We are almost two weeks into 2014 and many of us have made healthy eating one of our New Year’s resolutions. Simple Solutions Diva shares a few simple ideas, gadgets and applications designed to help you move towards healthy eating. Many thanks to WTLV-TV’s First Coast Living for the opportunity to share these tips on air!

Simple Ideas:

Flavored Water – Water is great for flushing out your system, hydrating your skin, and making you feel full. Add natural flavors to it and you are more likely to drink it! So try this recipe from Pinterest for making your own flavored water:

Ingredients:

•  96 fl. oz. of Water (I used filtered water from my fridge)
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 limes, sliced
• One bunch of fresh mint, rinsed and rough chopped
• 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 4 24 oz water bottles (optional)

Preparation:

If you are using the 4  water bottles, divide all ingredients between the bottles. Or place all ingredients (except the bottles) in a large beverage container. Place in fridge and drink frequently.

Simple Gadgets:

These are my favorite simple gadgets that make healthy foods like apples and salad easy and accessible!

Apple Wedger – I use the Pampered Chef Stainless Steel Apple Wedger to slice and core apples in one move. You can find other brands of apple wedgers (also known as apple corers) online and in stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Lettuce Knife– When you cut/chop lettuce with a steel knife, the steel reacts with the lettuce, causing browning of the lettuce.   By using a plastic lettuce knife to cut lettuce, the lettuce doesn’t brown up!  I use the Zyliss Lettuce Knife
to make my own, preservative-free bagged salad. Check out my video on how to make your own bagged salad and cut out the preservatives!

Simple Applications:

Using technology to help you eat healthy is easy with some of these simple applications:

Fooducate.com – Download this app to your cell phone to scan barcodes of your favorite foods in the grocery store. It gives foods a grade and tells you why the food got that grade.  I love the idea of using this with your children to help you make healthier choices at the store.  Thanks to young Maddie and her mom for taking the time to show me how to use this at the grocery store a few weeks ago!  Cost:  The basic app is free, with plenty of upgrade options if you want the “extras”.

MyFitnessPal.com – This website and app is highly recommended by nutrition experts as an easy way to track your food and exercise and help you set realistic goals.  I have been using it for a week and so far find it very easy and manageable.  Cost: The app is free!

eMeals.com– A great way to plan healthy meals!  You pick the type of dinner meal plan you want  to follow, like healthy meals, low calorie, low carb;  choose if you are cooking for a family or for smaller group;  select recipes from the suggested list for the meal plan; print out a shopping list for those meals. Easy peasy! It also suggests recipes that coordinate with sales going on in the grocery stores! Cost: Annual subscription costs $58.00 (under $5 per month).

Additional Websites Recommended From Friends:

Nike Training Club – Over 100 full body workout videos inspired by top Nike athletes and designed by NTC Master Trainers. My friend uses this on her cell phone while she is working out at the gym – the videos inspire her and help her make sure she is doing the exercise correctly.  Cost: Free

Lose It! – If weight loss is your goal, this was highly recommended as an easy, manageable app to track food, exercise and more.  Cost: Basic is free, with premium upgrades.

Many thanks to all my friends, as well as the wonderful, fellow contributors of 30SeondMom.com, who helped me with these recommendations!