New Year’s Resolutions
Happy New Year! Here’s a toast to 2024. Let’s make this the year we all make healthier choices for ourselves and for the planet.
If you haven’t landed on New Year’s Resolutions yet—or even if you have—consider these as possible additions to your list of goals for the year:
Eat more plants
People who eat lots of fruits and vegetables have lower risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and even some types of cancer. To live a long, healthy life—that also minimizes the effects of factory farming and cow farts on the planet—resolve to eat more plants in 2024.
You don’t have to go totally vegan or vegetarian! If you’re used to having animal protein at every meal, start with just swapping out one meal a week for something a little more veggie-forward.
Here are a few planet-based recipes to get you started:
Roasted artichokes: Steamed artichokes are great, but roasting them really takes it to the next level. Recommend pairing this with an easy blender hollandaise sauce to impress your guests and delight your tongue.
Eggplant with chili garlic sauce: Spicy, savory, and utterly irresistible—this recipe is every bit as filling as a meat-based recipe.
Berry caprese salad: Okay, this is a bit summery for the dead of winter, but sometimes you need a sunny burst of freshness in these dark, cold days. And for those nights when you really don’t want to cook but you do want something tasty and healthy, caprese is quick and easy to prep.
2. Avoid processed, packaged food
When we’re in a hurry, we often reach for something pre-packed because it feels quick and easy. And yes, some evenings, quick and easy is the name of the game for busy people: we don’t always have time for intentional eating and involved dinners.
But avoiding processed, packaged food doesn’t have to be hard! Instead of a bag of chips, grab an apple or an orange as a snack. Keep greens, olive oil, and vinegar around for a fresh salad when you need a quick dinner. Pop some popcorn in a pot on the stove instead of buying a bag of it from the store.
You may not always have time for intentional eating, but doing some intentional grocery shopping can help make healthy choices easier even when you’re in a hurry. It’s healthier AND it produces less trash.
3. Compost!
Composting is one of the best things you can do to help the planet. KC Can Compost makes it easy: they’ll give you a big orange bucket. Whenever you have food waste, just throw it in the bucket instead of throwing it in the garbage. When the bucket is full, take it to one of the conveniently located local KC businesses that act as collection sites and dump your compost. As a bonus, you never have stinky trash cans and you won’t have to take out the trash nearly as often.
If you already compost, make 2024 the year you tell a friend about the benefits of composting.
And whatever your goals are for 2024, good luck and happy New Year!