Healthy Ideas from December 12, 2011
Here are some highlights from last evening’s Healthy Living Exchange that focus on a topic that is huge this time of year (and all year!): FOOD
Decide now what your health will look like as you enter 2012. We have several weeks to make a plan that will serve us toward better health, rather than simply allowing the holiday season to have its way with us.
1. Decide on the weight you would like to be the first week of January. Be a realist. If you are on a course to shed some pounds, continue on your set plan with that picture in your mind. To maintain the weight you currently own, set a course to keep you there. Make the decision now to eat balanced meals and healthy snacks, keeping an attack on the Christmas cookies to a minimum. This does not mean you have to avoid every delicious treat that passes your way. This does mean that you must make the choice now on how you plan to handle those special times.
2. Exercise. Make an appointment in your day planner like you would any other appointment. Have scheduled times to walk with a friend or meet at the gym for a workout. Accountability is huge here. What a great gift for someone you care about and yourself!
3. Be nice to you. Set aside a bit of time, perhaps 15 minutes or so, each day to do something that makes you happy. Read a great book, take a nap, soak in the tub, write Christmas cards, you get the idea. Drink plenty of water (add lemon/lime if it is not your favorite) and get plenty of rest. How can you be the light if your candle is about to be extinguished? Answer: You can’t.
Our protein shake of the month is chocolate mint. To make it, I took some original almond milk, a few ice cubes, Arbonne chocolate protein, Breyer’s Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream (small scoop), and a handful of fresh spinach. (No, you do not taste the spinach unless you use over 2 cups. Lots of healthy benefits by adding spinach to any smoothie or shake.) Swirl in the blender. Delicious! To cut calories, you could substitute a bit of peppermint extract for the ice cream. If you prefer to avoid protein powder, try a bit of cocoa powder, keeping in mind that it is not sweet.
We also tried raspberry Kefir. Kefir is like yogurt that is liquid. There are several flavors or plain to choose from. This product adds the good bacteria we need to keep our digestive health happy. Perhaps you are familiar with the term probiotics. Lots of those in Kefir! This may be added to any smoothie, or simply enjoyed as is. Kefir is located near the yogurt section of most grocery stores.
In combination, these ideas could help us all enjoy a more balanced entry into a new and exciting year, if we choose to implement them into our daily life today.
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 2 NIV