8 TIPS FOR GETTING BACK INTO A HEALTHY ROUTINE

 

If there’s anything I’ve learned about being a stay-at-home, working mom, it’s the realization that nobody can do it all. There’s no such thing as being the perfect mom or having the perfect family.

I’ve come to learn that life is a lot easier when we have a daily routine set in place. So whether it’s after a holiday, at the end of a vacation or any other reason – below are some quick and easy tips to help you get back on track and back to routine!

Have healthy, nutritious meals at the ready.

Trevor is extremely active, so being on the go with sports and activities is part of who we are. I love preparing healthy and nutritious meals for my family, but with our busy schedules, it’s not always possible. It takes a lot of time to buy all the ingredients, wash them, prep them and cook them. So when I was listening to my favorite podcast and kept hearing commercials for Daily Harvest – a meal delivery service that allows you to whip up quick and healthy meals at the ready with virtually no prep & exactly zero seconds spent at the grocery store – I just knew I had to give them a try!

We just customize the box with our Daily Harvest faves, process the order, and before we know it… whoomp there it is! No more wilted fruits and veggies in the back of the fridge, y’all! (when I’m too busy to meal prep because) Everything gets stored in the freezer until we’re ready to eat. What could be better than THAT?!

For breakfast, I’ve been having Daily Harvest smoothies on repeat all week. They are SO, SO GOOD! Everything comes frozen in one sealed cup, so you just fill it with the liquid of your choice (almond milk, coconut water, etc.), blend on high until smooth, and pour it back into the ready-to-go container. The Cold Brew + Almond is pretty much the only thing I need to get me through the morning (it tastes like a healthier frappe!), and if you’re an ice cream lover like me, you’re going to love the Mint + Cacao because is tastes like a mint milkshake. It’s definitely one of my favorites! I’m also currently loving the Acai + Cherry added with unsweetened almond milk + organic nut butter. Seriously guys, when you can make a smoothie and it tastes like pb + j, you did goooood!

If you haven’t signed up for Daily Harvest yet, now. is. the. time. Don’t miss the promo code at the bottom of the post for $25 off your first box!

Start the day well.
Anyone else a morning person? Proud member of the 6 am club here! If getting back into a routine is your goal, then the beginning of your day is a great place to start! I loooove my mornings SO MUCH! This is where I find my balance from all the chaos of the week. For me, it involves some quiet time reading, praying and getting in some movement like yoga or stretching. I also like listening to motivating podcasts when I’m getting ready in the morning. It’s amazing what a daily dose of motivation in the morning will do! There’s no blueprint for morning routines, so find what works for you and stick with it. Run the day or let the day run you. BOOM!

Get Your Body Moving.

My schedule is built around my work and family, but I’ve learned that in order to take care of others, we must first take care of ourselves. Know what’s always on my to-do list? My workout time. Whether I’m lifting weights, flowing my heart out on my yoga mat or walking at our local park, I cannot go a day without moving my body in SOME way. It’s not about numbers. It’s not about rock hard abs. It’s about being a happy and healthy mama.

Have a nutritious lunch.

We all have those really busy days when it can be a challenge to make a healthy, delicious lunch. Believe me! I’ve been there. Shortly after we were married, Tim and I were both working at the same college and we would go out to eat for lunch ALL THE TIME. Although I have to give myself props for knowing how to navigate a menu like a pro, we now eat so much healthier than we used to years ago!

Sticking to your health goals can seem harder when you’re really busy, but there are a lot of options when it comes to healthy lunch ideas. The Daily Harvest Cauliflower + Leek soup is one of my go-to meals when I’m craving hearty, comfort food. It’s packed with nutrients, dairy-free and so simple to make! And because soup often demands some accompaniment, I love pairing it with one of Daily Harvest’s new gluten-free Flatbreads. The creamy sauce and crispy crust on the Artichoke + Spinach is PERFECTION! (Tip: add some marinara sauce, and you’ve got yourself a gluten-free pizza!) We’re also big fans of the quick and easy Harvest Bowls. They’re seriously ready in like 5 minutes! Today I decided to add some fajita chicken and avocado slices to the Quinoa + Chipotle Harvest Bowl for a quick and healthy meal full of fresh ingredients, quality proteins, healthy fats and incredible flavor! If you crave a little spice in your life, this DEFINITELY has to be on your rotation!

Invest in a clean house!

Cleaning is not something I love doing, but when my house is clean, I’m a lot more productive. I’m honestly less stressed and able to concentrate more because I’m not worrying about laundry that needs to be folded or papers that have to get sorted. Some days it takes a little motivation to get started, but once I start, I don’t stop. I also swear by having non-negotiable, consistent tasks to keep my home organized. For me, that means setting up a daily, weekly and monthly schedule and sticking to it! A place for everything and everything in its place – a recipe for beautiful living.

Stock up on healthy snacks.

Being prepared is the real secret to having healthy snacks at the ready when you’re craving something sweet (ummm… when aren’t we?) or you just need something to get you through that 3 pm slump.

The best snacks are both nutritious and delicious, which is why I am obsessed with the Bites from Daily Harvest. I just adore the real ingredients, as always. They’re insanely good, and they’re all gluten-free! Plus, they require no work or wait time – you just eat them straight out of the freezer! Each cup comes with 7 bites, which means Tim and I don’t get to evenly share them. I typically get the last one, though, because he loves me a lot haha. The Hazelnut and Chocolate Bites are ahhhmazing and almost melt-in-your-mouth when you bite in. If you’re feeling a little wild, toss a few of the Cacao Nib + Vanilla Bites in a food processor, pulse for a few seconds and you’ve got ready-to-eat chocolate chip cookie dough! Do it and thank me later.

Find some time for gratitude.

I’ve been taking time to practice gratitude before bed every night and it’s really helping me to shift my perspective from what I did during the day to what I received – that little bit of sunshine, time with my family, the most fab cup of coffee ever – all the things that make my day richer. It’s about setting myself up with good vibes, so I can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to start the day with THAT energy.

Take it one day at a time.

Getting back into a routine may take some time, so don’t beat yourself up if you are feeling overwhelmed. Experiment with different things until you find out what works for you! Getting adequate rest, fueling your body optimally, taking inventory of your mental health and getting in some daily movement are ALL contributing factors to living a healthy, happy life. Remember, planning = success!

What are your secrets to getting back into a routine? Share in the comments below so we can all follow along!

Here are some other Daily Harvest favorites of mine…

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* in collaboration with Daily Harvest