5 Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holidays

     The Holiday season is upon us! Thanksgiving is in a few days and not long after that is Christmas and the New Year! This means a constant flow of desserts, treats, sweets, indulgent meals and lots of it! And while this food is delicious and fun to enjoy, after several weeks of indulging because 'its the holidays', you probaly aren't going to be feeling very festive!

     If you strive to eat fairly healthy, as I am sure you do, seeing as you are reading this blog, then the Holiday season might be a bit stressful for you. You might worry about hurting your friend's or family's feelings by turning down their desserts, cheeseballs or candies. What about all those parties and special gatherings you are sure to be invited to? You could just put your healthy lifestyle on hold for the holidays, which is expected by most people and completly understandable..or you might deicde to tough it out and stick to your ideals as much as possible.  I am a vegan, which, to me, isn't a 'diet' that I turn off and on, but its a lifestyle change, which means I am going to eat vegan during the holidays. How am I going to do this? Keep reading to find out!

#1 Learn to Cook!
    Makeing your own food is a sure way to insure that you will be eating the way you want to. Make your own cookies, cakes, breads and candies (or don't) to fit your diet, and enjoy those when your friends and family are enjoy theirs! Offer to bring a dish to a dinner party or potluck ( don't be shy! This is often a blessing to the host or hostess!) or at least ask the host/hostess if there will be any dishes suited for you at the gathering. If so, rejoice! If not, then plan to bring your own dish! Its really not that diffiucult, it justs takes some planning! I have several great recipes that are perfect to make during the holidays and share with your friends and family!

Vegan Pumpkin Pecan Pie
Brownie Batter Balls
Sweet Potato Casserole
Easy Holiday Truffles
Harvest Salad
Pumpkin Muffin Tops
Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

#2 Practice Moderation!
     One thing about the holidays is, they don't last forever..so, if you want to indulge a little, let yourself...just in moderation. Having a small piece of pie or one cookie every few days or so isn't going to hurt you! On Thanksgiving Day, when people usuing gorge themselves with a huge feast, just practice portion control and you will be just fine! Take a small serving of the dishes you like and you will have a delicious, well portioned meal and feel much better afterwards than if you had eaten multiple portions of everything! This can be applied to any meal really. If don't want to miss out on the food, then just eat a small bit of it and enjoy it!

# 3 Stay Active!
     There is nothing better to do during the holidays then getting some exercise! No matter what your diet is, or whether you are sticking to it during the holidays or not, being active is never a bad idea! It helps with digestion after a big meal and burn off some of those extra calories! You don't even have to spend a lot of time working out either! A simple jog or walk around the neighborhood, or doing some home exercises like pilates or yoga is enough to be beneficial! It can be fun too! If you have family or friends staying with you (or you are staying with them) invite them to come along with you! Company always makes exercising more fun!

 

Here are a few links to my blog posts where I have great workouts, link to workouts and exercising ideas!

Fall in Love with Fitness
Everyday Activities+Workouts 
'Love Yourself' Workout 
Pilates 
Daily Workouts 
Workout Video 



#4 Be Verbal!
     You can't expect people to underand your food choices if you don't explain it to them! Let people know that you are trying to eat healthier, have smaller portions, cut out certain foods or have a food allergy. This way, they know what to make when they ask you to a meal, or even help you find food to eat at a party or potluck. I have found this helpful so many times! If you tell people how you like/need to eat, then most likely they will make sure you always have something to eat, and will understand when you refuse certain foods!

#5 Eat at Home
     When you are vegan (or are following any other diet or lifestyle) it can be difficult to find things to eat at restuarants, parties and other people's houses. If you know you can't eat at a cetain place, or you aren't sure, then I suggest eating ahead of time. Instead of sitting there, hungry and wishing you could eat something, you can be full and able to participate joyfully! Don't let this make you feel left out! Accept that you eat differently that other people, and move on!  Also, I wouldn't suggest making a big deal about it either! This can make people( especially the host/hostess) feel bad or even kind of angry! Make yourself some delicious food, suited to your needs, and eat it at home before you go to the party (or where ever you are going) and enjoy yourself without stressing about the food situation!

     I hope these tips have helped you! I know that I find them pretty helpful! Eating healthy during the holidays doesn't mean your a snob or that you don't care about the holidays, it just means that you prize your health over a cookie or piece of pie! Apply these tips during the holiday season and you won't have to lose your 'holiday weight' or get back on track come January!

Share this post with your friends and family to help everyone staying healthier during the holidays! Sharing this post and my blog will help spread the message of living a healthy lifestyle, so please share to inspire others to live a healthier life!

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Happy Holidays to you and stay healthy, happy and laughing!

Hannah

Easy Holiday Truffles

      Its December, and the holidays are upon us! I love the holiday season for many reasons! I love the holiday spirit, I love with cold days when all I want to do is sit by the fire with a good book, I love the decorations, and of course I love all the festive food! :)

     Unfortunately, holiday food isn't known for being overly healthy! And while part of it being the holidays is indulging a little bit, its nice to have some healthier treats to keep everything in balance! I love super simple and easy to make recipes, and that's just what these Holiday Truffles are! They are delicious, rich, easily customizable, super easy to make, and also a bit more on the healthier side! I also think they make great gifts to give to anyone who loves chocolate, and isn't that every one? Another perk about these amazing holiday truffles is that, if you use semi-sweet choc. chips or darker, they are vegan! What more do you need to know? You have to make them, now!

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cup Dark Chocolate Chips
7-8 TBS Almond Milk
Flavoring of choice: I used some Young Living Peppermint oil, Cinnamon, and espresso powder for mine!
Coating of choice: I used candy canes, cocoa powder, and cinnamon.

See how simple this recipe is already? Most people are busy during the holidays and don't have time to make treats for parties, guest, or to give as gifts! These are a perfect solution!

Add your choc. chips and milk to a bowl and stir well.

Heat in the microwave for 30 sec. then stir. If it needs more time, heat for 20 sec. stir, and if it needs even more, just do 10 sec. burst(stirring in between each time) until it is nice and smooth!

Then add in your flavoring. If you are using an extract or liquid flavoring, less is more! Just add a tiny bit at a time. If you are using the espresso powder, rub it together in your palm to get rid of any big chunks.

Taste it to make sure it taste amazing! :)

Then pop it in the fridge to chill for around 30 minutes, or until it is firm to the touch. While it is chilling out, you can prepare your coatings!
I crushed my candy canes and put them in a bowl, mixed some cinnamon and cocoa powder together in another bowl, and just added cocoa powder to a third bowl!

 

If you use the candy canes, make sure you crush them pretty finely!

When the truffle mix is firm, take it out of the fridge. Use a spoon to scoop out desired amount, and roll it between your hands to form a ball shape. Then coat it in your coating! I am warning you, it is a messy job!

Place them on some parchment paper in a container for easy storage! I like to write the flavor of the truffles on the paper so I can keep them separate!

 

I rolled the cinnamon flavored ones in a mix of cinnamon and cocoa powder.

The peppermint ones I did a mix of the candy canes and just cocoa powder. I rolled the coffee ones in just plain cocoa powder as well!

 

These are one of my new favorite holiday treats! My favorite flavor that I made was the coffee, but I also loved the peppermint ones! The cinnamon ones remind me of Mexican hot chocolate! There are endless flavor combos out there to try, so get creative! I think some orange juice instead of the milk would be really yummy in the summer or fall!

 

 

Make sure you make plenty so you can share with your family and friends, or give away as gifts! I do recommend hiding a few if you want any for yourself! :)

Please share this post and my blog with your family and friends to spread some holiday cheer, and some healthy lifestyle vibes to everyone!

You can follow the blog via email, Google, Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, and on Tumblr @ justrunningforfood. Make sure you follow the blog to stay up to date on every new post!

New Post every Friday!!


Happy Holidays!
H. Banana

Thanksgiving Harvest Salad

     Its the season for giving thanks with Thanksgiving just a few days away! I am constantly reminded how much I have to be thankful for, and hopefully I find myself giving thanks all year round, not just on Thanksgiving! But, we celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday and a time to gather with your friends and family and give thanks for all the blessings we have!

     Unfortunately, Thanksgiving is also a time when people over eat (by a long shot) and the food( and there is a lot of it) is generally not very healthy. Sure, there might be vegetable sides and dishes, but they are usually covered in butter or bacon! Speaking of butter, just about every Thanksgiving dish contains it! Sure, its a holiday, but why would you want to spoil a holiday by eating food that isn't going to make you feel good?

     This festive Harvest Salad is the perfect dish to add to your Thanksgiving table! It is full of all the familiar flavors that we all love during the fall, and lots of healthy ingredients as well! The butternut squash and cranberries have such contrasting colors, and makes this dish not only delicious, but beautiful as well!
You might have already guessed this, but this Harvest Salad is completely oil free, butter free, and bacon free! Also, it is perfect for vegans and vegetarians, as well as everyone else who wants to eat something amazing on Thanksgiving! Also, you can eat as much as you want of it, and still feel great afterwards!

Ingredients:
3 cups cubed and peeled Butternut Squash
1/2 cup Maple Syrup
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 tsp All Spice
1/4 tsp Thyme
1/4 tsp Dried Orange Zest
1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
1/4 tsp Ground Rosemary
1 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
2 TBS Water
2 cups Cooked Wild Rice( cooked with a cinnamon stick (optional)
1/2 large Red Onion- Finely chopped
3 cups Kale or Spinach-roughly chopped
3-4 TBS Orange Juice
1/3-1/2 cup Dried Cranberries
Enough Pecans to garnish--roughly chopped

I know, it looks like a lot of ingredients, but it's worth it! If you feel like there are too much spices, simply tone it down a bit! It will be delicious either way!

First, lets peel and chop the butternut squash. I am using a variety of squash that, I believe, is crossed with a pumpkin. For that reason, its a bit smaller than a regular butternut squash.

Pretty cute right? Another plus about this variety, is it is much easier to cut!

Peel and cube your squash. Then mix the maple syrup, seasonings( nutmeg, all spice, thyme, orange zest, ginger, rosemary, pepper, salt) and water together and pour over your cubed squash. Mix well to coat the cubes.

Preheat your  oven to 350 F. Pour your squash onto a baking sheet lined with non-stick paper or a mat. Make sure that they make only one layer so they can cook evenly.

Looks like a heart, right? :) Bake your squash for 40 min, stirring after about 20 min. They will smell so wonderful and festive!

 

Doesn't look super great right now, but stick to it! Taste a cube to get a delicious little snack! Allow the squash to cool on the pan before putting it in a bowl and setting aside.

Next, cook your rice. I used a rice cooker for mine. When cooking your rice, I suggest adding a cinnamon stick, or half of one, to the pot or cooker. You don't have to, but it does add extra flavor!

Next, chop the onion and add it to a pan. I don't use any oil here. The trick to cooking with out oil is to keep the ingredients moving. Cook the onions until they become soft.

Next, add in the kale or spinach. I did give mine a rough chop, but you don't have to. Also, add in the orange juice. Simply cook the kale until it becomes wilted.

Feel free to add a bit more salt and pepper if you feel the dish needs it. Now, add the squash to the pan and mix gently. The squash is very soft, and you don't want to mash it. Cook this until everything is nice and hot.

I think I would be happy with this alone, but there is still more goodness to add, so lets keep going! Once the mix is hot, add it to a bowl along with the rice and cranberries. Gently mix until everything is combined.

Then, transfer it to your serving dish and top with the pecans. Add as many or as few as you want!

 

And there you have it! A beautiful, festive, delicious, and super healthy, Harvest Salad! Perfect for Thanksgiving and just about every other day!

 

This dish has so many things going on in it! The spicy/sweetness of the butternut squash and the savory-ness from the onions and kale go hand and hand with each other. And the cranberries and pecans really give it that festive feel! The wild rice not only adds flavor, but amazing color too! 

 

 

I really hope you give this recipe a try! I just know you will love it just as much as my family and I did! We aren't going to be home for Thanksgiving, but if we were, I would totally fix this dish!

 

If you are looking for a healthier dish for your Thanksgiving feast, then this is a must have recipe! Its festive, delicious, oil free, and perfect for everyone, including Vegans and Vegetarians!

 

Please share this post and my blog with your family and friends! Spread the love of a healthy lifestyle, and help to encourage others to become healthier!

 

You can follow the blog via Email, Google, Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, and on Tumblr @ justrunningforfood. Please come and follow me to stay up to date on the blog!

 

New Post Every Friday!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Keep Healthy and Safe!

H. Banana

Resisting Temptation

With all the holiday treats being made at my house this week it has been hard to resist just gorging myself on them! I myself have made cookies, fudge, caramels and other sweets (Yes, I know.. I'm being a hypocrite!) but that doesn't mean I have to eat it all! I allow myself to have a small portion of a treat, and I make sure that I get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day! But, I do find it hard to stop at just one cookie, one small piece of fudge or a small bite of caramel, so what do you do? How do you resist the urge to replace every meal with sugary sweets? Here are a few tips that I use and have found helpful!

#1 Portion control.
As stated before, keeping an eye on the size and amount of treats you consume is important. Its also important that you don't feel deprived from your favorite foods. Let yourself have a small bite or serving, but stop there. Your future self will thank you!

#2 Drinking Water.
I have stressed this in other post, but I will say it again! Not drinking enough water can make you feel hungry and can cause you to have a little more than you planned, food-wise. I try to have a large glass of water with every meal and one every hour or so. If you are out and about, carry water with you either in a water bottle or a cute cup!

#3 Activity!
Getting moving for at least 30 minutes a day is a must. It will keep you from eating because you are bored and it can be made fun!

#4 Healthy Foods.
Make sure there is a large variety of healthy foods for you to snack on instead of the sugary ones! I love to have fresh fruit and veggies already to enjoy any time!

#5 Enjoy
Make sure you aren't mindlessly eating your treats as you do something else. Keep your mind on the item you are eating and make sure to enjoy it so you don't have to get another one!

#6 Creativity
You can get so creative with the different healthy winter treat! I have made several cookies, treats and drinks that are healthy but delicious. Let me know what healthy winter treats you enjoy!

Well that it! I know it is similar to other post I have posted, but this is a struggle that I almost constantly have during the winter and I wanted to share with you ways that I have found of over coming it!
I won't be posting anymore for a few days because I am on vacation! Yay! So don't expect a post for a little bit (Not too long though)
Keep it healthy and safe!
H.Banana

Staying healthy during the holidays

Lets be honest, its can be hard to stay healthy during the holidays! There is the almost constant temptation of sugary and high calorie foods and then its seems so hard to stay motivated to workout! Here are a few tips that I hope will help us all stay healthy during the holidays!

#1 WATER!
There is often so much going on during the holidays that we forget to drink enough water! Not drinking enough water can cause you to become dehydrated which will make you feel lazy and sluggish. Drinking water ( and the water in hot cocoa, coffee, etc. doesn't count!) will help you feel more energized, give you clearer skin and keep you hydrated!

#2 WORKOUT
Its hard to find time to workout when its cold outside and there is a warm fire to sit by and drink hot cocoa, but its important that you make time! Play some Christmas tunes while you workout, find some Christmas-themed workout moves or find a workout buddy! If you have company and you don't feel like you can leave them to workout, maybe go to the mall ( Shopping is Cardio!) and walk around for an hour or two. Its important that you get moving! Lying around all day will make you feel lazy and lower your motivation level.

#3 INDULGE
Are all those Christmas treats tempting you? Well, live a little and enjoy them...in moderation! Not letting yourself enjoy your favorite treats will make you feel discouraged and deprived. Enjoy those yummy treats a little at a time. Eating one sugar cookie, one candy cane, a cup of cocoa or a piece of fudge won't set you back or make you gain a ton a weight, but loads and loads of them will! Enjoy in moderation and don't worry about it!

#4 VEGGIE-UP!
When is comes to your diet during the holidays, make sure that veggies are present at every meal. As long as they aren't coated in  butter, cheese or grease, make sure that at least half of your plate is full of veggies. You can have the other food items like, ham, bread, scalloped potatoes and cranberry sauce, just make sure your giving some love to the veggies too!

#5 SLEEP
It can be tempting to stay up 'way past your bed time' but its so much better for your body if you make sure you get enough sleep! Sleeping in is a great feeling and, if you stayed up late the night before, let yourself have more sleep, your body will thank you! You will have more energy and motivation if you give your body the rest it needs! Bring on the Zzzzzzzzzs!

I hope these tips can help us all stay healthy and motivated during the holidays! Let me know if these tips help you and if you have any to add to the list! If you have enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend!

Keep healthy and SAFE!
Happy Holidays!
H.Banana