Not everyone is a fan of New Year’s resolutions. But we hope to inspire you with these 5 tips that would take minimal effort and make a major positive impact on your life.

If you desire a healthier lifestyle that gets you feeling happier, healthier and more energetic, here are some simple ways to make major changes this year!  

1.   Eat (more) whole foods

One of the most sustainable changes to implement and create a healthier you in 2024 is by eating more whole foods such as: vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, whole grains and fish. These foods contain an enormous amount of nutrients that  your body needs.

Whole foods will also help you feel energised for longer periods of time. Whole foods can help reduce heart disease, body weight, blood sugar levels and decrease the risk of disease.

2.    Cut back on sweetened beverages

If you love your sweet drinks, especially ones with carbonation, consider pops with alternative sweeteners such as stevia, or monk fruit. 

Start weaning yourself off the sugar by switching it out for flavoured water with carbonation!  Sugary drinks have been linked to an increased risk of obesity, fatty liver, heart disease and insulin resistance and cavities. 

Dropping the sweet drinks is an easy way to cut calories if you have a weight loss goal this year!

3.   Get up and get moving! 

Whether you have a career that keeps you behind a desk all day or struggle to get motivated, sitting too much has a negative impact on your body and overall health.  Having a resolution to sit less this year can be easily attained by implementing a 15-minute walk on your lunch break or getting up for a 5-minute walk and stretching every hour.

Perhaps your job is close enough that you could walk or ride a bike to work. Over time you’ll start to notice and feel the positive effects moving has on your joints and muscles, your stamina, your mental state as well as your digestion! 

Consider taking a 15-minute walk after dinner by yourself or with your family. 

4.   Spend less time on the screen and more time outside!

Do you spend too much time in front of a screen? Put down the screen and get outside. Studies are showing a correlation between increased screen use/social media engagement and rates of depression and anxiety.

If you feel affected in this way, take some time away, leave your phone behind and head outside for a walk to get some fresh air and vitamin D. After only 10 minutes of being outdoors in nature our blood pressure begins to lower, and mood and focus improves.

Forget about the world for a moment and be present with self and nature. Bring your family along for some quality time being present with one another. 

5.   Drink more water!

It’s a well known that human beings are made up of 50 to 70% water. We also know that we should be drinking 2.7 to 3.7 litres of water a day. Yet, many of us aren’t.

Drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day will increase your energy levels, brain function and physical performance. It may also help treat and prevent headaches, as well as relieving constipation and kidney stones.

Give it a try by waking up and drinking 4 oz. of water right away, then another 4 oz. while making breakfast, 4 oz. while eating and 4 oz. when you’re done. Before you start work you’ve already finished two glasses!

If you were to incorporate a similar routine at lunch and dinner that would guarantee 6 out of the 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Do this consistently and you will notice your body performing better. 

One step at a time

When you think about creating a healthier lifestyle for yourself, take it one step at a time. Start by implementing one small change and in being consistent, create the momentum to reach your goals. 

You’ve got this!

Happy 2024!

Did you know that plastic never fully disappears? This means that the plastic tableware and decorations at your party will still exist when your child is a grown adult.

When I started thinking of plastic in those terms, it made me far more conscious of every piece that we use. Not only do we want to leave our planet in a better place for our children but planning a plastic-free ‘green’ party also sets a good example of what it means to be a good steward.

So, what are some easy ways to plan a plastic-free party?

Reusable tableware

Clark Park Party Box is a neighborhood initiative where you can borrow reusable plates, cutlery and cups for FREE! It’s very easy to use (and easily replicable if you want to start one for your own block):

1. Book your box at: https://clarkparkpartybox.wordpress.com/
2. Pick up near Woodland and 10th near East Van
3. Host an awesome event without single-use dishes!
4. Wash the dishes in the dishwasher
5. Return the box

Local Buy Nothing Groups

The Buy Nothing Project has spurred a movement of groups of like-minded neighbours who offer each other a way to give and receive, share, lend, and express gratitude.

Post anything you’d like to give away, lend or share in a Buy Nothing community group. Ask for anything you’d like to receive for free or borrow.

The Cedar Cottage/Trout Lake Buy Nothing, like many local Buy Nothings, is a closed Facebook group so you’ll need a Facebook account to join.

It may take a little practice to figure it out at first (be sure to read the group’s guidelines) but once you do, it’s a great way to share.  How better to pass on items that you are done with and also acquire new items than hyperlocally?

For example, I put a ISO (In Search Of) post in the group for party decor. Neighbours post what they have available to keep or borrow and I coordinate with them directly for pick up/ drop off. In response, a neighbour gave us an entire unicorn-themed party box, which I then passed on through the Buy Nothing Group after our party.

Nix the goody bags

Parents everywhere should vow to stop filling little plastic bags with dollar store toys that break within days.

This is not to say you can’t send guests home with a small token. Use paper bags or a reusable bag/lunch container if you are going to have goody bags or consider a small paperback book or gift certificate for a treat at a local store.

Make recycling easy

A true zero waste party would mean no garbage — everything would be recycled. Perhaps “low waste” would be more easily attainable target than zero (at first, anyway; it becomes easier with practice!).

I recently hosted an outdoor birthday party where snacks were in individual packages. I left out four clearly labeled bins: cans, plastic, green bin and garbage.

To my surprise, guests were happy to sort their waste and, at the end of the party, the garbage bag was the smallest of all bins. It made me realize that if you make it easy for people to recycle they are more than happy to do it.

For even more fun, encourage and engage kids to do the sorting — make it a game to earn a prize!

Sadly, flexible plastic packaging like chip bags are not accepted in our home recycling bins. However, you can bring it to a local recycling depot (click to find yours) or to retail stores that accept it.

For example, London Drugs collects all sorts of recyclable items at the front of their stores. The closest recycling centre to Trout Lake is Vancouver Zero Waste Centre: 8588 Yukon Street. 

If you want to take it even a step further, encourage guests to bring their own cup/bottle. Starting party guests with this habit young will get them used to always bringing their own reusables to events.

At the end of the day, children don’t need much to have a good time!I realized that some of the fancy details that parents stress about (like mismatched plates) often don’t matter to a child. As long as there is cake, kids seem to be happy!