10 Wellness Tips for 2018

I’m ditching resolutions for year-round acts of self-care. Here are 10 easy wellness tips for 2018 so you can kick off your new year with a happy heart! #sponsored

I love the start of the new year. I love the blank slate. The fresh start. The feeling of possibilities. I’ve never been one to make resolutions, mainly because I’ve never been able to make them stick.

In years past I put January 1st on a pedestal and filled it with broad, sweeping, drastic life changes that kinda set me up for failure. This year I’m switching it up. I’m not changing my routine drastically or doing a complete overhaul of my life.

I’m really excited to team up with HomeGoods to bring you these 10 wellness tips for the new year. When I sat down to think about what exactly I want for 2018, I realized I want to be more intentional and mindful of doing little acts of self-care. This year, I want to do more things that make me smile; things that nourish my mind, body, and soul and make my heart happy.

Today I’m sharing ten fun, easy ways you can practice self-care to kick off your new year with a happy heart and maintain it year-round. Check ‘em out:

ONE. Create your own at-home spa – I LOVE when you can use ingredients in and outside the kitchen. One of my favorite things to do is mix together a simple body scrub using sugar or ground coffee as an exfoliator and it works wonders! Add a few tablespoons of avocado or coconut oil along with your favorite essential oil, and you’ll have your own small-batch body scrub. HomeGoods is an amazing spot to pick up quality and affordable products to make yourself a rejuvenating homemade body scrub. 

TWO. Do what you love – You don’t have to make drastic New Year’s resolutions to practice self-care this year. Tap into activities and hobbies that bring you joy and carve out time each week to do them. I personally love to bake. It makes me feel happy and productive and is a great stress release. And, the stash of tasty treats in my fridge is a nice little bonus. 

THREE. Chocolate is ALWAYS a good idea – Dark chocolate is one of my favorite sweets to indulge in. It’s packed with antioxidants so you can indulge a bit without the guilt. My pantry is always stashed with dark chocolate so I can end each day on a sweet note.

FOUR. Nourish your body – I love making delicious recipes that are lower carb, gluten free, and made with healthy ingredients, like these peanut butter crunch bars. Nourishing our bodies with real, wholesome foods is so important to our overall wellness, both physically and mentally. But, buying pantry staples like oils and spices can get expensive. I always swing by the food section at HomeGoods to stock up on quality, organic staples without spending a ton of money! Grab the full recipe for these peanut butter crunch bars below!

FIVE. Take time to smell the roses (literally) – I love to buy myself flowers! It seriously puts the biggest smile on my face! Grab a beautiful vase that you love from HomeGoods and fill it every week with a new bouquet of flowers. The fresh blooms make your house such a happy space.

SIX. Combating cold feet – Buy yourself those fuzzy slippers you’ve always wanted! I love to buy myself a new pair of comfy slippers for the New Year. Cold feet are the worst, and it’s great to have something warm to put your feet in first thing in the morning.

SEVEN. Take a tea or coffee break – Coffee is such an everyday treat for me. Yes, I have it right in the morning… and in the afternoon (ok, ok I really like coffee). But, I also use coffee as a treat and a reward for myself. Whether I brew a special cup to sip while I edit some videos, or take a much-needed break to sit and sip, coffee is a treat that I look forward to every day. Tea works too… if you’re more of a tea person.

EIGHT. Meal prep is key – Meal preparation and eating healthy doesn’t have to be a mundane task. I love exploring new recipes, and there’s something about buying yourself cute new mason jars or containers for my salads, dressings and snacks that make it feel more special. I always peruse the container assortment at HomeGoods to see what new containers I can incorporate into my weekly meal prep.

NINE. Make your bed a safe haven – Make your bed a welcoming place you look forward to every night. HomeGoods has a variety of comfy and affordable bedding to make your bed a cozy oasis. I like to take it up a notch by spraying lavender scented sheet spray before I tuck in for the night.

TEN. Have an attitude of Gratitude – Beginning or ending the day with gratitude helps to re-focus your energy and set intentions. Everyday write down something you’re grateful for (big or small). I LOVE the pretty journals from HomeGoods with inspirational quotes and keep them by my bed to end each day with a grateful heart. 

Peanut Butter Crunch Squares

• Author: Lindsay// The Toasted Pine Nut
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Total Time: 3 hours 15 mins
• Yield: 36

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Ingredients

• Bottom layer:
• 1 ½ cup natural peanut butter
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons agave nectar
• 1 ½ cup puffed quinoa
• Middle layer:
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 1 cup natural peanut butter
• ¼ cup agave nectar
• Couple pinches pink Himalayan sea salt
• Topping:
• ¼ cup mini dark chocolate chips
• ¼ cup chopped roasted peanuts

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, agave nectar, and puffed quinoa.
2. Transfer it into a square 8×8 baking pan lined with parchment paper.
3. Press it into a single layer and set aside.
4. In the same bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, peanut butter, agave nectar, and sea salt.
5. Transfer it into the pan and spread it out on top of the puffed quinoa layer.
6. Sprinkle the top of the bars with mini chocolate chips and chopped peanuts.
7. Allow to set in the fridge for 3+ hours.
8. Pull the edges of the parchment paper to remove the bars from the pan.
9. Place on a cutting board and cut into squares. I cut mine into 9 squares but you can make them as small or large as you want!

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Notes

Serving (1 square): Calories 322; Fat 25.5g (Sat 8.8g); Protein 7.8g; Carb 20.8g (net carb 14.2g); Fiber 6.6g; Sodium 66mg

I hope you guys love these tips. Let me know in the comments what you do to practice self-care. Xo

Thank you so much to HomeGoods for sponsoring this post! I love working with my favorite brands and couldn’t be more thrilled they support The Toasted Pine Nut! Xo

Wellness photos of my by MacKenna Waterhouse!!