If I desire new outcomes, I require new inputs.
“New” things aren’t necessarily hard or confusing. They are just new and maybe different or uncomfortable. Sometimes, change is hard. And often, well, it isn’t. And here’s the thing – hard or not, sometimes change is necessary.
Perhaps you are not a resolution maker, and that’s OK. Perhaps it’s enough to just get back to normal (and healthier) post-Holiday routines.
I met with a registered dietitian last week. I am excited about making some positive changes. And since these changes are my changes, I am not about to tell you what you need to do differently. BECAUSE, I am not a dietitian.
BUT, I am your certified professional organizer. While I cannot tell you what to stock in your own kitchen, I CAN tell you how set up what you have to make your own changes successful!
So, here are the steps to organizing the changes in your kitchen to make positive change in your life!
Educate yourself, and keep educating yourself! Read up on your new strategies, and plan to keep reading! We learn things as we go, through education but also through experience.
Clear off your counters! A study from Cornell University suggests “When it comes to the food left out in the kitchen, it’s increasingly clear that what you see is what you eat.” Meaning, your current counter landscape of junk food and holiday treats needs to be exchanged for healthier items if you want to succeed! Fewer cookies and chips, more fresh fruit, veggies or nuts. Goodbye hot cocoa station, hello clear counter! And less clutter overall – if you don’t have room to cook a healthy meal or dice veggies for a salad, you will not make those healthier choices.
Review your cabinets, check expiration dates and tidy things up post Holidays! (p.s., I would NOT get rid of food that doesn’t fit into your dietary changes just yet. First, I’m frugal and don’t want to get rid of food that is still good. Second, I live in a house with 4 other people, so there is bound to be someone here who will eat most things. If you need the space, or if you need to remove temptation, tuck away the things that will probably need to go in a grocery bag and out of sight for a few weeks. Then they are ready to donate to a food pantry or hand off to a friend when you’re satisfied with your changes.)
Menu plan around your healthy changes and using inventory you have on hand (if possible).
(click here for more kitchen and menu planning articles)
Plan a grocery trip to fill in the blanks, but only after you have inventoried what you have on hand and made a plan!
Make healthy habits convenient. There are some habits that benefit everyone, like taking your vitamins and drinking more water. Corral your supplements all together into a basket and then set a timer on your phone to remind you to take them consistently. Better yet, use a pill sorter and set your supplements up for a week at a time to save time. Take a few minutes now to fill and chill water bottles to take with you on the go, and dole out serving sizes of your healthy snacks into baggies or reusable bowls.
A few minutes and a little planning can help support your healthy habits, whatever they may be!