Healthy Holidays Toolkit Pt. 2
Make your holidays the happiest ever!
No one needs to be reminded that the holidays can be stressful. So here are some suggestions to help minimize the stress, and really enjoy the holidays.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help
Is it your turn to host dinner and you’re freaking out because it’s just the two of you, not counting those teen-aged kids you share your house with? Don’t forget about all those guests! As soon as they start arriving, put them to work. Put someone in charge of taking coats. Put another guest in charge of hors d’oeuvres and beverages. It will make it more fun for them, and more manageable for you. A win-win.
Go with what you know
You want to make something delicious and amazing that will impress all your special friends and family members. Can you roast chicken? Then you should roast chicken. Can you make peas and mashed potatoes, and open a can of cranberry sauce? Go for it. Experiment on your time, when there’s no one around but you to eat your mistakes.
Sneak in a quick walk
Baby, it’s cold outside. But that’s no reason not to spend a few minutes outdoors before the big crowd arrives. Take a short walk, even if only for 5 minutes or so. The cold air and physical activity will raise your spirits and help you rein in those anxious thoughts.
Source: http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/wellness/g2044/how-to-have-a-stress-free-christmas/
Dinner and a movie
This is something you might want to try with your family during the winter holidays, if not on the Big Day itself. There are so many Christmas-themed movies that have become classics, from It’s a Wonderful Life, to A Christmas Story, to Elf. And there are plenty of family-friendly winter classics that aren’t specifically about Christmas – movies like Happy Feet, Home Alone, and Frozen.
So here’s the dinner twist: plan a movie-themed dinner! If you’re watching Elf, for example, you might want to make spaghetti (sans the M&Ms and maple syrup). Chinese food might be perfect for watching A Christmas Story, and try mac-and-cheese and PB&J sandwiches for Home Alone.
Imagine savoring a warm bowl of hearty Irish potato soup when it’s 17-degrees outside – watching It’s a Wonderful Life in your flannel pajamas, with a roaring fire in the wood stove. It doesn’t get much better.