Thanksgiving is a wonderful day and time of year. We get to stop for a moment and count our blessings. Be grateful for our family & friends and hopefully for our good health as well.
The Holiday season also poses a challenge when it comes to making healthy choices. Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed some of my client’s entire year of discipline and hard work literally wiped out between the Ohio State games and New Years Day. Those who have successfully navigated the temptations of the holidays, while enjoying family, friends and social events have done so with one simple thing: A Plan.
You know you’ll be encountering lots of opportunities to overindulge with food and alcohol this Thanksgiving and throughout the holidays. Here are a couple of tips:
Alcohol
Thanksgiving Day? Tailgate Party? Holiday Party? Alcohol is bound to be there. Pass on the Mixed Drinks filled with sugar. Instead opt for a low calorie tonic with a hard alcohol or limit yourself to two small glasses of wine. Have at least one glass of water between drinks containing alcohol. This keeps you full and helps to cleanse your body of the toxic substance.
Pick the festivities where you’ll allow yourself to drink alcohol. You can participate in all the festivities, but you don’t need to drink alcohol at every occasion. Stay on track with your health and fitness goals. .
Food
Thanksgiving is more than just food, but it’s definitely is a big focus of it. These days Abundance surrounds most of us every day. Plates are piled high so often that most chronic diseases are due to this over abundance. Remember this when it comes time to sit down at the Thanksgiving table.
It’s not just the Tryptophan in Turkey that leaves you feeling sleepy after a large Thanksgiving meal. It’s over eating!
If your family serves many different dishes, it can be difficult to not overeat. It’s understandable that you don’t want to miss out on these once a year special dishes. You don’t have to though. Instead of taking your normal size serving of each dish, take only a small spoonful of each. Instead of so much Stuffing and Sweet Potatoes add more Greens to this Thanksgiving meal.
Check below for a great Greens Recipe from The Gourmet Olive, a new shop in Chesterland that I absolutely love! And remember…Don’t stop at Thanksgiving. Add more greens everyday. You’re body will be Grateful you did!
Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!
Till next time – Colleen Holiday
Colleen Holiday of Holiday Studios in Chesterland, OH is a personal training veteran, nutrition coach and fitness model that has been helping her clients to rediscover their healthy and fit selves for over 27 years.
She has the experience to know which methods work best for each individual and teaches them how to train themselves so they can take control of their health more effectively.
Learn more about Colleen and Holiday Studios at:
www.ColleenHoliday.com.
Reach out to set up a consultation:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colleenholidayfitness/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holidaybodyproject/
Spinach Salad with Vine-Ripened Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar
Courtesy of The Gourmet Olive in Chesterland, OH
Prep Time: 5 minutes – Cook Time: 10 minutes – Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: Serves 2
Ingredients:
Caramelized Nuts:
1/4 cup Walnuts
1 Tbsp Vine-Ripened Rasberry Balsamic Vinegar
1 tsp Sea Salt (Vanilla Bean or Lime Fresco)
Dressing:
3 Tbsp Vine Ripened Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar
1 Tbsp Oil (Sicilian Lemon or Roasted Walnut)
1/8 tsp Sea Salt (Vanilla Bean or Lime Fresco)
Salad:
4 cups Spinach
1 cup Raspberries
¼ cup Parmesan Reggiano Cheese
Instructions:
1) Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts and cook until they start to become aromatic, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning and toast evenly.
Add the balsamic vinegar, stir to coat, and remove from the heat.
Toss with sea salt and allow to cool.
2) Meanwhile create the dressing by whisking together the vinegar, oil, and sea salt.
3) Arrange the spinach in a large platter.
Toss with the dressing.
Top with the Raspberries, cheese, and caramelized walnuts.
Enjoy!
The Gourmet Olive offers Olivelle infused olive oil & vinegar, flavor infused sea salts, dippers, herbs & spices, Italian pastas, organic teas, bean to bar chocolate bars, gourmet fudge & chocolates.
12645 Chilicothe Rd., Chesterland, OH
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Gourmet-Olive-102510337840798/