Smart, Simple Choices to Make Meaningful Change in 2026

Some of the most impactful changes that we can make are the small ones. It’s best to start with practical shifts that easily fit into our everyday lives. As we look ahead to 2026, here are a few simple ways to support healthier lifestyles and stronger communities, without turning our routines upside down.

Make Sustainable and Healthy Choices Easier

One of the barriers to healthy and sustainable living is the inconvenience associated with it. Planning for everyday essentials can make a meaningful difference, for both households and the environment. Across Colorado, many households are turning to weekly delivery services for basic staples like milk and eggs as a way to reduce their environmental footprint. By replacing individual car trips with a delivery route that groups households together by neighborhood, these services cut carbon emissions by up to 75%. Furthermore, these services often reuse glass bottles, which reduces single-use packaging waste.

Beyond environmental benefits, having staple items delivered on a set schedule makes it easier to plan meals, keep healthier options consistently available, and reduce the likelihood of overbuying or letting food go to waste.

Add More Protein into Your Diet

Protein plays an important role in maintaining muscle, supporting metabolism, while sustaining energy throughout the day. As it turns out, everything your mom told you growing up about breakfast being the most important part of the day was true. Starting the day with protein helps stabilize blood sugar and keeps you feeling full longer.

More than 20% of adults don’t meet the recommended daily intake of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. The good news is that closing this gap doesn't require a major diet overhaul. Simple additions such as yogurt, cottage cheese, lean meat, or protein-enriched milk can make meals more satisfying while supporting muscle health and digestion. Local providers like Longmont Dairy offer protein-enriched milk that can be used like regular milk, poured over cereal, or blended into smoothies.

Champion Local Businesses

When consumers shop locally or include small businesses in their daily purchasing habits, they are strengthening their immediate community. More of your dollars stay in the local economy, supporting jobs in your neighborhood, while reducing the environmental impact associated with long-distance shipping and large-scale distribution. Local companies operate on a smaller scale, which means fresher products, more transparent sourcing, and a reduced environmental footprint compared to large national retailers.

As a third-generation, family-owned business, Longmont Dairy has continued to prioritize sourcing locally, delivering directly to homes, and maintaining its commitment to reusing their nostalgic glass bottles. We hope these easy-to-integrate New Year tips help you and your family make decisions that promote your health, happiness, and environmental footprint.