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When it comes to living a health-conscious life, the #1 complaint I hear from potential clients is how inconvenient it is. (Who’s got time to slave away in the kitchen 24/7 or check every nutrition label in the grocery aisle?) And if it’s not inconvenient, it’s expensive! (Nine bucks for a smoothie bowl? Nah, man.) Listen, I get it: prioritizing health in today’s modern world can take copious amounts of time, effort, and, in many cases, money that some of us simply can’t afford. But does it have to be this way? I may not be a certified nutritionist just yet (one year to go!), but speaking as someone who’s both busy and borderline obsessed with all things wellness, I’d argue that a healthy lifestyle can be successfully adopted a.) on a budget, and b.) with relative ease—if you’re smart about it. Keep reading for the top 5 life-changing resources I personally rely on to make wellness a sustainable goal.
1. Thrive Market, for saving money on everyday essentials.
In a nutshell: Thrive Market is an online marketplace with the sole mission to make healthy food and natural household products available to everyone. They sell everything from pantry staples to home decor (and now sustainably produced meat and seafood!), all at 25-50% off retail price. (Fo’ realz.)
Why I love it: The options, y’all. You won’t find most of Thrive’s specialty brands in your regular, run-of-the-mill grocery store, and the savings are ridiculous. Just this year, I’ve saved $350 from shopping with Thrive, and that’s after the $59.95 annual membership fee. The types of items I tend to buy on repeat are cooking oils, jars of nut butter, ghee, grain-free baking mixes, coconut wraps, granola, cans of tuna (or sardines, ’cause I’m a weirdo), dark chocolate, protein bars, and cassava flour “tortilla” chips—not to mention my laundry powder, dishwasher detergent, and bath products. The options are seriously endless. If that overwhelms you, I recommend checking out their Starter Kits!
You didn’t think I’d rave about Thrive and then not offer a discount, did you? Right now, you can get 20% off your first THREE orders when you sign up using this link! Combine that with free shipping, plus a free 30-day trial thrown in for good measure. You’re welcome.
2. Grokker.com, for the best butt-busting workouts at your fingertips.
In a nutshell: Grokker is a video-based wellness website created by one busy mom who saw a need for a flexible and effective fitness regimen that didn’t break the bank. For only $14.99 a month, subscribers can access over 4,000 exercise, mindfulness, nutrition, and sleep videos straight from a growing community of experts.
Why I love it: First, a confession. As far as fitness goes, I’m a boutique girl all the way. Whether we’re talking about barre, yoga, pilates, or spin, I will used to pay an exorbitant amount of money to frequent these types of “studios” for my fitness fix. I’m not sure if it was the peppy people or the ridiculous prices that kept me motivated, but boutique classes always did the trick for me. That is, until I realized just how much cash I was dropping each month to get my booty kicked by a skinny blonde instructor with excellent taste in workout wear. In order to save my wallet, I recently went on the hunt for an exercise program that worked wonders without costing an arm and a leg. Let’s just say, Grokker.com is the answer to my fitness prayers! It’s still a new discovery, but I’m loving the workouts so far. The variety of videos ranges from yoga to HIIT, and they’re the perfect combination of challenging and fun—a must for me to actually stick with it. If you’re not totally sold, you can try your first two weeks for free!
3. Ritual, for the nutrients you may not be getting enough of.
In a nutshell: Ritual’s Essential For Women is the only multivitamin you’ll ever need, complete with 9 simple yet sophisticated ingredients that are backed by science to make a difference in your energy, skin, and overall wellbeing.
Why I love it: I started taking Ritual’s multivitamin last year, after reading about all of the unwanted icky stuff that can be found in standard vitamin brands. With Ritual, what you see is what you get: only the finest quality ingredients necessary for your womanly health needs, packed into one peppermint-flavored pill. Nothing more, nothing less. While the subscription is a little on the pricey side (you pay $30 for 30 days’ worth of capsules), they’re delivered right to your door each month—which means one less thing you have to worry about. Start your monthly subscription here, and reap the benefits of better nutrition. You’ll never go back.
4. Blue light filters, for late-night scrolling that doesn’t interfere with your sleep.
In a nutshell: While our digital age does come with many perks (see hacks #1-3), there are some downsides when it comes to our health. The blue light emitted by digital screens, for example, can contribute to eye strain, insomnia, and macular degeneration. Luckily, there are now apps available for download on most phones and computers that filter the blue light at certain times of the day to allow your eyes to rest.
Why I love it: Like a good majority of you, I am on some digital device pretty much every day from morning to night. My job, my studies, and my main hobby require that I use a computer—but even when I’m not working, studying, or blogging, I’m a sucker for browsing Instagram. (Kudos to Kristen for giving it up cold turkey!) So you can imagine my dilemma when I discovered that excessive use of computers, tablets, or smartphones can disrupt your circadian rhythm—especially during evening hours—and cause major eye strain. (You know those annoying headaches you get when you’ve stared at a screen for too long? Blue light’s to blame.) While the absolute best thing you can do is decrease your screen time altogether, filters can help lessen the harmful effects of blue light on your health. And they’re free to download! I personally use f.lux, but there are a number of apps to choose from to keep your blue light exposure in check.
5. Dry Farm Wines, for a healthier way to drink.
In a nutshell: Dry Farm Wines is the first natural wine club to curate additive-free, lower-alcohol wines from small, sustainable farms around the world. No sugar, no pesticides, no chemicals—just pure, artisanal wine from organically grown grapes. Ladies, say goodbye to wine-induced headaches and hangovers!
Why I love it: I enjoy a hefty glass of wine as much as the next girl, so it shouldn’t surprise you that this health hack is my favorite on the list. When I was first introduced to Dry Farm Wines, however, I was skeptical. It’s not like anyone actually drinks wine for the health benefits, but even if we did, what makes their wines “healthier” than my $9 bottle of vino from Kroger? Turns out, it’s not so much about what’s in their wines as it is about what’s not in them. Did you know that America’s commercially farmed wines are chock-full of pesticides, mycotoxins (mold), sulfites, and added sugar? There’s a reason why our country’s wine manufacturers have fought long and hard to keep ingredient and nutrition labels off of their bottles—because they’d hate for you to know exactly what you’re drinking. I can promise you, it’s more than just fermented grape juice! But with DFW, every wine is produced in Europe and lab-tested for purity, so you can actually feel good about your occasional (or nightly) glass of Syrah.
Each shipment includes six delicious bottles of red, white, or a mix for $159, and you can opt for a one-time purchase or choose a subscription plan to fit your budget. (Okay, so this “hack” ain’t exactly cheap, but for someone who refuses to give up their wine habit, I don’t mind paying a little more for the good stuff.) And here’s the best part: If for some reason you don’t like the wines, they’ll happily send you a new shipment or a complete refund—no questions asked.
Want an extra bottle for just a penny? Sign up through this link and get to planning your next wine night!
What are your favorite healthy living hacks?
Photo by Anda Ambrosini.
Co-Founder & Editor | Emily graduated from the University of Texas in December 2013 with a degree in English and journalism under her belt. She currently lives with her husband in Frisco, where she works for a chiropractor and moonlights as a lifestyle blogger. On any given day, you can find her hanging out at a quiet coffee shop, nose-deep in a good mystery novel or snapping photos of her extra frothy cappuccino.