Here are 7 Tips for a Healthy Holiday:

Coping with food cravings and binges can be a bigger challenge around the holidays!

There at least 8 things that really influence and increase your cravings, And one thing you can start with is by making sure you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and eating sweet vegetables such as sweet potatoes, onions and carrots to nourish your body with the nutrients it may be craving from sweet vegetables and fruit.

 Healthy, and not-so-healthy, holiday snacks and beverages

You can get through the holidays enjoying good, yet healthy food and drinks by just replacing the most processed and artificial foods and beverages by natural ones. For example snack on the wonderful nuts and dried fruit instead of candy. Drink less coffee as it increases stress levels and is very dehydrating. Drink healing herbal teas such as Rooibos tea, orange spice, chocolate or cinnamon tea instead. If you crave soda try drinking more flavored sparkling water. Take care of your true hunger with "real food" and your thirst with water and allow yourself to enjoy some special treats during the holidays!

Healthy recipes and ideas for delicious alternatives to typical Holiday meals

We are sicker then ever because almost 90% of the food we eat is processed! One key thing to keep in mind is to replace any canned, frozen or ready dishes with fresh organic produce of the season. increase your vegetable side dishes such as green beans, collard greens and mixed vegetables. Replace mashed potatoes with mashed sweet potatoes, butter or margarine with olive oil or coconut oil and do your holiday baking with healthier options such as wholegrain flours, less sugar and use natural options such as honey or maple syrup instead. Have plenty of fresh fruit around for healthy sweetness and try thick orange slices sprinkled with cinnamon powder on top for a refreshing dessert or snack!

Holiday stress busters:

People tend to have very high expectations and stress around the holidays. What you can do to reduce stress is prepare some of the meals and treats before hand. And once the family is gathered focus on being PRESENT with them. Remember the holiday is not about the tasks and gifts, it's about cherishing the many blessings in your life and enjoying the very gift of life and the presence of one another! Let them know how much they mean to you with your words and actions and just be the calm joy you want to see around you! Stress spreads around, so does joy, smiles and laughter!                     

Be responsible for your health and set yourself up for success by having a lot of healthy fresh foods around, staying active, go ice skating or build snow castles with your kids and limit the "major holiday food splurges" for Christmas day only, not the whole winter season.

Digestion

If your stomach is not a big fan of all these holiday meals and parties, one thing that can be of major help and relief to your digestions is avoiding any dairy products such as milk, cream, butter and cheese. Many people have real trouble digesting dairy products and get bloated or stomach aches from it. Avoid anything that may have dairy and try Oat milk instead of your regular cows milk! Another thing that may help as well is to drink hot water with fresh lemon or ginger tea.

Enjoy Fully!

Don't judge yourself or others. Try to accept your loved ones for who they are and who they aren't, just like you want them to accept and appreciate you. There is no such thing as a "perfect family", so check where your expectations are at and try not to hold the past against them or in between you. We often drag old stories around as they just happened when they happened months or years ago. This doesn't allow us to see our families in a new refreshing light and only keeps us stuck in the past. Let the past go  and create a new present by coming from a place of love and acceptance this Christmas. Be the change you wish to see in your family and enjoy them fully!