Food costs have skyrocketed in the past year, but that doesn’t mean you have to forego healthy eating. With just a little forethought, there are ways to counter this increase. Here are some tips for maintaining  a nutritious diet without breaking the bank. 

Think ahead 

Take inventory. Before heading to the store or submitting your online grocery order, shop for your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. Take inventory and plan to make recipes using what you have on hand first. 

The most important tip is taking inventory and planning your menu accordingly. Have you ever tossed a bag of soggy spring salad mix? Welcome to the club! It’s happened to most of us at some point, but that’s throwing money away. 

Prioritize perishables. Take care to use up fresh produce like spinach or other greens that tend to spoil quickly. Toss greens into a soup or pasta sauce to use them up and simultaneously add a nutrient boost to your meals. Check the expiration dates for perishables like yogurt and create meals around those foods first. For example, you might use up yogurt in breakfast parfaits for the family.

Planning your meals, starting with what you have on hand, helps reduce waste and therefore save money. But you might also consider changing what’s on the menu altogether. 

Eat less meat. Meat is expensive. Beef, chicken, and fish can run up a grocery bill faster than anything else. Adding more protein-rich plants to your plate can help. This can mean using beans a few nights a week instead of meat–and thinking of ways to add more produce to your meals overall. This will automatically help increase your fiber and antioxidant intake.

“The cost of meat and meat products isn’t dropping, so think about incorporating more plant-based foods in your meals,” recommends Sara Haas, RDN, a Chicago-based chef, author, and food photographer.  “Whole grains, canned/frozen/fresh varieties of vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds, beans, and legumes are all great options.” 

Though the price of eggs has more than doubled all over the country, eggs are still one of the least expensive sources of protein you can buy. Consider enjoying them for dinner for an inexpensive meal like Eggs in Purgatory. This recipe is made with canned tomatoes and is a great base for adding any vegetables you have in the fridge to use up, such as zucchini, peppers, and spinach.

List it out. Create a detailed grocery list and stick to it. Shop online (if you get free shipping) or go through the store as quickly as possible. Most of us know not to go to the supermarket hungry since that’s a recipe for impulse buys. However, studies show the longer you’re in the store, the more you buy. To save time in the store, organize your list by food aisle or departments to avoid backtracking—and make sure you have a snack before you shop! 

Shop smart 

Shop the sales–and stock up. Take a few minutes to peruse the weekly online ads for your favorite supermarket. It may help to get the deals delivered to your email as a reminder. Many sales are seasonal, and you might notice how some stores offer similar sales on a monthly cycle. Take note and buy accordingly. 

Haas reminds us to check out sale items and develop meals around those foods first. 

And don’t forget the staples. “If those shelf-stable basics are on sale, buy extra! Think rice, beans, and canned goods that can last at least one year if not opened,” she advises. 

Use coupons wisely. Physical coupons are great but not always available. Clip digital coupons to save time and money at the register—and remember, coupons are only a good idea if you buy food that you will actually eat. Though they exist, there aren’t many coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables or fresh meat, poultry, or seafood. Look instead for deals on frozen or canned produce, yogurt, eggs, and other healthy foods, plus household items like detergent and toothpaste.

Buy in bulk—if it makes sense. This strategy is common, but it only saves money if your family can eat the food before it expires. Large containers of olive oil or nut butter can go rancid and giant boxes of cereal can go stale if not used on time.

Switch things up 

Be flexible. If you have a recipe that calls for ground beef, but ground turkey is on sale, substitute ground turkey. There’s a wide range of substitutes that work well. If your recipe calls for chicken breasts but chicken thighs are on sale, consider making the swap. If you’re making stew, baked chicken, or soup, the chicken thighs will add even more flavor to the dish, so don’t be afraid to try something different!

Grow and regrow herbs and more. With fresh water and sunshine, you can grow a variety of foods indoors. We all know how expensive those little packages of fresh herbs can be. You might be surprised at how easy it is to grow them yourself. 

Common herbs, including basil, parsley, mint, and oregano, grow in plain water—no soil or potting needed. Simply place the stems of leftover fresh herbs in a jar of fresh water and place them in a sunny area such as a windowsill. Use as needed and refresh the water regularly. 

You can also regrow flavor-packed green onions using the same method. Place the white root end in a glass or fresh water and watch them regenerate in seven to 10 days. This is a fun project for kids to manage, but it also saves you from buying green onions again.

Though some of these tips may seem small, it all adds up in the end. Use these tiny tips to save big over time. 

The post Combat the Cost of Groceries with a Plan appeared first on Fitbit Blog.

RECIPE BY LEANDRA ROUSE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM EMMONS

As you set about keeping your goals for the new year, consider how you fuel your brain for the day. Nutrition research shows people who consume breakfast do better in mental performance tests, have improved focus and even say they feel in a better mood when they have breakfast. What you eat matters too. Following a Mediterranean style of eating—which is rich in whole grains, pulses (like chickpeas), vegetables, fish, eggs, and olive oil, in addition to limiting saturated fats and sugars—has been found to protect our brain function as we age. 

Keep reading for three delicious and nourishing recipes that put these strategies into practice—and promote brain health, mental strength, and longevity. 

Turkish-Style Turmeric Eggs with Yogurt 

Inspired by a traditional Turkish breakfast consisting of eggs, thick yogurt, spices and fresh herbs, this healthy and filling dish is  eaten alongside pita or crusty bread. It is so simple, yet a very unusual food combination for an American diner. 

Bright colors of spices stand out against the white background of thick yogurt, which makes this meal beautiful enough to be the star of a special occasion brunch, but so ridiculously easy to prepare it could become your healthy weekday breakfast. The combination of eggs and thick Greek yogurt makes it rich in protein with about thirty grams per serving—the perfect start to a busy day. 

Adding ground turmeric to the hot olive oil flavors the oil and brings color to the egg whites. The result is a vibrant orange egg. And, when combined with the red paprika (or aleppo pepper), bright green kale, and fresh herbs, the colors of this dish really stand out from the crowd. Try it served along some sort of pita or crust bread, so that you can scoop up and absorb the yogurt and egg yolks with each bite. 

INGREDIENTS: 

2.5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 bunch kale (6 to 8 leaves), removed from stem and rough chopped  

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, or aleppo pepper

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon fresh black pepper

½ teaspoon turmeric

4 large eggs

1 cup (250 mL) plain unsweetened low-fat Greek yogurt

1 lemon, juiced and zested

1 clove of garlic, shaved 

½ teaspoon chili flakes, optional   

1 round whole wheat pita, sliced in fourths 

2 teaspoons mixture of fresh herbs such as mint, dill and parsley, rough chopped 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Begin by preheating the oven to 375F (190C). Toss the torn kale with ½ tablespoon of olive oil, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper. Toss to coat and add the kale to the hot oven. Cook until it begins to wilt and get a little crispy at the edges. Approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Carefully remove from the hot oven and set aside. 

Mix yogurt with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of lemon zest, shaved garlic, and ¼ teaspoon salt. To prepare each plate, smear 1/4 cup of the yogurt mixture onto each plate using the back of a spoon and sprinkle with smoked paprika. Place half of the baked kale evenly around the yogurt on each plate. 

Heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large well seasoned cast iron pan or nonstick skillet. Once oil gets hot, add the ground turmeric and stir to combine. Cook the turmeric in the oil until it becomes fragrant and well incorporated, approximately one to two  minutes. Keep the oil just below smoking point. A small drop of water added to the pan should immediately sizzle. 

Carefully crack the eggs into the hot pan and season with remaining salt and pepper. As the eggs cook, tilt the pan to the side and use a spoon to baste the eggs with the turmeric olive oil. This will help the egg cook while keeping the center moist. It will also turn the whites bright yellow. Keep basting until the eggs are puffy and cooked, approximately one minute, or to your liking. Transfer to the plate and arrange on top of yogurt and kale. 

Finish with a teaspoon of fresh herbs and serve with pita. 

Makes 4 servings (one egg per person).

NUTRITION FACTS (PER SERVING): 

Calories 285 kcal/1194 kJ

Protein 16 g

Total fat 16 g

Saturated fat 3.5 g 

Cholesterol 190 mg

Carbs 24 g

Fiber 6 g

Total sugars 6 g 

Added sugars 0 g

Sodium 505 mg

Quinoa Egg Bowl with Smoked Salmon 

This simple and healthy quinoa breakfast bowl is sure to be in high rotation in your kitchen. Quinoa has eight grams of protein per cup and impressive levels of fiber and vitamin B. Try this quinoa breakfast bowl where the grains are topped with perfectly runny poached egg and the vibrant flavors of fermented veggies and smoked salmon..

The trick to cooking great quinoa is to add flavor to the cooking water. In this dish this is  achieved by cooking the grain in a broth, adding aromatics, and tossing in a little butter at the end. Another great trick for bringing out the unique nutty taste of quinoa is to toast the dry grain over medium heat before adding any liquid.

The protein in this breakfast bowl comes from the quinoa, egg, salmon, and even the tahini sauce. The flavor is rounded out with acidic pickled vegetables and the umami of the miso tahini sauce. You may want to consider making a double batch of the tahini sauce to maximize your efforts in the kitchen. It makes a great dressing or marinade for a future dish. 

There are many ways to poach eggs, and many strong opinions on which method is “correct”. In this recipe, it’s done by  adding vinegar to the cooking water, turning a complex process into an achievable weekday breakfast. Plus the added vinegar flavor adds a nice sharpness to the dish. 

Like any “bowl” recipe, it can easily be adapted to what you have in your refrigerator and your personal tastes. Don’t be afraid to experiment. That’s how great meals are invented! 

INGREDIENTS: 

1 cup (180g) dry quinoa 

2 cups (470ml) low sodium vegetable broth

½ tablespoon butter  

2 bay leaves

4 cloves garlic, whole and peeled

4 oz (110g) dry smoked salmon 

4 large eggs 

2 tablespoons vinegar—white, apple cider or red wine vinegar 

1 12 oz (340g) bunch spinach 

4 tablespoons pickled vegetable, we used a store bought beet sauerkraut 

Miso Tahini Drizzle Sauce (Makes 10 servings)

2 tablespoons miso, white preferred 

2 tablespoons tahini 

1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger 

1 garlic clove

2 teaspoon maple syrup 

1/4 cup (60ml) rice vinegar

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

2 tablespoons olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Toast quinoa over low heat until fragrant, being careful not to burn. Then add the stock, bay leaves, garlic cloves, and butter. Bring the pot to a boil, and then simmer on low for 15 minutes. Be sure to keep the lid on the entire time and avoid letting out any steam. Once the water is absorbed, remove the pot from the heat, fluff the quinoa with a fork and pull out the bay leaves and full garlic cloves. Cover and let stand for 5 to 10 more minutes. 

While the grain is cooking, fill a saucepan ⅔ of the way full and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Once at a light simmer, add two tablespoons of vinegar to the water. 

Make an easy miso tahini drizzle by combining all sauce ingredients into a blender and blending on high until smooth. Pour into a jar and reserve. 

Dish quinoa into four bowls and split the smoked salmon into four servings among the bowls. Top each with one tablespoon of fermented vegetables. 

Once the grain and the sauce are prepared, you are ready to poach the eggs. Crack and carefully slide each egg into the simmering water leaving plenty of space between them. If the egg white spreads out, use a spoon to bring it closer to its yolk. Poach each egg until the white is firm and the yolk feels soft but contained. Use a spoon to carefully ladle hot water over the egg yolk until the top becomes opaque. When you believe the egg is poached, use a slotted spoon to carefully lift the egg from the water and touch the yolk to test for its desired consistency. A runny poached egg takes approximately three to four minutes. 

When the eggs are ready, use the slotted spoon to carefully remove from the water and nestle two eggs on top of each quinoa bowl. Drizzle the dish with a tablespoon of miso tahini sauce and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. 

Serve hot. 

Makes 4 servings.

NUTRITION FACTS (PER SERVING): 

Calories 360kcal/1506 kj

Protein 22 g

Total fat 14 g

Saturated fat 3.5 g

Cholesterol 193 mg

Carbs 72 g

Fiber 7 g

Total sugars 3 g

Added sugars 1 g

Sodium 530 mg

Coconut Ginger Chickpea Stew

This dish is warming and nourishing, satisfying and rich in spices. It’s reminiscent of Indian dal—hearty and flavorful, and is great served alongside warm flat bread or laddled over basmati rice. It has become our go to soup to bring to friends in need. And we recommend always doubling that recipe, because it freezes beautifully and makes a healthy meal in a pinch. The coconut milk may be totally or partially omitted and replaced with an additional low sodium vegetable broth. 

INGREDIENTS: 

3 tablespoons olive oil 

3 garlic cloves, diced

1 large yellow onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced 

2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced

1 teaspoon ground turmeric 

1 teaspoon red-pepper/chilli flakes, plus more for serving

½ teaspoon salt, divided 

¼  teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 medium carrots, peeled and diced   

2 15-ounce (425g) cans no-added salt chickpeas, drained and rinsed. Reserve ½ cup (130g) for serving

1 15 oz (425g) can of  light coconut milk, (optional) 

3 cups (700ml) of low sodium vegetable broth 

1 bunch 12 oz (340g) spinach, rough chopped

½ cup (125g) non-fat yogurt, for serving (optional)

1 cup mint leaves, torn into pieces for serving

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Preheat the oven to 425F (215C). Dry ½ a cup of the canned chickpeas on a paper towel removing any loose skins and place them on a small baking sheet with two teaspoons olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Roast until crispy for approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Remove and set aside. 

Meanwhile, heat remaining olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, garlic, and ginger to the pot and cook until the onion is fragrant and translucent, about five minutes. Then add the ground turmeric, red pepper/chilli flakes, salt, and pepper and toss to combine. Let the spices heat for one to two minutes, give everything another good stir to incorporate. Then add the chickpeas and carrots and toss to combine. Sautee for 5 minutes until carrots begin to soften. Lastly add the vegetable stock and coconut milk. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and cover, simmering for 15 to 20 more minutes. 

When you are ready to serve, ladle a cup or so of soup into a bowl. Top with a dollop of yogurt and a pile of fresh herbs. You may also finish the dish with a little drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. 

Enjoy on its own, or alongside a salad, flat bread, or rice. 

Makes 6 servings.

NUTRITION FACTS (PER SERVING): 

Calories 310 kcal/ 1297 kj

Protein 12 g

Total fat 14 g

Saturated fat 5g 

Cholesterol 0 mg

Carbs 37 g

Fiber 11 g

Total sugars 9 g

Added sugars 0 g 

Sodium 360 mg

The post New Year, Strong You: 3 Recipes for Mental Strength appeared first on Fitbit Blog.

As we head into a new year, it’s always important to reflect on the one gone by. 2022 was filled with highs and lows, wins and losses, learnings and celebrations. Above all else, it taught us that when we come together as a community, we can achieve great things such as the combined 47 trillion steps we took in 2022!

If you find that impressive, you’ll want to keep reading because Fitbit researchers analyzed data from Fitbit users around the world and found some of your most outstanding stats to date. Read on to discover which countries were the top contenders for highest step count, best rest, least stressed, and more.

Total Global Step Stats

The Fitbit community stepped up and showed out on May 27 taking a total of 162 billion steps, making it the most steps taken in a single day around the globe in 2022. Fitbitters also seemed to have an extra spring in their step during the month of May as it was our best step month of the year! 

Lastly, together we clocked 20 billion total miles in 2022. That’s enough to walk to Mars 143 times and enough to walk to Pluto 6.5 times!

Total Global Sleep Stats

How did Fitbitters fare when it came to hitting the hay? With an average of 6.5 hours of sleep and an average 76 Sleep Score, these metrics give you a “fair” score in snoozing. But not to worry, you can utilize your Fitbit sleep data to help get you back to an “excellent” sleep score in 2023! 

Another fun fact? The most common sleep animal in 2022 was the Giraffe, which means your sleep tends to be shorter, and you are more likely to sleep later and wake up earlier. You have a relatively good proportion of deep and REM sleep despite a shorter overall duration.¹ 

Total Global Exercise Stats

Active Zone Minutes, or AZM, is the heart-based metric that tracks the amount of time a user spends in heart-pumping activity. With a total of 173 billion Active Zone Minutes, Fitbit users certainly brought the heat in 2022—specially on May 14, with 612 million minutes total. Way to get moving!

Who got the highest Active Zone Minutes in 2022?

Based on recommendations from the World Health Organization, American Heart Association, and others, we should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. So, who took these activity targets to heart and got  the most AZMs in 2022? Drum roll please… Switzerland! Next up were Sweden and Denmark respectively. 

Who stepped it up in 2022?

But which country was the real MVP of steps? Let’s get a round of applause for Hong Kong! Following closely behind were Switzerland and Spain. Well played!

Who got the best rest in 2022?

Even with busy schedules and fluctuating routines, Fitbitters remembered that when you prioritize getting good sleep, your body and mind are healthier. According to our data, Finland hit the lights the most this past year. Other top snoozers include New Zealand and Belgium. 

Who had the best Stress Management Score in 2022?

You’ve been tapping into your mindfulness practice and putting your mental health first, even with the continued uncertainty in the world. And the country that won the best Stress Management Score in 2022? None other than Spain! Next up were Sweden, Netherlands, Ireland, and finally Denmark. How’s that for zen?

This new year will undoubtedly present a new series of opportunities and challenges as we all continue to refine and evolve our health and wellness routines. Through it all, it’s key to remember that the journey is just as, if not more, important than the destination. Cheers to 2023! 

¹ Requires Fitbit Premium membership. Not intended for medical purposes. Consult your healthcare professional for questions about your health. Must wear device to sleep for at least 14 nights over a month-long period.

The post Fitbit’s Year in Review: Which Countries Took Their Health and Fitness to the Next Level in 2022? appeared first on Fitbit Blog.

Many people think that, when it comes to alcohol use, it’s all-or-nothing; you either pursue full sobriety or you drink whatever and whenever you want. But it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. There’s a movement aimed at helping people want to better understand their relationship to alcohol and make healthier choices for themselves without necessarily giving up alcohol completely. It’s called the sober curious movement.

Let’s take a look at all things sober curious: what it is, how it differs from full sobriety or abstinence, and how (if you’re curious about it!) you can embrace the movement in your own life.

What is “sober curious”, and why is it having such a moment?

“The Sober Curious movement was launched by Ruby Warrington and her book, Sober Curious, in [late 2018],” says Elisa Peimer, LCSW, a therapist who has worked with a Sober Curious support group. “Sober Curious is a method of being mindful about drinking. People following it learn how to notice what triggers their drinking, what the act of drinking means to them, what needs it’s fulfilling, and how it’s adversely affecting their lives.”

The movement gained momentum quickly, in part because it allows people to explore living a more sober lifestyle without making the commitment to give up drinking entirely. “The movement encourages a sober (or more sober) lifestyle, but embraces and welcomes individuals who are not ready to quit alcohol entirely,” says Ian Andersen, co-founder of mindful drinking and moderation app Sunnyside.

The rise of the sober curious movement could also be viewed as an extension of health, wellness, and mindfulness in general becoming more mainstream. “As mindfulness in general has become more and more popular, being sober-curious feels like a natural extension of healthier lifestyle options like plant-based diets, yoga, and meditation,” says Molly Watts, author and host of The Alcohol Minimalist podcast.

Finally, the sober curious movement has gained quite the following on social media. And as more people and influencers have embraced the movement—and been willing to speak out about their choices around drinking less, or not at all—the movement has spread to more people. For example, “hashtags like #mindfuldrinking and #sobercurious are driving millions of views on social media,” says Andersen.

How is being sober curious different from being fully sober?

Being sober curious differs from traditional sobriety in a few ways—most notably that it doesn’t require abstinence from alcohol. Instead, it encourages people to, as the name suggests, get curious about their drinking—and aim to make better, more mindful choices around their alcohol use.

This allows people “to explore living a life without alcohol without having to fully commit to not drinking,” says Dr. Brooke Scheller, a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition who specializes in nutrition to support a sober or sober-curious journey. 

“The focus is not on just abstinence, but on the choices we make when the stressors in our lives drive us to relieve them with alcohol rather than in more healthy ways,” says Peimer.

It also appeals to a wider audience. While full abstinence is generally recommended for people with an alcohol use disorder, the sober curious movement is a fit for anyone who wants to have a better relationship to alcohol—or who want to cut back their drinking for reasons outside of addiction or alcohol use disorder, like improving their health.

“Before this, sobriety was mostly reserved for those who identified as having a problem with alcohol,” says Scheller. “Over the last two years, people are now exploring a sober-curious lifestyle by cutting back or even fully eliminating alcohol for reasons that include physical and mental health reasons, to improve their careers, relationships, or even just because they’re sick of the hangover habit.”

“Sober curious offers a flexibility to acknowledge your use of alcohol might not be healthy without the rigidity of an all-or-nothing approach,” says Peimer.

Feeling curious? Tips on how to embrace the movement

Practice mindfulness when you reach for a drink. Mindfulness is the foundation of the sober curious movement.

“Sober curiosity is about mindfulness—looking at your actions in the moment and being honest with yourself,” says Peimer. “Notice what’s going on for you when you decide to drink.” 

Before you take a drink, pause for a moment. Ask yourself “why am I taking this drink?”—and then, based on the answer, decide whether you want to move forward and have the drink. For example, when you stop to think about why you’re reaching for a drink, you may realize that it’s because you trying to manage challenging emotions, like boredom or anxiety—in which case you might opt to skip it in favor of a healthier coping mechanism, like calling a friend or going for a run. 

Practicing mindfulness in the moments that you want or reach for a drink can help you better understand the motivations behind your drinking—and whether those motivations are in line with the kind of relationship you want to have with alcohol.

Get curious and ask yourself some deeper questions. In addition to bringing mindfulness to moments when you want to drink, being sober curious means…well, getting curious. Ask yourself some deeper questions about your relationship to alcohol. “Be thoughtful about what drinking means to you,” says Peimer. “Is it helping you create a narrative that’s appealing? Is it a reminder of happy times? Is it an indication that the weekend is starting?”

Understanding the reasons behind your drinking can help you make better, healthier choices around if and when to drink. 

If you want to take things a step further, you may also want to ask yourself some questions about what it would be like to give up alcohol completely or consume less of it. “Ask yourself how your life would look without alcohol,” says Peimer. 

If you want to see how drinking may impact your Sleep Score, check it after a night out with friends. You can also try comparing your Sleep Score on a night you haven’t imbibed with that of a night when you have. (Learn more about how to tap into Fitbit’s sleep tools, including your Sleep Score, here.) 

Plan ahead. As mentioned, part of being sober curious is about being mindful when you reach for a drink. But while it’s important to be mindful in the moment, some are harder than others. And if there are moments you think it might be hard to say “no” to a drink—even if you want to? Plan ahead for them. “Try making a plan ahead of time for not drinking at an event that you normally would,” says Watts.

For example, do your Sunday catch-up brunches with your friends always end with you having one too many cocktails? Make a plan for what you’re going to drink instead (for example, a sparkling mocktail)—and for what you’re going to say.

As the old saying goes, “failing to plan is planning to fail”. Make sure to plan ahead for potentially challenging situations.

Try some non-alcoholic alternatives. If you want to change your relationship to alcohol—but also really enjoy the taste of beer, wine, or other alcoholic drinks? There’s good news.

“We’re…seeing a huge boom in the non-alcoholic beverage industry,” says Scheller. “While stores used to sell only one or two NA beers, we’re seeing a huge range of NA drinks in liquor stores, grocery stores, and even small markets—making it much easier to access alternatives to alcoholic beverages.”

There’s also been some serious improvements in the quality of non-alcoholic beverages—so you don’t have to sacrifice taste along with the buzz. “Many people are really surprised by how delicious some of the NA beverages are and you can have the mouth feel of your favorite drink without the negative aspects of alcohol,” says Watts.

Instead of having a drink every time you normally would (for example, with dinner or in the evening while you watch TV), “try to alternate your regular alcoholic drinks with an NA alternative,” says Watts. 

And have fun with it! As mentioned, there are tons of NA options on the market—so choose beverages that seem interesting, tasty, and that you’ll be genuinely excited to try. “Having options that you can get excited about that are not alcohol is a great way to modify your habits,” says Andersen.

The post What is the Sober Curious Movement—and Why Is It So Popular? appeared first on Fitbit Blog.

The New Year is one of the best times of the year to set fitness and wellness resolutions. And one of the best ways to ensure you keep those fitness and wellness resolutions all year long? A mood board.

Mood boards can be a great source of inspiration for making healthier decisions and moving towards your fitness and wellness goals. But what, exactly, is a mood board, how do they work,  and how can you use mood boards to become the happiest, healthiest version of yourself in 2023 (and beyond)?

Sometimes called a vision board, a mood board is a collection of images, graphics, words, and other visual imagery collaged together. They essentially create a visual representation of a chosen topic, idea, concept, or goal.

You can make a physical mood board (for example, by cutting out images from a magazine and collaging them on a piece of posterboard)—or, if you prefer the more tech-savvy route, you can create a virtual mood board using a digital design tool.

What can you use a mood board for?

Mood boards are extremely versatile. You can make one on just about every topic and for just about any reason (including just because you want to!). But one of the most effective ways to use them? To help you hit your goals.

For example, let’s say you just bought a new home. You might make a mood board full of interior design images to help guide your decorating process—including the colors, styles, textures, and patterns you want to include in your home design.

Or let’s say you’re still renting—but your goal is to buy a home in the near future. In that situation, you could make a mood board to keep you moving towards your goal, complete with photos of your dream neighborhood, the kind of home you’d like to buy, and images that will inspire positive financial habits.

Mood boards can be a helpful tool in working towards any goal. But as the New Year approaches, they can be especially effective in helping you work towards your New Year’s resolutions—including your health and fitness resolutions.

So how, exactly, can you use mood boards to help you hit your health and fitness goals—and keep you moving towards your healthiest, happiest self straight through 2023?

Make sure all of your health goals are represented—mental, physical, and emotional

When setting health resolutions for the coming year, it can be easy to focus on the physical—things like changing your diet or getting more exercise. And while you’ll 100 percent want to include those goals on your mood board, your physical health goals aren’t the only resolutions you want represented on your mood board. You’ll want to include your mental and emotional health goals as well.

Think about the resolutions you want to make to improve your overall health in 2023—physical, mental, and emotional. For example, maybe your health resolutions look something like this:

Physical: Run a 10k, learn to cook healthy meals at home, improve sleep hygiene and get 8 full hours of sleep each night

Mental: Create a daily self-care practice, learn an instrument, read one book per month

Emotional: Start seeing a therapist, schedule at least one “friend date” each week

All of those resolutions are going to help you become a healthier, happier person—and so you’ll want to include them on your mood board.

Include images that inspire you

Once you know all of the health resolutions you want to include on your mood board—physical, mental, and emotional—it’s time to start putting your mood board together. And the first step in that process? Gathering images to create your collage.

There’s no “right” way to search for, find, and collect imagery for a mood board. If you’re making a physical mood board, you might clip images from books and magazines or incorporate your own photos—while if you’re making a digital mood board, you might search the internet and take screenshots of images that align with your goals.

But however you conduct your image search, the most important thing to keep in mind? Choose images that inspire you.

Look for inspiring images that align with the goals you’re trying to hit. For example, is one of your fitness goals to finish your first marathon? Look for photos of people triumphantly crossing marathon finish lines or epic scenery shots of the location where you’d like to run. Are you planning on embracing a more plant-based lifestyle in the coming year? Make sure to incorporate lots of pictures of delicious, nutritious foods and meals to inspire your plant-based menu.

Bottom line? The purpose of your mood board is to act as a visual representation of your health and fitness resolutions—and to inspire you to keep working towards those resolutions, even when it gets challenging. So, to make sure your mood board inspires you when you need it most? Choose inspiring images.

Put your mood board on display

A mood board is a great reminder of the goals that you’re working towards and inspiration to help you work towards those goals. But it can only remind and inspire you if you can actually see it.

Display your mood board in a place where you’re sure to see it every day—for example, on your bedroom wall, on your dresser, or in your workout room. The more often you look at your mood board, the more visual reminders you’ll get of your fitness and wellness resolutions—and those reminders can help you stay accountable to hitting your goals and keeping your resolutions.

Add to your mood board as necessary

As the year progresses, your fitness and wellness resolutions may progress right along with it. So, if you want your mood board to continue to inspire you? Make sure to change and add to it as necessary.

For example, let’s say your major New Year’s health resolution is to get better sleep—and, as such, your mood board is focused on sleep-related imagery and inspiration. If you’re focused on that goal, chances are, your sleep is going to improve throughout the year—and by June, you may be getting such high-quality Zzz’s, improving your sleep no longer feels like as much of a focus.

In that situation, you may feel called to add new resolutions to your mood board, like getting more exercise or cooking more healthy meals—or you may be called to make a new mood board altogether!

The point is, in order for a mood board to be effective, it needs to be a reflection of your current fitness and wellness goals and resolutions—so don’t be afraid to change or add to your mood board as those goals and resolutions change.

The post Try a Mood Board for Your Fitness and Wellness Resolutions This Year appeared first on Fitbit Blog.

Barre classes may do great things for your glutes, thighs, and core, but if you really want to be strong like a ballerina, consider a ballet workout. This total body exercise doesn’t just strengthen and lengthen muscles; it boasts some decided fringe benefits, like better posture, balance, and confidence, says Victoria Marr, director and co-founder of Sleek Technique Ballet Fitness. 

What is a ballet workout, and how does it compare to barre? Read on to learn if this new spin on ballet is right for you. 

What is a ballet workout? 

“Ballet [workouts] take you through the entire journey of a ballet class,” says Chris Vo, director of programming, group fitness at Equinox and Equinox Media. But with a twist. In addition to plies, arabesques, and other classic moves, a typical ballet workout might include resistance bands to tone the arms and back or planks for core strength. Either way, the result is a gentle cardio workout that sculpts, tones, and leaves you feeling light, flexible, and more graceful.

A mind-body workout

Ballet-focused classes aren’t just about building a better body. “Dance can lead to a long list of benefits,” says Vo. In addition to improved flexibility, coordination, and balance, dance may also reduce stress and depression, he says. Escaping to the world of dance may also help you become more mindful, adds Marr. “Mentally, you absolutely have to focus for that 30 to 40 minutes and block out any other stresses and distractions,” she explains. Research backs up her theory. For example, one recent study found that dance students reported greater mindfulness and life satisfaction than students in other disciplines.

How do ballet workouts differ from barre classes?

On the surface, ballet and barre workouts may sound like the same thing, but there are some subtle—and not-so-subtle—distinctions. Here are the main ways they differ from one another. 

Coordination and rhythm. “A good barre workout will work on coordination and rhythm but focuses on the more basic ballet steps,” says Marr. “[However], there is even more of an opportunity to advance the work on your coordination and rhythm once you leave the barre as you start to work with a bigger vocabulary of movement and build longer dance sequences.” 

Upper body strength. Want ballerina arms? Then book a ballet class. While barre work can do magic for your lower body, it doesn’t always target the back and arms like sashaying across the floor with arms stretched outward or overhead does.

Cardiovascular endurance. “There is more of an option for larger range, dynamic movements off the barre,” says Marr. Plus, moving your arms and legs simultaneously really gets your heart pumping! Ballet is so effective for heart health that one recent study found that regular moderate-intensity dancing reduced a person’s risk of dying from heart disease by 46 percent. 

Perceived effort. “They both can be strenuous in different ways, but when you get lost in the artistry and the theatrical aspect of a ballet class, somehow one’s perceived exertion is much less,” says Vo. 

The fun factor. “Barre workouts tend to feel like workouts, [and are] usually focused on smaller range of motion, high repetition, and light resistance exercises,” says Vo. By contrast, the jumps, leaps, and turns of a ballet class make you feel like, well, a dancer. 

If you’re torn between the two, the good news is you don’t have to choose one over the other. “Both have their place and complement each other brilliantly,” says Marr. 

But if you’re still not convinced that ballet is really exercise, consider the results of a recent meta-analysis. When researchers reviewed the results of 28 studies, they found that dance was more effective than traditional exercise for improving flexibility and balance and reducing BMI, body fat, and triglycerides. And it was equally as beneficial as exercise for cardiovascular health. So go ahead and dance your heart out!

The post Should You Try a Ballet-Style Workout? appeared first on Fitbit Blog.

RECIPE BY LEANDRA ROUSE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM EMMONS 

Hot Pot is a delicious family meal that is served with a steaming soup at the center of a table, where all guests can participate in flavoring the broth. This is a tradition that has been seen across Asia for thousands of years. Most notably in China (know as huǒguō), in Japan (known as Nabemono), and in Korea (known as Jeongol). It is a fun way to share a communal meal with loved ones, making it especially perfect for the  holidays. 

To ensure this dish is tasty as it is healthy, we will show you how to make the broth light and the vegetables abundant. The seafood and vegetable theme brings forward some of the best hot pot ingredients such as Asian mushrooms, tofu skin, and daikon. Although, you can swap in similar ingredients based on season and your preferences 

The key to a good hot pot is a great broth! We have a great hack to save time and deliver on flavor. Add shrimp and vegetable peels to your favorite pre-made vegetable stock then add This adds extra vitamins, minerals and a rich umami flavor into a packaged broth.  

Lastly, hot pot is traditionally served in the center of a dining table. You will need a heat source such as an electric hot pot, hotplate, or induction stoveplate to keep broth warm. (We’ve always used a plugged in hotplate, but this year added an electric hot pot to our holiday wish list.) 

Most importantly, share this dish with a group of loved ones. It is interactive, fun, easily tailored for personal tastes, and takes a flavorful departure from traditional American holiday flavors.  

INGREDIENTS: 

2 32 fl.oz (950ml) containers vegetable broth, sodium reduced or without added salt is preferred 

2 teaspoons powdered dashi *optional 

1 lb (450g) white fish filets, such as Mahi Mahi, Bass, Tilapia 

6 shrimp, peels removed and reserved 

1 14 oz (400g) package tofu, firm, cut into cubes 

6 shiitake mushrooms, sliced in half

2 enoki mushroom bundles 

4 baby (400 g) Bok Choy or Pak Choi, bottoms removed

2 cups (200g)  cabbage, Napa or green

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

1 cup (160g) daikon/mooli, peeled and sliced into 1” (2.5cm) half moons 

1 bunch (100g) green onions or spring onions, ends trimmed and reserved

½ lb (225g) vermicelli noodle, cooked

For the dipping sauce: 

1 tablespoon white miso paste

½ tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon rice vinegar 

1 ½  tablespoon tahini

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame seeds, white, toasted

2 tablespoons water to thin sauce

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Stock: Begin by simmering shrimp peels, shiitake stems, and any other reserved vegetable peels in one cup (240ml) of water. Simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Strain and add this concentrated mixture to a large stock pot with the pre-made vegetable broth and powdered dashi. 

Hot pot: Chop and plate all the vegetable and seafood ingredients into approximate bite size pieces. Plate decoratively and arrange the ingredients based on the type. Place the ingredients across two or more plates to ensure that guests on all sides of the table have easy access. 

Dipping sauce: Whisk together the ingredients in a bowl. Portion the finished dipping sauce into several bowls and place around the table for guests. You may consider individual dipping sauce bowls. 

Set the table:  Put the heat source at center of the table, arrange the plates of ingredients and dipping sauce around the table so guests can reach them. Supply each guest with a bowl, soup spoon, and chopsticks. 

Hot pot meal: When you are ready to serve, carefully bring the large stock pot of broth and place it on the heat source at the center of the table. It should be kept at a low simmer during the meal. Guests can contribute to the flavoring of the broth by selecting raw ingredients, and carefully placing them into the hot pot using chopsticks or a spoon. Give the ingredients plenty of time to cook through and soften before spooning into bowls. The seafood typically will take 7 to 10 minutes to cook and the vegetables a minimum of 5 minutes.Once cooked, ladle the soup from the hotpot into guest bowls, including a little of each added ingredient. Guests can individually season with the dipping sauce. 

Eat and be merry!

Makes 15 servings. 

NUTRITION FACTS (PER SERVING): 

Calories 180 KCal

Protein 14g

Total fat 6g

Saturated fat 2g

Cholesterol 20mg

Carbs 19g

Fiber 3g

Total sugars 3g

Added sugars 0g

Sodium 600mg

The post Healthy Recipe: Holiday Hot Pot appeared first on Fitbit Blog.

Winter can be tough for many people, with fewer hours of daylight and plunging temperatures. Sure, there are many holidays and celebrations to look forward to, but they can come with over-the-top busyness, and expectations can be emotionally and physically draining.

This season, give yourself a break and perhaps elevate your happiness by following the Danish practice of hygge.

Hygge literally means—well, there is no direct translation into English! But it is a sense of cozy comfort, gratitude, and well-being. Pronounced “hoo-ga” or “hui-gah,” it is a common practice in Denmark to prioritize slowing down the pace of life and enjoying simple pleasures, such as close family and friends, food, nature, and relaxation.

Denmark is known for being one of the happiest countries in the world, and hygge may be the reason. With the average winter temperature hovering at the freezing mark and a mere seven hours of sunshine each day in December, the Danes use this time to comfort themselves and enjoy what they have.

History of hygge

The word hygge comes from the Norwegian language, where it means well-being. It was first seen in Danish writing in the 18th century. The concept of hygge fits well into Danish culture, which embraces genuine connection and a laid-back approach to life.

Although the concept of hygge grew in Denmark, an article published about it in 2015 began a spike in coverage around the globe. Subsequent articles and books about hygge followed. In 2016, the word hygge made the Oxford Dictionary shortlist for word of the year. It was defined as “a quality of cosiness  and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).”

As the idea of hygge became more popular worldwide, it became more commercial. The Broadway production of the musical Frozen includes a song called Hygge—ensuring future generations will be well-versed in the concept. Lifestyles stores promote furniture, blankets, candles, and other accessories to make a home more hygge. Still, the original meaning of the word focuses on enjoying what you have, not necessarily needing to get more.

In addition to being a newly accepted word in Scrabble, hygge can be used as a verb, adjective, and noun.

Ways hygge may help happiness

While practicing hygge sounds good, can it really make you happy? Everyone is coping with different stressors and situations. However, hygge corresponds with the concepts of well-being and happiness.

Connection is essential to hygge, and good social relationships are a key predictor of happiness. Hygge is a perfect solution year-round, especially in winter when people socialize less and can feel more isolated without activities with close friends.

A significant part of hygge is gratefulness, an appreciation of what you have. Research shows that gratitude is strongly associated with greater happiness. According to Harvard Medical School, “gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” Practicing hygge provides regular opportunities to appreciate the people and things around you.

Rest is another aspect of hygge that translates to well-being and happiness. Taking time from overloaded schedules to slow down and relax reduces stress, boosts creativity and productivity, and helps decision-making. Instead of waiting until burnout occurs, hygge creates built-in downtime.

Adding hygge to your life

If you don’t think you’ve practiced hygge before, there is no need for FOMO—you probably have! Think of the last cold, dreary day when you and your bestie wore sweats all day, piled on the blankets, binge-watched a Netflix series, and talked about anything and everything. Perhaps it was when you had a game night or Friendsgiving with a few of your favorite people. Or when you went on a nature walk with your pup, appreciating the open space and chance to breathe fresh air.

There are many ways to hygge. But it’s not just about the activity; it’s about intention and attitude. Because hygge is part of Denmark’s culture, the people there hygge intentionally and consistently. They allow their schedules to include downtime and appreciate the restorative aspects of hanging out with friends and family. And they don’t just do this on special occasions. They do this weekly.

Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute and author of The Little Book of Hygge, highlights the central tenets of hygge:

Get together with a few close friends in a trusting environment. Danes believe the ideal number of people to hygge with is three or four.

Enjoy good food and drink. This can be simple food at home, a local coffeehouse, or a casual and relaxing restaurant.

Disconnect from digital devices and distractions to savor the moment. This includes leaving work on time to be with family and friends and turning off emails and social media when you’re with people.

Turn the lights down. Candles are an important aspect of creating a hygge environment.

Dress comfortably. Now isn’t the time for suits and heels. Think soft sweats and thick, warm socks.

Have a hygge spot at home where you can light candles, snuggle under a blanket, and drink hot tea, coffee, or cocoa.

While hygge is often practiced indoors, it doesn’t have to be, even in winter. A brisk walk or run outside, a snowball fight, or ice skating with friends are excellent ways to hygge. Activities like picnics, barbecues, canoeing, and camping are popular in warmer weather.

Although hygge can help improve happiness, it isn’t a substitute for psychological support. Still, with its multiple benefits, practicing hygge may help this winter be a little brighter, warmer, and more fulfilling!

The post Here’s How You Can Brighten Winter with the Danish Practice of Hygge appeared first on Fitbit Blog.

Googler Zahra Barnes, an editorial content manager and contributor to the Google Keyword blog, was immediately intrigued by Fitbit Premium’s Sleep Profile feature when it launched in June—and the thought of understanding more about her sleep quality, not just quantity. That’s why, after being set up with a device by Fitbit, she decided to test out our Sleep Profile for the next two months. 

Sleep Profile is determined by analyzing 10 key metrics identified by the Fitbit research team to be most important to your sleep health, including sleep schedule variability, sleep start time, sleep duration, time in deep and REM sleep, and more. Plus, Sleep Profile will reveal which animal represents a user’s most recent sleep habits. The options are Bear, Dolphin, Hedgehog, Parrot, Tortoise, and Giraffe. 

Read on for Zahra’s takeaways: 

Setting up her Sleep Profile was simple. Once her device and the Fitbit app were set up, all she had to do was wear it. 

She thought her Inspire 3’s 10-day battery life was the stuff of dreams. “I’m frankly still not over this!” Zahra shared.

She found looking through her sleep data fascinating, especially her Sleep Score, and was able to improve her sleep as a result. 

Smart Wake made her mornings less groggy by waking her with gentle vibrations at the lightest point in the sleep cycle.

Fitbit’s breathing exercise and guided meditations helped her wind down before bed. On nights when she couldn’t drift off, she found that Fitbit helped.  

Getting her sleep animal, the Giraffe, was as rewarding as she’d hoped. She discovered that like her other fellow Giraffes (the most common Sleep Animal), she went to bed later, got less sleep than women her age, and did not have much time spent awake while sleeping. 

Fitbit’s workout encouragement helped her tire herself out. “If I’d known my Fitbit would basically be a life coach and cheerleader right on my wrist, I’d have tried one out a lot sooner!” Zahra wrote. 

Interested in trying it yourself? If you’re a Premium member, all you have to do is wear your Fitbit device to bed for at least 14 nights of the previous month, and on the first day of the month, you’ll get your monthly Sleep Profile. Available on Google Pixel Watch, Sense 2, Sense, Versa 4, Versa 3, Versa 2, Charge 5, Luxe, Inspire 2, or Inspire 3. 

Want to find out more about Zahra’s experience? You can read the full story on the Google Keyword.

The post Googler Zahra Barnes Tried Fitbit Premium’s Sleep Profile for Two Months appeared first on Fitbit Blog.

Did you know that the famous 10K steps per day target wasn’t originally based in science? Manpo-kei, translated as “10,000-steps-meter,” was introduced by a Japanese pedometer manufacturer in 1965. As we know at Fitbit, a wide range of research has occurred since then, indeed suggesting that hitting this daily target can improve sleep duration and quality, have a positive impact on self-reported mental health, boost blood oxygen levels, and decrease resting heart rate. 

Research shows that it’s not only step count, but also intensity that matters. Since 2020, Fitbit has inspired Fitbit users to push up their physical activity levels with the introduction of personalized Active Zone Minutes (AZMs) minutes of high-intensity activity that are based on heart rate targets achieved for each minute spent on any workout that gets your heart pumping.

For this analysis, we investigated whether hitting the American Heart Association’s recommended physical activity target of 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic activity leads to measurable improvements in Fitbit users. We also took a look at approximately how long users should meet these physical activity targets to get the highest return on investment on these aspects of their health.

We analyzed 471 million AZMs and 106 billion steps of anonymous and consenting users who met the physical activity targets in February 2022, but not in January 2022, and assessed whether they saw corresponding improvements in their health compared with users who did not meet the targets in the same period. The results show positive health impacts across resting heart rate, HRV, sleep and stress management scores so long as at least one threshold is reached. Health benefits are even further pronounced when users achieve multiple recommendations.

Users who met both 10K steps per day and the 150 AZMs per week target saw improvements in multiple metrics compared to those who did not meet those thresholds. Specific improvements were as follows: 

Heart rate variability improved by 20 percent (6.1 millisecond or ms. difference)

Resting heart rate lowered by 8.1 percent (4 bpm difference)

Stress management scores lowered by 7.3 percent (5.4 difference)1 

In addition, users that met or exceeded only the 10K steps per day recommendation still showed a 3.44 millisecond higher heart rate variability (higher is better), 3.05 beats per minute lower resting heart rate, and 3.97 improvement in their stress management score than comparable users. 

Users that met or exceeded only the 150 AZMs per week recommendation showed a 3.08 ms higher heart rate variability, 1.35 beats per minute lower resting heart rate, and 5.08 higher stress management score than comparable users. These findings suggest that meeting even one of the targets may still yield improvements in your health.

Next, we looked at how long the same user who initially does not meet the physical activity targets needs to be active to start reaping the health benefits:

Reaching the 150 AZMs per week and 10K steps per day targets for as little as two weeks increased heart rate variability by 20 percent, decreased RHR by 4.3 percent, and increased sleep scores by 4.2 percent compared remaining at below-target physical activity levels

Users that managed to hit the physical activity targets for an additional two weeks (6 weeks total) also saw a 4.9 percent decrease in their resting heart rate²

Importantly, these positive effects on health lasted for over 4 weeks even if activity later dropped!

Key recommendation: Shoot for 150 AZMs per week in addition to 10K steps per day for the biggest benefit. If that’s too much, aim for activity consistency balanced with some higher intensity workouts for measurable benefits. Use Fitbit’s Activity goals to set daily targets for steps and AZMs and remember to turn on those reminders to move! By enabling these features, Fitbit can help you set targets and achieve your health goals. 

1 This analysis was not designed to directly compare the AZM and step count physical activity targets as these distinct workouts are subject to different variables that affect health, such as measurement error. So it is possible that the associations we found with health are attributable to some other unobserved characteristic of the workout.

² As these analyses were observational in nature, we were unable to control for all confounding variables, so it is possible that the associations we found with physical activity and health are attributable to other, unobserved characteristics in the groups. However, other studies, including prospective randomized controlled trials, have shown comparable changes in RHR and HRV over a similar time period.

The post Fitbit Research Findings Show that Users Who Meet Physical Activity Recommendations Are Able to Improve Their Resting Heart Rate, Sleep, and More appeared first on Fitbit Blog.