If You Don't, Who Will? Get Proactive with Your Body

IF YOU DON'T, WHO WILL? GET PROACTIVE WITH YOUR BODY

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Hints for Healthier Holidays

TASTE EVERYTHING AND EAT NOTHING! At parties, buffet dinners and pot lucks, a taste will help keep you from feeling deprived AND keep you from blowing it! And, of course, choosing to taste more fresh veggies and less smoked sausage and cheese will help keep you on track.

EAT HARDY BEFORE YOU PARTY. Have a bowl of soup, a big vegetable salad or other healthy, properly food-combined mini-meal BEFORE the party. Then you can snack and sample taste treats judiciously because you aren’t hungry!

DRINK AND BE TWICE AS MERRY - ON 1/2 THE ALCOHOL! If you choose to have a glass or two of wine - fine. Ask for yours as a spritzer, cut with 50% sparkling water. If choosing hard liquor, ask for 1/2 a shot in a glass full of mixer. Between alcoholic beverages, slowly sip one to two glasses of sparkling mineral water with lemon or lime. You’ll look and feel festive without the calories or the hangover!

HELP THE HOSTESS! Offer to bring a party tray for her buffet. Then fix up a vegetable tray with a low calorie dip.

ENJOY CHRISTMAS DINNER TWICE! First - Enjoy the turkey, ham, duck or whatever your family tradition is with lots of non-starchy vegetables (green beans, fresh vegetable salads, etc.)

Later (at the next meal) - Enjoy the mashed potatoes, yams, and other starchy delights with lots of non- starchy vegetables (green beans, fresh vegetable salads, etc.)

This follows the principles of food combining which enhances digestion. Also, the fiber from the non-starchy vegetables helps in digestion and elimination of high protein and high starch meals.

WHEN A TASTE IS NOT ENOUGH -- SHARE. You’re at the family Christmas dinner and Great Grandma Gussie has made her yearly Yuletide offering. Taking a mere taste of this annual treat may offend her so share a piece with your significant other. Such a romantic demonstration will warm her heart and cut your calories!

STOCKING STUFFERS NEED NOT BE EDIBLE TO BE SWEET - Ask for and give small herbal soaps, potpourri, scented candles, etc. instead of traditional chocolates and candy canes.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO BLOW IT AT ONE PARTY FINE -- TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY. You may choose to blow it at one party and enjoy yourself thoroughly. However, don’t let one blowout be reason to blow the entire season! After the party, eat lightly and more healthfully the next day.

NOTICE how many of your friends, family and co-workers get sick during the holidays. These illnesses are directly related to stress and over-eating. Treat your body well during the holidays (and every day) and it will return the favor!

Hope these hints help you enjoy Holiday health. In the new year, we’ll continue to look at the "Skinny on Fats". Wishing you Love and Light throughout the Season and New Year!

Kate Jewell, ND has written articles, booklets and three CDs on health and nutrition. She has also lectured nationally and internationally. As a nutrition and lifestyle counselor, she offers to answer your questions. Please contact her at kate@sanjuanislander.com

editor@sanjuanislander.com

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