Over the next few weeks, my goal is to be particularly mindful of our day-to-day eating and meal planning. From Thanksgiving on, there is an onslaught of dinners, parties, and fun events like cookie exchanges and I love everything about them! However, it is easy to let one “cheat day” such as an amazing Thanksgiving meal turn into a cheat few weeks with all of the celebratory opportunities ahead.
I’ve been eating fairly simple meals this week – oatmeal with chia seeds has been my go-to breakfast. It is easy to portion out dry ingredients into a few containers and grab and go on busy mornings, and you can add water and microwave when you get to the office or other destination (I’m a late breakfast person). I like doing overnight oats with almond milk and berries when it is warm, or hot oats during the winter.
I’ve been making salads for lunches, especially my favorite variety – spinach, strawberries, chickpeas, and walnuts topped with balsamic vinegar or a light balsamic dressing. I usually pair this with a yogurt or cup of soup for my lunch.
I also started using Plant Nanny (iPhone, Android) again so I get reminders throughout the day on my phone to drink water. I almost always forget to drink water even though I know that’s one of the worst things I could to do myself! It is so easy to forget during the work/school day when you have a lot going on.
Last week wasn’t a good one for exercise – between family time, selling at a craft show, and working on three big final assignments to close out my semester, my week was packed! I was happy to make it back to the gym yesterday on my way home from work and put in time on the treadmill. I have some running goals for 2017 that I’d like to decide on and put in my journal, too. My current schedule is for six days a week, alternating running and lifting days (and if I can squeeze in a yoga/meditation session, even better!).
How are you staying healthy during the holidays? What meals are helping you stay on track?

3 COMMENTS
Bonnie
8 years agoKeeping up with healthy living throughout the holiday season can be tough. I agree that there is such an onslaught of temptations all around us. For me, candy and sweets are such a temptation and I managed to get through Halloween mostly unscathed. I didn’t do anything for Thanksgiving due to being ill. I’m not really nervous about the actual Christmas celebrations yet, but I see candies, sweets, and many other things themed for Christmas that try to “call” to me. Mostly I am avoiding them but they are still so tempting!
Holly
8 years agoChia seeds are my staple, I make smoothies with them because I don’t like the taste of protein powder! Love the idea of throwing it into oatmeal!
Emily
8 years agoThat salad looks so yummy! I stay on track through the holidays by making sure I’m on point with my nutrition and workouts whenever I can. When I indulge, I enjoy it and move back to my normal eating habits again :). I need some more yoga and meditation in my life! Especially during the holidays :/