This Simple Phrase

Christmas Cookies.  Home made fudge.  Candied yams.  Pumpkin pie.  Ambrosia.  Decadent sweets beautifully and deliciously offered in addition to large meals representative of sharing the year end feast.    Holiday traditions vary from home to home, as do financial means to deliver an ample feast to the table, but if we look at the hem in the table cloth we can find a common thread between us all; indulgence.

Indulgence is not a four letter word.  The Christmas season brings food to the table that may only be eaten once or twice a year.  There is nothing you can do to avoid the spread of sweats and savories created to share, so don't restrict yourself to the celery plate.  Eat.  Share the food and the experience.  Bake with your kids.  Make your grandmother's recipes with your sister.   Relax your 'I'm only going to have one bite' mentality and allow yourself some flexibility.

To get through the holiday feast and still be able to get through the door, there are many, many things you can do that don't require a gym membership.  The most important tool you can use is your body.  Listen to the cues.  When you slow down, chew your food well, and allow time for your stomach to send messages to your brain, you will find you eat well ...  but less.  Eating when your body says you're hungry and stopping when you're full can save you indigestion, bloating, constipation, cramping, lethargy, regret and mental upset from 'over doing it'.  Take your time this holiday season and listen to what your body has to say.

Several more tricks and tips can help your body digest the feast.  Drink hydrating fluids.  Alcohol actually diminishes your body's ability to digest fat so it stores it away to deal with later.  Try lemon water, warm mint tea or club soda instead.  Also, add raw veggies to the feast.  A broccoli and red cabbage salad with walnuts can add essential nutrients and fiber to your plate to help move the rest of the meal through your system.  Bring something green or raw or fresh to all of your holiday pot lucks so you know you always have a healthy choice.  And, before you hit the party, take in a brisk walk around the neighborhood.  Better yet, get moving after dinner!  Dance!  Laugh!  Play charades at the party you're hosting and you'll meet both wickets.  

More tomorrow on mindful eating and enjoyable feasting, but for now I encourage you to eat real food.  Wash in the goodness with plenty of water.  Don't forget to give your vitamins their vitamins and, as always, remember to wash your hands.  My sister enveloped my thoughts with this simple phrase, "Be clean inside and out."  (Thank you, Kelly~)

Anna~