to watch TV and “relax” at the same time. Just no! I’ve instead put the phone down, turned off the TV and started reading again. Not only has my stress level gone down with this newfound “me time”, but I’ve found I’m falling asleep faster and sleeping longer!
Learn to Say ‘No’
This is a huge one, especially for us mothers. It’s in our nature to put our families first and to think about our own needs second. Guess what? You are allowed to say ‘no’ to an invitation or a commitment. Spend time with the family instead, or just sleep in. It’s ok to have the kids get their own glass of water or plate of seconds. Sit and enjoy a hot meal with your family, instead of eating last!
You Are What You Eat
I’m just as guilty as the next person with indulging in naughty eating habits – sugars, alcohol, fats, bread and caffeine. I’m not going to get all crazy on you and say you need to cut that all out, but the key to success, I’ve found, is moderation. Try to get down to just one cup of coffee a day instead of three. Reach for your favorite fruit instead of that bag of chips with lunch. What we eat is what fuels the body and the mind so when you eat a healthier diet, it allows your body to function at a higher level. That candy bar might make you feel good for ten minutes, but it leads to a sugar crash that can cause mood swings and a sense of distraction.
Just a couple months ago I discovered FAGE Total 5% Greek yogurt as great way to introduce my family into healthier snacking without sacrificing taste. This is one small change to my family’s diet that has really been embraced. I started creating fun, yet delicious yogurt bars for a special after school treat or lazy Sunday morning breakfast by offering everyone’s favorite fruits, nuts and seeds as a topping buffet. My usually picky eater just LOVES this setup and by making his own bowl, he is more excited about eating. It’s a win-win.
Because it has gone over so well, I decided to share 5 all new FAGE Total 5% yogurt bowl creations for inspiration in your journey towards making better food choices.
Gone Bananas
Bananas glazed in coconut oil, macadamia nuts, chia seeds and raw honey comb.
Tastes Like Fall
Pears, walnuts, prunes and cinnamon.
Citrus Sunshine
Fresh satsuma segments, dried clementines, dried apricots, dried coconut pieces and juice from the fresh citrus fruits.
Peanut Butter Apple Time
Fresh apple slices, mixed nut butter spread and peanut butter granola.
It’s Pomtastic
Fresh pomegranate, fresh raspberries, fresh cranberries sliced thin and hemp hearts.
My favorite is Gone Bananas with ripe bananas glazed in coconut oil, macadamia nuts, chia seeds and raw honey comb. If you haven’t tried raw honey comb on yogurt yet, you are truly missing out. I will take this over a candy bar any day!
The best part about all-natural FAGE Total 5% Greek Yogurt is that it’s Non-GMO Project Verified, and you won’t find any gluten, additives or preservatives. With its simple ingredients of just milk and live active yogurt cultures, there is no added sugar, and it is a great source for calcium and protein. It makes snacking enjoyable without all the unnecessary ingredients you normally find in prepackaged food.
If you’re ready to start incorporating yogurt bowls into your healthier you routine, you can learn more and find a store that sells FAGE near you. For more inspiration, flip through FAGE’s collection of recipes and keep a tissue handy for the drool!