An upcoming event like a birthday or anniversary party can often cause anxiety about the sweet and savory indulgences that will no doubt grace every table. It becomes a time where often you give yourself permission to let loose and eat whatever, and then you feel like you got hit by a food truck.
Give Yourself the Gift of Balance
What I’m proposing is a complete mindset shift around how you honor your body and your self-care needs at this time.
This is a time for giving to the other person you’re celebrating and remembering it’s about them, not the food (yes, it really is!) This was a hard one for me because it was ALL about the food. I didn’t care whose birthday or engagement it was; I wanted to know what there was to eat and when we were eating it. So sad.
When I realized that I was obsessing, I changed my mindset to honor who the party was for, and to honor myself by using self-care. Also, I learned how to eat clean foods that didn’t cause crazy cravings, and I was a different person, transformed! It didn’t happen overnight; it took some time, but it was SO WORTH IT!
Set Boundaries with Your Family
Talk to your family and explain that you’ll be doing things differently this year, that you’re not going to settle for nutritionally deprived foods that take more than they give your body.
Explain that you’ll be creating some healthy delicious options and offer to share with them.
Exercise Your Creativity in the Kitchen
Try new and exciting recipes. Splurge and buy expensive superfoods, exotic fresh fruits, and vegetables that you don’t always get, nuts and seeds and truffled extra-virgin olive oil.
Tips to Eat Healthy Without Feeling Deprived
Healthy food can be totally gourmet and special too. Make your own homemade chocolate with mint leaves and stevia for sweetness. Adorn your salads with pomegranate seeds and walnuts.
Here are a few more tips and tricks:
- Swap white potatoes with roasted sweet potato and butternut squash
- Thicken the drippings from your turkey or chicken for gravy with arrowroot or tapioca starch to stay away from gluten and GMO corn starch.
- Try making coconut whipped cream instead of dairy and serve with fresh berries
- Ditch the bread and stick with extra veggies drizzled with high-quality olive oil
- Use plain yogurt instead of sour cream
- Make cauliflower rice instead of white rice
Want even more great tips to help you lose weight, improve your digestion and increase your energy? Check out my new Winter Detox program details here: http://bit.ly/WinterCleanEating
Or join me on my Facebook page where I’ll be sharing more information, tips and recipes to help you live a happier, healthier life.
I invite you to share your experience with events and parties in the comment section below.
