The Fourth of July is a time where people come together for fireworks, cookouts, and the celebration of our nation’s independence. The good news is you can celebrate on Plan easily!

Below are some strategies to keep you on track:

• Routine is keen. On the day of the party, you might make a few alterations to your meal schedule, like moving your Lean & Green to lunchtime for an afternoon event, or splitting it in half for two events. Remember to stick with your schedule.
• Bring something. Showing up with a platter of veggies or a tray of chicken or vegetable kabobs will ensure that you have plenty of on-Plan foods to keep you safe and satisfied.
• Walk the walk. Talk the talk. Parties are not really about the food; they’re about the friends. Find someone whose company you enjoy, and talk or, even better, walk. Moving away from the buffet and ditchin’ the kitchen are a must.
• Eat mindfully. Stay in the present moment. What does your body really need? If it is nourishment you seek, be sure to eat slowly, savoring every bite.
• Choose smaller portions. When choosing a larger plate, don’t feel obligated to fill it. Instead, pack on low-calorie vegetables, so you don’t consume extra calories.
• Drink water. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the event and avoid alcohol.
• Dance! It’s a party – enjoy yourself! Celebrate with your family and friends. Burn calories on the dance floor, and take your mind off eating!

Ask me, your OPTAVIA Coach, for other tips to stay on track this Fourth of July on your journey towards Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time.^® 

Cooking healthy Lean & Green meals at home is much easier if your kitchen is stocked with healthy options. A healthy diet starts with making smart choices at the grocery store. However, with thousands of options and dozens of aisles, a trip to the store can quickly become overwhelming. 

Here are some tips for making healthy decisions in the supermarket: 

• Have a plan. Think about all of the meals you need to prepare during the next week and the ingredients you’ll need to purchase prior to going to the store. You can even save time while you’re in the store by grouping your ingredients that are in the same aisle or department. Having a plan will keep you on track and prevents you from buying items that are unhealthy or unnecessary.
• Have a Fueling first. It’s important to avoid going to the grocery store while hungry. Eat a Fueling or healthy snack to avoid making unhealthy decisions.
• Shop the perimeter. The outer aisles of the grocery store are where you’ll find the freshest and least processed foods, like leafy green vegetables and lean meats.
• Shop seasonal. When vegetables are in season, they are often more abundant and less expensive.  Zucchini, butter lettuce, and cucumbers are a few options that are especially in season during the summertime. 
• Avoid buying bulk. It may seem like a good deal, but having larger quantities of food can make it easier to overeat. If you choose to buy bulk, try repackaging your food into single-serving containers when you get home.

Ask me, your OPTAVIA Coach, for other healthy grocery shopping tips, as you prepare for the Fourth of July weekend.

YES!

“A few years ago, if you'd have asked me if life was where I wanted it, I'd have told you ‘no’. My weight might have been fine, but my habits were far from healthy. My finances were nowhere close. My mindset was handcuffed by ‘no’, and I was stuck.”

But, Jen encountered something that changed all that. A friend invited her to explore something that seemed almost too good to be true. And she said yes. It was OPTAVIA.

“That ‘yes’ to a healthy transformation of my physical habits changed my whole relationship with food. That ‘yes’ brought a change to the way I think about fueling my body and managing my emotions.”

Her “yes” to OPTAVIA helped her family say yes, too. Her decision to create a healthy life and a healthy family empowered her loved ones to follow her example.

“A few years ago, our life was at a major crossroads. After ten years of staying home to raise our four kids, I faced the financial tension of having to go to work. My insides were screaming ‘no’. I loved being a wife and mom first. What was I going to do?”

When the invitation to explore something different, something outside of the box, called OPTAVIA was offered to Jen, she said “yes”. That “yes” transformed her home. As an OPTAVIA Coach, she has been able to create healthy finances^**, working on her own terms.

Her husband and kiddos now get more of Jen’s time, and they can truly create a life around what matters most to them.

That “yes” allowed Jen, her husband, and her entire tribe to chase a dream and build something much bigger, something that will last beyond their lifetimes.

“Life was never meant to be handcuffed by ‘no’. Life is healthier and more hope-filled when it's set free by ‘yes’. Today, my health, my home, our future together was all ignited by one simple, yet deeply transformational word: yes!”