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Healthy Holidays!
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Click here to buy a dragonfly necklace or a saint bracelet.
This week, The Weekly Beet reports on the importance of watching out for the Christmas stuffing frenzy. Mary Kent gets healthy over the holidays, sharing a few tips that will definitely keep your weight a bit lighter!
 What is it about the holiday season that gives everyone permission to get utterly stuffed? Is it that tempting figgy pudding, the fattening fruitcake, or the buttery, thick gravy? Or, is it simply the inability to pass on gooey fudge, cutesy gingerbread men, and white-floured sugar cookies? According to a recent Weight Watchers report, the average American gains around 7 to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. With serious stuffing like that, it's no wonder everyone starts the New Year with a desperate dietary resolution. We know it's easy to get caught in the stuffing trap, as most holiday food is filled with endless calories from butter, cream, sugar, and salt. But, it's up to us to become aware, making mindful choices and making an effort to take care of ourselves during the holiday season. There's no sense starting off the New Year in a health crisis - that was what 2007 was for!
Of course, the holidays are meant to be enjoyed, but eating and partying are two major factors that should handled with care. Here are a few tips that will keep you slim and trim over the holidays:
- Watch your portions. No need to pile loads on your plate. Eat smaller servings and if necessary go for round two.
- Chew your food slowly.
- Drink tons of water.
- Watch your alcohol intake.
Alcohol contains TONS of calories. Your liver will thank you if you avoid getting bombed around the holidays.
- Limit fat intake. When cooking use olive oil, coconut oil, or grapeseed oil. Avoid margarine and butter like the plague.
- Steer clear of fattening dips and spreads that contain lots of mayo.
- Go organic with turkey and other meats.
- Make sure to trim all fat from meats.
- Use whole grained bread crumbs for the stuffing.
- Eat a healthy snack before going to a party. Not eating before a party is a big mistake.
- Always eat sweet potatoes over white potatoes.
- Avoid loading up on sweets. Leave the cookies and candies for Santa's tummy - not your's.
- Instead, eat fruit for dessert. Apples, oranges, clementines, and tangerines are excellent dessert choices.
- Avoid fattening gravy. Click here to find a healthy recipe.
- Top vegetables with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
instead of butter or margarine.
- Use sea salt to lower sodium intake.
- Exercise. Make it a necessity to fit in a work out after your big meal.
Stuffing is one of the easiest ways to literally over-stuff yourself. Substituting white flour for whole grain bread crumbs is an excellent option, but another way to get a healthy version is to use the following recipe. Here is a favorite stuffing recipe from Dr. Sears, founder of the Zone Diet:
Barley Stuffing
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons minced scallions (green onions)
1 teaspoon crumbled dried rosemary
Poultry seasoning, to taste
3 cups chicken, beef or vegetable broth
2 cups uncooked pearled barley
In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. For about 5 minutes, sauté the mushrooms and garlic in the oil until the mushrooms are tender. Add the scallions, rosemary, poultry seasoning, broth, and barley and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes or until the barley is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Serves: 5 to 8
Nutrition per serving: 113 calories, 0.25g fat, 2.5g protein, 19.5g carbs, 4g fiber, 90.5mg sodium.
Healthy holidays! We're gone until 2008. So, stay tuned until next year.
Love,
Mary Kent
PS. Mary Kent is wearing white Christmas tree lights, Saint Bracelets, and necklace found in boutique in Paris. Sweater available at Anthropolgie.
PPS. Check out the new Ladies Who Launch website.
PPPS. Check out Pacifica candles. We also love Votivo in Red Currant.
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