Why Resolve Isn’t Enough, and What You Can Do About It.

January is finally here, and with it a flurry of New Year’s resolutions, big and small.  

We want to:

·   Lose weight

·   Declutter our homes

·   Get fit

·   Spend time with friends + family

·   Find our dream job

We’re filled with optimism, yearning for positive change, and excited to get started.

But by Valentine’s Day, nearly 80% of us abandon our bright, shiny resolutions and return, heads held low, to old habits and stale ways of operating.

What can we do better in 2019? How can we stack the odds in our favor, and increase our chances of creating the life we want?

Here are some helpful tips that may just carry you over the finish line, and put you in the company of the 8% of people who reach and maintain their stated resolutions:

• Plan ahead and think about how you will achieve your goals. Like any destination, reaching goals requires a roadmap. Saying you want to eat more meatless meals is one thing; knowing how to do it in a way that’s healthy, satisfying, and actionable is another.

  Stocking your fridge and kitchen with plant-based ingredients and pantry staples, along with researching what it means to put together a nourishing plant-focused meals, sets you up for success. Planning keeps stress, frustration, feelings of deprivation and, in this case, hunger at bay, making it far more likely you’ll stick to your goals and press on.  

• Share your resolutions with a trusted family member, friend, therapist or wellness coach. The goal here is to pick someone who truly has your back, and wants the best for you. Frenemies need not apply!  Research shows goals are easier to achieve when we open up, and discuss them with others. It gives your goal weight, and builds in accountability as well as support.  Yep, it really does take a village!

• Create some wiggle room for slip ups. If resolutions are too rigid – like eliminating entire food groups overnight or ditching alcohol when you’ve been enjoying two glasses of wine with dinner for as long as you can remember - you’re more likely to back-slide, feel discouraged, and lose motivation. Bad days and bad decisions happen. Knowing you can pivot and reset your intentions is powerful. Each day, each meal, each interaction, each moment is an invitation to reboot and move the needle forward.

• Create goals that really resonate with you! This one’s big! If you don’t feel hyper connected to your New Year’s resolution, likelihood is it’s not going to take. Think about it. Going vegan for a partner is far less likely to stick than going vegan because it’s something you deeply believe in and want for yourself.  

The last bit of inspiration I’ll leave you with is this: Measurable, lasting change takes time, patience, and persistence. Habits aren’t broken and seamlessly replaced with new, upgraded behaviors in 21 days, even if self-help books lead us to believe they do.

So, be gentle with yourself. Speak kindly to yourself. Remind yourself why you made the resolution in the first place, and then tell yourself you are capable and worthy of ALL the good things that will come from following through on your New Year’s promises.

Finished.

Lots to like about the Organic Pharmer 5 Day Jump Start meal program:

• Fridge FULL of high quality plant-based meals, snacks, juices, smoothies and shots.

• Five days of anti-inflammatory eating. No gluten, soy, corn dairy, eggs. Guaranteed.

• The convenience of a fully prepared, “no cooking required” meal program. No hurdles between me and eating well.

• Loved fresh, cold pressed green juices each morning. So refreshing.

• Enjoyed creamy infused nut milks at night. They were cozy and comforting. Perfect wrap to the day.

• Immunity shot. Comes in a little glass bottle like the one from Alice in Wonderland, minus the words “Drink Me”. Feels really special, a tad bit medicinal, and tastes great too. Tip: Add it to a glass of sparkling water to make a healthy“mocktail”.

• Portions. They were generous and filling.

• No hunger. No cravings.

• Realigned me with my wellness habits, including drinking more water, sipping hot water and lemon first thing in the a.m., reducing caffeine, and deep breathing.

• It was a nice break to step away from all food related work and decisions: no planning. no shopping, no cooking, no cleaning. Gave me the space I craved to slow down, and feel more grounded.

Here’s what would have made it even better:

• Stocking my fridge with a few extra items before I started. Yes, I did a small food shop once the program began, but it would have been nice to have it in the fridge, ready to go!

Here’s what I bought:

1. Pre-washed + packaged baby greens to use as sides for wraps, tartines + a morning chickpea/veggie frittata. This is not required, but I’m always looking to add greens where I can.

2. Crudite to enjoy with the the OP hummus included as an “anytime” snack in the program.

3. Lemons and limes to add brightness to green juices, salads and tartines.

4. Avocado to add fiber and healthy fats to salads/snacks. Especially good if you are planning any vigorous workouts while on the program.

5. raw Nuts and seeds to add protein, healthy fats, fiber, crunch and satiety to salads and other items on the plan. great if you’re feeling you need a little extra fuel in the tank.

• Picking the right 5 days to commit to the program. I did the program from Tuesday to Saturday, which took me into the weekend. For me, it would have made more sense to do the program during the week, when I’m more structured and less likely to eat out or indulge.  Here’s where the 3 Day Jump Start can make a lot of sense, as it’s easier to carve out three days, than five, and can be used as a “start of the week (M, T, W) reset”.

• I love the @organic-pharmer_ny Power Protein Bar, and wish there was an extra one or two included in the program. It’s delicious, super portable and filled with oats, walnuts, banana, goji berries, coconut chips, chia seeds, hemp protein powder, and lots of other yummy, nutritious ingredients! I may need to negotiate for that next time.

All in all I was very happy with the 5 Day Jump Start meal program, and recommend it to anyone in generally good health looking to temporarily step off the merry-go-round, infuse their diet with healthy, organic, plant-based foods, and feel great.  

What EXACTLY do you need to know?

Or aka: the inside track on the 5 Day Jump Start —

Who is this program for?

The Organic Pharmer 5 Day Jump Start is for anyone in general good health looking to flood their system with the highest quality, organic plant-based foods, without having to do any of the heavy lifting. Meaning no meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, or clean-up. All the meals arrive fully prepared, so all you need to do is open the container (plate it if you desire - I recommend plating meals for maximum eating pleasure) and enjoy. The convenience factor is a huge perk of the program, and allows you to simplify your life (for a few days), while still taking the very best care of your health.

*Note: If an individual is facing any health challenges, it’s always best to consult with a physician before making any big dietary changes.

Is this a calorie restricted program?

NO. The Organic Pharmer 5 Day Jump Start is not about restricting calories or eating less. It’s about eating healthily, and fueling your body with high quality, nutrient-rich food that will keep you feeling full, energized, satisfied and calm all day long. You will not feel hungry or edgy on this program.

Will I lose weight on this program?

This isn't a weight loss plan, although you may drop a pound or two simply by eliminating all processed food, sugar, and other pro-inflammatory foods such as gluten, corn, dairy, eggs, and soy from your diet for a full five days.

Can I drink coffee on this program? I need my morning fix!

I hear you! Yes, you can drink coffee on this program, but I would suggest you start your morning with warm water + lemon, followed by the greens juice on the program. If you still want the coffee, have it! But enjoy it with a splash of nut milk (coconut, almond, hemp, cashew, macadamia), rather than dairy as this is designed as a #dairyfree program.

What about alcohol?

This program isn’t a cleanse, detox or diet, so if you want to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail while on the program you can. But if you want to reap the full benefits of the program (clearer skin, less bloating, energy, clarity, better sleep), beyond the convenience factor, you may want to limit or ditch the alcohol for the five days.

I want to eat more plant foods, but I’m not sure I’m ready to give up all animal foods for five days. Does Organic Pharmer offer a program that can work for me?

Organic Pharmer promotes a plant rich, whole foods lifestyle, but they also recognize that people have different dietary preferences. In order to make a plant strong diet accessible to everyone, they offer a few high quality animal food items on their menu, including a delicious house-cured salmon tartine and an organic, tarragon chicken salad wrap, which can be swapped out for other items on the plan. But, it should be noted that the majority of the food on the program, even with the these substitutions, will be plant-based, allowing you to become better acquainted with the food and flavors of a plant forward lifestyle.

I’m interested in the program, but not sure I want to commit to 5 days. Can I do it for less days?

You’re in luck. They also offer a 3 day program, which is a condensed version of the 5 day program.

Do I need to anything to prepare for this program?

Unlike a cleanse where it’s recommended that do certain things in advance to make the process easier (ease off caffeine, eat lighter, drink more water), the “Five Day Jump Start” doesn’t require pre-program behavioral changes. In fact, the meal program is meant to slip seamlessly into your busy lifestyle!

What is the cost for the program?

5 Day Jump Start: $350

Includes five days of plant-based meals, snacks, cold pressed juices and nut milks.

3 Day Jump Start: $210

Includes three days of plant-based meals, snacks, cold pressed juices and nut milks.

Prices current at 10.15.18

How will I get my meals. Do they deliver, or do I need to pick it up?


Yes! Convenience is one of the biggest benefits of a prepared meal plan! Organic Pharmer will deliver the meals straight to your door. If you live locally, they are based in Rye Brook NY. You are also welcome to stop in, say hi, and pick them up yourself.