A lot of us are thinking about turning a new leaf and finalizing our New Year’s resolutions. Let’s be honest, real behavior change is hard. Many behavioral scientists recommend writing down goals and steps you can take to help you meet those goals. Full disclosure: we didn’t invent these resolutions. We took some of this year’s most popular New Year’s resolutions and put a green spin for small steps for an eco-tastic 2018.
Eat better
The top resolution for 2018 is to eat better. King County’s farmers markets offer farm-fresh local food, which is a good way to eat well. There are a number of markets open all year ‘round.
Eating local is eating seasonally, which means that you get great tasting, fresh, healthy food. What’s in season? Right now we can find apples, pears, winter squash, carrots and other root veggies, Brussels sprouts, fresh eggs, artisan cheeses and wild-caught salmon.
Exercise more
No surprise that next on the lists of 2018’s top New Year resolutions is to exercise more. King County Parks offers 200 parks and 28,000 acres of open space for you to explore. There are plenty of options in the region to help you get off the couch and get outside!
Not only good for walking and talking, many of these trails are used by people to commute to work, to get to school, to shop, or simply to play. Want to learn more about these valued community assets? Check out our trails video – it may inspire you to explore a new trail!
Explore King County Parks Regional Trail System! from King County Parks on Vimeo.
Spend less money
Did you know that the average American family tosses out about $1,500 of food yearly? Foods not being consumed before they spoil account for two-thirds of all household food waste.
Small shifts in how you shop, prepare, store and save food can make a big difference and save you a lot of money. Wasted food is also a big component of what ends up in our landfill, and when it decomposes, it emits methane— a potent greenhouse gas linked to climate change.
King County’s Solid Waste Division helps residents improve waste prevention – and they’ve put together a resource hub with tricks and advice on how you can waste less food.