Want to actually commit to eating healthier in 2019? This Austin chef has some tips to help

AUSTIN — New Years resolutions can consist of many things.

For one Austin area woman, cooking healthy in 2019 is vital.

"I've had some health issues recently and with several cancer diagnoses, my health is forefront in my mind," Hallie Braje said.

That's why she plans on eating even healthier in the new year.

"I also want to finally lose the 10 pounds I keep on trying to lose," Braje said.

According to research by the University of Scranton, only eight percent of people achieve their New Year's resolution goals.

And when it comes to eating healthy, food consultant Vanessa Musi said it has to be done by taking small steps.

"If you start subtracting pizzas and burgers, it will get pretty radical and you won't be able to sustain that," Musi said.

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Happy Holidays guys! Thank you all for being here and for this wonderful community. I have been MIA because we had some issues with our baking school. So I made these happiness cookies because baking is my therapy and my sweet happy place. . Thanks to @honestlycranberry for the awesome original recipe which are the best shortbread cookies I have had. That’s a big claim but oh wow! So here’s my version: it’s low carb and #keto! So I can eat them (all). I made about 4 recipes to get this just right. . Imagine a #healthy French Sablee CRANBERRY KEY LIME ROSEMARY SHORTBREAD (killer combo!!) Definitely have some with an oat milk capuchino . . Ingredients: Makes: 24 medium cookies (8 gr each) 145 gr almond flour ¼ teaspoon @redmondrealsalt 80 gr grass fed butter 20 gr @lakantosweetener Golden 20 gr @lakantosweetener Classic ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon coconut flour (8 gr) 1 tablespoon @bulletproof collagen powder (8 gr) 1 tablespoon Key Lime juice (bottled) 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves 10 gr @honestlycranberry chopped finely METHOD: In @thermomixusa: mix all the ingredients until combined. Remove and spread the dough with a rolling pin: type 3 mm thick. Cut with round cutter and freeze 30 mins. Bake at 330 F on a perforated baking tray with Silpat until golden, aproximate time: 8 minutes (time depends on the thickness of your cookies, oven and baking tray. Allow to cool completely as they are very fragile. #ketodiet #glutenfree #paleo #healthyfood #atx #atxfoodie #lowcarb #grainfree #cookies #fitness

A post shared by Vanessa Musi (@chefvanessamusi) on Dec 24, 2018 at 10:46am PST

She said starting off simple -- like substituting carbs for cauliflower -- allows consistency in building good eating habits.

"If you have a clear intention why you're doing it, reconnect to that purpose and you'll have a better result because you know why you're doing it," Musi said.

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Finally here it is! The #keto chocolate cake/ bread that you ALL requested via DM, emails, WhatsApps.. a recipe I had to make 4 times to get just right. It’s delicious plain, toasted or you can even make french toast! . And I wanted to make this extra special adding a giveaway with one of my favorite brands: @cangshancutlery who have not only been super generous with me, they have gone above and beyond. . INGREDIENTS: MAKES: 1 MEDIUM BREAD 4 large eggs I love and use @vitalfarms ½ teaspon vanilla extract ⅓ cup avocado oil 100 gr thick coconut yogurt such as Coyo or vegan cream cheese such as Kite Hill 60 gr Lakanto Golden @lakantosweetener 100 gr almonds 50 gr pecans ½ teaspoon @redmondrealsalt 1 tablespoon baking powder gluten free, aluminium free such as Rumford (at high altitude use ½ tablespoon) 40 gr @santabarbarachocolate red cocoa ⅓ cup 85-92% chocolate chips or chunks or unsweetened chocolate @santabarbarachocolate METHOD: Pre heat oven to 350 F, grease and line a large loaf pan (or 3 small loaf pans) with paper. In @thermomixusa process almonds, pecans, cocoa, salt, Lakanto sweetener until finely ground. Add yogurt or cream cheese, oil, eggs vanilla and process until integrated. Pour batter into the cake pan. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean aprox 30 mins. Towards the end of baking add chocolate chips on top. Let cool and slice with my favorite @cangshancutlery serrated utility knife (which won Oprah’s favorite!) So head over to my dear friends @cangshancutlery Win an N1 series 3 piece Knife set (featured is the utility). Follow @cangshancutlery + @chefvanessamusi Comment what your favorite dessert is Tag a friend! 1 lucky winner will be randomly chosen Valid in US only. Accounts must be public. Good luck! #healthyfood #ketodiet #paleo #grainfree #chocolate #cake #feedyourpassion #glutenfree #sugarfree #lowcarb #givingtuesday #healthydessert #ketodiet #fitness #realfood #prediabetes #foodtographyschool

A post shared by Vanessa Musi (@chefvanessamusi) on Nov 27, 2018 at 5:31pm PST

For Braje, a daily acknowledgement of her end goal is very important.

"I cleaned out my closet because I avoided clothes that are too tight, and the end goal is to fit in them," Barje said.

Her goal is to stay focused -- not just for her weight, but for her health.

"Just keep it forefront in your mind and recommit to it every day," Barje said.

For a list of healthy recipes, you can visit Musi's website.