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You asked, we answered! Hundreds of Start TODAY members told us they wanted more healthy, balanced meal ideas to help them reach their health goals. This dietitian-designed meal plan gives you the flexibility to ease into a new year — all while learning the building blocks of healthy eating.

All of the world’s healthiest diets have a plant slant, and studies show you don’t have to give up animal products completely to reap the benefits of eating more plants.

So this week, we’re showing you how to create plant-forward menus without giving up animal foods, like dairy, eggs, chicken, seafood and meat. We accomplished this goal by packing the menu with nuts, seeds, beans, fruits, vegetables and whole grains — delivering the goodness of plant foods in everything

In the midst of a statewide mental health crisis, a large nonprofit is providing some relief, with plans to open a 13-bed home near George Floyd Square in Minneapolis that will treat people recovering from mental health emergencies.

People Incorporated, the state’s largest nonprofit provider of mental health services, said the home, at 3633 Chicago Ave., will open this fall and provide round-the-clock supervision and care for people who have suffered a mental crisis and require more therapy and other support before returning home. Patients experiencing a range of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, will have access to a team of nurses, therapists and social workers for up to three months.

The St. Paul-based nonprofit is buying the Victorian-style home from Hennepin Healthcare, which has operated a short-term mental health crisis center at the site since 2017, though care was limited primarily to those

If you’re trying to level up to a healthier lifestyle, you’ve likely heard the news: Just exercising doesn’t cut it. A good diet is just as important as cardio or daily workouts, and some research even says a bad diet can negate the positive effects of exercise. 

But healthy, balanced eating can be a challenge. Sometimes you just want to steer clear of the kitchen and order takeout after a long day (we’ve all been there). One thing meal kit delivery services do is make it easy to stay consistent with your eating habits throughout the week. 

If your doctor recommends weight loss for a certain condition, or you want to make the switch to fitness-friendly eating, then good news: There are plenty of meal kit companies that offer meals (and even entire plans) aimed at doctor-approved eating