While Thistle supports wellness year round, the New Year is a time for many to set goals and change up their daily habits. As one of Thistle’s registered dietitians I’d love to share with you what a typical day looks like for me. I engage in these daily habits to improve life and support mental, emotional, and physical health. Ready for some healthy daily habits inspiration? Let’s go!

Dani’s Daily Habits: Morning Edition 

I’m an early (and I mean 3am early!) bird, and always have been. I love the feeling of being up before the rest of the world to tend to my  mental and physical health. After a hot cup of coffee and some gentle movement, I take a ten-minute jog to the gym where I spend 60-90 minutes lifting weights and circuit training. 

After the gym, I’m more than ready for a nourishing meal! My primary goal is to provide my body with the nutrients it needs to recover from a workout. This looks like a balanced meal that includes plenty of protein, carbohydrates, and fluids. Protein is made up of building blocks called amino acids, which are the same building blocks that make up muscle tissue. Carbohydrates replenish the energy exercise burns off. Fluids provide hydration – much-needed after a sweaty workout.

Thistle’s Black Bean & Plantain Tofu Scramble and Sweet Potato Hash are wonderful examples of nutrient-dense (and delicious!) meals that help my body recover. Both meals feature tofu, which is a complete protein, thus it provides all the amino acids my sore muscles need, and complex carbohydrates (plantains and sweet potatoes) to replenish energy stores. To complete my breakfast meal, I add a Thistle Glow shot into a larger glass of water - Glow shots are packed with turmeric, which helps reduce post-exercise inflammation and is supportive of muscle recovery. 

Dani’s Daily Habits: Mid-morning Edition

As an early riser,  I’m ready for a quick pick- me-up by 9 or 10AM. Movement and nutrition to the rescue! I take a screen break to stroll around the neighborhood. While walking, I listen to a podcast, call a friend, or simply enjoy my surroundings. 

I also like to check in with myself: How am I feeling? What do I need in order to feel my best? Once back from my walk, I grab a hot beverage, and a snack if I’m feeling hungry. To support stable blood sugar, I choose a snack like Thistle’s hummus and veggies. This tasty treat has a different flavor profile each week – seaweed infused hummus one week; smoky chipotle the next. All varieties include fiber, protein and healthy fats to encourage a slow release of energy throughout the morning. 

Dani’s Daily Habits: Lunch Edition

For lunch, I eat a meal that includes plenty of colorful produce, a serving of protein, complex carbohydrates, and some healthy fats. This makes for a nourishing meal that will give me long lasting energy. 

Thistle’s Greek Salad with Crispy Chickpeas is quick, flavorful and easy to eat anywhere. It contains protein from chickpeas, quinoa, tofu, and nutritional yeast; carbohydrates from chickpeas and quinoa; and healthy fats from olives, olive oil, and avocado oil. More than that, this low-stress lunch solution ensures I’ll eat well even during my busiest days!

Dani’s Daily Habits: Late Afternoon Edition

As my workday winds down, I get ready to mentally and physically move away from work. As someone who works from home, it can feel difficult to “leave” work entirely. First, I move out of my designated work spot and into another spot. This shift helps me mentally separate work time from relaxation time! 

Next, I like to run errands, and prefer to walk or bike as transportation. This extra movement at the end of my work day is another daily habit that helps me transition to relaxation time. 

If I go grocery shopping, I prep ingredients before they even go into the fridge. It’s a more efficient use of my time and food is less likely to be forgotten and go to waste.. I cook individual components for multiple meals (i.e - a cooked vegetable, a cooked protein, a cooked grain, etc). Throughout the week, I use those ingredients to create any type of meal I feel like eating. One day, I might add blanched broccoli to a salad, and the next, I might add it to a stir fry. This approach allows me to flex my culinary creativity and keeps my home-cooked meals  as exciting and versatile as the ones Thistle delivers.

Dani’s Daily Habits: Evening Edition

Sleep is a huge priority for my general wellness – this means an earlier bedtime to accommodate my earlier start time! I prefer to have dinner a few hours before I get into bed. When short on time,  a Thistle dinner is my go-to.; The meals are ready-to-eat and fully cooked, , which means some amount of “pre-digestion” (breaking down of food) has already occurred. This ensures food is better digested before I lay down for the night. 

Knowing I won’t eat another meal until after the following day’s morning workoutl, I make sure my dinner includes complex carbohydrates and proteins. Thistle’s Crunchy Thai Peanut Bowl, made with brown rice noodles and pea protein crumbles, is a favorite. s For dessert, I reach for a square or two of The Good Chocolate and a piece of fruit. 

To wind down before bed, I like to foam roll, stretch, and lay out my clothing for the next day.  Next, I read for as long as I can keep my eyes open, then drift off to sleep so I can hit the ground running the next day!

Give Dani’s Daily Habits a Try

Feeling inspired? One week at a time, incorporate a few of my small daily habits into your own routine.Instead of trying everything at once, take a gradual and achievable approach to making positive change. That way you won’t burn out and get overwhelmed. 

Morning Habits to Make Your Own

• Get up earlier to start the day with exercise
• Stretch
• Eat a breakfast rich in protein and complex carbohydrates
• Hydrate

Mid-Morning Habits to Make Your Own

• Take a break
• Move your body
• Eat a snack that promotes stable blood sugar

Lunch Habits to Make Your Own

• Eat a meal containing colorful produce, protein, complex carbs, and health fats
• Eat well even on busy days with a Thistle subscription

Late Afternoon Habits to Make Your Own

• Move away from your workspace if you work from home
• Engage in physical activity
• Prep dinner

Evening Habits to Make Your Own

• Eat dinner at least two hours before your bedtime
• To further aid in overnight digestion, focus on food that is cooked, not raw
• Treat yourself to a small dessert
• Rather than scrolling, stretch and read your way to a night of restorative sleep

If the New Year has rekindled your passion for wellness, we hope this article provides some inspiration for new healthy daily habits to explore. Whether you choose to focus on mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical health, may this be your happiest new year yet!!

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