A new year often signifies a fresh start, a chance to improve oneself, and become a better person. With these new beginnings, people often set intentions and goals for what they want to accomplish in the coming year. However, year after year it seems that people create the same top 10 or so resolutions and then it’s up to you to see them through.
If your 2019 goals tend to fall in one of these categories (taken from a YouGov Top 2018 New Year’s Resolutions poll), then here’s a guide to help you keep your promises to yourself- and some resources available to you right here in Sparks to keep you on track:
- Eating healthier
Now that we’ve gotten our fill of holiday junk food, now it’s time to switch gears and focus on eating right for the rest of the year. Fortunately for residents and visitors of Sparks, a Sprouts Farmers Market just opened up on 125 Disc Drive. This natural health foods store carries organic produce, meats, dairy, and even fully prepared meals so that you don’t even have to worry about cooking. In fall of 2017, a Grocery Outlet also opened up on 1300 Disc Drive. Now open for a little over a year, this large grocer carries affordable one-off organic products so that you can save money and find healthy selections.
However, if you want to eat better but really don’t want to cook, the Squeeze In on 4670 Sparks Boulevard Suite 110, is a popular breakfast/lunch spot with a huge and varied menu. Try the Shi’s Super Food Scramble, Skinny Rednecker, or the Better-Than-A-Burger on its Under 500 Calories menu.
BJ’s Restaurant on 425 Sparks Boulevard as you enter the Outlets at Legends also has a gigantic menu (and more than 40 beers on tap), which includes its less-caloric enLIGHTened version of pub favorites.
- Exercising more
More and more health studies are showing that staying sedentary leads to long-term health problems and so if you want to live longer than you should eat better and do activities that get your heart rate up. Sparks happens to have a few 5-star gyms in its area, including the Black Iron Gym on E. Greg Street, Kaia FIT Sierra on Sparks Boulevard, or the Fitness Factory on Frazer Avenue.
However, if joining a gym doesn’t appeal to you, then you can also stay in shape by golfing nine holes at the Kiley Ranch Golf Course, get an unconventional workout in at the Fly High Trampoline Park, or rent a stand-up paddleboard at Marina PaddleFit and take it out on the water.
- Saving money
Now is an exciting time in the financial services world as online banking institutions are giving brick and mortar businesses a run for their money. Companies like Ally are offering aggressive interest rates on CDs and high-yield savings accounts, and the days of paying financial advisors a large chunk of your investments are slowly disappearing. Once you learn what’s truly valuable to you and cut out of your life what you don’t need (like those Twinkies), then you might find yourself saving some money. But once you do, a rule of thumb is to not let it sit. Think about investing it in a place where it will grow and snowball into a nice little nest egg so you can get out of debt and start living comfortably.
Bank of America branches on North McCarran, Oddie, and Pyramid Lake roads all have financial advisors who can help steer you in the right direction with how to start saving, and Edward Jones offices on Vista Boulevard and Los Altos Parkway also give complimentary financial reviews and recommendations on investments and wealth management. Greater Nevada Credit Union and the United Federal Credit Union also help with loans and savings accounts.
- Taking care of yourself
However, the only value money has is the time and life energy you put into making it, so it’s important to also take care of yourself. Along with exercising, eating healthy, and making money, it can be hard to find some extra hours in the day to relax or wind down. Consider taking some time out of your day to join a yoga class at The Yoga Pearl on 2955 Vista Boulevard or get a massage at Body In Knead on 1625 East Prater Way. Having trouble sleeping? Maybe a CBD-infused lotion or edible from the Greenleaf Wellness dispensary on Rock Boulevard will help calm your nerves.
- Reading more
Reading not only helps you expand your horizons, but you’re bound to pick up some knowledge that you didn’t have before- no matter what kind of publication catches your eye. There are two state-of-the-art libraries in this area, including the 23,000-sq.-ft. Sparks Library on 12th Street with a vast collection of materials and the oddly-shaped Spanish Springs Library on Pyramid Way. Both have comfy chairs and plenty of books to relax with and enjoy. The Flag Store, located next to the Sparks Tribune office on Glendale Avenue, also has a nice selection of local books written by local authors.
No matter what you intend to accomplish in the upcoming year, may you be happy, healthy, and prosperous.
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