Health and Wellness

Bring your lunch from home
Looking to save your wallet and your waistline? Eat out less! Bringing lunch from home will save you money and you can choose exactly what you put in your body.

Choose fresh foods that are full of color and flavor so you don't get tempted by the donuts your co-worker brought in.

Switch up the boring sandwich and chips for a more interesting and filling lunch. Try a wrap or pita with hummus and veggies and fresh cheese. Swap the salty chips for some crunchy bell peppers with low-fat ranch dip.

READ MORE: Lunchbox tips!

Steal an idea from your kids to finish off lunch with a sweet but healthy swap. A frozen tube of Go-Gurt will satisfy your sweet tooth and could trick you into thinking you are indulging!

Make sure to not let your lunch get boring! Switch up your snacks and make lunches you will look forward to eating.

Get your co-workers to join in on the fun! Swap lunchbox recipes and bring healthy snacks to share instead of sweet treats. The break room will be the place to be!

Get outside and welcome spring
This winter has been a long one. Frequent snow storms, icy hiking paths, frigid temperatures and a flu season that seemed to never end had many of us stuck in the house. After spending the last few months experiencing the Hudson Valley from the comfort of your couch, it's time to stretch your legs and get back out into nature.

The gray winter left a lot of us feeling blue. Brighten up your day! Step outside, enjoy the fresh air and go for a walk.

Don't worry if the unpaved walking trails are still too muddy to use. The Hudson Valley is full of paved trails for your convenience.

READ MORE: Hiking trails you will love!

The Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie is a clean, flat trail perfect for walking alone or with a group of friends.

Keep track of your steps with a fitness tracker and start a competition with yourself.

Are you getting enough fiber?
According to Dr. Padma Garvey, local mom and Hudson Valley Parent blogger, the biggest nutritional deficiency in America is fiber.

A diet rich in fiber can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Foods rich in fiber can also make us feel fuller longer. This full
feeling will help when the need to snack hits mid-afternoon!

Dr. Garvey suggests a plant-based diet full of fiber rich foods like lentils, black beans and spinach. She insists that if people would fill their meals with more fiber, their diets would be healthier overall.She says, "If people were instructed to simply eat more fiber per calorie then they would naturally eat a low oil, unprocessed, whole grain, plant-based diet."

Check out Dr. Garvey's blogs HERE for some fiber fueled recipes that are sure to satisfy.

Relax with a hot bath
Your kids may fight you at bath time but how could you say no to a relaxing bubble bath at the end of the day? Spend your "Me Time" soaking your stresses away in a bathroom oasis just for you.

If you can't get to the spa, bring the spa to you. Light candles, set up a playlist of your favorite calming music and enjoy time alone in a peaceful setting.

READ MORE: 6 beauty and fitness tips for moms

Aromatherapy is also important. Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil in your bath water or in a diffuser to fill the room with an inviting scent. Lavender is great for stress relief and right before bed.

Take this time to disconnect. Leave the phone outside the bathroom so you can enjoy without being disrupted by Facebook notifications and texts. Instead, bring a copy
of your favorite magazine (the newest issue of Hudson Valley Parent) in with you or start the new book all of your friends have been raving about.

Let your partner handle storytime tonight. You deserve some time for yourself!