STAYING HEALTHY & FIT OVER THE HOLIDAYS
Featuring Real Whole Food Recipes for the Holidays 5 Ingredients, 30 Minutes or Less
So much excitement swirls around the holidays—all the gatherings, parties, spending time with friends, loved ones, and family near and far. All the delicious meals together and desserts after. Nights by the fire. Holiday music and beautiful decorations everywhere. Laughter, joy, and happiness fill up a room. It is a magical time of year.
But at some point the holidays can get the best of us. All of us. Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
Exhaustion and stress can take over. We want everything to be perfect, but sometimes we feel quite the opposite. We start grabbing food when we can and we skip our workouts. We really want to take care of ourselves, but when can we find the time?
Then comes “I’ll do it, come New Year’s. I’ll get organized, catch up on sleep, eat healthy, and workout!” I hear this so much over the holidays.
Instead of waiting until New Year’s, why not gift yourself the best present ever over the holidays? Take care of yourself first! This will not only help you feel your best inside and out, but the health benefits are tremendous!
If you stay up on your workout schedule, eat those holiday goodies in moderation, and get good sleep, I promise those holiday blues won’t get you. You’ll have the energy to cook, clean, and pick out meaningful gifts. You’ll enjoy the parties, your kids’ programs, and love every moment of quality time. You’ll feel confident in every outfit you wear. You won’t want to hide in photos. The magic of the holidays will be memorable because you got enough sleep to remember them.
Here are simple tips to make this the best holiday season yet:
Schedule your workouts.
We all feel better after a workout. More energy, less stress, and less anxiety. Invest and book all your classes in advance for the holiday season. Hire a personal trainer that will keep you accountable. If this doesn’t work for your budget, pick a friend to hold you accountable and work out together. Also try to walk any time you can—it all adds up.
Eat in moderation.
Yes you can go to that party and eat guilt-free! I love to skim over the food before I decide what I want. Then I pick 2-3 items and I eat them without guilt. If you happen to eat or drink too much, make the commitment to yourself to reset the next day. Drink more water, eat less salt. Eat more lean protein, vegetables, and fruits.
Even better, bring a dish!
If you bring a healthier side dish, dessert, or holiday mocktail or cocktail, you know you will have something healthier for you to enjoy. I bet everyone else will love it, too, without knowing it’s healthier. I have provided three of my favorite holiday recipes for you to try here.
Try to keep a good sleep schedule.
Even consider napping if you need to. More sleep equals more energy. More energy makes you less grouchy and more willing to stick to workouts and take care of yourself.
See it first in your mind.
Visualize yourself feeling amazing in every holiday situation. I ask my clients to pick out an outfit and think about that outfit before they skip their workout or overindulge.
Create a to-do list.
This is so helpful to keep you organized over the holidays instead of wasting time...time you could be working out.
Most of all, remember what the holidays are really about.
When we feel good, inside and out, we enjoy everything more. So this year, make it the year you don’t give up on you! Make it the year where you shine bright and sparkle with joy. Make it the year you continue your fitness and health routine.
Give yourself that gift. You deserve it!
Cran-Apple Oatmeal Crisp
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish with unsalted butter.
Core and slice the apples into ¼-inch thick slices.
In a large bowl, toss together apples with cranberry sauce.
Pour the fruit mixture into prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
If adding optional light brown sugar and cinnamon, whisk them together in a small bowl with the oats until combined.
Cube the butter then add it to the bowl, working it into the oat mixture with your fingers until it is well incorporated.
Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the fruit.
Place the dish on a baking sheet and bake the crisp for 20 minutes, until the oats are toasted and the fruit is bubbling. If you like it crispier, leave it in a little longer.
Remove the crisp from the oven.
Serve the crisp warm.
Serves: 6
Estimated calories per serving: 298
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
3 Granny Smith apples
1¼ cups cranberry sauce
¾ cup old-fashioned oats (uncooked)
4 tbs. butter (cold, unsalted), plus more for greasing dish
Optional
½ cup light brown sugar (packed) with ½ tsp. cinnamon (ground)
Notes on old-fashioned oats
Old-fashioned oats are a type of whole grain, which means they retain the bran, germ, and endosperm parts of the grain. Whole grains are a good source of fiber and help promote a feeling of fullness, thereby reducing overall calorie consumption.
Cranberry Fizz Mocktail
Directions
Add cranberry sauce, orange juice, and ice to a cocktail shaker or blender. Blend vigorously.
Pour into a tumbler glass and top with club soda or sparkling water.
Garnish with orange slice and rosemary sprig.
Cocktail Variation
Estimated calories per serving: 140
Float 1 oz. gin, vodka, or champagne.
Serves: 1
Estimated calories per serving: 61
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
1 heaping tbs. cranberry sauce
8 oz. club soda or sparkling water
2 oz. orange juice (freshly squeezed)
1 orange slice and 1 rosemary sprig (for garnish)
Ice
Notes on cranberries
Cranberries are highly nutritious and low in calories.
Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Directions
Heat a skillet on medium-high heat.
Cook bacon in the pan for 2-3 minutes, turning to cook both sides.
Add the garlic and onions. Sauté until fragrant.
Add the Brussels sprouts. Cook for 4-5 minutes, turning frequently.
Stir in the balsamic vinegar. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
Serves: 5
Estimated calories per serving: 79
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
3 slices bacon (uncured, nitrate-free)
30 Brussels sprouts (sliced in half)
1 tbs. balsamic vinegar
3 garlic cloves (chopped)
¼ onion (sliced)
Notes on Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts are rich in many valuable nutrients. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin K. They are a very good source of numerous nutrients including folate, manganese, vitamin B6, dietary fiber, choline, copper, vitamin B1, potassium, phosphorus, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Health & Fitness Editor Dina Juve
