1. Have whole grains for breakfast. This can be a whole grain english muffin, waffles, oatmeal and even cereal (Fiber One Caramel Delight is delish!).  Not only have whole grains been proven to reduce the risk of several serious diseases, they are also great for maintaining a healthy weight.  Whole grains are also an amazing source of iron B vitamins and of course fiber which keeps you feeling full throughout you morning!
2. Ditch the soda and head for the H2O. When it comes to soda, most people feel guilt free about drinking “diet sodas” however, if you take a closer look at the nutritional information you will notice the obscene amount of sodium in each serving.  Water is always the best choice when it comes to beverages.  It is recommended that you drink at least 8 servings of water a day so fill up that water bottle and get crackin’.  Think water is boring?  Jazz it up with some frozen fruit or drink mixes.
3. Add some color to your meals. Spice up your sandwich with some lettuce, red peppers and onions.  Add beets, oranges and cucumbers to your salad and voila!  Not only do you have an aesthetically-pleasing dish but you also have a very nutritionally-balanced one.  This is an easy rule to live by – make sure your meals are composed of at least 4 different colors (mostly from a fruit or vegetable source).
4. Take a hike. You don’t literally need to take a hike (unless you can) but making a conscious effort to get some exercise will revitalize you in no time.  Whether you take a walk in the morning to start your day or you hit the treadmill after along day at work, it does not matter as long as you do something.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator and walk to the store instead of driving, trust me, it will make you feel better!
5. Go to bed. At a decent hour.  The number of hours you require each night is different for everyone.  In general, adults need anywhere between seven to nine hours of sleep each night.  Although some people pride themselves on only needing 5 hours of sleep, I guarantee you that they do not wake up refreshed and ready to take on the world each morning.  Brush your teeth, fluff your pillow and call it a night – you can always DVR those late-night TV specials for a more appropriate time.

Follow these quick and simple steps each day and you will feel more refreshed, revitalized, happy and of course healthy!

Special thanks to:  The Food Pyramid (USDA) and The Whole Grains Council.