thiThe holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience.

​Only you know how much you can handle and still stay healthy physically and mentally. Don’t say yes when you know you should say no. You don’t need to feel guilty about saying no when you know it’s for your health and happiness. Saying yes to too many things can set you up for being overwhelmed. You simply can’t make everyone happy all the time. Decide ahead of time how much time you want to spend with family and friends this Christmas and how many obligations you want to take on. It’s also fine to ask family or friends for help if you are feeling overwhelmed. You don’t have to do it all alone! 

Its also important to set boundaries on gift giving. Choosing carefully who you want to give gifts to as well as how much you want to spend is important. One or two thoughtful gifts can go just as far as a whole pile of gifts. There is no need to go into debt over Christmas. Set a budget ahead of time and stick to it! Sometimes the gift of presence is better than the gift of presents!

​Keep visiting this blog for more tips on how to survive the holidays!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience.

When you expect perfection of your holidays, you set yourself up for failure. Nothing is ever perfect, so expecting it to be, sets you up for stress when things don’t turn out perfectly. Travel, decorations, and gifts all need to have realistic expectations. Set realistic budgets and then be okay with being practical. Also remember that you cannot control your family or every detail and circumstance. It is okay for things to go differently than you had planned.

When you see what seems to be perfection in other people's holidays or on social media, remember that you are seeing their highlights reel, not the blooper reel. Keep that in mind when you feel like you aren't measuring up.

This is the first in a series of practical tips for how to have a healthy, happy holiday season. Keep coming back every day for more tips!

Do you feel like the holidays completely derail your healthy train? The holidays can be tricky. It can be hard to make healthy choices when it seems you are surrounded by temptation! Here’s the good news! I’ve compiled a few tips and tricks that will help you get through Thanksgiving and the holiday season without regret!

Do you ever feel really sluggish after a big meal, especially after Thanksgiving dinner? There is a solution that’s both healthy and enjoyable – take a walk! Taking a walk speeds up digestion faster than alcohol or coffee, multiple studies have found. The walk helps burn calories and helps moderate blood sugar. It doesn’t have to be a long walk, either! Just a 15-20 minute walk gives you all the benefits!

Fall is just around the corner and with it dreams of pumpkin spice lattes. While pumpkin spice lattes may not be the healthiest item on the menu, one of its ingredients is full of health benefits! Cinnamon is full of health benefits!
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Just a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon sprinkled on your food can help prevent an insulin spike.  This spike normally occurs after a meal and signals the body to store fat instead of burning it.  It could help in your battle of the bulge! Because cinnamon helps regulate insulin, it may also be beneficial for diabetics.  

Some other great benefits of cinnamon include:

• Eating half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day may lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. 
• Cinnamon has been found in some studies to reduce the proliferation of cancer cells in both leukemia and lymphoma. 
• Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on blood.
• Arthritis patients who consumed cinnamon mixed with honey daily had significantly reduced pain after a month.
• It inhibits bacteria growth in food and drinks.
• The smell of cinnamon may boost cognitive function and memory.
• Cinnamon is a good source of fiber, manganese, iron and calcium.

We look forward to the feasts and treats of the holidays, but we don't look forward to gaining weight! How can you have a healthy holiday season? ​

1.  Shop Smart for Healthy Holidays.  Plan to have lots of whole grains, veggies, fruits and nuts. Plan for less fats, creams, and gravies.

2.  Start the Party Light.  Appetizers can be loaded with calories, so don't fill up on them before a meal.

3.  Harness the Power of Produce.  Fill up on simply prepared fruit and veggies.

4.  Go Frozen in Winter.  Frozen veggies may actually contain more nutrients than fresh because it is frozen quickly after it is harvested.

5.  Respect Special Requests.  It is important to accommodate your guests special dietary needs.

6.  Shave Calories with Simple Swaps.

7.  Roast or Grill for Rich Flavors with Fewer Calories.

8.  Serve Healthier Desserts.

9.  Spritz Your Drinks.  Have lower calorie options for guests drinks.

10.  Plan and Scan to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain.  Scan the buffet for simply prepared foods with no cream or butter.

Read the full article here.