We have all been there before – holidays, vacations, and parties add up and before we know it, we have had too many sweets, rich foods or cocktails. Celebrating with family and friends is always good but there comes a time when we need to return to our healthy routine. These are three strategies that I use when I need to get back on track. It is also how I like to start my Mondays.
So refreshing plus ginger calms your stomach!
1. Go Green! Start your morning with a Green Smoothie – to give your body a jolt of power nutrients that is easy to digest for optimal energy. Keep your meals light, vegetarian and stay away from sugar, wheat and dairy. You are basically going through a one-day detox.
Ginger Lemon-icious Juice
Serves 1
Ingredients
- 1 head romaine lettuce
- 2 cups kale or spinach
- 2 sweet apples, cored & peeled, if using blender
- 1 organic lemon, peeled
- 1-2 Tbs fresh ginger root
- 1 cup water, optional (helpful if you are using a blender)
Directions
Press all ingredients through a juice extractor or process all ingredients in blender until smooth. Stir & serve!
2. Do some interval training – It’s quick and the most effective way to burn calories throughout the day. Click HERE to learn more!
Chickpeas give these egg muffins an extra punch of low-fat protein.
3. Keep healthy snacks on hand – Send leftover bunny cake to the elderly neighbor next door and get those tempting snack foods out of the house. Instead, keep healthy choices like bananas, apples, carrots, eggs, and mixed greens around. For example: a simple satisfying lunch or dinner would be my Power Egg Muffins with a mixed green salad.
Power Egg Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 large omega-3 eggs
- 2 large egg whites
- ½ cup chopped low-sodium chickpeas
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk or organic low-fat milk
Directions
1. Pre-heat oven to 400. Coat 6-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Mix ingredients in a blender. Fill the muffin tin ¾ way with the egg mix. Add whatever you like into each cup, creating your own mini-quiche. Some ideas:
- Spinach, feta cheese, tomato and basil
- Nitrate-free turkey bacon (Trader Joe’s has a great one) with low-fat cheddar cheese sprinkled on top
- Salsa and black beans
Not just for breakfast! A clean protein for lunch or dinner, too.
Be creative and add whatever you like! This is especially fun for the kids.
3. Bake until the eggs puff and are cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the muffin pan and cool slightly before serving.
4. Make extra and keep in the refrigerator or in the freezer, then reheat for a quick snack. Eat with toast or put in a wrap with greens and salsa or veggies.
The important thing is that you enjoy the celebrations, complete with food and loved ones. It’s not the time to stress out about what you are eating. What has worked for me is to allow myself a few indulgences every now and then. The key is being consistent by sticking to the healthy eating and living plan 80-90% of the time. It will keep you healthy and not a slave to medications – that’s the ticket! Now when I go out for a special dinner, I can eat whatever I want without the guilt. Bring on the cheese cake, please 🙂
Enjoy,
Denise
Too much indulging? Time to hit the reset button?
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