It’s no secret that around this time, you know- Christmas, New Year’s, time off from work and school, there is a lot of good and fun things- parties! dinners! friends! shopping! but so much of it can also leave me feeling sort of blah. Between all of the sweet treats, the endless cheese plates, large dinners, lots of alcohol, buying gifts, and spending money to go out, this season can be taxing physically and financially. I feel my best when I am eating good, wholesome foods, and also keeping my spending in check, so this season can certainly make me feel like things are a little out of control. Don’t get me wrong, I can down a good amount of cheese and sip plenty of wine, and I do love giving gifts, but I also love those things, while also feeling in control. With that being said, here is how I am staying ‘healthy and wealthy’ this holiday season.
HEALTHY
Eat More Vegetables
My lunches these days are a base of sauteed kale, roasted carrots, and maybe a little brown rice. I sometimes add a fried egg on top, but the base of my meals have been GREEN vegetables because we all know holiday parties are veggieless. A day of eats may include: breakfast: 2 glasses of water, a slice of challah, cup of coffee. Snack: bowl of yogurt with chia seeds. Lunch: sauteed kale with carrots, brown rice, and a fried egg. Snack: sliced veggies with cream cheese and crackers, an apple, etc. Dinner: vegetable chili, a salad with tuna, cous cous and roasted veggies (all topped with olive oil and salt) ).
Drink More Water
The cold weather makes our skin dry and less pliable, so I am aiming to drink 2 liters of water a day. I usually drink a couple alrge glasses before breakfast, and then keep my glass or bottle filled all day long. Drinking water also helps you feel full, so I am less likely to snack when I’m not actually hungry.
Exercise Daily
This is something I do anyway, but it’s more important now than ever. These days, my workouts take shape in the form of 4 hard workouts a week (Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun) with a mix of NTC, a full body intense workout class, and 2 long runs. On the other days, I aim to walk at least 10,000 steps, but usually hit about 15,000. Nothing makes that holiday food taste better than a good sweat session beforehand. As soon as this post is published, I’m heading out for a walk!
Eat Less Sweets When Home
I like a little something sweet after lunch and dinner, but I have been making an effort to have less than I normally would have. Actually, the last couple of nights, I haven’t had anything since I know there are high sugar foods in my future.
Eat Less Fatty Food When Home
This is the season of all the cheese and all the desserts, so along with eating more vegetables, I am focusing on eating less fatty foods in general. For example, little to no cheese, no butter, low peanut butter intake (which is hard!). Of course, I still eat ‘the good fats’, like avocado on salads and olive oil.
Get Enough Sleep
You would think that since I don’t have much work or any class during the holidays, I would be sleeping more, but it’s the opposite! Homeland is just getting good again, so I have been staying up wayyyy to late and getting up at 7.30 am. I am re-committing myself to 8 hours of sleep a night because that’s how I feel my best!
WEALTHY
Budget Money
I have a budget for myself that I use monthly and it helps me not only set limits and goals on spending, but also gives me a place to record every single purchase that I make. Sometime next week, I will be sharing a post on how I (and Luis, because we also have a shared budget for things we do together) budget money. Having a budget during the holidays helps you keep track of what you’re spending on holiday dinners and drinks, and of course, on gifts. It’s easy to watch the money just disappear during this season.
Save Shopping for After the Holidays
As soon as January comes around, store prices drop like crazy, so if you really want to go shopping, try to hold off until after the holidays. You will definitely save money!
Buy Small, But Meaningful Gifts
I think that a gift is a gift, and spending more doesn’t necessarily make it a nicer gift. I think plants and cacti make wonderful gifts, and decorate a house nicely (and don’t break the bank!). Baking someone something, or putting together a small gift with spices, or food products, can make a really nice, meaningful gift. Showing someone you care doesn’t have to be expensive, because they won’t think about the money you spent, just the thought you put into the gift.
Choose Activities Over Eating
It seems like all anyone wants to do these days is go out to eat because, of course, it’s cold and also… tis the season! But all this eating out gets $$$ so consider offering to go for a hike or a walk in a beautiful area, go out for hot cocoa or coffee, walk around to see Christmas lights, or bundle up at home and watch a movie.