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5 Foods To Add To Your Diet This Year

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The New Year has arrived, and it’s the perfect opportunity to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle by adding these 5 foods to your diet. By starting small and focusing on nutrients to nourish your body, you’ll have a much better chance at staying happy and healthy in 2018. Not sure where to start? Take a look at the list of foods we’ve compiled below. Each of these options can play a role in creating a healthier you, and they’re readily available at most grocery stores—no obscure supplements or ingredients here!

Fresh Or Frozen Berries 

Many Americans’ diets are lacking in fiber. While there are plenty of products specifically formulated to provide a supersized dose of dietary fiber, they’re often unpleasant to snack on. For an all-natural choice that tastes great, stock up on fresh or frozen berries. Blueberries and blackberries are excellent sources of fiber, and they’re easy to add to breakfast recipes or eat alone.

Nuts

Don’t shy away from all foods that are high in fat, as this macronutrient is essential for a wide array of functions. If you’re already enjoying high-fat main entrees like salmon, you may be looking for a snack that’s both filling and nutritious. Instead of reaching for traditional appetizers like chips or sweetened granola bars, opt for unsalted nuts like almonds or cashews. This healthy choice provides awesome benefits, including protein, fat, and fiber.

Whole Grains 

When researching options for a healthy diet, you may have been warned to stay away from carbs. While it can be beneficial to cut down on refined grains like white bread and rice, it’s not advised to skip grains entirely. For a balanced meal, consider adding brown rice or quinoa. These types of whole grains are packed with fiber, helping you stay satiated for longer periods of time.

Greek Yogurt 

Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day. However, it can be a challenge to find a quick and portable option. When you’re on the go and need a no-stress recipe, Greek yogurt topped with berries and/or nuts is an easy and delicious choice. Unlike other types of yogurt, Greek yogurt is exceptionally high in protein and calcium.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

If you’re hoping to save money and improve your diet, there’s no better way than to meal prep at home. Most main dishes require a tablespoon or two of fat, often found in butter or cooking spray. To get a healthy dose of monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, opt for extra virgin olive oil instead of a dollop of butter. Some versions are formulated to have a light, buttery taste, so it’s a win-win.

Ready to get started on the path toward a healthier lifestyle? It can start with small choices in the kitchen. If you’re looking for an apartment home with a great one, check out our floor plans available at Habitat Apartments. To schedule a tour, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our leasing team.

Five Winter Cleaning and Organizational Ideas

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The holidays are a wonderful time of year, but the festivities can leave your home looking crowded and disorderly. If you’d like to start the New Year off on the right track, take a look at the winter cleaning and organizational tips we share below. You may be surprised by how productive and at ease you feel when your living space is neat and tidy.

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Make Your Home Smell Festive With Fall Simmer Pot Recipes

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If your home is already decked out to the nines with seasonal décor, you may be searching for the perfect way to complete the fun festivities. Whether you’re preparing for a party or you’re just a fan of aromatherapy, you can achieve awesome results by making a homemade simmer pot concoction. Similar to potpourri, simmer pots contain a mixture of complementary ingredients to create enticing perfumes to freshen up your home. When your scented candles aren’t quite enough to make your home feel like fall, try a few of these easy simmer pot recipes.

Citrusy Simmer Pot 

The scents of oranges and lemons combine beautifully for a clean, citrus aroma. If you can’t get enough of zingy citrus fruits, you’ll love this citrus juniper option. You’ll just need a few simple ingredients, such as oranges, lemon peel, and juniper berries. Besides their wonderful smell, the best thing about simmer pots is how customizable they are. You can tweak any recipe to make it just right for your preferences—if you’re not a fan of lemon, leave it out and let the juniper and oranges take over.

Lavender Nutmeg Recipe 

Citrus scents are fantastic for making the entire apartment home smell fresh, but if you’d rather have a calming scent, try this lavender and nutmeg simmer pot recipe. When you need to relax and unwind after a long day at work, the comforting essence of lavender, nutmeg, and cinnamon won’t let you down. In addition to the main ingredients, this simmer pot recipe calls for anise and whole cloves to set the tone for a stress-free environment.

Energizing Coffee Simmer Pot 

Nothing compares to the scent of a piping hot mug of coffee—it’s instantly recognizable and a welcomed pick-me-up. If you love the smell of coffee but don’t want to drink too much of it, fill your home with the delicious fragrance of spiced coffee, instead. For this recipe, you’ll need a quarter cup of your favorite whole coffee beans, three cinnamon sticks, a tablespoon of cardamom pods, and approximately four leaves of star anise. When simmered in a pot of water, this blend of ingredients is bold and spicy. While it’s boiling on the stovetop, you may find yourself feeling motivated to bake some holiday goodies like coffee cake or cookies from scratch. The combination of roasted coffee beans and freshly baked confections is heavenly, and will be an excellent choice if you’re about to have guests over.

If you’re looking for natural ways to make your home smell great, cooking up a simmer pot is a fun and easy option. There are many recipes to try, or get creative and come up with your own unique version. If you’re searching for an apartment in Boulder to call home, give us a call and stop by for a tour. We’d love to show you around the community so you can take a look at our floor plans and amenities.