Post Thanksgiving Survival Tips

I decided today that shopping is good exercise. You walk and walk and walk and you are happy about it. In fact, you are glad to do it. H&M is on the third floor of this mall? Sure thing. I'm on my way. Forever 21 is back downstairs? You better believe that is not a problem...and so on. It's great. I hope your Thanksgiving meals were not to detrimental to your awesome regimen you have going for you; and if it wasn't do like Aliyah says and brush yourself off and try again. Hopefully these tips will help you get back on your feet, both literally and figuratively. 

Survival Tip #1: Use your holiday leftovers to your benefit. Use your turkey to make healthy recipes. It's a great form of protein that is already prepared for you. Make a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread chalked full of veggies, a Southwestern BBQ Wrap, put it in a whole wheat pita with some hummus and grilled veggies, dice it up and makes some enchiladas, wrap it up with some spinach and fresh veggies in a La Tortilla Factory Tortilla, make some bbq turkey sandwiches, or shred it and top off one of your favorite pizza's.

Survival Tip #2: Make a game plan for December. This is when the holiday parties begin to get crazy. Reaaal crazy. The desserts with be coming at you like hot cakes. Set some goals for yourself. Only eat dessert on the weekends, or one or two days a week. Decide you are only going to have one portion of dessert when that time comes. If you have made up your mind ahead of time you will be more likely to stick to your plan of action when the decision comes to you. If you are wishy washy about what you want to do when that warm plate of fresh cookies arrives at your doorstep you are a lot more likely to succumb to the temptation. It's all about moderation. 

Survival Tip #3: Be party smart. Be the guest that brings the healthy salad, veggie tray, or fruit slices to the party. You'll notice that your healthy dish will almost always be gobbled up completely. People appreciate healthy food. If you are pretty sure the food options at the party are going to be less than stellar, eat before hand. If you are starving when you get there you will be a lot more likely to eat everything in sight. We make bad decisions when we are hungry. If you have to eat there load your plate up the smart way, and pay attention to your portions.

Survival Tip #4: Watch your Sugar intake. As I mentioned before sugar is a big down fall for a lot of us. Think of how many plates of goodies and treats you come in contact with from now until the end of December. It's frightening. Now think of what will happen if you partake of all of those treats...even more frightening. Be smart. Don't just leave all your gifted treats on your counter where you can freely graze on them without thinking about it all day. Re-gift them (yes, i just suggested that), throw them away (appalling...I know), send them with your husband or boyfriend to work, give them to your kids friend to take home, or freeze them. Whatever you do...DON'T leave them sitting out. You're asking for it if you do. 

Survival Tip #5: Stay Active. You'll be more likely to consume more this time of year, so be smart and move more. Don't skip your workouts, even though it's the easiest thing to drop off your to do list when things get busy. Add some fun active outdoor activities into your holiday traditions. Go ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, build a snowman, take a walk around the neighborhood to see the lights, have a snowball fight, go sledding, or shovel your walk. All of these things can be fun and make being active part of your lifestyle, not just forced exercise. 

Survival Tip #6: Be Merry and Bright. Cherish this time of year. Laugh a lot. Get outside when you can. Your body needs that sunshine and Vitamin D. Don't forget to smile and enjoy this fun time of year...and bundle up. It's cold out there!

Also, a reader asked what the nutrition facts were for THIS whole wheat bread recipe. I calculate that one loaf makes 24 servings. I cut the loaf in half and then cut 12 slices from each half. Well, technically we take it right out of the oven and eat it then and there, but the serving amount is still the same. Here are the stats: