When you make up your mind to start eating healthier it can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. If you’re not careful, your enthusiasm to improve your health through healthy eating will get derailed by the planning and extra work involved.

Before you jump in determined to eat healthy 100% of the time, set aside a little time to think about what healthy eating looks like to you and develop a strategy to make the transition.

The key to successfully developing healthy eating habits is to keep it simple.

Start with one meal. 

As you begin to eat healthier drop the all or nothing mentality. Focus on eating healthy just one meal a day. For example, plan some easy and healthy breakfasts for the week.  Spend that week focused on eating a healthy breakfast every day.

After a week or two, incorporate another meal. Choose whichever you would find easiest to plan and stick to. Focus on two healthy meals a day for a week or two before adding in your third meal or snack. Continue to do this until you build the habit of healthy eating. This strategy will help you gradually change the way you think about eating without being overwhelmed by it.

Make healthy swaps.

Think about the foods you already enjoy and how you can make them healthier. Instead of eating a burger and fries, have a burger salad. Instead of making yourself some instant oatmeal or eating a bowl of sugary cereal, make yourself some regular oatmeal sweetened with fruit and a little honey. Eat raw veggies instead of chips and crackers to satisfy your desire for a crunchy side. Eat a square of super dark chocolate instead of a regular chocolate bar.

Keep meals simple.

Don’t go crazy trying out lots of new healthy recipes. It will just overwhelm you. Keep your meals very simple.

Breakfast could be oatmeal with fruit and honey or scrambled eggs with sautéed veggies on the side. Lunch could be a hearty salad, a smoothie, or a wrap filled with meat and vegetables. Dinner could be baked chicken with steamed veggies and rice, a quick and easy stir fry, or a big pot of soup made with healthy ingredients.

Allow yourself to try no more than one or two new recipes a week. Over time you will find lot of new, healthy recipes that you and your family enjoy.

Plan and prep.

Knowing what you’re going to eat and doing a little prep work will go a long way in helping you stay on track with your healthy eating.

Take a few minutes at the beginning of the week to plan out your meals. This shouldn’t take long. Remember to keep it simple.

Then, set aside a little time to do some prep work. You can easily do this while you’re already in the kitchen preparing a meal. Chopping veggies for a meal? Chop extra to use as snacks or in other recipes later in the week. Baking chicken? Bake extra to use in wraps, salads, and soups during the week.

Prep work doesn’t have to be complicated and it will make a big difference in how the rest of your week goes.

Give yourself grace.

Remember when I said to drop the all or nothing mentality? That is so important. If you get off track for one meal, or two meals, or even a few days of meals, it will be okay. Take a moment to think about why you’re off track, give yourself some grace, and start over with your very next meal.

You cannot change poor eating habits overnight. This is a process and you’ll enjoy it a whole lot more if you’re not constantly beating yourself up when you don’t make the best choices.

Healthy eating is a crucial factor in improving overall health. While it’s not always easy to change your eating habits, it doesn’t have to be complicated.  A few simple strategies will get you on the road to healthy eating.

Have you changed your eating habits? What are your best healthy eating tips?

The post Simple Steps To Healthy Eating Habits appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

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Yep, you read that correctly. This week is our last installment of Healthy2Day Wednesday. We have had so much fun sharing posts and ideas with you all – and we love that you came back week after week to learn from others and share your own ideas, but the ladies of H2W have decided it’s time to retire our link up.

Note from Rachel: Thank you to everyone who has participated in and linked up @ H2W’s over the years! I have loved every minute of it! Sometimes it’s time to say “Goodbye” and I’m afraid that time is now. I have loved getting to “know” all of you through this linking up and coming to visit all your blogs! Hope to see you around here! 

This week’s Top Three Picks have been picked by Paula.

Congratulations! Your posts have been shared on Facebook/Twitter and our Healthy 2Day Wednesday Pinterest board.

Grind your own cacao powder with A Life Unprocessed.

Enjoy Grain-Free Cinnamon Breakfast Bars with Real Food Forager.

Learn how Montana Solar Creations cooked Thanksgiving off-grid.

Thank you so much for your participation! We hope you’ll still join us as we blog about healthy living at:

The post Healthy 2day Wednesdays {Final Link-Up} appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving, you probably noticed that we took a break! 

Each week we encourage you to link up with ideas, tips, healthy recipes, natural remedies, alternative medicine, going “green”, and more. Even if you don’t have something to share, there’s always something of interest to read or a new idea to find.

Healthy 2Day Wednesdays is happily hosted by:
Rachel of Day2Day Joys
Carrie of Young Living Oil Lady
Anne of Authentic Simplicity
Paula of Whole Intentions

Please stop by all our blogs for great ideas on living healthy lives!

This week’s Top Three Picks have been picked byAnne.

Congratulations! Your posts have been shared on Facebook/Twitter and our Healthy 2Day Wednesday Pinterest board.

Link up to any of our blogs with your favorite healthy post.

Guidelines for this Link-Up:

Share an idea, tip, recipe, things to avoid, something new to try, natural remedy, alternative medicine, going “green” tips, etc. that will help us to remain or become more healthy!

• If this is your first time participating read more info & get button here (also find the “I’ve been featured” button there)
• Comment on another participant’s post, this builds community.
• Add button or link back to that day’s link up.
• Spread the word so we can learn more ideas on keep our families healthy; feel free to share on Facebook or Twitter.
• Ideas: homebirths, natural remedies, an interesting article, something eco-friendly, a review, natural cleaner, alternative or holistic approaches to health, how to’s, the list goes on & on!
• If you are adding a recipe, make sure the ingredients do not include white flour, refined sugar, processed products, packages products (unless it is clearly stated or pictured that it is organic or all natural) and the like. We are looking for whole food recipes that are beneficial to our health.
• If you have any questions regarding H2W’s, please contact Rachel.
• If you’re not participating today, I hope you’ll come back & join in next week!

The post Healthy 2day Wednesdays appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

Would you like to share your ideas for healthy living? Each week we encourage you to link up with ideas, tips, healthy recipes, natural remedies, alternative medicine, going “green”, and more. Even if you don’t have something to share, there’s always something of interest to read or a new idea to find. I can’t tell you you how many lovely blogs I visit each week – it’s great!

Healthy 2Day Wednesdays is happily hosted by:
Rachel of Day2Day Joys
Carrie of Young Living Oil Lady
Anne of Authentic Simplicity
Paula of Whole Intentions

Please stop by all our blogs for great ideas on living healthy lives!

This week’s Top Three Picks have been picked by Rachel.

Congratulations! Your posts have been shared on Facebook/Twitter and our Healthy 2Day Wednesday Pinterest board.

This Pumpkin Banana Pear Green Smoothie looks yummy and super healthy!

Whole New Mom shares how food really does effect behavior!

This is a 2 ingredient fudge from My Sister’s Pantry!

Link up to any of our blogs with your favorite healthy post.

Guidelines for this Link-Up:

Share an idea, tip, recipe, things to avoid, something new to try, natural remedy, alternative medicine, going “green” tips, etc. that will help us to remain or become more healthy!

• If this is your first time participating read more info & get button here (also find the “I’ve been featured” button there)
• Comment on another participant’s post, this builds community.
• Add button or link back to that day’s link up.
• Spread the word so we can learn more ideas on keep our families healthy; feel free to share on Facebook or Twitter.
• Ideas: homebirths, natural remedies, an interesting article, something eco-friendly, a review, natural cleaner, alternative or holistic approaches to health, how to’s, the list goes on & on!
• If you are adding a recipe, make sure the ingredients do not include white flour, refined sugar, processed products, packages products (unless it is clearly stated or pictured that it is organic or all natural) and the like. We are looking for whole food recipes that are beneficial to our health.
• If you have any questions regarding H2W’s, please contact Rachel.
• If you’re not participating today, I hope you’ll come back & join in next week!

The post Healthy 2day Wednesday appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

Would you like to share your ideas for healthy living? Each week we encourage you to link up with ideas, tips, healthy recipes, natural remedies, alternative medicine, going “green”, and more. Even if you don’t have something to share, there’s always something of interest to read or a new idea to find. I can’t tell you you how many lovely blogs I visit each week – it’s great!

Healthy 2Day Wednesdays is happily hosted by:
Rachel of Day2Day Joys
Carrie of Young Living Oil Lady
Anne of Authentic Simplicity
Paula of Whole Intentions

Please stop by all our blogs for great ideas on living healthy lives!

This week’s Top Three Picks have been picked by Carrie.

Congratulations! Your posts have been shared on Facebook/Twitter and our Healthy 2Day Wednesday Pinterest board.

Link up to any of our blogs with your favorite healthy post.

Guidelines for this Link-Up:

Share an idea, tip, recipe, things to avoid, something new to try, natural remedy, alternative medicine, going “green” tips, etc. that will help us to remain or become more healthy!

• If this is your first time participating read more info & get button here (also find the “I’ve been featured” button there)
• Comment on another participant’s post, this builds community.
• Add button or link back to that day’s link up.
• Spread the word so we can learn more ideas on keep our families healthy; feel free to share on Facebook or Twitter.
• Ideas: homebirths, natural remedies, an interesting article, something eco-friendly, a review, natural cleaner, alternative or holistic approaches to health, how to’s, the list goes on & on!
• If you are adding a recipe, make sure the ingredients do not include white flour, refined sugar, processed products, packages products (unless it is clearly stated or pictured that it is organic or all natural) and the like. We are looking for whole food recipes that are beneficial to our health.
• If you have any questions regarding H2W’s, please contact Rachel.
• If you’re not participating today, I hope you’ll come back & join in next week!

The post Healthy 2day Wednesdays appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

Would you like to share your ideas for healthy living? Each week we encourage you to link up with ideas, tips, healthy recipes, natural remedies, alternative medicine, going “green”, and more. Even if you don’t have something to share, there’s always something of interest to read or a new idea to find. I can’t tell you you how many lovely blogs I visit each week – it’s great!

Healthy 2Day Wednesdays is happily hosted by:
Rachel of Day2Day Joys
Carrie of Young Living Oil Lady
Anne of Authentic Simplicity
Paula of Whole Intentions

Please stop by all our blogs for great ideas on living healthy lives!

This week’s Top Three

Congratulations! Your posts have been shared on Facebook and our Healthy 2Day Wednesday group board.

Preserving the Bounty: Freezing Fresh Eggs from Taylor-Made Ranch

Making Stevia Syrup by Making Our Sustainable Life

Homemade Maple Apple Breakfast Sausages by Recipes to Nourish

How to join this week’s fun:

Guidelines for this Link-Up:

The post Healthy 2day Wednesdays appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

Our favorite day of the week – the day we get to share all our best tips on living as healthfully as possible. Browse through the links collected below, and add your own!

Healthy 2Day Wednesdays is happily hosted by:
Rachel of Day2Day Joys
Carrie of Young Living Oil Lady
Anne of Authentic Simplicity
Paula of Whole Intentions

Please stop by all our blogs for great ideas on living healthy lives!

This week’s Top Three:

Congratulations! Your posts have been shared on Facebook and our Healthy 2Day Wednesday group board.

A Life Unprocessed shares a super simple but effective home remedy for the cold… if you dare: the Garlic Honey Cold Remedy

Homemade Lasagna Noodles… say wha?! And whole wheat, to boot! Get the instructions at My Lamp is Full.

Everybody needs a quick and healthy cookie recipe… here’s one from Claire’s Healthy Home.

How to join this week’s fun:

Guidelines for this Link-Up:

The post Healthy 2day Wednesdays appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

Welcome back to Healthy 2Day Wednesday!

Rachel’s top 3 picks from last week:

As the top 3, you have been Facebook’d by Anne and pinned to our Pinterest board made especially for Healthy 2Day Wednesdays.

This Walnut Crust Apple Pie from My Sister’s Pantry
looks amazing and just in time for Fall!

Do you like peanut butter? I sure do and cannot wait to try these delicious looking muffins!

This pudding would be perfect for an afternoon snack or dessert! Get the recipe over at Recipes to Nourish!

Have you been featured as an H2W favorite?

How to join this week’s fun:

Guidelines for this Link-Up:

The post Healthy 2day Wednesdays appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

Please forgive us for the delay today!

Would you like to share your ideas for healthy living? Each week we encourage you to link up with ideas, tips, healthy recipes, natural remedies, alternative medicine, going “green”, and more.

Healthy 2Day Wednesdays is happily hosted by:
Rachel of Day2Day Joys
Carrie of Young Living Oil Lady
Anne of Authentic Simplicity
Paula of Whole Intentions

Please stop by all our blogs for great ideas on living healthy lives!

No top 3 this week, but we’d love to hear about the posts you loved!

How to join this week’s fun:

Guidelines for this Link-Up:

The post Healthy 2day Wednesdays appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

Would you like to share your ideas for healthy living? Each week we encourage you to link up with ideas, tips, healthy recipes, natural remedies, alternative medicine, going “green”, and more. Even if you don’t have something to share, there’s always something of interest to read or a new idea to find. I can’t tell you you how many lovely blogs I visit each week – it’s great!

Healthy 2Day Wednesdays is happily hosted by:
Rachel of Day2Day Joys
Carrie of Young Living Oil Lady
Anne of Authentic Simplicity
Paula of Whole Intentions

Please stop by all our blogs for great ideas on living healthy lives!

Paula’s top 3 picks from last week:

As the top 3, you have been Facebook’d and Tweeted by Paula and pinned to our Pinterest board made especially for Healthy 2Day Wednesdays.

How to join this week’s fun:

Guidelines for this Link-Up:

The post Healthy 2day Wednesdays appeared first on Day2Day Joys.