The holiday season is a wonderful time for connecting with loved ones and of celebration. Most of us celebrate by sharing our favorite time honored family comfort foods..the sugary goodies, salty snacks, & starchy side dishes we enjoyed as children, liberally peppered with a variety of alcoholic beverages (think “mainlined” sugar).
While enjoying some holiday cheer on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, & New Year’s should not be a problem, having a non-stop celebration from Halloween through Super Bowl can negatively impact your health as well as pack on the pounds.
By choosing 3-4 celebrations events spaced out over the holiday season you will avoid a toxic build up & minimize weight gain. Eating smaller portions of all the foods you love will also minimize impact. Think preventively by upping your intake of lightly cooked low starch veggies or a cup or two of the Bielers Soup recipe from my e-book with small amounts of protein the day of the event. By having a large mug of Bieler’s Soup right before your celebration event, you will stave off the urge to devour everything in sight at the h’or derve table as well as balancing the sugary,salty starchy goodies you will consume there.
The day or two ..or three after (depending on how much celebrating occured), increase your intake of “Nature’s Balancers”, the lightly cooked low starch veggies &/or Bieler’s Soup. Remember that if you’ve indulged a bit too much in sugar or alcohol which is a concentrated sugar that having 4-6 mini-meals of protein & low starch lightly cooked veggies /Bieler’s Soup after the fact can stabilize blood sugar & restore balance to your system. Bear in mind that too much sugar not only disrupts blood sugar leading to “out of control” day after appetite & puts on the pounds, but also supresses the immune ststem right at the height of the cold & flu season.
In addition to balancing with foods, a little wisely chosen support from supplements can be a great help in fending off colds & flu.
I find that taking “Oscillococcinum” a readily available homeopathic once weekly during the holiday season acts like a “homeopathic” flu shot for me & my clients.
At the first sign of a scratchy throat or sneezing, gargling with salt water every few hours can sometimes stave off a virus as well.
“Source Naturals” makes two effective cold & flu products to be taken at the first sign of imbalance: Wellness Formula capsules is a good choice if you experience deep cold sensation with body aches & chills, while Wellness Fizz is a nice match for a sore, scratchy throat with feverish hot sensations with irritability.
A short 1 day fast on Bieler’s Soup or pureed low starch veggies can nip a virus in the bud or at least substantially shorten the duration. If you have a fever alternate with diluted 100% apple jiuce with a liberal squeeze of lemon or papaya puree diluted. A 20 minute soak in a warm bath with 2-3 cups of Epsom Salts & your favorite essential oil can also assist in gently de-toxing the body. Drink lots of pure non tap water as well.
Consult your MD if you have a high fever or one that lasts for more than a few days despite all the above. I believe in using Western Medicine combined with natural healing tools when necessary.
Light daily exercise is a super pick-me-up and de-stressor that can minimize holiday weight gain & gives a boost to your immune system. As little as 20 minutes a day of walking at a moderate pace can work wonders.
If you live where the winters are mild, a stroll in nature can be a much needed holiday restorative. In the colder climes, a walk in an indoor mall enjoying window shopping & people watching can also do the trick. Stationary bicycles or mini- trampolines used in the privacy of your own home are other options.
Finally, take the time to relax & enjoy each moment you can….really breath in the holiday smells & hear the sounds of the season. Remember, most of all, that the best gift you can give to another is the gift of your time..to deeply connect & to listen.
Have a happy & healthy holiday season.
Kaaren