5 Healthy Habits I can stick to

Greetings! It's been way too long!
I just got back from a fun family vacation in Florida. We had the BEST time together! Much needed for all of us. I felt really good coming back from vacation & realized I kept up with my healthy habits while away. So difficult to do! This is honestly one of two times this has actually happened. Lol. Both in the last year. I wanted to share 5 easy habits that I've implemented into my healthy routine that have really helped my daily life. They're simple & can be really impactful.

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1. Eat at home as much as possible.

We often pack food for long walks, theme parks or airplane trips.

Homemade pizza (with a plain pre-made crust) is one of our favorite meals!

Waffles are always better in your pjs.

​I know it's hard. Making food every day & night can be tiresome. BUT it doesn't have to be fancy, time consuming or special. Save special meals for 1-2 times per week when you have the energy to be creative. Eating at home 5-6 nights per week (& prioritizing lunch at home/packed) has really moved the needle on my family's overall health. I know what's going into the food we eat. I can control portions, ingredients & food quality. It also helps us appreciate being at home & spending time with one another. Mental health bonus points!

When we travel we always pack food for the plane, have a stash of our own snacks, ship bulky items (protein powder) & shop at local grocery stores for supplies.

- Browse my IG @jenkinshouseonthehill or HouseOnTheHill.co for lots of meal inspo.
- Search "easy meal ideas" or "easy healthy meals" on Pinterest, Instagram or YouTube. SO many ideas out there!
- Check out my month of meal ideas resource: Eat 6 Challenge

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2. Make a grocery list & stick to it. OR Buy Groceries online.

You most likely aren't adding the splurge or crave worthy foods on your list. Simply add the basics (eggs, fresh fruit, protein, greens...) & allow yourself 1-3 special items that weren't on the list. For example, I like to drink cold brew so I will grab a single serve one with oat milk or a fruity iced tea. Or if I need something sweet I will pick up a nice bar of chocolate. My husband likes to pick out a bag of chips that he hasn't tried & the kids will find their item as well. Allowing yourself to browse every single item in the store....results in lots of unnecessary  junk & money spent. Full up a majority of your cart around the perimeter of the store!

If you prefer online grocery shopping, follow the same concept. Make a list of items you need and type in the search bar for each one. The favorites or "buy again" tabs come in handy if you purchase routine items. Not physically being in the store & being unable to wander really helps me focus on the items I actually need. Much less impulse buying!

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3. Recognize how specific meals or foods make you feel afterwards.

One of our favorite coffee shops. Clean coffee without all the added sugar!

We all have those restaurants where we leave feeling very icky. I personally don't choose to visit those establishments anymore. OR I find something on the menu that isn't going to derail me. A delightful meal for me is never worth a regretful evening in the bathroom.  : ) Your gut will thank you later. 

At home I pay attention to products I buy or specific ingredients & how they make me feel. Certain ingredients (beans, dairy, garlic, soy) just don't agree with me personally so I watch my intake of them.

When I pay attention to what my body is telling me & make adjustments I feel so much better! I have never felt bad after eating a nourishing meal.....funny how that works.

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4. A daily Smoothie.

Watch my latest vlog below: 3 Reasons Why I Drink a Smoothie Almost Every Day
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5. A morning & evening routine.

I focus on a small set of things to complete each morning & evening. There are small changes at times but it mostly stays the same. Having set tasks to complete for each routine helps me make the most of my time. It is so routine at this point that I feel off when I can't complete it! I definitely feel healthier & more mentally focused when I have these routines.

Morning: 6:15-7:15 am
- Coffee with collagen (My favorite collagen - use code JENKINS10 for 10% off)
- Glass of water
- Get ready & listen to a podcast/book/relaxing playlist
- Start a load of laundry or tidy kitchen
- Make a smoothie & take AM supplements
Ready to join the family to start their day!

Evening: 8:30-10:30 pm
- Catch up with Brandon & finish any clean-up
- Fill up a large water bottle & take PM supplements
- Pjs, dim lights & turn on diffuser
- Wash face, brush teeth, take out contacts
- Read or watch a show 

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I hope you found these 5 healthy habits helpful! These habits have helped me build a healthier lifestyle. Your health is dependent on your goals, form habits that fit you personally!

Please share your favorite healty habit on my latest instagram post or in the comment section below.