Thanksgiving Simple Swap Recipe Round Up!
The holidays bring added pressure and stress to our already overly busy lives. Take some of the pressure off this year by simplifying the Thanksgiving dinner menu. These delicious, healthy recipes will support your digestive and hormone health as well! Check out the Recipe Round up here and then keep scrolling for my tips to help manage holiday stress.
SWAP THIS
FOR THAT
Wild rice mixed with sautéed celery, mushrooms, onions, garlic, sage, and dried cranberries.
Roasted winter squash topped with coconut oil and maple syrup. Try sweet dumpling, delicata, or acorn.
Bonus: Boost your nutrition and add color with a vibrant green salad. Toss mixed greens with pine nuts, avocado, and pomegranate. Top with a simple vinaigrette of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Simplifying food is a great first step in managing holiday stress, but most of us need more.
Here are my top tips for staying calm and centered this Thanksgiving:
- Prioritize yourself FIRST.
Put yourself at the tippy top of your to-do list. Every day over the next week, spend 20 minutes on yourself, ideally first thing in the morning. Go on a walk, meditate, take a relaxing shower or epsom salt bath. Make a commitment to yourself to start your day with a little “you” time.- Check out these resources for meditation and yoga:
- 10 minute meditation for beginners:
Tara Brach Leads a Guided Meditation: Opening and Calming - 10 minute easy yoga for stress relief:
Yoga For Neck, Shoulders, Upper Back – 10 Minute Yoga Quickie - Free meditation app with guided talks and meditations:
https://insighttimer.com/
- 10 minute meditation for beginners:
- Delegate, delegate, delegate!
Can your partner make the turkey? Can a guest bring the dessert? Can your kids set the table (without making more work for you)? Let go of perfection and give someone else the opportunity to contribute. If you aren’t hosting dinner this year, that’s no reason not to delegate. Find tasks to off load onto your people. - Breathe.
Take 3 deep belly breaths when you first wake up, before eating, right now. Deep breathing relaxes our nervous system and sends fresh oxygen to our brain. - Take a media fast.
Most people complain of not having enough time this time of year to get everything done. Taking a break from media (TV, social media, texting, online surfing, any screens!) is a great way to free up your time. Bonus: Taking a break from screens will help your nervous system too! - Take a mini mental vacation at least once daily.
Read last year’s Thanksgiving blog article for step by step guidance. It only takes 5 minutes!