7 Steps To A Healthy Thanksgiving....minus the food coma

Love Yourself Love Your Health Naturally- Lisa
Nov 22, 2016
5 min read

Many of us worry, here comes the holidays. Eating and drinking the things we shouldn't,. Buying gifts for people that put your credit card company in happy dance mode..... but why... why are you doing that?

What it comes down to is you are not loving yourself. We have learned the hard way with my son having cancer that its not all about the food or the presents. Its really about your health.

If tomorrow you were diagnosed with a life threatening illness what would it do to your life? Just stop and think about that. Nothing would matter except how can I live longer? How can I change this diagnosis? Yes sometimes the truth hurts and by then it can be to late.

I give you this vision to embrace you for this busy season. Not one of your friends or family members would want nothing more than everyone's health to be in check. Below I am giving you some suggestions to remember to love yourself this Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING HEALTH TIPS

1. Know what you can eat and what agrees with you. Don't stuff yourself just because grandma wants you to tell her how much you like her recipe. Before we go to parties and gatherings we eat prior and then pick and choose when we get to our location. People never know what we eat and we tell them don't worry about us. We always bring a dish of something we do eat!

2. Create new memories. Think of creative ways to enjoy time together instead of it being all about the food. One of my favorite memories was Thanksgiving games with our kids. We bought cardboard leaves and every year had each person write what they were thankful for. We hung them every year in our home. You can see the leaves behind my niece and I many years ago.

Another one of our favorites was pin the feathers on the turkey, a family favorite!

3. Maybe its a transitioning year for you . Maybe you have no family or they are far away. Maybe your children are not close to you. Whatever the situation there are new memories to be made. Help feed Thanksgiving to the less fortunate. Invite someone that you know will be alone for Thanksgiving. CREATE NEW MEMORIES! For example we are having an open house this Thanksgiving to have a healthy meal and fellowship with friends and new people in our area!

4. Get out and enjoy that fall air. When I was a kid we always took a walk after Thanksgiving Dinner. Nothing like slowing down and enjoying the season and not worrying about if little Johnny will get his Xbox for Christmas. Get the kids out there and enjoy fall! Let your mind run with those blowing leaves and relax in the blessings you have right in front of you! Believe me years go by quick as I look at this picture of my boys in the leaves so many years ago!

5. Instead of heading to the stores that are open on Thanksgiving redirect your thoughts to the New Year, the new you. Think of what you can do to better yourself. When you better yourself I promise you the stress of the surrounding world will not seem as tough! Our family will be viewing this weekend The Truth About Cancer's free event! 40 doctors all talking about what we can do for us and each other? I am all in. You can sign up for it here like we did

https://go.thetruthaboutcancer.com/uls/?gl=582843138&a_aid=55fc969d340e1&a_bid=903b5664

6. Life is to short to be miserable. It is a difficult time of year to invest in you. I know I did it two years ago! I did not want to invest in my health! Especially us women trying to please everyone. I am giving you permission, STOP! There I said it because if you do not love yourself you will not be here for ANYONE ELSE. My son having cancer scared the death out of me and I had to take a hard look in the mirror at myself not being healthy. I was in a bad place! The light bulb went off and I said no more I will not make these unhealthy choices another day. I am glad I found the help I needed to now be able to assist others. I am here to help anyone that is tired of being on that road full of pot holes and no end in sight. Fixing the "potholes" of your life is a good start to have a smoother ride where you can sit back and drive full steam ahead! http://www.loveyourselfloveyourhealthnaturally.com/

There is nothing Jared and I love more than seeing someone who was hopeless now full of hope!

The other day I was driving home thinking I am so blessed with my life. How many memories I have of this time of year and how excited I am for all the people I continue to meet and help. All the new relationships God has brought to my life. I reflect on memories of my boys running out into the kitchen with excitement of this season. As we all enjoy this Thanksgiving be in the moment, be present because it quickly moves forward and if you are making unhealthy choices daily sad to say they will be there tomorrow as well. Be present with you and your goals and your plans. One of the biggest things I wanted to mention is have fun! You do not need to put anything in toxic in your body to have fun! Laugh, enjoy and be thankful for all that surrounds you and all that awaits. There is always something to be thankful for, like my little Indian Jared so many years ago!

Share stories of past and present, get to know new people because everyone has a light to shine and you are unique and so are they. Damaging your body is not what was meant to be for you. The world needs more joy and love and it can start with you loving yourself! I have a friend that has had many losses this year in her life. I shared with her how one year I went to a local nursing home and spent time with people that had no family. It brightened their life and made my heart full.

There is always a solution to a problem. There is always a way to turn sadness into joy. It just took me many years to get out of my own way and realize we cannot control every situation. When you start by looking in the mirror and learn to love yourself, forgive yourself and know there is more to life than hiding behind your excuses it makes life a lot of enjoyable.

7. Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. I never really cooked or enjoyed it. That made Thanksgiving interesting. Then I thought why don't I ? I was always rushed and thats why I hated it. I rearranged my schedule and created better planning in my life and now I really enjoy it. I could have stayed with the thought I hate cooking but chose to get out of my comfort zone and learn new recipes that create health instead of sickness. I thought of it as a journey and not depriving myself. My mom has always been one for getting out of her comfort zone as you can see her playing dress up for Thanksgiving many years ago!

From our home to yours, I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and make the small daily steps in your life to love yourself enough to love your health.