These next few months are full of family and friends gathering to celebrate together. These celebrations are always centered around FOOD! Food is so very important on so many levels for our health. It really boils down to what kinds of food you choose to eat, and how much of this food you’re eating. Here are 10 realistic tips on surviving those holiday parties. How you can prepare yourself and also keep your goals, and health in reach. You can and will enjoy these parties while keeping you healthy and vibrant.
1. Move your body at least 3 – 4 times a week, and especially the day of your event, and the day after. Exercise gets us in the right mind set, and we’re likely going to feel better, and make better choices if we’ve moved our body. So, take a brisk 30 minute walk or run, swim or do whatever it is you do to move. When we keep a routine to move our body we will also keep our serotonin levels balanced to keep us feeling more balanced, focused and happy. Exercise supports our immune system to fight off those winter viruses too!
2. Eat REAL FOOD before you head out the door to that party. Eat a good combo of carbohydrates, protein or fat. This will help you fill your body with nutrient dense whole food. You will feel satisfied and won’t feel the need to fill up your plate or keep munching at the party. Keep eating a good balance of whole foods in between these parties so you are feeling at your best.
Some pre-party snacks to try:
- Avocado sprinkled with lemon and sea salt
- Hard boiled egg
- Nuts and veggies
- Almond butter and apple slices
- Raw cheese slices and pear
3. Eat sensible and enjoy treats in moderation, don’t feel ashamed, or guilty just ENJOY it! Those emotional burdens we place on ourselves are negative thoughts which place no role in a healthy mind and body. Boost your immune system by being positive. Try and laugh a lot too!
4. Try Magnesium, it is something we are often deficient in, and it is such a essential mineral for so many functions in our body. Magnesium is very helpful in calming you and helping you sleep. It supports your bowels, and keeps blood sugar in check between meals. You can use magnesium lotion of flakes in a bath to soothe sore muscles and joints.
5. Enjoy a glass of your favorite beverage, then sip on some water with lime or lemon, or some naturally flavored or plain bubbly water. If you have a favorite cocktail you can always ask the bartender to put half the sweetener in the drink.
6. Stay hydrated. Drinking enough H2O will keep your body flushing toxins, getting nutrients where they need to go, and keeping inflammation in check. H2O supports the liver when it’s needing to work overtime to process the foods, alcohol and holiday stress. Drink up!
7. Add digestive support daily. Here are some therapeutic foods to support digestion:
- Raw apple cider vinegar (1-2 T mixed in water 15 minutes before eating or after to ease indigestion)
- Pineapple and papaya
- Ginger
- Lemon water
- Bitters
- Bone broth
- Beets
- Cabbage juice
8. Always sit down and relax while eating, and chew your food well. Please try not to over-indulge…your body and digestive system will pay the price!
9. Take your probiotics or eat probiotic rich foods! They will keep your gut healthy which will support your immune system and your mind through this hectic season.
Probiotic rich foods:
- Fermented veggies
- Sauerkraut
- Kefir
- Kombucha
- Yogurt
- Kimchi
10. Resting and planning time for self care can be one of the hardest things to do anyways, but through these hectic couple of months it might feel impossible. This can be 5-10 minutes of mindful thought. Sit on your porch, look at a sunset, hold your child, read a book or meditate. Taking just that time out of your day can rejuvenate revive your soul. You deserve it!
Remember…
Yours in health,
Rachel
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