This is the time of year when we can unwittingly, dare I say unintentionally over-indulge ourselves. The office parties are in full-swing, friends pop over for a cozy chat, which of course necessitates a little snackette with our coffee, and as the actual season gets into full swing it’s impossible not to pick (just testing!!) everything we cook. Come Christmas eve, the skinny jeans are already feeling a little on the cozy side, and we haven’t even eaten our Holiday dinner yet – so here are a few tips to have you sailing through the season, and more importantly, hitting the New Year, feeling & looking fantastic
.1. Watch the booze! This is a boring and obvious one, but probably the most important. Aside from the safety (no drinking and driving), factor, alcoholic 
drinks can pack on the pounds. Alcohol prevents fat being burned as energy, and is also an appetite enhancer – ever noticed how after a few, you throw caution to the winds? A couple of Margaritas and the tortilla chips & guac almost vaporize in front of your very eyes!
2. Keep Moving: Again, may seem obvious but with friends and family around 24/7, it can be hard to carve out the time. I 
always dread traveling over the Holidays because it takes me away from my regular fitness routine and yoga class, which I need more than usual. However, I always travel with my yoga mat, as even in a small bedroom, I find a way to roll out the darn thing (sometimes even move the bed,) so I can get in a few Sun Salutations. Make sure you do some form of exercise (walk, hike, cycle, yoga, or fitness DVD) every single day. Even if you can only carve out 10 to 15 minutes in the morning and again the afternoon, you’ll thank yourself so much.
3. Stay Hydrated: In the winter months, we tend to drink less water. Keeping yourself fully hydrated will help prevent too much snacking on fattening foods like salty nuts and chips. Make sure you drink half your body weight (in ounces) of water daily. OMG – I’ve gotta go slug down a glass now!
4. Pass the almonds: Have a stash of raw (not roasted or salted,) almonds to hand. If you have nut allergies, substitute with a blend of pumpkin/sunflower seeds. Eat a small handful when you feel hungry and if you know you tend to over-indulge when a huge meal is put on the table, eat about 6 almonds and have a glass of water just prior to the meal – it’ll help you to feel satisfied and prevent a feeding frenzy!
5. Limit the sugar: This seems like a ridiculous suggestion, especially around the Holidays, but since sugary cookies, cakes and snacks will constantly be around you, it’s important to decide ahead of time if and when you will indulge. Think quality over quantity. For example, buy some organic, 70% cocao chocolate for everyone and choose that after dinner, rather than the other sweets that are passed around. That way you can still satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling dreadful. Make a pact that if you have dessert, you’ll have just ONE spoon only. Say no to all other cookies and candies – you may feel you’re denying yourself, but a piece of delicious fruit or a handful of dried fruit will enhance rather than deplete your energy.
6. Put down the fork: This is one of the most important steps towards not over-eating at any given meal. Aside from the fact that you probably want to
really enjoy your food along with the company, eating slowly is imperative for good digestion and helps us to recognize when we’re full. Get into the habit of actually putting down your fork in between each mouthful and then chew thoroughly.
7. Waiting time: Here’s a simple one: Make yourself wait for a minimum of 10 minutes before you go for a second helping. This “settle” time often allows you to ascertain whether indeed you are full and satisfied.
8. Meat as a side: If you or your friends and family eat meat, try to change things up a bit this year, by making the meat a side (size-wise), rather than the focal point of the plate. Make an extra few veggie sides – even a vegan meatloaf to add to the plate, so that everyone gets a bunch of veggies and no more than 2-ounces of meat. When you’re thinking of using up your turkey and ham after the main Holiday meal, dishes which are filling, but that require a little meat might be the way to go: Turkey Pesto Pasta, Paella with ham or turkey, Risotto with ham etc.
9: Soulful Soups: A wonderfully nutritious and satisfying way of staying slim is to eat soups and lots of them! I plan to make a hearty soup everyday of the Holidays while my family are in town. Using plenty of seasonal root veggies, beans and topping off with green leafy vegetables, is a great way to make the whole family happy without necessarily cooking meat. See my 3 winter soup recipes.
10 Blessing: I always find that when someone at the table says a simple blessing before we eat, it always serves to slow me down and to become more aware 
of the journey that my food has taken to get to the table. Imagining the toil and care that’s gone into it’s production and preparation humbles me and helps me to respect the food as something that nourishes my body so that I can better be of service. We don’t always do this – more often than not, we’ll tear into a meal with a frenzied hunger, but if there’s ever a time of year to hold true to this ancient cross-cultural tradition, it’s now.
