
Create Healthy Habits in the New Year
(Family Features) The changing of the calendar to a new year is a perfect opportunity to look toward the future and create better health and wellness habits.
Setting yourself up with a strong foundation is key to long-term success. Consider these tips as you look to build healthy habits this year:
Set reasonable goals. It’s important to take an honest look at your lifestyle and assess any changes you can make to improve wellness. Whether your goal is to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more frequently or something else entirely, start with an attainable target – like losing 1 pound a week – and know you can always challenge yourself further once you’ve sustained the change for an extended period of time.

Get active. Proper nutrition is just one part of making healthy lifestyle choices. Adults should aim for at least 160 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you want to lose weight, increase aerobic activities like walking or running. If your goal is adding strength, start resistance training such as lifting weights.
Find more healthy recipes and tips to help keep you on track all year long at
watermelon.org
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Watermelon and Pistachio Salad
Servings: 3
3 cups watermelon cubes1/2 red onion, thinly sliced1/3 cup balsamic vinegar1/4 cup pistachios4 ounces feta1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh mintPlace watermelon and onion in large bowl. Add balsamic vinegar and toss to combine.Add pistachios, feta and mint, reserving small amount of mint to sprinkle on top. Toss.Serve on large platter and sprinkle with remaining mint.

Watermelon Chia Seed Muffins
Yield: 12 muffins
1 can nonstick cooking spray1/2 cup sugar1/3 cup sucralose1 1/2 tablespoons lemon zest2 cups flour3/4cup chia seeds1 teaspoon baking soda2 teaspoons baking powder1/4 teaspoon salt4 tablespoons canola oil1/3 cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt3/4 cup liquefied watermelon juice1/2 cup egg substitute1 cup dried tart cherries1 lemon, juice only2 teaspoons vanilla extract2 tablespoons sugarHeat oven to 375 F. Spray 12-piece muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.In large bowl, combine sugar, sucralose and lemon zest. Use fingers to rub zest into sugar until fragrant. Add flour, chia seeds, baking soda, baking powder and salt; thoroughly mix. Set aside.In medium bowl, whisk oil, yogurt, watermelon juice and egg substitute until thoroughly blended. Add cherries, lemon juice and vanilla.Add liquid mixture to flour mixture. Gently toss until incorporated. Avoid overbeating or muffins will be flat and tough. Spoon evenly into muffin pan. Top each muffin with 1/2 teaspoon sugar.Bake 15-17 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Remove from oven, allow to sit 5 minutes then transfer muffins to cooling rack.