It's the happy time of year we all give ourselves special license to "indulge" in the glorious array of holiday pies, cookies, cakes, candy, creamy butter sauces, rich hams, turkeys, leg of lamb, prime rib roasts and maybe a plate or two of freshly made tamales! Yum!
It's a good idea to head into this season of indulgence with a few helpful tips to curb that run-away nature so you don't end up depressed & ten pounds heavier in January!
Holiday Season Tips to Help Curb Indulgence & Lesson Stress
Holiday Parties & The Dessert Buffets:
1. Eat something BEFORE you go to the party! Never show up starving; this can lead to mindless overload of calories. This also helps you feel in control of yourself and your choices.
2. Check in with yourself and be "mindful" with choices at the dessert buffet table. Do you really need to taste everything? Choose 2 - 3 items to enjoy, take small pieces and walk away from the table. Don't gulp it down while spying out the desserts you are
not choosing to try. Enjoy every luscious bite, eating slowly to savor the taste and texture. You will find your sweet tooth can be satisfied with less - when the few bites you take are savored and enjoyed.
3. If you are vegan heading to an "omnivore" feast take your absolute FAVORITE recipe to share. When people eat delicious food, they don't miss the meat.
4. There are SO MANY wonderful ways to "convert" old time family traditional recipes with new healthier ingredients; look at your recipes with "new eyes" and be creative; for example:
Stress & Self-Care
Stress - The Fight & Flight Syndrome:
High levels of stress puts your body into "fight or flight" mode. Which means, high levels of stress cause our body to believe that we are in danger! Therefore...
Living stressful lives causes our body to hold onto stubborn belly fat! That's right! The belly fat we all hate is there to keep us alive in famine, or give us fuel if we are running from lions in the wilderness!
Our bodies HOLD ON TO FAT as a defense mechanism when we live in constant stress!
So chill out and learn how to RELAX by scheduling some YOU time!
It's a good idea to head into this season of indulgence with a few helpful tips to curb that run-away nature so you don't end up depressed & ten pounds heavier in January!
Holiday Season Tips to Help Curb Indulgence & Lesson Stress
Holiday Parties & The Dessert Buffets:
1. Eat something BEFORE you go to the party! Never show up starving; this can lead to mindless overload of calories. This also helps you feel in control of yourself and your choices.2. Check in with yourself and be "mindful" with choices at the dessert buffet table. Do you really need to taste everything? Choose 2 - 3 items to enjoy, take small pieces and walk away from the table. Don't gulp it down while spying out the desserts you are
not choosing to try. Enjoy every luscious bite, eating slowly to savor the taste and texture. You will find your sweet tooth can be satisfied with less - when the few bites you take are savored and enjoyed.
3. If you are vegan heading to an "omnivore" feast take your absolute FAVORITE recipe to share. When people eat delicious food, they don't miss the meat.
4. There are SO MANY wonderful ways to "convert" old time family traditional recipes with new healthier ingredients; look at your recipes with "new eyes" and be creative; for example:
- Use organic apple cider in your stuffing / dressing recipe, rather than butter.
- Don't stuff the turkey; make the dressing as a casserole and bake.
- Choose gluten-free stuffing rather than the traditional fair.
- Bake a "crust-less" apple pie by making your favorite filling, ditch the crust and top with crumpled nuts, cinnamon & raisins.
- Bake a crust-less pumpkin pie by using your favorite filling recipe, but layer the bottom of the pie tin with crushed pecans - this adds protein to the dessert and it comes out fantastic!
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Stress & Self-Care
Stress - The Fight & Flight Syndrome:
High levels of stress puts your body into "fight or flight" mode. Which means, high levels of stress cause our body to believe that we are in danger! Therefore...
Living stressful lives causes our body to hold onto stubborn belly fat! That's right! The belly fat we all hate is there to keep us alive in famine, or give us fuel if we are running from lions in the wilderness!
Our bodies HOLD ON TO FAT as a defense mechanism when we live in constant stress!
So chill out and learn how to RELAX by scheduling some YOU time!
- It's flu season - So being over stressed and crazy-busy compromises our immune system.
- Take a good multi-vitamin, keep up on the vitamin C - and take a good probiotic to keep your gut flora strong, healthy and digesting all the extra rich holiday food!
- Take thoughtful, deep cleansing breathes in and out your nose for 30 seconds, several times a day to keep your brain invigorated with fresh oxygen. Believe it or not, this helps relax your body and tell it - "We are not in danger... be at peace... relax." This helps the body decompress and relax, and NOT store that extra belly fat!
- Indulge in a hot bubble bath.
- Take a yoga class.
- Get a massage.
- Get a chiropractic adjustment.
- Schedule time with your absolute FAVORITE person, turn off your cell phones and have fun!