Cooking with Karina: Keep the 'Go' in 'Goals'

Karina Arnold is a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma who’s passionate about healthy cooking. She provides creative, healthy recipes and tips on clean eating.

April is the month of change. Usually, people associate change and renewal with January or New Years. However, April is actually the month that brings newness, in nature and ourselves.

The phrase “April showers bring May flowers” suggests that April leads to rebirth. The work done in April allows for growth, change and awakening in the following months. With new year’s resolutions forgotten and old habits reemerging, it is easy to forfeit fitness, health or other goals you made.

Spring has sprung! Add a little pep to your step and put the GO in your goals with the aid of these tips: 

• Shake up the workout routine. Try new workout programs or classes at your local gym or from my “Watching the Winter Weight” article. Check local news outlets for fun, activities in your community. If you are intimidated to try something new, grab a friend!  Last summer, my friends and I went to free Zumba at Houston’s Discovery Green every Wednesday night. Check out The Buzz’s online event calendar for events going on near you.  
• Change your cuisine. Try a new fruit, spice or cooking method to motivate you to maintain your nutritional goals. Local farmers markets and ethnic groceries have healthy and tasty foods to try. Try passion fruit in this Mango Passion Fruit Smoothie for a refreshing, tropical drink. Or, after your grocery haul, chop, wash and dip into super snack plates like this Vibrant Veggie Snack Plate.
• Download apps and set up reminders to keep your goals in your mind. Also, there are numerous running, hiking and biking apps that locate trails and parks near you. My favorite trail app is AllTrails. This app provides pictures, locations and reviews of numerous trails.   
• Volunteer at animal shelters or food pantries. The heavy lifting and multiple animal walks are active and fun activities, which you perform while helping the community!
• Grocery shop like a pro and prep for success.
• Have a buddy or support system. This is most important for me. Surrounding myself with daily positivity and motivation keep me excited and accountable with my goals. Also, send yourself love with motivational sticky-notes, journaling or reading. 

Winter is officially over and the “snow” has melted. Don’t let your motivation leave with the cold. Each day, hour, second is the perfect moment to make a change. Bloom into a better you this year.