This post is sponsored by the Florida Department of Citrus. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

5 Ways to Start Your Day Healthy for the Whole Family 

September marks one of my favorite times of year! It’s a time of transition and renewal. Everyone is getting back to school and my favorite season, Fall, is on the horizon. I love everything that comes with this season, but we have to make sure we put certain practices in place for everything to run smoothly. During this time of year it’s very important for my family to re-establish our daily routines after a slower paced summer. As unschoolers we don’t have strict schedules that we stick to, but we live by consistent routines to keep our family on track. Routines are vital for my family and they help us to create positive daily habits that promote good health and self-care. I’m here to share our top 5 ways that we start our day healthy with you, to help inspire your family’s morning routine! 

Get a Good Night’s Rest

I know you may hear this all the time, but sleep is one of the major keys to good health! When we moved to a different time zone, it easily threw off my sleep routine, and I worked hard to re-establish my rest. The lack of sleep I experienced made it difficult for me to concentrate and I went into my day feeling exhausted. Having the proper amount of sleep at night makes for an easy going and energized day. I have preteens and teenagers, and they can sleep way longer than I can! They are growing at a rapid pace, so I allow them to sleep a little longer when need be. The bedtime routine can be just as important as the morning routine. I make sure everyone is ready for bed at a decent hour during the week, so we can all be fully rested, restored and ready to go for our school day. 

Start Your Day with a Healthy Breakfast 

Do not skip out on breakfast! I know sometimes it’s difficult to eat first thing in the morning, but a healthy breakfast with various food groups is the best way to start the day. It gives you and your children the fuel you need to be the most productive and successful. We like to have a variety of fruits, protein, grains, and 100% juice every morning. Speaking of juice, I make sure to include Florida Orange Juice with our spread at the breakfast table. The vitamins and minerals found in 100% orange juice support a healthy immune system, and I’m all about keeping my family healthy with nourishing foods and drinks. One 8-ounce glass of 100% orange juice is equal to one cup of fruit, so we cover a lot of food groups first thing as we get our day going. With its high-water content, 100% orange juice along with water can help keep you hydrated as well. When you add 100% OJ to your morning, it’s a win-win situation! 

Spend Quality Time with Your Family 

Since our family is an unschooling family, we do see each other most of the day. But everyone is pretty independent working on our own projects, so we don’t always have time for meaningful conversations. In order to remedy that, my family has breakfast together every morning. These moments of quality time allow us to have some purposeful minutes together first thing in the morning, even if it’s quick. We talk about our plans for the day, have some laughs together, and even some positive reflection time on what we are grateful for and affirmations. It’s a wonderful way to start the day off in a positive space and mindset together. 

Make time for Physical Activity 

This past year I’ve prioritized my health by getting active and I’ve inspired my children to do the same. Make time for at least 20 minutes of physical activity a day because we all have to get moving to stay in the best physical shape we can. You can go for a quick walk around the block a few times, jump rope, ride bikes, or even play some sports as a family. Just get moving!  

Have a Glass of Florida Orange Juice 

Having a glass of Florida Orange Juice in the morning can provide you and your family with a wide range of nutritional benefits and is a great building block for your day ahead! I like for my family to start the day as healthy as possible, so I love that Florida Orange Juice is naturally sweet, with no added sugar. Cognitive function is vital for all, and the nutrients and plant compounds in 100% orange juice may have positive effects on brain function. Wellness for my entire family is a priority, so I want to make sure we get the important nutrients we need as we head into this back-to-school season. 

100% orange juice provides nutrients your body needs such as: 

• Vitamin C –  a powerful antioxidant and is important for skin and bone health, as well as immune system function.
• Potassium – a crucial mineral that is needed for the heart, kidneys, muscles, and other organs to function properly.
• Hesperidin – a polyphenolic compound predominantly found in Florida Orange Juice with helpful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Magnesium – it plays an important role in helping generate energy, as well as maintaining normal blood pressure, heartbeat, and nutrient levels.
• Vitamin B6 – helps the body make antibodies to help fight disease and assists in converting food into energy. 
• Thiamin – crucial for energy metabolism for cell growth, development, and function.

With all of these amazing benefits it’s a must that my family has Florida Orange Juice to start our day with healthy habits!

Hopefully I’ve given you some beneficial and practical tips for starting your day in a healthy way while incorporating Florida OJ! Be sure to grab some Florida Orange Juice on your next shopping trip or grocery order and visit the Florida Department of Citrus website to learn more!