A joyful season is upon us! There are tons of holidays coming up over the next three months and I am excited! For some people the holidays are stressful and overwhelming.With all the party planning, hosting guests, visiting relatives, and shopping, a lot of people give up or pause their health routines for the sake of the holidays. Don't trick yourself into thinking you're doing yourself a favor by not trying at all. Believe it or not, it is possible to maintain healthy eating habits this holiday season and still enjoy this fun time of year! There are a few things you can do to spend less time about ruining your diet and more time being a part of the fun this holiday season. I don't want you stressing out about your weight or health, so here are my ideas on how to stay healthy during holidays.

First of all, it's not about dieting. It's about habits.
If you follow a strict diet, and it works for you then I encourage you to keep up the awesome work! However, there will be challenges. It all starts with Thanksgiving. There is so much food! And after that Christmas brings on all the sweet treats you could imagine. Then alcohol might be more plentiful as we approach New Years. It's almost guaranteed that you will break your diet at some point, and that is okay. My solution to this though is don't diet. Not during any season will I ever follow a calorie counting or food restricting diet plan. They're no good for me, my happiness, or my health. Instead I practice healthy habits. Just ask yourself, am I being healthy? Be honest with yourself. A slice of pie or scoop of ice cream is not unhealthy. A glass of wine is not unhealthy. Eating leftover pie for three days is unhealthy. Drinking too much is unhealthy. Let yourself enjoy the seasons treats without over indulging!

Second. You're so busy you don't have time to exercise.
This is true for a lot of people, but here is a trick I like to use when things get busy. If you are constantly driving around running errands and staying busy, keep a workout outfit and shoes in the back seat or trunk of your car. When you're finished with your errands, ask yourself if you have time for one more. A twenty minute run, or 30 minutes at the gym. You're already in the car, your clothes are already with you, the rest of your to-do list is done, and look at that...you might be out of excuses. It's one more thing you can feel good about checking off your list.

And lastly, focus on what you are thankful for and all you have gained during this past year. Worrying about your weight every day, guilting yourself for bad decisions, or pouting because you feel like you can't enjoy all the sweets is depressing, and will make you feel like quitting. Focus more on the quality of the time you are privileged to spend with your family and how many blessings you have. Society is so body conscious that sometimes it consumes our thoughts and keeps us from just living. There is a fine line between being conscious of your health and obsessing over it. I can say that health and fitness are huge parts of my life, but there are other things in my life I'd like to focus on this holiday season that make me equally happy. Family time, great cooking, gifts, and gratitude are just a few. Keeping a positive attitude will help you feel good about yourself and more confident in making healthy choices through the holidays.

Have a Healthy and Happy Holiday!

-Bella

photo credit: philwarren via photopin cc

We're talking about snacks here. Eating three full meals a day is essential, but what a lot of people skip are the small snacks you should have in between! It's a misconception that snacking is bad for you. A small snack between meals is healthy if you are making the right food choices. Healthy snacks can provide carbohydrates to refuel your body, and healthy snack habits can increase your metabolism over time. Here are some snacks you should pack for your day and the health benefits they can provide you.

1. If you're feeling sleepy:
This first suggestion isn't a food, it's actually a beverage. Mint tea is a delicious pick-me-up during the day. Drink it cold or hot for a refreshing energy boost. Mint is a natural stimulant to the body and the smell alone can even make you feel more alert.

2. If you're having a bad hair day:
A healthy snack won't improve your hair right away, but this healthy habit could help your hair in the long run. One of my favorite health foods is an egg. You can hard boil them to take to work as a snack. Your hair is made of protein, and eggs are an excellent source of protein. They also contain iron, which is important for transporting oxygen through your body, including your scalp and hair follicles.

 3. If your skin is red and splotchy:
Nuts contain fatty acids and vitamins that can help improve your complexion and the texture of your skin.

4. If you need an energy boost:
 Have a banana! This fruit is packed with B-vitamins, and is also a good source of potassium.B vitamins provide energy and potassium keeps your heart beating!


5. If you're craving something sweet:
A small square or two of dark chocolate can provide a caffeine boost as well as beneficial antioxidants to your body. It goes without saying, but don't overindulge in this sugary snack. 

6. If you are feeling unfocused:
Drink some water! About  60% of your body is made up of water, so it makes sense that drinking water is essential for sustaining ourselves. We are constantly loosing fluids throughout the day, perspiring, going to the bathroom, or salivating. Those aren't exactly pleasant things to think about, but it just shows how important it is to replenish our bodies with water, especially if you're working hard. You'll feel more focused and able to go about your day if you stay hydrated.

7. If you are feeling under the weather:
Grab an orange or grapefruit. Citrus fruits are full of cold and flu fighting nutrients like vitamin C. Fruit juices can also provide these benefits, but it's better to go straight for the orange before the orange juice if you want to get the most out of those immune system boosters.
Here's to healthy eating and happy living!