Atypical Tips For Your Healthy Thanksgiving

There is so much discussion this week out in the media about how to have a healthier Thanksgiving but this perspective guides you beyond just what to eat. Healthy holidays should not be about restriction and living without. View holidays in a better perspective with conscious choices, understanding the emotional connections these days bring, and then having the celebration you deserve.
1.PREPARE YOUR MIND
Prepare what is going on in your head.
a.What do Thanksgiving, the holidays and celebrations really mean for you?
b.Reflect on sharing thanks; it is a holiday for thanks and connection not just food. Keep this the primary focus and the real reason for getting together.
c.Then ask yourself, “How can I eat abundantly and healthy at the same time?” Once you ask yourself this question your subconscious brain will give you answers.
d.Decide to be joyful not gluttonous; you always have a choice. After all, joy and gluttony are not siamese twins.

2.BE PART OF THE FOOD DECISIONS
Every host appreciates the people that help. Helping supports your feeling of connection to the celebration and gives you some say in the foods offered.
a.Talk to the host about the menu; be involved.
b.Offer to bring more veggie options that are healthier and that work well with the rest of the meal - think about colors and textures that are not already planned.
c.Make a plant based version of a heavy standard to add to the table. One of the things I always bring is a tray of stuffing made my way, which is the centerpiece of my meal.
d.Remember that some foods are clearly better for you. Eat more of these; skip the others. You know what they are.

3.EAT CONSCIOUSLY, NOT BLINDLY
A long holiday weekend is not an excuse to run reckless.
d.Nothing is ‘not allowed’ or ‘allowed’ when you have a healthy relationship with food. (Think about that.)
e.Plan your approach to eating abundantly the healthy way.
f.Decide how far your indulgences will go ahead of time.
g.Do a mental dress rehearsal of the eating part of the day. Play your success story in your head.
4.BE KIND TO YOUR BODY
Your body serves you well so be kind in return.
a.Stick to your healthy routines the days leading into Thanksgiving, the day of, AND over the weekend that follows.
b.Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate with water, herbal tea, or coconut water this day and everyday. On Thanksgiving, in particular, you don’t want to confuse thirst for hunger.
c.At home, eat something before the celebratory part of the day. Don’t arrive anywhere overly hungry!
d.Consider taking a digestive enzyme with you, like papaya enzyme, or fennel tea, just in case.
e.Stay awake for a good three hours after your last bite.
The day(s) after Thanksgiving will reflect how kind, or, not so kind, you were to your body. This post script to your day will let you know how you did. Light and energized? Or, groggy, congested, craving things, and even weary? However, no matter where you end up, consider that information ‘research’ so that each time you can learn and maybe adjust, making each day better than the one before. To feel great throughout the holiday season treat yourself well, nourish your body, be joyful and present in mind and spirit. Happy Thanksgiving.