holiday toolkit
hopefully, having cleansed just before the end-of-year festivities begin, you feel clean and clear, and prepared to go into the holidays (and whatever they may bring your way, emotionally, energetically, and physically).
rather than giving in to how the world—or your family—wants you to participate in it, letting go of all the work that you’ve done for yourself, and leaning on ‘new year resolutions’ to get back on track, i encourage you to decide now to what level you want to participate in the typical holiday debauchery. likewise, i encourage you to find balance in your approach. just because something is ‘unhealthy’ or not ‘cleanseworthy’ doesn’t mean it’s not aligned and won’t serve you.
tune in to how you want to show up for yourself and the people you love, and let that be your compass throughout the holidays and through the end of the year! i do not recommend rolling through the end of the in total abandon and counting on the spirit of new year’s day to pull you out of that momentum. rather, i encourage you milk the momentum of what you’ve already created, and ride it like a wave, consciously choosing when and how you’ll indulge in something sensational, and conscientiously get back on course. enjoy this season—and be fully present for it!
ok, end of rant. now, i’ll share some strategies to help you maintain mindfulness and feel your best through this festive season.
know yourself. prepare for what’s coming by revisiting the lists you made in class 5. what are your hard boundaries? in some situations, it’s better to have a hard boundary, rather than an experimental one. are there ingredients you want to leave off the table during these times? alcohol? gluten? dairy? is there a topic of conversation that you don’t want to engage in? set these clear boundaries for yourself before a trip or gathering/event, so that you don’t dwindle your willpower trying to decide what to do when the moment arises.
stick with the timing principles—no snacking and finish eating by 7—or earlier! if you have any say in it, have the biggest meal early enough to give you plenty of time (4-6 hours) to digest before bedtime. for breakfast, rather than eating sweets or simple carbohydrates, eat a balanced, fiber-full meal to set you up and keep cravings and temptations at bay.
move your body as often as possible. at minimum, before and after a meal, go for a walk or do this 4 minute workout with zach bush or this 7 minute workout.
drink apple cider vinegar 15 minutes before a meal. dilute 1-2 tablespoons in water, and swish water in mouth afterwards to rinse teeth. acv helps with blood sugar regulation, which supports metabolic health and your ability to burn fat. it helps the body slow the breakdown of sugar/starch, and it signals the muscles to use the glucose, rather than store it as fat.
put it all on your plate. rather than returning for seconds and thirds, lay it out from the start, so you don’t get lost in the sauce. also, if there is a buffet of food to graze upon—step away from the table, until you’re ready to eat a complete meal.
eat food in this order. probiotic/fermented veg > vegetables > protein + fat > starchies. this way, the fiber in the vegetables will create a mesh wall, which helps to help you absorb the sugar and simpler carbohydrates slower, keeping you more stable and tuned into hunger/fullness.
chew food to a pulp. eat slowly, savoring every bite, and notice when you are full. don’t overdo it. remember that you can save some to enjoy later. according to ayurveda, you want to fill your stomach 3/4 full—and one burp indicates you’re halfway full and a second burp indicates it’s time to put the fork down.
consider using supplements like ion* gut support (20-30 minutes before a meal), digestive enzymes during/after a meal, detox support before and after alcohol/sugar or other inflammatory ingredients. have activated charcoal on hand, in case of digestive discomfort (bloating, gas, pain) post-meal.
remember your intention. what do you want? and why do you want it? how do you want to feel?
