10 Steps to a Healthier Holiday

From the Natural Epicurean Website:

>> 10 TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY FOR THE HOLIDAYS <<
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1. Take a healthy and delicious dish to share with everyone at holiday
gatherings.

2. Stop eating when you are 80% full. There are always plenty of
leftovers during the holidays. You'll probably get a chance to taste it again.

3. Fill your plate with smaller portions of each dish. Overeating is one
of the culprits of holiday sluggishness and extra holiday pounds.

4. CHEW each bite 20-25 times or more (no matter what you eat). This can
keep you from overeating and give you more time to enjoy mealtimes
with friends and family. It also leaves you more satisfied with what you
eat.

5. Eat a healthy meal before going to holiday parties, and take a
healthy dessert with you. It makes all that decadent (and fattening) holiday
food easier to resist. (Have you seen that Casa now offers take-out
items?)

4. If you eat snacks at parties, SIT DOWN to eat your food. Our bodies process and digest food better when we are sitting down.

5. Use rice syrup, barley malt, maple syrup or agave nectar to replace
the sugar in your holiday desserts.

6. Set holiday GOALS for your health with a friend or family member. It
is always easier to resist temptations when you have a buddy and someone
to whom you can be accountable.

7. Take time to tell someone how much you appreciate them.

8. Holidays are usually busy and stressful. Treat yourself to a shiatsu or healing massage to help you relax.

9. Make a list of things for which you are thankful.

10. Take time to reflect on what is really important to you in your
life. (And make sure you are spending at least some time doing these
things)

Enjoy your holidays! And remember the rule:

If you eat something that you know is not the best for you....
SAVOR and ENJOY every bite, and leave the guilt out of it.