Holiday Traditions and Making the Holidays Unexpectedly Healthy

What's Your Tradition?

Just thinking about the holidays gives me a childish grin. All those wonderful aromas wafting from the kitchen and filling the house. All those fun dishes that we only see on special occasions come flooding out onto the meticulously arranged table with the special occasion dishes, silver, glasses, bowls, table cloths, napkins candles and more. It's so festive and fun.

But when we think of making those dishes healthy, a bit of dread comes over us. How could it possibly be healthy and still the same? 

Mindset matters. What is important about our longstanding family traditions? It's the reason we are gathering together in the first place. Focus on the reason behind the tradition. Make everything about that and not so much about the actual food. 

Make some little tweeks to the menu:

• Serve a few more fresh fruits and veggies by arranging them in decorative ways

Use your imagination to

create an amazing table.

Ask people to join in the fun and decorate a plate to bring to dinner.

But focus on what is really important...each other. If you spend the holidays alone and that is not what you prefer to do, get out of the house, go to the soup kitchen and serve the less fortunate, take something to the neighbor, appreciate that you have this day and you can do with it what you choose. 

What is naturally healthy for a holiday is not just about what you eat, but what may be eating you. I have a way of easing into and out of the day that gives me the best day I can have. But, it's up to me. I can be upset, ugly, stressed...or I can choose to be accepting, flexible, tolerant and approving with myself and others. 

FOCUS on what is good, happy, healthy and life will appear to give you more of that.

To you and yours, may all your holiday traditions have a little more natural health included. I want to see you next year and many years to come!

~Sandra

Simply Healthy

3011 Rochester Rd.

Lakeville, NY 14480

www.simplyhealthy4u.com

800-503-0483

Back to School

Remember when you were a kid and you couldn't wait until that last day of school? Remember all the things that you "got into" in that summer vacation?
Well, then I am sure you remember the butterflies that ran around in your stomach as that 1st day back to school became a reality.

Our kids, our future, are more stressed out than ever before. You probably have had to sit through at least one family story of "when I was your age" we didn't have a bus to ride, we had to walk miles to the nearest school house. We didn't have a hot lunch, we had to share a thermos of soup the teacher brought in. We didn't get new clothes to wear and we were just fine...all trying to point out that things have changed over time. Things are not what they used to be.

Things have changed, we have progressed, we have overcome much of what our ancestors had to endure. We live a pretty cushy life compared to them. But has this cushy life had drawbacks? What will we be telling our grandkids about the good old days? Well for me, it's telling my daughters, "I can't imagine trying to raise kids in this tech age. We didn't have cell phones, laptops or constant phone conversations with our friends and relatives and never with strangers on social media. We didn't have the stress that you have today. As women, we had the choice of working or not working away from home. "

As your kids or the kids you see out the window of your home or car are crossing the road, getting on a bus, congregating on the street corner, say a little prayer for them. Their world is much different. How they will evolve will depend on everyone that influences them.

Then if you are a teacher, a mom, a dad, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, big brother, volunteer, aide, principal, all school staff....realize that you have a big responsibility in growing, shaping and influencing each child within your reach. Take it seriously. Bring your "A" game every day. Remember how difficult it was to be a kid. Growing up is not easy. Be patient, kind, thoughtful, understanding, willing to listen, observant, serve with heart and stay well yourself so that you can be the best you, that you can be.

Blessings Always,

Sandra