#12WaysofChristmas- DAY 1

Growing up, I began to notice the great dependence people place on money when it comes to the holidays. Time and time again, I would watch and observe my parents during this time. They smiled and appreciated my excitement for the holidays. In my younger years, I could only barely pick up on their stress from being overworked and over all drained from trying to put presents under the tree. As I got older, the toll that the holidays took on my parents became more noticeable.

When I was younger, I wanted to be able to tell the other kids at school, “I got (insert fun useless thing I will forget about in a month) for Christmas, what did you get??” 

Eventually, I began to despise this question. I hated seeing my parents like this. I didn’t like seeing them suffer and over work themselves so that I could add to my collection of materials. 

What did people do to celebrate the holidays before money, mass materialism, before comfort and commodity, before we entered the modern life?

“I don’t care too much for money, ‘cuz money can’t by me love”

I’m with the Beatles on this one.

So here is the first of 12 alternative ways to celebrate the holidays, spread the love, and rely less on expensive gift giving.

_________________________________________________

1. Gift of Balance

Sometimes, as much as you’ve missed your family to pieces, old roles settle in, and you want to return home hours after arriving. That’s TOTALLY normal. It is great and delicious to hear about what everyone has been up to, as well as share your own happenings. Fully soak up these moments, the laughter, the questions, the conversation. Finding a way to maintain a balance of family time and alone time will make the experience a lot smoother and more enjoyable for you and your family. Even if it requires you to lock yourself in the bathroom for a ten minute breather! To really love others, you must love yourself first, and developing/maintaining a good relationship with yourself requires some alone time.

Also, keeping your body in balance will help facilitate an easy holiday ride. All of the delicious (not always nutritious) Christmas delicacies like honey glazed ham, stuffing, potatoes, cookies, cakes, and pies are tastefully calling to you at every turn. It’s normal to feel called to drown oneself in sugar, we’re humans….we like sugar! 

Do yourself and your body a favor and create space (use up your stored sugars) by moving a little. Do a little dance, some exercise, get the blood moving, short intense bursts through out the day. Empty the muscles of sugar, and then fill them up with yummy Christmas treats! Don't over stuff though, pace yourself ;).


**Of course, ideally you'd want to chose healthy starches and sugars (sweet potatoes, rice, or another gluten-free option) to refill your glycogen stores.**