3 Sure-Fire Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday

Have you started getting into the holiday season yet? I went to my first holiday party on Saturday (such a good time!), and threw up a few decorations, but I am nowhere near ready to shop, wrap gifts, put up the tree, etc…

With all I have to do, I am really trying to stay as balanced as possible this season.  It is essential (for my sanity and probably for my husband’s too!).  I try to do this with being mindful of what I am eating since “we are what we eat!”  If I reach for a lot of “junk,” I end up feeling like “junk.”   Since this is a time full of social events and eating and drinking in excess, I wanted to share a few sure-fire ways to eat, drink, and be merry without guilt and regret. AND not feel like “junk” the day after.

Here are the 3 tips to stay healthy in the next few weeks:

1.  Eat before you leave for the party.   E= a good protein such as edamame with sea salt or hummus, beans, even almond butter, A= an apple, T= twelve ounces of water.  This well-balanced snack will keep you even-keeled and in control when you spot the cookie tray.

2.  On the day of the party, make sure to have a healthy breakfast and lunch.  If you eat let’s say, a bowl of oatmeal with fruit for breakfast, and a dark leafy salad for lunch with a good protein, this will stabilize  your blood sugar and keep you full.  That way you will have the will power to make smart choices when you encounter the snack table.

3.  On the  morning after an excessive eating party, you will probably wake up craving sugar and simple carbs.  Your blood sugar level has dropped dramatically and you body wants another brownie (in my case, the peanut M&Ms).  Fight the craving and fill up on those healthy proteins and something green to cleanse.  You can try various green powders like Amazing Grass or wheat grass. They  help clean out the system and re-balance.  I tend to either make a juice or stick the greens in my smoothie.  If you want to make a green juice, try this recipe:

Hangover Mary  Green Juice

1 cup spinach leaves (chlorophyll to ease inflammation and acidity)

1 cucumber (helps with dehydration)

 1 kiwi fruit (can substitute with other fruits if preferred but kiwi does a great job of providing energy and reducing water retention)

1/2 lemon, peeled (alkalizes blood to bring you back to balance)

1/4 inch fresh ginger root (eases inflammation)

Juice the ingredients and drink up.

Makes 12 oz.

Power Punch Green Juice

All gone!

Do you have a holiday event this weekend? Please share your comments below.  I would love to hear about all the fun you are having and if  you try one of the tips above. AND if you experiment with the juice, tell me! I would love to see what you create with those greens. YUM! 🙂

21 Comments on “3 Sure-Fire Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday”

    1. Let me know if you make the juice, Hannah. It is so super delicious and gives me such a bolt of energy. Ahhh! Just love me some green juice. 🙂

      1. What great ideas!! I will try the EAT snack before I visit my parents every week! I always go there and snack on all the junk and always break out because nuts where hinding in the chocolate!

        1. Carolyn Marie, thanks so much for your kind words! I have to really make sure to stock up on as many healthy snacks as possible. When I go on road trips, I feel so much better when I am prepared. That way I am not as tempted to reach for the junk foods. Keep me posted!

    2. have all but the cuke, will pick that up this morning plus more spinach. It has been more difficult than I anticipated these past few days, so much company & food. I really intended to be in control but I am not. Today & tomorrow morning will be quieter & I plan to load up on my smoothies & juices. Merry Christmas everyone

      1. The cuke would be amazing for flushing out the toxins soI hope you find one.Or you can add celery instead. Both are easy on the digestive system, too. Millie, you are so right…when it comes to social activities, mainly they are centered around food and drinks. Hopefully these tips (and the juice) will help reset things as much as possible. Have an amazing Holiday! xo

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  2. I am def. trying this green juice on Sunday! I have a girls night out on Saturday and we might have a few too many cocktails!

    1. Hi Kate,

      How was the girls’ night?! I am sure you had loads of fun! Let me know if you tried the juice…sometimes I even crave it when my body gets out of balance. Hope you are having a super holiday season so far.

  3. girls night was soo much fun! too much fun! I did not try the juice yet because I was a little too tired to hit the store yesterday but am planning on grabbing the ingredients I dont have on my way home too! I still feel a little off! thanks.

    1. Kate, LOVE IT! So happy you had so much fun the other night. I know that the juice will surely help you feel back on track. Also, I put an oatmeal recipe on WHD facebook page…another great post-party meal.:) Enjoy!

  4. ok tried the power punch green juice and I love it, had it last night and again this am for breakfast! thanks for sharing Lisa!

    1. Super, Kate! I just LOVE green juice…it gives me tons of energy. AND you will be so in love with the winter cleanse coming up in January. I have a few juices added to the menu.:)

    1. Hi sweetie! What are you home with? A cold? If so, try this super easy juice:

      1-2 beets
      2 oranges
      Cut the beets into small wedges. Cute the rind away from the oranges, leaving the pith attached to the flesh. Chop into chunks and juice the oragnes with the beets. Pour and serve.

      Let me know how I can help.:)

  5. Hi Lisa,
    Oh boy, this is the time of year when our normal 80/20 feels inverted, so I appreciate your supportive ideas. We’re working our greens in at every meal, even breakfast, I had broccoli (with Panetone) Jeff had Spinach, and Winston the wonder doggie even ate kale!
    Happy holidays!
    Robin

    1. I’m trying with the greens too…but sometimes just shoving a chocolate chip cookie in my mouth helps feed my stress! BUT the greens can totally help you recover if that happens…ahhh, the holidays. It’s all about the love so focusing on loving ourselves up is important (as you mention in your amazing holiday post!). Have a beautiful and happy holiday! xx

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