Last year was the first time I set an intention in January and actually followed through with it. In 2025, I was all about focusing on my mental health and taking back control, which is much easier said than done when your brain is hard-wired a certain way. But I did it, and it feels really good to look back at how far I’ve come. When I was thinking about the resolution I wanted to approach in 2026, it was pretty clear: to focus on my physical health. There’s no true specific goal here. I just want to feel my best, whether that means I am energized from proper fueling or strong enough to move furniture on my own without wheezing. (Can you tell I moved last year?)

To achieve this, I need to make some positive changes, which include focusing on acquiring items that make every aspect of this journey easier. Whether it’s a produce keeper that can help me eat the rainbow, a fresh pair of my discounted Lululemon leggings for movement, a pack of glass jars for some health-packed overnight oats or a refresh of my favorite Hoka sneaker for walking, everything here will lead the path towards a stronger 2026. Shop my current wishlist below, with many items under $30. Don’t fret—all of my investment-worthy picks are on sale, because budgeting is also important for this year!

Healthy Cooking and Exercise Essentials for 2026

• OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Produce Keeper, $26 at amazon.com


• Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant, $49 (was $98) at shop.lululemon.com


• Netany Overnight Oats Containers with Lids, 6-Pack, $20 (was $25) at amazon.com


• Hoka Skyflow Shoe, $128 (was $160) at hoka.com


• Calphalon Stainless Steel 10-Inch Fry Pan, $40 (was $50) at amazon.com

OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Produce Keeper

In an effort to eat with more variety, I need to find ways to store my produce properly. I am always buying something, popping it in my refrigerator, and waiting too long to eat it. If I can make my vegetables last longer, the chances of me finding a way to put them on my plate only grow. I love OXO’s products, and this produce keeper has a clever design.

The basket helps maintain airflow, while the vent on top maximizes humidity and moisture. There’s also a built-in carbon filter to ensure produce doesn’t spoil prematurely. Some shoppers claim that vegetables last “double the regular time,” adding that with the rising cost of food, it’s a great way to save money, too. While I do prefer glass in my kitchen, I make an exception for handy products like this that help promote health in another way.

BrüMate Era 40-Ounce Tumbler with Handle and Straw

Nearly every dietitian I have spoken to, whether casually or as a patient, says we all should probably be drinking more water—me included! Hydration impacts virtually every aspect of our health, though I specifically need it for my gut, overall energy, and workout recovery. One helpful tip I received recently was to get a water bottle with a straw. Using a straw to sip can help encourage better drinking habits, and I’ll take what I can get. This BrüMate bottle aligns with that, and I really appreciate that the straw is stainless steel. If you ask me, that might be its biggest sell, considering we live in a world filled with plastic straws.

OXO Good Grips Twist and Pour Salad Dressing Mixer

Healthy, balanced food isn’t boring, and I’m trying to continue to encourage myself to always have easy ways to make everyday ingredients more exciting. One of my favorite ways to do this is with sauces and dressings. Though I think it’s more than OK to have some store-bought options, I want to grab this salad dressing mixer from OXO for homemade versions so I can control what’s going inside, adding or removing ingredients that work best for me. (As much as I want it to be, garlic is not my friend.) Its handy design has a built-in mixer—I just need to twist the dark gray part of the bottle and it’ll do the work for me. It’s also shakeable, thanks to the leak-proof design.

Lululemon Fast and Free Short-Sleeve Shirt

I went through a bit of a workout rut after a recent move. Sometimes I just need to let my body do what it needs at any given time! I’m really motivated to get back to my routine, and one of the best ways to capitalize on that is to outfit myself with clothing I can count on. I recently purchased quite a few things from Lululemon and was reminded of the brand’s quality. I have a shirt just like this one, and it’s noticeably more breathable and comfortable compared to the heavier options I was wearing. It hasn’t absorbed any odors and keeps me sweat-stain free.

Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant

The Align line is all it’s cracked up to be. I absolutely understand the perks of compression leggings and have worn them in the past, but I am at the point in my journey where I’d rather hike up my pants a few times as opposed to feeling like I can’t really breathe. I appreciate how soft and buttery these leggings are. They really do align to your skin, and it feels virtually weightless, which is huge for me as someone who runs hot during workouts. They’re marked down right now, so I’m going to buy a few more pairs.

Lululemon Align High-Rise Short

Another essential for me is biker shorts. From the same Align collection, these cut off right around my mid-thigh, which is great for tougher workouts or hotter days where I know I’ll want some air. They’re comfortable, never make me feel like I’m stuffed in (we’ve all been there) and keep up after constant wear

Netany Overnight Oats Containers with Lids, 6-Pack

Two foods have dominated my feed this year: oats and cottage cheese. The former contains fiber, which is great for heart health and digestion. It’s also a prebiotic! The latter is filled with protein—24 grams per cup, to be exact. Both of these nutrients are things I believe my diet is lacking right now. In an effort to make overnight oats easier and get in servings of cottage cheese, these containers are on my list for 2026. The 16-ounce glass base is the perfect size for prepping these healthy ingredients and they come with handy lids. Plus, I really just want an excuse to make Brownie Batter Overnight Oats!

Hoka Skyflow Shoe

I have tested several Hoka shoes, but the Skyflow is one pair I continue to go back to again and again. It’s a slightly lesser-known option compared to others I own, but I love how cushioned and cloud-like they are. They’re a bit softer and less structured than my Clifton 10 shoes, which are more comfortable for me during my long walks. I walk upward of 12 miles a week at the gym or outside, and my feet never fatigue when I wear them.

Calphalon Stainless Steel 10-Inch Fry Pan

Health doesn’t just come from whole foods and exercise—it also comes from good materials. Nonstick with Teflon, PFAS and other chemicals are all things I’m trying to veer away from. Stainless steel is one type of cookware I have yet to perfect, but it’s fantastic for plenty of meals. We love this Calphalon pan because it’s well-priced, yet performs like it’s twice the cost. I can use it for searing salmon, then pop it right into the oven to finish the cooking process. There are so many uses beyond that, too.

Burlap and Barrel The Fundamentals Spice Collection

What is the one thing gastroenterologists want us to add to our morning coffee? Spices! Everything like cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, paprika, oregano, and other common spices and herbs is incredible for their anti-inflammatory properties—something I want to take advantage of. My entire pantry is filled with Burlap and Barrel products, which I know is a bit of a flex, but they’re just that good. They’re single-origin and fresher than anything I have ever purchased at the grocery store. Having great spices on hand makes me want to use them, thus encouraging their benefits more. I keep an extra bottle of cinnamon right by my coffee maker to dust on top of my piping hot cups in the morning!

Klean Athlete Klean Isolate Whey Protein Isolate

Strength training is one of my favorite ways to exercise, though I’ll admit that I fell a bit off the wagon. In an effort to up my weights and get back to the muscle mass I once had, I know I need to find ways to get more protein in. Protein powder was one of my favorite quick and easy options to help replenish and prep for recovery, and as a pescatarian, I love how much protein I can get per serving. This is our favorite protein powder on the market, and I have yet to try it. It has a great taste and a fine powder finish that melts into liquids—and it’s third-party tested, too. I’m adding it straight to my cart!

Weck Tulip Jars, 1 liter

I’ve been trying to build up my collection of nuts and seeds. They’re truly packed with power and nutrients—many are filled with fiber, protein, healthy fats, and minerals like magnesium or zinc (pumpkin seeds, for example). I need them to stay fresh, and putting them into tightly sealed jars will do the trick. These Weck jars have been on my wishlist for years, but I just never seem to get around to buying them. They’re high-quality and aesthetically pleasing, which always makes me more motivated to actually use something.

KitchenAid Smart Grain and Rice Cooker

I want to diversify my grains in 2026, but I’m pretty bad at cooking them. Rice, farro, quinoa, you name it—I usually end up over- or under-cooking it. It’s definitely a deterrent, but I know if I had a rice and grain cooker, I would use it to meal prep these healthy grains for easy meals. This KitchenAid rice cooker, while expensive, has incredible reviews from colleagues of mine. It’s different from others on the market because of its built-in scale and water tank. It measures for you, so you’ll never need to do any guesswork again.