Ahhh…the holidays!

If there isn’t anything more stressful than family get togethers, it’s the stress around cooking/shopping/preparing/eating!

Pick a few of the belowmentioned tips and you’ll be way ahead of most.

Or be an overachiever after my own heart, do most of them and report back!

Let’s get started:

1. Use more veggies! In EVERYTHING! Not just chopped up but blended in dishes (see below).
2. Grab a can of organic pumpkin (or even better, prepare from scratch) and blend in to EVERYTHANG!
3. Cubed squash (butternut or otherwise) and bits of broccoli florets are great in stuffing!
4. Mix cauliflower in with your mashed potatoes
5. Use quinoa to replace some of the breading for stuffing
6. Your sweet potato dish does not need extra sugar or extra butter: Use maple syrup!
7. Do not cook with olive oil – Use avocado oil or grapeseed oil
8. Use olive oil for your salads or dishes that are raw, uncooked
9. A great salad dressing is olive oil with a good quality balsamic vinegar, OR Bragg’s aminos. Add some fresh minced garlic, ginger & salt.
10. Use oils and butter sparingly – You don’t need as much as you think (& you can always add)
11. Use ghee instead of traditional butter and for heaven’s sakes DON’T use margarine. (See #10 below)
12. In general, use less preserved foods and less preservatives. Not only are they unhealthy but they lead to GI upset issues (aka That “IFeelLikeCrap” post-meal feeling)
13. ^ This includes SALT! Use no or low salt mixes or purchased foods and have your own Himalayan salt available to use and offer
14. Cranberries are OH so good for you… but they cause bloating – Mix in pomegranate seeds with them or instead of
15. When baking: Substitute banana or avocado for some (or all) of the oil or butter
16. For dishes with flour: replace some of the flour (generally about 1/4th) with gluten-free rolled oats. It will make the dish less dry as well
17. To make oat flour: Put oats in a bullet or VitaMix. Blend. You’ve now made oat flour!
18. You can do the same with almonds ^ and make almond flour (it’s more dense though)
19. Instead of a traditional pie, make a “baked” dish!
20. Make a “crumble” for your baked dish (or pie) by using granola or quinoa for the topping
21. Frozen organic veggies and fruits (particularly berries) are your LIFESAVERS during holiday cooking.

READY FOR MORE?

ALCOHOL (because you know you’re going to):

• Mix your wine and spirits with Pellegrino or club soda
• Choose club soda over tonic to save calories and artificial ingredients
• Add ice to your drink (yes, even wine…just do it, who cares)
• Drink more water!

WHEN IT’S ALL SAID (eaten) & DONE:

• Go out for a walk
• Drink some organic coffee
• Drink hot tea with fresh ginger root – easy to make fresh on the spot with ginger root and water!
• Consider taking pre/probiotics, if you aren’t already. Gut health is directly linked to brain and (mood) health.
• Don’t perseverate on the calories – ENJOY!

LASTLY….

• Please watch out for your pets this season: They can get very sick eating rich holiday food. This happens SO FAST and frequently as they grab it when you’re not looking (because your food IS that irresistible!). Plus the stress of having new or less familiar people in the home can be very upsetting so look into stress reduction tips ( www.AnimalRehabilitation.com has some! ) because the last thing you want is for your pet to fall ill during this time and/or to spend time at the vet’s ER!

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Which of these tips did you find the most helpful?

Is there anything missing from the above? Remember: #sharingiscaring

Any Questions?