Springtime brings new life, longer days, different weather patterns, and our thoughts of change. We spring clean, overhaul our yards, change clothing styles, take up hobbies, and a host of other actions that are attributed to this time of year. It is a time of merging and purging.

The same can be done with a deeper life layer. Most of the typical spring activities are top layer; they can be seen by many. Sometimes we get so excited and entrenched in those items we forget to dig any deeper. This is a great time to do the same type of rearranging with our lifestyles.

Let’s consider applying merging and purging to our eating habits. We know most of our overall health centers around the fuel we provide for our bodies. The call to action for more improved health and many preventative issues are a change in food source.

I’m a fan of overhauls and remodels; however, understanding that these processes don’t typically begin and end in a day is key. They require ongoing maintenance and attention; no different than watering, pruning and feeding the new yard or cleaning, repairing and rearranging the parts of our homes.

Many of us enjoy some staple meals – pizza, burgers, spaghetti, lasagna, tacos, etc. These are family-friendly or quick, go-to options that allow us to prep, eat, clean, and go. Perhaps there are even times when restaurant menus are seen more frequently than our own dinner table. Our schedules can be full and the variety of directions we are moving can lead to eating as a secondary thought.

To learn healthier habits and implement them into daily living let’s replicate some of our springtime ideas. Merging: to join or unite. Take a look at your current meal ingredients. Merge in or replace a side item with something new. Merge new ingredients into your pizza. Make your own sauce. Swap a current ingredient for a more nutritious one. Take a look at a new pasta for spaghetti. Cook zucchini ‘noodles’ in chicken broth; drain and add your normal sauce. Stir and enjoy. See what kind of feedback you get and how your body responds. You can continue the merging on many levels. As you gain momentum, learn to make your own sauce and freeze it in meal-sized portions. [Check out www.snapguide.com/brandi-wells-1 for more ideas.]

Purging is the other side of this action. As you add new items you can remove or free yourself of the unwanted ones. Slowly cutting back on ingredients either in portion size or in frequency is a great start. If you have a habit of eating or drinking something that you later feel ill effects from, begin to merge new food and drink choices in while cutting out or lowering the quantity of the former. Going cold turkey or completely changing your intake is hard to do for most; it is however an option on more detrimental habits.

These habits can last long after spring has come and gone. As you learn more and discover new flavor and texture options, you will have more fun. Make a choice to keep changing for the better. Fuel your body with what it needs for repair, regeneration, and prevention. Take small steps to allow for your brain, body, and schedule to adjust. It gives you a starting point for monumental changes to grow over time. Start small; be consistent. Change your life and the lives of those you love.