Self-Care & Mental Health

New Beginnings – Reaching Goals in Unprecedented Times

How are those New Year’s resolutions coming along? If getting your ducks in a row has been challenging, it’s with good reason – 2020 was rather unkind. This year, we’d like to help you reach your health goals by folding realistic objectives into your lifestyle.

We’re guessing your focus lands beyond a trimmer waistline, but let’s get some perspective on holistic health. Common factors are digestion, immune function, stress levels and mental fitness. For better or worse, all of these may be influenced by your daily routine. You may be feeling limited under the circumstances, but we know a few easy habits you can adopt to manifest more good-for-you goals in 2021.

3 EASY HABITS TO ADD TO YOUR ROUTINE

There’s no motivator like success! That’s why smaller lifestyle shifts make sense when real change is the goal. They allow you to note progress and celebrate often along the way. More than ever, we could use that kind of encouragement! Rather than sprinting, start with baby steps that are delicious, relaxing and mind expanding.

1) CRUSH YOUR CRAVINGS WHILE SUPPORTING DIGESTION AND IMMUNE FUNCTION

VANILLA CHEESECAKE WITH HAZELNUTS AND CHOCOLATE GANACHECRUNCHY GRANOLA BARKSAVORY OATS WITH YOGURT AND SWISS CHARDEating more foods with live probiotics is incredibly helpful to balance the gut, where most immune cells live. Adding basic toppings to a cup of Nancy’s Organic Whole Milk Yogurt is easy when you’re on the go, or try these simple and scrumptious recipes to crush deeper cravings at home:

Vanilla and chocolate: Spoon into this no-bake version of classic vanilla cheesecake made with Nancy’s Organic 100% Grass-Fed Yogurt and rich chocolate ganache.

Crunchy, sweet and salty: Get all three when you add this recipe for granola bark to Nancy’s Organic 100% Grass-Fed Yogurt or Nancy’s Oatmilk Non-Dairy Yogurt.

Something savory: Combine Nancy’s Whole Milk Yogurt with toasty oatmeal and swiss chard for a powerhouse bowl that’s nutrient dense.

2) CATCH UP WHILE YOU LOOSEN UP

Your health is the priority, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on relaxing in the company of others. Instead of meeting up in person, schedule a regular conference call to join friends for remote yoga and nature walks. Something as simple as catching up with your favorite people can help relax your mind and give your nervous system a break.

3) PREP AND WIND DOWN FOR OPTIMAL SLEEP

Dear to our family and familiar to many, ‘The Giving Tree,’ by Shel Siverstein is a bittersweet tale of love between a boy and a tree who has become his keeper and guardian.

‘Boys in the Boat’ by Daniel James Brown follows the 1936 crew team along their journey from University of Washington to the Olympic Games in Berlin. Our family has loved reading this book, taking it along on road trips and tattering the pages.

Ken Kesey’s ‘Sometimes A Great Notion’ is set right here in Oregon. We remember Ken as a pillar in our family who led the creative adventures of young and old. To keep that spirit alive, we love re-reading his classic tale. Many have told us this novel is the reason they came to Oregon.

We hope we’ve helped pave a reasonable path to reaching your health goals this year. If you can meet objectives like “treating yourself” with live probiotics, unwinding with friends and getting carried away with a good book, you’ll be on the way to positive change faster than you think. Remember, we’re on this journey too, and celebrating your success every step of the way.

Happy New Year! Wishing you peace and wellness in 2021.

❤️ – The Kesey Family & all the folks at Springfield Creamery