Enjoy the Holidays without Gaining Weight

With the holiday season comes lots of delicious food, but it can also mean weight gain. The good news is, with a few simple tips, you can still enjoy your favorite foods without gaining unwanted pounds. Here's my advice for enjoying the holidays without gaining weight.

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Controversial Milk Ads + Thanksgiving Recipes

The people over at Got Milk are running some radio ads that I just can't get behind. Also in this Real Food Roundup, I'm sharing a couple recipes that would be perfect for your Thanksgiving meal. [x_video type="16:9, 5:3, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2" m4v="" ogv="" poster="" hide_controls="" autoplay="" embed='' no_container="true"]

Got Milk Radio Ads

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Bacon, Meyer Lemon, and Tart Dried Cherries

Pomegranate Cider Spritzer

Preventing Holiday Weight Gain

The holidays is a time when a lot of us pack on some unwanted pounds. You can totally avoid holiday weight gain and still enjoy your favorite foods with this simple tip. [x_video type="16:9, 5:3, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2" m4v="" ogv="" poster="" hide_controls="" autoplay="" embed='' no_container="true"]

What We Ate. Thanksgiving 2013.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  We had breakfast at our house with Jasen's parents and sister and then spent the afternoon with my fam. My cousin Allison made cute place cards this year. We were the Native Americans...

... and my cousins were the Pilgrims.

Here's my plate. I loaded up on roasted veggies (no surprise there), and got a sampling of other stuff, including mashed potatoes, a roll, organic beef, and cranberry sauce. I'm a lover of all things sour and the cranberry sauce is always made with me in mind. :)

For dessert, we had the option of cheesecake,

apple pie,

and pumpkin pie.

Jasen and I shared bites of all three.

What did you guys eat on Thanksgiving? I love to hear what's the same and what's different. Share in the comments below!

Thanksgiving Nail Polish Picks

1. Butter London Wallis. The olive tone of this polish makes it more interesting than your typical gold.
2. Essie Beyond Cozy. This one is for all of you out there that are only excited for Thanksgiving because, once its over, you can go into full Christmas mode.
3. Zoya Stacy. This is a burgundy that leans more red than the picture shows. Think of it as cranberry sauce on your nails.
4. OPI Ski Teal We Drop. We can't have all reds on this list, so I threw in something for all of the blue fans out there. This dark shade is much more wearable than some of the bright blues of spring and summer, so it's also great for those of you who are a little scared to stray away from reds and pinks.
5. Covergirl Timeless Rubies. Of all of the polishes on the list, this is the most obvious Thanksgiving choice. It's a gorgeous shimmery red-brown and, being a drug store option, is easy to find.

9 Tips For A Healthy Holiday

It's the time of year that everyone loves: the holidays! But with all of the fun also comes lots of yummy food that isn't always the healthiest. It's important to enjoy this time of year, but also to avoid the consequences of enjoying ourselves a little too much.  Fear not, I'm here to help with a few tips. You can use all of them or pick and choose the ones that work for you. I don't think we need to be too crazy about being restrictive on these special days. As long as we treat them like the special occassion they are and eat well most other days, it's fine. At the same time, I don't want you to have that sick, overstuffed feeling that no one likes.

Note: Even though I'm posting this with the fall and winter holidays in mind, these tips can apply to any holiday or special event.

1. If you're not hosting the event, offer to bring something to make things easier on your host. That way, you can make sure there is a healthy option available to fill up on.
2. If you are the host, make sure you're making your dishes with real, whole foods rather than relying on processed, chemical nastiness. Even if you do eat a little too much, it will all be things that your body can work with. If you need inspiration, check my previous post on Thanksgiving recipe ideas.
3. Be active! Whether it's a workout before the meal or a walk with the group after, find a way to get your body moving. Not only will this make you feel great and give you an energized glow, but it also discourages you from over-eating. That awesome feeling you get from exercise and being stuffed just don't go together.
4. Make half your plate non-starchy vegetables (just like any other day). Filling up on these nutritious, lower-calorie options will ensure that you can still enjoy your favorite foods, but not eat too much.
5. Stick to one plate rather than going back for seconds or thirds. Get a little bit of everything you want and enjoy it. The first few bites are always the best and, after that, it often just becomes mindless.
6. Be a picky eater. Don't feel pressured to put every item offered on your plate. I love food and I am not about to give up precious tummy room for something I'm not crazy about. Only select the items that are your favorites and leave the other filler foods behind.
7. Slow down and enjoy each bite as well as the company of those around you. This is one I especially struggle with because it is my natural tendency to shove my food down as fast as possible. Something I need to work on. :)
8. One day isn't going to make or break you as far as your health goals are concerned. The important thing is not to let one day turn into a week or month of over indulgence.
9. Remember what the holiday is about. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the logistics of a special get together or only think about the food, so focus instead on celebrating the true meaning of the holiday.

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How do you stay healthy during the holidays? Share in the comments below!

Quick Tip: How NOT To Get Food Poisoning

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Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up

With Thanksgiving only a couple weeks away, those of you who are hosting are probably working on your menu for the day. It can be a little overwhelming, so I've pulled together some of my favorite recipes to share. They all call for real, whole food (of course) and are also delicious!

1. The Bird. I've been making my turkey using this recipe for a few years now and it is always a big hit. Citrus in the cavity, plus frequent basting, results in moist breast meat and crazy good flavor. Use your own homemade chicken stock if you have it and try making the gravy with whole wheat flour instead. And, if you do happen to splurge on the white flour, I won't tell. It is a holiday after all. :)
2. Green Bean Casserole (minus the junk). This is actually a recipe for homemade cream of mushroom soup to use in any recipe that calls for the canned stuff. Try it this year in your favorite green bean casserole recipe! If you're in the market for a new version, Lisa posted one that doesn't use this cream of mushroom replacement just yesterday. I haven't had time to try it myself (obviously), but I thought I would add it in for anyone who is interested (Lisa's Green Bean Casserole).
3. Roasted Veggies = Delicious. You guys know this is my go-to preparation for any vegetable. It's simple and quite the crowd pleaser. Plus, it's flexible depending on which veggies are available at the market that week or the preferences of your guests.
4. Massage That Kale. This basic tutorial on how to make a massaged kale salad can be a great jumping off point. Start with the kale and then add in any toppings that you and your guests like. If you want, you could make a toppings bar so each person can make their own personal creation.
5. Have A Biscuit! I make these whole wheat biscuits all the time. If you want something more interesting than a plain biscuit, there is a recipe for cheddar garlic biscuits as well!
6. Cheesy Goodness. For many, mac and cheese is a must have at any holiday or family get together. I'll be honest, I haven't tried this recipe myself for the simple fact that I hate macaroni and cheese. However, everything this woman posts is good and I couldn't leave it off the list since I know it is something that so many people love.

I hope you find any or all of these recipes to be a nice addition to your Thanksgiving spread. They just go to show that you can enjoy all of your favorite foods if you skip the chemicals and go for the real thing! Happy eating!