Stay healthy over the holiday season with my FREE Christmas recipe ebook
It’s officially the holiday season, AKA, that time around Christmas and New Year where you dont know what day it is, who you are, or what you’re supposed to be doing 😂Weekends are booked up with events, family and friends are gathered together and there is plenty of yummy food around...
That’s why I created my healthy 25 page Christmas recipe guide, read me until the end and grab your free copy!
Full of yummy food that fulfils the taste buds but also nourishes your body. YES PLEASE!
Many people choose to ignore their health at this time of year, indulging in endless treats over Christmas and eating things they wouldn’t normally eat in the name of “the holidays”... they decide to just start fresh in the new year.
However you decide to tackle the holiday period is completely your choice, but if you’re like me and you want to enjoy the holidays while ALSO maintaining (or even improving) your health, I’ve got some tips for you!
I am all for letting your hair down and celebrating good times and good people with delicious yums, hey - Im a prosecco enthusiast, dont take the good stuff away from me! But I like to aim for balance and where possible, I use the 80/20 rule for eating during the holidays.
In today’s blog we’re going to chat about what this is and how you can use it to have your best (and healthiest) holiday season yet!
What is the 80/20 rule?
The 80/20 rule is a simple way to eat healthy year round, but it’s extra helpful to be mindful of this rule during the holiday period! The 80/20 rule involves eating healthy, nutrition dense foods 80% of the time, and enjoying treats and being more relaxed with your food choices 20% of the time.
This rule is a great way to find balance with food, so you still get to enjoy life (you don’t have to turn down those delicious cookies your Grandma makes) while also eating healthy and looking after yourself!
There’s no need to completely throw your health out the window at this time every year, you can have the best of both worlds by using the 80/20 rule!
Yessss, kombucha for the win!
Why staying healthy during the festive season is important:
Consider how you wish to start the new decade (yes, it’s not just a new year, but a brand new DECADE!)
I don’t know about you, but I plan to enter 2020 happy, healthy and full of energy! I am still working out, walking on the beach, surfing in the mornings and going to my F45 classes daily, just because its time to plug off from work (for some) doesnt mean its time to plug off from nourhsing your mind, body + soul.
If I was to completely ignore my health over the next few weeks, in the name of “the holidays”, it’s highly likely I’d go in to 2020 feeling fatigued, lacking energy, feeling weak and generally not being my best self.
That’s one big reason it’s important to consider your health at this time of year. And I’m not just talking about weight gain here - I’m talking about your quality of life! No one can live their best life or even enjoy life while nursing hangovers (both food and alcohol related) and feeling crappy in general.
This is where the 80/20 rule comes in.
You can still enjoy those choccies your co-worker gifted you. You can have a glass of champagne on New Year’s Eve, or big slice of pavlova on Christmas day if you want to. And you won’t feel guilty about it, nor will you physically feel ill or crappy - because you’ve looked after your health overall during the holidays.
The 80/20 rule in action:
Gluten Free , plant based & dairy free.
Think about a week’s worth of meals - If you eat 3 meals a day (for example), that’s 21 meals.
Using the 80/20 rule, 17 of those meals would be healthy and full of nourishing whole foods. While 20%, which is 4 meals, might be more relaxed.
Puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?
You’re not throwing your health out the window, but you’re also not being SO strict that you can’t enjoy a meal out with family or friends.
Wouldn’t you agree that if you ate 17 health meals each week, and only 4 less healthy meals, that your health overall would still be pretty good, and more importantly, that you’d be feeling pretty awesome?
I think so!
Quick tips for a healthy holiday period
Here’s a list of small things that can help you stay healthy at this time of year:
Go for walks with family and friends (the sun is out, the weather is beautiful, there’s no excuse!)
Drink lots of water
Don’t forget your sleep!
Eat more fruits and veggies than usual
Try new activities to stay active (surfing, hiking, rock climbing, whatever you wouldn’t normally do, get some friends together and make a day of it!)
Prepare healthy meals in advance so you can grab n go or order food to be delivered, I use Soulara in Australia they’re amazing vegan foods satisfy me everytime!
Try quick nutrition hits like protein smoothies with our whole food plant based protein shakes OR bomb your body with plants and nutrients using our nutraceutical capsules (the fastest way to get a huge serving of fruits, veggies and omegas!)
Make healthy versions of your fave holiday treats
Reduce sugar where possible (e.g., go for soda water and lime instead of a sugary drink, make fruit ice blocks for you and the kids instead of ice cream, )
All these small changes add up to make a huge difference to your health and how you feel at this time of the year!
To help you with those healthy whole food treats, I’ve created a free holiday recipe guide full of festive feasts and treats that will please your taste buds and nourish your body!
If you want it, just click here and fill out your details, then I’ll send it right over to you. Get ready to create some delicious and healthy meals this holiday season!
I hope you and your loved ones enjoy these recipes as much as myself and my team do (I’m pretty sure you will!)
Wishing you a happy, safe and healthy holiday,
Chani x