The new year is notorious for inspiring people to turn over a new leaf, radically change their lifestyle, and make resolutions that will fall by the wayside by mid-February. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Instead of making a resolution that will frustrate and discourage you, choose one that will excite and inspire you.
Here are ten fun (and achievable!) food resolutions to keep your taste buds happy all year long.
- Try a new fruit or veggie every week. There are so many exotic options in the grocery store these days, but it’s easy to pass them up in favor of our old stand-bys. Commit to trying new things by picking up one piece of new-to-you produce each week to sample with your family.
- Cook at home ____ times each week. Everybody has a different lifestyle. Some people cook daily, while others purchase pre-prepared items on the regular. If you cook infrequently but want to improve your cooking skills or eating habits, choose a realistic-for-you number of times to cook at home each week.
- Try the entire line of Fletcher’s products. If you haven’t tried all of our offerings, make this the year that you do. We’ve got eleven delicious options including several varieties of bacon, ham, and sausages. Wondering where to find them? Check out our “Where to Buy” page!
- Take a “real food challenge.” See if you can enjoy food in its original form and live without processed products for a time frame that feels reasonable to you. Try it for a week, 10 days, 2 weeks, a month…how long do you think you can last?
- Try one new restaurant each month. You love your favorite haunts, but you might discover something even more amazing if you expand your horizons. Once a month, try a new restaurant. Bonus points if it’s a locally owned establishment!
- Plan your snacks. If you truly desire to eat healthier, start with your snacks. Snacks are where many people get off track, and it’s less overwhelming than trying to revamp your whole eating plan and do intensive food prep. Commit to only snacking on fruits and veggies (and keep them readily available), or prep some high-protein options to have on hand for that mid-afternoon snack attack.
- Try a “freezer week.” Skip the grocery store for one week and see what you can forage out of your own kitchen. Between the freezer and the pantry, we bet you can get creative and come up with some interesting meals, all while using up forgotten items and saving money!
- Eat local. Make an effort to seek out and sample products that are grown or produced locally in your region. You might discover a new favorite brand!
- Try a new cuisine each month. The global marketplace has made the world smaller than ever. We have exposure to international cuisine and access to specialty products like never before. Each month, try a new regional cuisine, either at a local restaurant or by cooking up a culinary adventure right in your own kitchen.
- Learn to make one of your family’s signature dishes. Every family has recipes that are ingrained in the family’s culture: the Thanksgiving stuffing, that special holiday treat, or the Sunday sauce that simmers all day and permeates the house. Help be the culture-keeper in your family by learning to make one of these signature dishes. Even better, make a date with the relative who traditionally makes it and have them teach you personally. They’ll probably pass down some great family stories as well!
What is your food resolution for the New Year?
