42 Ways to Have a Healthy 2024

Written by:

Maia James

12/31/2023

Updated: 03/14/2024

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Whether you’ve already set goals for the year or want some inspiration to do so, here are some of  my favorite resources, ideas, and products for a healthy, sane 2024!

If you’d like to:

Eat better/lose weight…

1. The easiest (albeit priciest) route to a super clean diet is a fresh meal delivery service. My favorite is Sakara, and new clients can use MAIASAKARA for 20% off.

2. A less expensive way to eat cleaner is through Daily Harvest‘s frozen meals–I have been so surprised by how yummy these are (especially the brekfast bowls and pastas).

3. Every January, I return to my mom’s advice on how to upgrade the types of sugar, fat, and booze I consume (rather than avoiding the junk entirely). If you’re a little more ambitious, you might like her super simple three-step reset.

4. Here are 7 items I get at Trader Joe’s when I want to lose weight.

5. Up your polyphenols with the secret behind the Mediterranean diet.

6. Try intermittent fasting.

7. Take a legit multivitamin that contains only the nutrients you really need, in bioavailable forms your body can actually use. My favorite brand for supplements of all kinds is Needed–they test for purity and potency, and every ingredient is thoughtfully sourced with real science as the basis for selection. Coupon codes: GIMME20 for 20% off everything, GIMME100 for $100 off first 3 months if you do a subscription, GIMMESAMPLE for $10 off Sample Packs.

Get your kids to eat better…

8. If you have a kid who loves Chic Fil-A, try this upgrade.

9. Choose better bread since kids eat so much of it (and maybe better cookies and cereal, too!).

10. Try these magical six words to end picky eating.

11. Give your kids a high quality multivitamin, vitamin D, and probiotic. Llama Naturals don’t contain sugar but taste like candy.

12. Remember that fruit is as good as veggies!

13. Try this dinner hack that was a game-changer for getting veggies into my kids.

14. If your kids drink a lot of milk, upgrade to A2; it really is that much healthier.

15. If you can avoid one ingredient in “healthy” processed food, make it this.

16. If your kids love ice cream, here’s a comparison of “healthy” brands.

Rid your home of toxins…

17. I believe that you can make the biggest impact on your overall toxin exposure by investing in air and water filters. (Tips for getting the right one here and here.)

18. Focus on the things you do every day rather than those exposures that happen infrequently. Consider upgrading your coffee, since you drink it each morning, and (if budget allows) investing is a toxin-free mattress since you sleep on that every night. Similarly, body lotion is a bigger concern than makeup (especially if you’re like me, and you wear makeup once a week.)

19. Stop using bleach once and for all by switching to Force of Nature Cleaner, which turns salt, water, and vinegar into a natural all-purpose germ-zapper that kills the coronavirus and cuts grease all at once.

20. Take advantage of winter sales and upgrade your old teflon for newer, safer nonstick from GreenPan, Caraway, and Our Place.

21. If possible, consider ditching your gas stove. (One of these years I am gonna do it, you guys!)

Start a fitness routine…

22. If you want to try an at-home workout, here is my experience with eight that I liked.

23. A reminder: the more you work out, the easier it is. This obvious (but also kind of counterintuitive) realization honestly changed my relationship with fitness classes.

Be kinder to the Earth…

24. Here are 22 swaps I’ve made to lower our environmental impact. (Three of the most effortless swaps for me: using this instead of jugged detergent, these instead of Q-tips, and this instead of plastic wrap or foil.)

26. If you want to lower your dairy intake for the sake of the planethere is a guide for choosing healthy oat milk!

27. It’s never been easier (or cuter!) to cloth diaper.

28. If you’re overwhelmed by trying to only support ethical fashion brands, start with shoes–here are 11 brands that are better for the planet and for people.

Drink less alcohol…

29. If you’re doing dry January, here are 31 ideas of what you can do besides drinking this month.

30. I like the DrinkControl app on my iPhone for keeping track of how much alcohol I’m really consuming.

31. Dry Farm offers a low alcohol red collection that I order for February. I also love the Maker sparkling collection–most of these cans come in at just 11% ABV.

32. Mama Bear hard kombucha is sold in my local grocery store–they contain only 4% alcohol and are a great cocktail alternative.

Save money…

33. My family is so busy that we end up ordering in dinner too much (a blessing a curse of living in New York City!). We’ve found that a couple nights a week of meals that essentially make themselves–from Sun Basket and Green Chef–save us money.

34. Six more ideas for saving money in the kitchen.

Get better sleep…

35. Easily reduce your blue-light exposure.

36. Sleep train your co-sleeping baby.

37. Try a truly effective Sleep Capsule, which is designed to optimize melatonin release throughout the night to support a natural sleep-wake cycle, from a supplement brand that tests for potency and purity.

38. Switch to an organic down pillow, which is made of responsibly sourced feathers, and is wrapped in a 100% organic cotton shell.

Be a better anti-racist

39. Support businesses that are run by people of color. Some of my favorite include White Lotus (mattresses and bedding), The Honey Pot (period supplies), Golde (skincare and teas), Axiology (beauty), Milli Mylk (plant milk), Nolaskinsentials (skincare), HealthyBaby (baby and home items), and Our Place (cookware). We are always looking for more Good Stuff from brands owned by Black or brown people, women, and other underrepresented groups. Comment below with your favorites!

Give back….

40. Spending time volunteering as a family has been so rewarding for us. If you’re in the New York area, I encourage you to join us one Saturday at the River Fund.

41. One of my favorite charities is Neema International, and we give to this every year on Giving Tuesday.

42. The Love Our Planet Activity Kit gives kids an opportunity to protect our oceans, trees, and land through fun activities. 

Stay sane,

Note: This article contains affiliate links or sponsored content, which means that if you make a purchase, we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that meet our strict standards for non-toxicity and that we use (or want to use!) ourselves. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make Good Stuff! 

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