I LOVE January. I know there are those who look forward to new resolutions and goals and there are also those who have strong feelings in the other direction. I have learned over the years to let go of drastic lifestyle changes that require perfection on January 1st for an approach that allows me the full month to step back and assess and then move forward slowly with new intentions.

I have LOTS of ideas about things I want to do or do better into 2022 and I feel optimistic.

But today I am going to share a Friday FAVS with a few things that are helping me enjoy a fresh start in the realm of diet and health. And, in case you don’t know … I am a gluten free, mostly low-carb, whole foods enthusiast who needs daily doses of chocolate. I either skip breakfast or eat veggies and protein. I do not miss what I call store bought candy (think Snickers bars) or even homemade cookies. I don’t. I’ve been eating this way long enough that I’m totally good without them. BUT, I do enjoy healthier choices for shakes and snacks and chocolate.

So, here you go …

ONE. Naked Nutrition Protein Shakes (sponsored)

I know. There are so many protein powders and shake mixes on the market. Why not just grab something at Costco? I love Costco btw, but I’m kinda into reading ingredient labels and the ingredients in Naked Shake protein powders are just what I’m looking for. Here are the ingredients in the above pictured, Hot Cocoa flavor …

Pea Protein, Alkalized Cocoa, Coconut Sugar, Natural Plant Based Flavors, MCT Powder, Potassium Chloride, Sea Salt, Fermented Cane Sugar, Monk Fruit Extract.

I feel much better when I avoid refined sugars, which is why I love finding products with coconut sugar (keep reading) When the ingredients line up AND it tastes good, that’s a WIN.

Now, I’ve only tried this hot cocoa flavor, so I’m not an expert yet. But I have a vanilla on order. This is my NEW favorite way to skip a meal or enjoy something sweet and satisfying in the afternoon before dinner prep. My experience so far is that these shakes are not very thick (which I like) so it tastes like chocolate milk that you can feel really good about drinking.

p.s. Mostly out of habit, I throw in a handful of spinach or sometimes a 1/2 of frozen banana.

ALSO … Naked Nutrition makes these protein cookies as well. I got to try the sugar cookie flavor and I just ordered both the oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip. They’re a little on the pricy side, but if you value health you get to pay a little more! AND, sometimes you just need a cookie.

By the way, I put these in my kids stockings and they were a hit!

TWO. Lono Life Keto Broth Sticks

I use my instant pot to make my own bone broth—mostly for making soups! But when I don’t have homemade broth or frozen bones and two hours, then it’s nice to be able to reach for these handy little instant broth “sticks” (which I purchased at Costco). Sometimes in the afternoon I don’t want sweet. I want savory and warm and comforting. My favorite is the Keto Chicken.

Try this: Throw a few in your travel bag and use the hotel’s coffee maker to “brew” a nice mug of broth. Do that and I promise you’ll feel healthy—you’ll sleep better too.

Get a scoop-able container of Logo Life in your favorite flavor on Amazon.

THREE. Dr. Bronner’s Chocolate

Drum roll please …. my NEW favorite chocolate bar, from the famous soap-maker, Dr. Bonner!

It’s true. A soap-maker made chocolate bar, wrapped up in COLORFUL, fun to read messages about keeping our planet safe, fair and clean. I’ve pasted the video below so you can hear the story!

Again, I’m into ingredients. Here’s what’s in the Roasted Whole Hazelnuts bar:

Fair Trade Organic Coco Beans, Fair Trade Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Hazelnuts, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Fair Trade Organic Bourbon Vanilla Bean.

That’s it. Nothing not good. AND, so YUM. Start with the 6-flavor multi-pack on Amazon and then promise me you’ll tell me what your favorite is.

Did I mention I’m with the guy on the left?
I’m partial to those whole hazelnuts!

FOUR. A Better Jam

From World of Chia in three flavors! Add some to a vanilla shake, or to your plain yogurt or spread a little on homemade (GF) biscuits—I’ll post my favorite recipe soon. Plus you get the health benefits and natural thickness of chia seeds instead of pectin.

Ingredients: Raspberries, Organic Agave Nectar, Organic Chia Seeds, Lime Juice

Move over Smuckers because this is good (sweet) stuff and you deserve some good, sweet stuff!
Try a pack of all THREE flavors on Amazon.

FIVE. Green Chef

For the last 4 months or so, we have been receiving 3 Green Chef meals (for dinner) each week. My husband actually set this up and selects the meals. Addie and I prepare the meals together and I have LOVED learning additional cooking skills.
We’ve saved the full color ingredients lists and step-by-step instruction cards and starting now, we’re suspending our subscription to see if I can use what we’ve amassed as shopping lists. Chase is home from college for this semester, so our 2-meal plan (which we’ve been using to feed Geoff, me and Addie) is not quite sufficient. I’m excited to see if this approach will work.

Have you used a meal prep service before? If so, which one? What did you or do you think?

Worth it?

Now, please share with me your plans for a happy and healthy 2022 🥳
What products, services, recipes and ideas are you excited about?

Comment below!