7 Tips for Healthier Holiday Eating

Hi!
Can it be? Is it already the end-of-year holidays? With the year-end holidays starting in about two weeks, it may be prudent to get into a mindset to enjoy it and do in a way that minimizes damage. But is that really possible?! And of course, I am talking about eating!
 
Think about the fact that we actually like many of the healthier foods we eat. Then there are the other foods replete with sugars, refined grains, additives, etc. that we want to eat (even knowing we will regret it).
 
If we work in an office with others, goodies usually pop up about this time of year – cookies, candies, cakes, pies, etc. They are so hard to resist for many of us (me, for example).
 
So here are 7 tips to contain the “damage” and still enjoy many of our favorites:

1. Don’t eat everything you see at once. Eat healthier foods you like first and then just a bit of the rest.
2. Before you keep indulging, take a break between mouthfuls so your brain has time to register your level of fullness.
3. Please do not attend functions or expose yourself to all these delicious goodies when you are hungry. Eat a little something healthy before going.
4. Focus primarily on “the reason for the season” – getting together with loved ones. Eating is a natural accompaniment to getting together, but not the main reason.
5. Practice mindfulness – focus on what you are doing each second of every moment. This little exercise slows you down and allows you to notice more.
6. Keep your body moving! While holidays are a time hopefully for rest and relaxation, make sure you get some serious steps in each day.
7. Finally, please love yourself enough to take good care of you without sacrificing a good time.

Here is a recipe I concocted one day – it’s great for a cold, wintry day – very nourishing and very delicious and by the way, very good for your liver!
 
Recipe for Beef and Beet Soup/Stew
Ingredients:
-Piece of beef, preferably organic, grass-fed, cut into bite sized pieces
-A few organic beets, cut into chunks
-Any other veggies you would like to put in, like onions, carrots, celery, zucchini, etc.
-Beef broth
-Beet juice
-Olive Oil
 
Directions:
-Brown the meat and vegetables in the olive oil.
-Place them in a pressure cooker.
-Add enough broth and juice to cover the veggies and beef. The more you add the more thin the sauce will be.
-Season to taste – suggested: salt, pepper, paprika, minced garlic flakes or fresh garlic
-Pressure-cook for 60-90 minutes
 
Enjoy!
 
***

It seems easier to love others than to love ourselves. However, self-love can be a precursor to loving others in a healthy manner. So, remember to practice all kinds of self-care.
 
And, as always, please have a happy, holistically healthy day!

​Dr. P

Holistic Guides