Erin Ireland's 7 steps to a healthier you in 2016

January 15, 2016
Savehealth

Spud ambassador Erin Ireland is sharing her 7 steps on how she plans to not waste her health in 2016

“Abolish the all or nothing philosophy.” These wise words, from fellow Spud ambassador and wellness coach Catherine Roscoe Barr, help explain why I’m not into resolutions. New Year’s Resolutions tend to demand a lot from us, which is why they’re often forgotten a few weeks into January. By setting small goals and celebrating minor achievements, we feel better about ourselves and are more likely to stick to new healthy habits. Here are 7 health-focused action steps that I feel are sustainable year-round. Starting with one or two of these is a great first step

#LetsNotWaste our Health: 7 healthy eating habits that Are Easy To Stick To All Year Long

Eat your greens. We really can’t get enough! And with all the juiceries popping up around town, sourcing greens is easy. Spud makes it even easier by delivering The Juice Box to your front doorstep. You can also buy a juicer (or a wheatgrass juicer) to do so at home. Either way, getting your greens is important and it should be a top priority.
Consume healthier sugars. Sugar is not the devil. White refined sugar is! And good news: there are multiple sources of sugar, many with a lower glycemic index. Since I switched to baking and cooking with ingredients like dates, maple syrup, honey and coconut nectar, I haven’t looked back. You’ll feel a whole lot better, and besides a slightly increased cost (which is so worth it) there’s really no downside.
Reduce your dairy intake. When I was little, my parents told me to never drink milk when I had a cold. They said it increased mucous production in my body. I never understood this claim until I learned that the purpose of cow’s milk is to grow a 65lb calf into a 700lb cow as rapidly as possible. Dairy products increase the growth of things, like colds (viruses). With amazingly delicious options like The Juice Box Almond Milk, Tofutti dairy-free sour cream and Daiya Cheese, it makes so much sense to eliminate dairy from your life.
Drink more water. I always have a hard time with this one, BUT, Vega’s electrolyte powder has helped! Sweetened with natural Stevia, it’s like the healthy Crystal Light and makes water delicious and easier to drink.
Read food labels. You might be shocked to discover just how much sugar and ingredients you can’t pronounced are hidden in most mass-produced products. This is because, quite often, the bigger the company, the more profit-driven they are. This brings me to my next point…
Eat local! Lucky for Spud shoppers like me, Spud has amazing relationships with local farmers and producers. The vast majority of their products are from smaller suppliers who care. This means, profit is not their number one focus and the product’s quality is significantly greater.
Cook more. Be Fresh by Spud makes it easier to cook more often with their prepared ingredients. If the thought of peeling and cubing a butternut squash sounds tiring to you, just buy a container of them pre-chopped. Sure, they are a bit more expensive. But if this product helps you cook more, isn’t it worth it? Ordering through Spud also makes it easier to plan meals. I love to pick a few recipes and then place my Spud order. That way I know I’ll have everything I need.