SAN ANTONIO — Now that the holidays have passed, many of us are starting to work on losing those holiday pounds. As we find out in this week's Healthy SA, keeping those healthy New Year's resolutions can be hard.
Done the right way this new year can lead to a new, healthier you.
"Studies show that only 9% of Americans who make resolutions actually stick to them, with most giving up by February," said Sally Norton, a public health educator and author of Toxic Superfoods. "People are like, 'Alright, time to reform my ways. The year is starting over. I've got to get a fresh, clean slate,' and that can be a problem for some people, too, because an abrupt change from overindulgence to who knows what."
To be as successful as possible with those New Year resolutions, Eat This, Not That! says develop a plan you can stick to, make exercise fun so you actually do it, seek healthy foods you'll want to eat, stay hydrated throughout the day and make an effort to reduce your stress levels.
"Solutions for eating better and staying physically active or have to be customized for you and your family because it needs to be part of your daily life," Norton said.
"Our lives were overscheduled again during the pandemic," added Lisa Miller, a consumer strategist with LMW and Associates. "Actually, about half of Americans say they're reassessing their life because of the pandemic. And just pausing is a way to reduce the stress."
One out of every four Americans say they are very lonely. That goes up to one out of every three Millennials who say they are very lonely, and one out of every two in Generation Z. One out of every three want to focus on finding more joy in their life.
"The other part about it is it's actually focusing on being present. And those types of things weren't really on the list before and now they are. And I think it just it speaks volumes for where we are today," said Miller.
For some healthy drink options to replace alcohol from Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson, bestselling author of Glow: 90 Days to Create Your Vibrant Life from Within and a recognized leader in functional and integrative medicine, check out the recipes below.
Mindful Margarita
“With this delicious version, you won’t need a designated driver, and you’ll get the added antioxidant boost of vitamin C from lime and grapefruit, as well as the calming, anti-anxiety properties in cilantro, meaning this mocktail could make you healthier and happier, and with no post-tequila hangover.”
Recipe
- 6 destemmed cilantro sprigs
- 4 destemmed mint sprigs
- 1 cup Seedlip Grove 42
- Juice of 2 limes
- 4 cups freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- 1 lime, sliced for garnish.
Method: In a small mixing bowl, muddle the cilantro and mint until fragrant. Add Seedlip Grove 42 and lime juice. Stir. Transfer mixture to a pitcher. Add the grapefruit juice and fill the pitcher with ice. Serve in margarita glasses with lime garnish. Makes one pitcher.
Sweet and Serene Sangria
“This fruity mocktail is bursting with antioxidants from the non-alcoholic red wine, cranberry juice (choose 100% cranberry juice, not the sugary variety), orange juice, apples, plums, and oranges. It’s got vitamin C and other free-radical-wrecking antioxidants, as well as flavonoids like resveratrol that have anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, blood-sugar-stabilizing, brain-strengthening properties, without burdening your liver with alcohol.”
Recipe
- 1 bottle Fre non-alcoholic red wine
- 4 cups cranberry juice
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 apple (cored and diced)
- 1 plum (pitted and diced)
- 1 orange (sliced into discs)
- Optional: 1 cup sliced strawberries, blackberries, or a combination, for more color and sweetness.
Method: Pour non-alcoholic wine, cranberry juice, and orange juice into a large pitcher. Add diced apple, diced plum, and orange slices to the mixture, along with optional berries. Stir. Allow to steep in the fridge for at least one hour. Serve in wine glasses. Makes one pitcher.
Guiltless Gin and Tonic
“This alcohol-free version of the classic gin and tonic is even better for you if you choose naturally-sweetened tonic water, since regular varieties contain as much sugar as soda, and may be made with liver-taxing high fructose corn syrup. It’s easy on the sweet and heavy on the freshly squeezed lime juice, will dose you with immune-backing vitamin C, as well as calcium and potassium, instead of guilt.”
Recipe
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 4 tablespoons agave or honey
- 3 cups tonic water of your choice
- 1 cup Seedlip Spice 94
- Rosemary sprigs for garnish
Method: In a small saucepan, heat the lime juice to a simmer. Slowly stir in the agave or honey until dissolved. Remove from the heat and cool completely. Pour the lime juice mixture into a pitcher. Add the tonic water and add ice to the pitcher, almost filling it. Add Seedlip Spice 94 and stir. Serve in cocktail glasses with a rosemary garnish. Makes one pitcher.
Apple Ginger Crush
“This fruity drink is full of soluble fiber, which can help keep you regular and also bring down cholesterol. It’s also brimming with polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties.”
Recipe
- 4 cups seltzer water
- 1/2 cup fresh apple juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed ginger juice
- 1 apple, cored and sliced
- 5 sliced strawberries
- Mint or thyme sprigs for garnish
Method: In a large pitcher, combine seltzer water, apple juice, and ginger juice. Stir in apple and strawberry slices. Allow to steep in the fridge for at least 20 minutes, then serve over ice. Makes one pitcher.