January is Get a Balanced Life Month. Sometimes, that idea can be nice in thought and very stressful in practice, but Brookshire Brothers is here to help make that happen. Since it's the start of the year, it's a great time to start thinking about what healthy practices we might like to begin in our lives over the coming months. 

Instead of trying to get our entire lives balanced in one month, we can use January to make plans on what parts of our lives we would like to find balance in this year and how we can accomplish that within our busy schedules and daily practices. 

Eat Well

This tends to be on everyone's mind when the new year begins. Food is our fuel, and it is important that we are putting the right food into our bodies to make sure we are operating at tiptop shape! However, there is often a lot of guilt associated with eating well, so it is important to approach this topic with grace and only make the changes we can handle that will benefit us the most this year. 

Overall, a diet rich in fruits and veggies, healthy proteins and fats, low fat dairy and whole grains is ideal for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Aim for 5 to 9 combined servings of fruits and veggies daily with lean meats like fish, chicken and turkey. Try to avoid added sugar, sodium and saturated fats when you can. 

Here are some simple, fun, healthy recipes you could add to your menu this year to get your meal train on the right track: Chicken Caeser Wraps, Instant Pot Herbed Turkey Breast, Grilled Chicken/Corn/Zucchini Tostadas, Grilled Avocado Romaine Salad, Southwest Scramble.

Brookshire Brothers will also be hosting virtual Diabetes Store Tours in January free to help our customers manage their or their loved one's diabetes. The tours will cover many topics including shopping for healthy foods, even on a budget. Learn more here. 

Live Well

There have been many studies conducted on the science of the mind when it comes to our living spaces. A study by Princeton University discovered a link between clutter and a lack of focus. The researchers found that a person's visual cortex can be overwhelmed by objects not related to a particular task, making it harder to focus and complete projects efficiently. 

We can set goals in motion to begin uncluttering our lives, piece by piece, so the decluttering phase isn't stressful and the balance begins to unfold. It helps to start with something that has been on our minds a lot lately. We can set a goal to do the dishes after dinner or as we cook every night. We can make a mental note to throw away trash right after it is used or put a trash bag in our car so the clutter is contained in the smaller surface area. 

Brookshire Brothers has brands and items that are organization- and goal-friendly like Simply Done. 

Simply Done has items like space-saving food storage containers, twist tie trash bags, no-mess plastic-wear and more to help you keep your kitchen clean. 

Think Well

The mind is the center of the body. Not only is stress no fun, it can also be hazardous to your health leading to heart disease, insomnia, anxiety and digestive issues. Stress management is very individualized but generally being in the company of friends and family, exercise, meditation and spirituality can lead to an overall reduction in the level of negative stress.

With a little extra planning, each member of your family can take measures to reduce stress in your day throughout the year. Parents, try your best to plan some me-time in your days, even in the midst of the chaos. If that means organizing play-dates and turning on the TV every now and then, that is fine. Also keep in mind that your kids can be stressed, too. Encourage them to keep on top of homework a little at a time while still making that time for the things they love. 

Brookshire Brothers is here for the busy family, too. We have many options for grab-and-go meals like our Famous Fried Chicken, macaroni and cheese, baked rotisserie chicken and much more. Visit your local Brookshire Brothers Deli to find the option that fits your family best. 

Be Well

While January may be the season for wellness, it is often also the season for cough and cold! It may be a good time to do some routine checks with everyone. Have you gotten your vaccinations? Are you stocked on vitamins, cough medicine and your favorite home remedies? 

Brookshire Brothers Pharmacy has your back when it comes to stocking and prepping for cough, cold and flu season. Whether you need vaccinations, prescriptions filled or that over-the-counter special, we can help. 

Your family can also take small steps toward daily health and wellness like drinking water daily, eating a healthy breakfast and getting a healthy night's rest.