Year of 2023 – New Trends and Predictions

2023’s new motto seems to be, “2023 and the New Me”. It’s also the year of the Rabbit for those celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year. The past few years have been rough. For me, for my loved ones, and for many others throughout the world. But as people will tell you, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I truly believe that when you make your own manifestations you can guide your true self through positive healing.

Whether you’re a stickler with new year resolutions or you live life day by day, there is always room for positive changes. Below I’ve noted some interesting predictions and trends for the year 2023. See if any of these will work for you and give some of them a try.

2023 TRENDS AND PREDICTIONS:

Mental Health – many schools in the US offered new counselors and therapists in 2022 as school-aged children suffered academically and emotionally during the Covid pandemic. 2023 offers up to 10,000 more counselors in K-12 grades in hopes of bridging the gap of much needed mental health intervention. Adults need mental health checks too. Visit or speak with a counselor, therapist, or someone you trust in the religious sector. Check out some health and wellness trends here: https://medium.com/style-my-soul-stylemysoul-com/11-emerging-health-wellness-trends-for-2023-45ccf81ac7f9

Food Health – Finding a healthy balance and being more aware of one’s health is even more prevalent as we come out of the Covid pandemic crisis. Eating healthy is crucial to longevity and less pain and illnesses later on. We’re seeing a rising trend in plant-based food made with clean ingredients such as peas, cauliflower, and mushrooms replacing the typical soy-based ingredient. Regenerative ingredients that are readily grown and reproduce include peas and mushrooms and they’re also easier to digest. Check out some new plant-based brands: https://www3.forbes.com/lifestyle/26-plant-based-snacks-shakes-and-meals-for-busy-lifestyles-vue/4/

App-based Health – Technology is a double-edged sword. There are many benefits to technology but also many pitfalls. Take advantage of the positives in technology by subscribing to health apps. There are Yoga health apps, mindfulness health apps, meditation health apps, and so forth. Subscriptions to these health apps can be free or with a nominal fee. Check out some health apps here: https://www.livestrong.com/article/13768056-best-health-apps/

2023 Key Words and Phrases:

“Own Your Truth” – the past couple of years were major struggles for many of us. As we emerge from all the negativity and prejudice in the past few years, let us be true to ourselves. When you own your truth you are telling yourself to listen to your own inner voice, your own beliefs. Your beliefs may not align with others, but the key goal is to be true to yourself.

“Accountability” – if you watched the news in the past few years you surely will have noticed injustice, hatred, and racism. Let 2023 be the year of accountability. Take responsibility and be accountable for what you do and say.

“Kindness” – while it’s not a new word or concept, this movement or act has risen from the ashes of post-Covid pandemic. More and more people are talking to each other, to strangers, and are more open to paying it forward in a kind and positive way. Of course we should do kind acts not for a reward or recognition. We should be kind just for the sake of it. Scientific study actually proves that doing kind acts improve your mental and physical health. Here’s an article to read on it: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201215-why-being-kind-to-others-is-good-for-your-health

Clothing Trends – a couple of years ago, companies let their employees work from home either the entire week or a few days a week. As the workforce emerges from the pandemic, people are back to wearing suits and dress shoes for work. But the strict button-down shirts and tailored suits might not be for everyone, even those working in high profile jobs such as lawyers and politicians. You’ll notice that while clothing can be structured, there is also a more laid back appeal with emphasis on comfort while having style.

Sustainability – more and more people are conscious of the environment and the detrimental effects of climate change or global warming. The key trends are a more circular economy and regenerative food. Food not perfectly shaped or grown are incredibly edible and suitable for daily consumption. Brands are tracing and holding farmers and the government accountable to what is allowed in bio engineering and what is truly organically grown. Reading labels is crucial to owning your own health and making healthier life choices. To learn more about circular economy and why it benefits the planet, check it out here: https://www.epa.gov/recyclingstrategy/what-circular-economy

2023 Food Trends:

Charcuterie – remember the sudden Charcuterie craze last year? Well it’s still going strong into 2023 as people all over the world are taking these food boards to extreme. Traditionally, the Charcuterie is a French term for prepared meat products such as ham, bacon, sausages, pate’s, and so forth. In the US, the Charcuterie really jumped the board, so to speak, to include Hot Chocolate boards, pastries, and even candy! While people still call these non-traditional boards as “Charcuterie”, let’s try to use the term properly for where they originated.

Dates – when you think of dates you’re probably thinking of sweet, dried fruits found in cakes and other pastries. The date industry has really bloomed around the world including using date syrup to replace maple syrup and even regular sweeteners. Dates have a plethora of health benefits such as fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Try snacking on some Mediterranean dates to replace or include in your healthy snacking habits.

Pasta alternatives – with the rise of conscious eating and just trying to find alternatives to traditional foods, pasta alternatives made with chickpeas, lentil, and rice can be enjoyed by almost everyone. Try using these alternatives to traditional wheat pasta in your regular pasta recipes.

Whatever your plans (or no plans) are for the year 2023, this is a great year to take a step back and reevaluate your own worth. Who do you want to be? What do you want to accomplish? Any goals toward improving yourself? Whatever trends or predictions you come upon, remember that you have the power to make positive changes.

 

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

 

The Kindness Gene – January Kindness Month

The one thing about getting older is the ability to look back and see what kind of person you’ve become. Were we nice as children? Did we play fairly with other children and hardly argued with our parents and siblings? Were we kind to our teachers and school administrators? Did we say thank you and please and truly appreciated the people who helped us? Were all of these behaviors and attitudes learned and taught to us, or was there an inherent gene somewhere in our body that told us to naturally be nice and gracious?

As the saying goes, “nature over nurture”, sometimes I wonder why a person is kind or compassionate to another. I’ve certainly met my share of unkind people in my life and I can guess that they were not treated kindly or fairly in their formative years. For children, the innate ability to see the world as it is also gives them the ability to be less judgmental. But as we grow older and live life through good and bad experiences, our attitudes change and our views of the world and people change as well. But that should not be the excuse to be cruel or hurtful. No one has a perfect life, but our choices truly can define us when we’re older.

January is national Kindness Month and schools around the country are encouraging students, staff, and families to take this month to show some kindness. Would it be so wonderful if people were kind all the time. But alas, we do our best regardless of how people treat us. At my school, we are hosting a Kindness Week in January with each day of the week highlighting and fostering kindness, inclusivity, and compassion. Perhaps you can try doing this at your children’s school or your workplace. There are some great non-profit organizations that help build and spread kindness during Kindness Month as well as year-round. Check out some ideas below to foster kindness in your own home and community!

 

  • The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation ( https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/) – a website full of wonderful, easy, and age-appropriate ideas for kids and adults. I’ve applied a lot of these ideas for school and work and they’re super easy and creative.
  • The Great Kindness Challenge (https://thegreatkindnesschallenge.com/) – fun and inspirational activities and ideas for all ages. You can also order some Kindness gifts on their website for gifts to students and teachers.
  • Donations to non-profit organizations. These organizations are similar to charities where your monetary or in-kind donations help them with fundraising, food for shelters, building maintenance, free health care, and so forth. 
  • Plant trees. Help plant trees at your local parks, schools, or national forests. Trees are incredible resources for providing oxygen, and the power to remove harmful gases like carbon dioxide making the air we breathe healthier. Always check with locations before planting trees on your own. To find a national park in your state, visit: https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.html
  • Community cleanups. You can be a party of two or twenty if you want to help clean up your community and local beaches. Start small or join organizations like Keep America Beautiful (https://kab.org/) where you can find local chapters in your area. Join their groups or start your own. Cleaning up your neighborhood and community fosters a healthy and happier environment for all.

Do you have other ideas for promoting kindness and compassion? All it takes is one kind act, and a ripple effect will take place.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm