Here is to Health and Organization in 2010

My two New Years resolutions for 2010 are as follows:

1. Eat healthier foods (less McDonalds)

2. Be more organized at home

I now realize that these resolutions sound rather boring, but they can help to eliminate/reduce stress and fatigue out of my life. I have been challenged with stressful situations and long work hours over the past several months, and I need to find a way to keep balanced. Eating better and being more organized are two ways to help me get to that balance point.

Eating better will give me more energy and keep me feeling better and also help with my running goals! More sleep should also be at the top of the list, but I think focusing on 2 resolutions is enough.

So.... my action plan for resolution #1 involved

1. buying a book to educate me on better foods to eat

2. using that information to buy better foods at the grocery store

3. ensuring a weekly trip to the grocery to keep me out of restaurants

4. bringing my lunch to work at least 3 times a week

5. Only drinking a soda if I am craving one- dont drink one just because

I bought the book Super Foods: 14 Foods that will Change Your Life by Steven G. Pratt and Kathy Meadows while I was in the airport travelling to Atlanta en route to Panama City for Christmas. It is a good book that outlines 14 foods and their supporting foods that have the most valuable nutrients to health. Some doctors dispute the ability of certain foods to better your health, but I figure it can't hurt, and it's definitely better than the greasy pizza and hamburger alternative.

The 14 foods that this book claims to be "super" include the following:

1. blueberries

2. beans

3. soy

4. spinach

5. broccoli

6. tea (green or black)

7. oats

8. tomatoes

9. oranges

10. turkey

11. pumpkin

12. walnuts

13. salmon

14. yogurt

I truly sound like a true "Californian" now - talking about the latest books on food and health. It seems that I am enjoying the culture and embracing lifestyle changes that complement by active lifestyle. (Is this me giving my self a pat on the back)?

Either way, I have been able to incorporate some of these foods into my diet over the past few weeks, and I can notice a difference- I definitely feel more "ready to run" after eating lots of fruits and veggies through the day versus a McDonalds happy meal. :) Also, I know that these 14 foods are not the key to health and fitness. I just use the list to remind myself what foods are good to buy at the grocery store, so I buy yogurt instead of ice cream. I know that I probobly dont need a book to tell me that, but using it as a guideline helps to keep me on track and give me ideas to keep it at the front of my mind. Over a while, it will be come more natural to eat healthier, and I won't have to follow any "shopping list" that comes straight from a book.