So you’ve spent the year becoming healthier and you are feeling great. But with Christmas coming, are you worried that all your good work is about to go out the window? Here’s a quick survival guide for the festive season.
Fire up your digestion
A spoonful of apple cider vinegar or the juice of half a lemon in a glass of water before meals helps to alkalise the body and crank up the digestive system. If you are feeling full and bloated, eating some pineapple or paw paw can provide your body with extra enzymes to break down the food you’ve eaten. If you are really struggling, carry some digestive enzyme capsules with you and pop one at each meal.
Take a salad
If you are going to a gathering, offer to take a big green salad, a fruit salad, or some healthy vegie sticks and home made dips. Make your platters look amazing with a few fresh flowers, some grated fresh coconut, or some pomegranate seeds. Remember – people eat with their eyes first, so make it look colourful and creative and it will be a huge hit.
Herbal tonics
Caffeine free herbal teas are a great way to increase your daily fluid intake while having extra health benefits. Try dandelion root to improve liver detoxification, chamomile or peppermint to calm the stomach, or make a fruity, vitamin rich hibiscus iced tea to add a bit of festive colour to the Christmas table.
Green juices and smoothies
Start the day with one of these babies and you will be doing your liver, kidneys and skin a huge favour. The phytonutrients in green vegies are both detoxifying and alkalizing (and they’re not bad for hangovers either!).
Take a moment to relax
A few simple yoga poses or a little bit of meditation at the start of each day can help you to feel refreshed and ready to face another day of festivities. Take a moment to set your intention for the day. A few quiet minutes here could be just what you need to get through the stress of a large family gathering.
Go easy on yourself
Guilt is one of the most stressful emotions that we can experience, and extra stress is never good. If you overindulge, don’t be too hard on yourself. Look back and smile at the fun you had. You can always do a detox in January to balance things out!