Any holiday that conflates egg nog with beef tenderloin can be a setback to the wellness regimen, which is why ducks goose chose this time to team with Whitney Ross, Integrative Health Coach of Whit & Well, and created its premier podcast on Happy Healthy Home. Between cooler weather in the northern region to impede outdoor activity and a lot of eating, wayward wellness is a common approach till the gamble of New Year’s resolutions. As says Whitney in the Happy Healthy Holiday podcast, choose fitness, which is the cornerstone to a healthy lifestyle. If you exercise each day, ideally in the morning so not to put it off and boost your metabolism, it will translate to all areas of good living.
Once you choose healthy options, like seasonal fresh fruit, your body will crave nutritionally-dense foods.
12 Happy Healthy Holiday Tips with Whitney:
- Ways to workout in the cooler months: Get out and move, walk your dog, do a workout video or Zoom class.
- Schedule exercise: If you have a regular fitness time, ideally in the morning, it will become part of a routine.
- Find safe workout options: Whitney swims at her local Y, which abides by COVID-safe guidelines.
- The fitness food connection: Working out perpetuates healthy eating habits, your body will crave nutritionally-dense foods.
- Choose fresh and healthy: Options like fresh local produce, high-protein vegetables, beans and fish are sensible choices.
- Choose local: Buying local supports wholesome establishments and farmers, along with getting food with a lower shelf-life.
- Plant-based is healthier: Your body will respond favorably with limited meat-intake.
- Don’t deprive cravings: Within reason allow yourself the occasional indulgence, which also prevents a triggered moment.
- Make cooking a family event: The holidays and winter are a common time to slip on a wellness routine. Include the family in meal preparation so it is a shared experience and experiment with vegetable options.
- Cook with love: In a study from the University of Maryland, researchers found that food prepared with love tastes better. You care about the meals you prepare and are passionate about your family’s well-being.
- Eat before you get together for the holidays: Healthy snacks before the holiday meal will stave off cravings.
- Great healthy holiday menu choices: Serve salads and seafood.
Resources:
Integrative Health Coach Whitney Ross: Whit & Well
Happy Healthy Home Podcast: Happy Healthy Holiday
Tree Dish Towel: Pomegranate Inc.
