Peaceful Eating at the Holidays

Tuesday, December 22, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

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Moments & Memories

Leigh Anne says…

I met Jenn Ross several years ago at a women’s retreat. We enjoyed a wonderful time together in the beautiful Napa Valley and I was able to introduce Jenn to her first In and Out Burger! We kept in touch and when Jenn needed help developing an idea she hired Sherra and me for some Idea Coaching and within a few short weeks, we helped her launch her first blog. She already has another one in the works!

“Life is an adventure or it is nothing at all.” Certainly when I married my husband 30 years ago I had no idea what an adventure it would be! I married a Navy pilot and along with that came numerous moves, the pleasure of living in Hawaii for 3 years and knowing the life of a psuedo single parent during my husband’s 6 month long Navy deployments. I have a BA in Spanish and returned to school with 3 small children to get a degree in Nursing. I work with new Moms and newborns. I love fun outdoor activities including flying on the trapeze, training for sprint triathlons, hiking and being with my five grandkids (5 yrs-1 yr) In July 2010, I will be training at Duke University in their Integrative Health Coaching program. I believe it is never too late to get healthy and be active.
Favorite color:

Turquoise

Favorite food you associate with this holiday season:

Eggnog

Pet Peeve?

Negative people and gossip

What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)

If I had been blessed with a great singing voice I would have loved to have been a broadway singer belting out songs in those fun musicals. Instead I really really enjoy a fun musical with great singing .

One word that describes you:

Adventuresome

What’s your motto or mantra:

“Embrace the possibilities”

What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?

Time with family especially my grandkids. They are so fun.
Being authentic in my faith, relationships and purpose.
Staying active and eating healthy

Peaceful Eating

The holidays are a time of abundance. Abundance of family, traditions, lights, decorations, parties and food. Holiday food. Yum. Christmas cookies, eggnog, luscious desserts, breads, mashed potatoes and great chocolate!

And let’s not forget that with all the fun and festivities with the holidays there is also a great deal of stress. How do we often relieve stress? We indulge in our favorite holiday treats and by January 1st our indulge has turned to a bulge.

In the words of Charles Dickens ” It’s the best of times and the worst of times”

And in my words…”the best part of the holidays is the food” and “the worst part of the holidays can be the food.”

This holiday can be all about peace with our food choices and staying fit!

Here’s a few steps you can take now (no it’s not too late) to help you stay healthy and still enjoy the holidays.

Food Glorious Food…mmm, I seem to be on a Charles Dickens kick here.

Ever heard of the 5p’s? Me neither until I met my husband. It’s a boy scout thing and since I was a Camp Fire Girl which had very little to do with camping or fires I remained clueless.

5P’s = Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

In years past for the holidays and food we usually had just one plan: Plan E Eat, Eat all of it. That didn’t work very well. WAIT, it did until we got on the scale!

For holiday eating lets use the 4 P’s

Prior Planning Promotes Peace

Plan ahead what you want to eat or what you want to drink (alcohol has lots of calories and leads to more eating)
Park yourself far away from the food.
Most hostesses love if you offer to bring something. Bring a healthy veggie tray (or order one from the local grocery) or another healthy dish that you love.
Let someone else do the holiday baking. My grown daughters are having fun making the traditional family goodies.
Forgive yourself if you do indulge but get right back on track. No one is perfect and any “rules” about eating that are too strict are bound to get broken.
Take extras to the office, or make up goodie bags for friends and neighbors
Be okay about wasting the goodies (throw it out) better to waste it than “waist” it which could cost more health wise in the long run.

When you start to waiver and want seconds and thirds remember how much peace you will have after the holidays because you enjoyed but did not over eat!

Keep Moving!!!

Find inventive ways to do what is called “spontaneous exercise.”

Park far away from the entrance to malls, work, grocery stores.

Use the stairs and not the elevator (for reasonable distances).

Make multiple trips up and down stairs at home instead of taking one big load all at once.

Make it a game to find all kinds of ways to do spontaneous exercise and you’ll find it fun and challenging.

Start walking with a friend 3x a week (or everyday)! It not only moves your body but relieves your stress.

Your walking buddy is key! Knowing someone is waiting for you will keep you on track. Plus the conversation will make the time go faster and make it fun!

Have fun this holiday season. We sometimes get lost in all the preparations that we forget the real purpose is to celebrate, spend time with family and remember our many blessings. We can do all of it and still be peaceful about our food and fitness choices. Have a wonderful and joyful celebration this year!

Visit Jenn at her blog See Jenn Tri.

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Moments & Memories is a column is centered around our word of the month. We love to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!