Last weekend I read that on average people gain 3-5 pounds over the holidays. That made me feel a whole lot better. I am normal! Being ‘normal’ I have decided (a resolution of sorts) to not to worry about it. It feels great!

In previous years my extra lusciousness would have bothered me quite a bit, but not this year. Maybe I am maturing, maybe it is my broken toe, maybe it is the icy deep freeze we have been in that lead me to say ‘oh well’ when I donned jeans for the first time after many days of PJ heaven and they were extra snug. I am not adopting a defeatist ‘who cares’ attitude but rather an active ‘why worry’ state of mind.

Instead of worrying I am actively:

1. Aware of my extra lusciousness - pretty easy given the snugness of my jeans – and using that awareness to inform my decisions i.e. hearty kale dinner salad or poutine? Second helping?
2. Avoiding judgment, self deprecation and negative thinking.
3. Ending the holiday eating and drinking habits…Cookies and boozy coffee are less than ideal breakfast choices even if it is the weekend.

I am 100% confident that I am on to something here. And what if the weight doesn’t melt away? What is the option? Worrying about it?  We know that worrying creates a stress reaction in your body and that stress increases cravings for highly caloric foods, specifically fats & sugars, and stimulates the storage of fat!....Besides, who wants baggy jeans anyway?

For some delicious post holiday recipe ideas check out these ones from bon appetit.

Of course the smart thing to do would be to not overindulge and avoid a hangover in the first place, but sometimes despite my good intentions I end up feeling far less than chipper after a night out. On these mornings I particularly love the seemingly magical power of homeopathy to help me feel better. With some homeopathic help you can start 2014 with a smile, despite any 2013 overindulgences! Most of the homeopathic medicines I have listed below are commonly available at health food stores, natural pharmacies and the natural health sections of larger grocery stores.

First some helpful things I have I have learned about hangovers and the effects of overindulgence…I am not saying how...

Things I have learned about avoiding a hangover:

1. Hydrate as you go
Alternate each alcoholic drink with one glass of water. This may be the best hangover avoidance advice ever!…with the exception of obvious drink in moderation.

Halloween is a scary time - parents & teachers I am sure that you will agree. Our kids turn into monsters before our very eyes! There are several factors that make kids crazy around Halloween – the excitement, late nights & early mornings, and of course SUGAR!

I am not going to join the chorus of voices talking about the evils of sugar – that fact is that too much sugar is unhealthy. It is also Halloween and bowls of sugary treats are popping up everywhere, so chances are all of us will be eating too much sugar this week.  I want to focus on what can be done to help mitigate the all of the sugary goodness we are ingesting.

Things I have learned about surviving a sugar onslaught:

1. Eat often – ideally whole foods rich in fibre & protein
Sugar can cause a spike in our blood glucose (sugar) and put our bodies on a crazy blood glucose roller coaster that makes us crave another sugary hit. Eating whole foods often through out the day will do 2 things: our bodies will be better able to level out after a sugar hit; and, if we are full it is easier resist all of those tempting treats. 

• Fibre: slows the rate of glucose absorption, lessening the post-treat spike in blood glucose; and, it takes a long time to digest so we feel full for longer. 
  
• Protein: primes our bodies for sugar metabolism and keeps us feeling satiated longer.  
  

Oh my, this morning was hard! After 3 days of giving thanks I am feeling a little sluggish – I am sure I am not the only one. 

Like a lot of people I tend to over do it a bit during the holidays – I sit too much, I eat too much, I eat too many rich foods (sugar & fat), I drink more red wine than I am used to (…and then a scotch or 2 for good measure) and I stay up too late. The end result is that I am struggling through my day today, which means so is my immune system. 

The next few days will be critical in determining whether or not my body will be successful in defending against the pathogens it has been exposed to this past weekend…it is not a coincidence that cold & flu season start now.

3 Things I have learned about recovering from holiday celebrations:

1. Get moving

Exercising may be the last thing on your mind right now, but it one of the best things you can do. Even a moderate about of exercise today (and over the next few) will: improve your mood, improve your energy, stimulate your immune system, and help you get a better sleep. A vigorous workout may not be possible today but even a 20-30 minute walk will be huge benefit to you – especially if you have a beautiful sunny day.