Cheers to a Healthy Holiday Season! 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I love the Holiday season. Buying and wrapping gifts. Christmas music. Driving around looking at Christmas lights. And of course, all of the festive treats. This is a difficult time of the year if you are trying to maintain some semblance of a healthy diet with cookies and treats everywhere you look but I am all about balance. I definitely indulge in my favorite holiday treats but I also try to make healthier swaps when I am able to and try to maintain balance overall. 

With all of the Holiday gatherings that are going to come up in the next few weeks, I wanted to share with you some tips for a healthy holiday season!

• Maintain your routine as much as you can. This can be hard with travel, parties and festive events but keeping up a routine such as meditation or prayer in the morning followed by exercise can help to keep your stress level down throughout the holiday season
• If you have a party or an event and you plan to indulge make sure to have balanced meals throughout the day leading up to the party. If you are not sure what will be served, have a salad with some protein before you head out so that you get your greens in and won’t be starving when you arrive. If you need to bring a dish to pass, make it a healthy option like an veggie or protein based appetizer or salad!
• Try to limit alcohol. Alcohol has many negative affects on the body and it can disrupt sleep if you have more than 1-2 drinks. Alcohol is also a big source of empty calories that can lead you to overeat foods that you normally would not.
• Eat slowly. Chew your food well to start the digestion process. Savor the food and the company. Listen to your hunger cues so that you don’t accidentally overindulge.
• After a big meal, if you are able, get out for a walk after dinner to help lower your post-prandial (post meal) blood glucose and insulin levels. Even a 10 minute walk has been shown to have dramatic effects on blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. Even better, take the whole family and get out for a walk to check out Christmas lights!
• Practice gratitude for the many blessings this Holiday season. Starting or continuing a gratitude practice can have powerful effects on your mood and mindset. Take the time to let others know you are grateful for them!
• Relax. Take time to enjoy the moments, big and small, of this holiday season and don’t stress if a day is not perfect. Try not to let one day of indulging or missing your workout derail you from your goals and the progress you’ve made.
• I also wanted to share one of my favorite cookie recipes. These chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies were a Christmas cookie staple at my Grandma Cookie’s house (Yes, that was really her nickname). These cookies are quick and easy and don’t require any baking! This version below is a slightly healthier twist on my favorite holiday cookie!

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup)
• 1/4 cup cocunut oil measured in solid state or swap with grass-fed butter
• 2 tablespoons unsweeted cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/4 cups Gluten Free quick cookie oats 

Directions:

1. Line a cookie sheet with waxed or parchment paper and set aside
2. Combine peanut butter, honey, salt, and coconut oil in a saucepan and heat, stirring continuously, until melted and well-combined.
3. Stir in vanilla and cocoa powder
4. Add in quick-cooking oats and mix well.
5. Drop 1 tablespoon portions of the mixture onto the line baking sheet
6. Let cool in the refrigerator until hardened 
7. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and Enjoy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

If you are looking for some pre or post Holiday help on getting on the path to health and longevity, book a call below to see how I can help! For more information about Alison Percowycz, NP and our Functional Medicine Practice check out our ABOUT page! Cheers to a Healthy Holiday Season!