1. Don’t let a day of celebration turn into a week/month of unlimited partying. After an event, wake up the next morning and charge full steam ahead back into your healthy habits with a balanced breakfast to help set you straight. Don’t let Thanksgiving snowball all the way to January 2nd.

2. Keep up with your food journaling. Make it easy, use your phone, either an app or even your cell phone’s notes, but being conscious and accountable is proven to help keep you on track.

3. Eat protein first. If you start your meal with carbs, you will get hungrier faster and overeat. Fill up on the protein and some healthy fats (nuts, coconut, avocado, seafood, olives), and eat slowly so that you stay mindful and have an awareness of feeling satiated.

4. For appetizers, aim for those with the following ingredients:

• veggie dips
• olives
• shrimp (not breaded or fried)
• hummus
• guacamole/avocado
• skinless chicken wings
• mushrooms
• eggs
• smoked salmon
• skewered beef or chicken

5. Eat something before you leave for the party, don’t leave the house famished.

6. Bring a dish along that can be shared. That way if the healthy options are slim, you won’t find yourself starving and having no choice but to eat something unhealthy that may fuel more cravings.

6. Slow down with the booze. If you drink too much, aside from those extra calories, you are apt to throw caution to the wind and indulge.

7. Enjoy one dessert item so you aren’t feeling deprived but stick to just that one and make it a small portion.

8. Be proud of yourself and reward your accomplishments. Set a goal of getting through this season without gaining any weight and pamper yourself with something indulgent for your efforts, i.e. a relaxing massage, a babysitter for a night out with your spouse or friends, some item of clothing that you are proud to fit into, new gym clothes or sneakers, etc.

A delicious and healthy appetizer to share with friends:

Guacamole with Grilled Pineapple (or mango, or peaches)

Ingredients

• 2 large avocados
• Juice of 1 lime
• Sea salt
• 1/3 cup finely diced red onion
• 1-2 peppers-choose the type that has the level of spiciness to your liking, seeds removed and finely diced
• 2 pineapple rings ~1/2-inch thick, core removed
• Extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat grill to high.
2. Spray or brush both sides of the pineapple rings with olive oil.
3. Grill for about 4 minutes on each side, until nicely browned.
4. Remove from the grill and allow to cool
5. When cooled, cut the pineapple into small cubes.
6. Peel and remove the avocado, discarding the pit.
7. Add lime and salt to the avocado, adding the lime and salt
8. Stir in onion, pepper and pineapple.

Check out more recipes from these websites:

www.mynaturalfamily.com

www.elanaspantry.com

www.carascravings.com