GO NATURAL: Make healthy holiday choices

By Rochelle Blank Special to The Packet
    At this time of the year, there are all sorts of good things to nourish ourselves with. November’s harvest dazzles us with mouth-watering seasonal crops, sure to provide a healthy intake of vitamins and nutrients. Choose to romance yourself with healthy choices. Get yourself heart-healthy, flu-resistant, party-strength energized and gracefully grounded for the flurry of family, friends and social gatherings soon to pick up speed.
    A healthy habit of mine during this time of the year is to remind myself that there are simple steps that I can take to promote a joyful, peaceful, healthy holiday season. Catch this healthy habit yourself. Make some healthy choices that make sense to you, then see how you feel.
    During fall, I am in awe of the various squashes that rule the vegetable world. Your table will benefit from favorites such as acorn, butternut and spaghetti squash. They all contain vitamin C, beta carotene, fiber and folic acid. Add to that, they are believed to be cancer fighters. Squashes are super easy to make, affordable and delicious.
    Cranberries traditionally have shared the spotlight with the centerpiece turkey. With their tart and tangy flavor, they are indeed a delicious companion. Commonly known to treat urinary tract infections, cranberries may also promote gastrointestinal and oral health, recent studies suggest. They are now also thought to prevent the formation of kidney stones, lower LDL and raise HDL (the good cholesterol). A cousin of the blueberry, cranberries may even help in the prevention of cancer.
    Another seasonal choice is the clementine. A kinfolk to the orange, clementines are loaded with vitamin C, which makes them well suited to enhance the immune system and rescue us from winter ills. This sweet tasting fruit is simple to eat — just peel, pull apart and pop into your mouth. Clementines are low on calories and a sweet choice for kids’ lunches.
    The days, now noticeably darker and seemingly shorter, can wreak havoc on our nervous system. Hooray for brown rice, which is said to increase one’s level of serotonin — the chemical responsible for feeling good. Brown rice with its sweet, nutty flavor provides fiber and lots of long-lasting energy. Because it is a whole grain that has not been stripped of its nutrients, brown rice offers us an impressive amount of heart-healthy vitamins and minerals including B vitamins, which are used in the treatment of depression.
    Romancing the holidays is also about connecting with simple healthy choices that can be a part of our lives all year long. Drink more water. Hunger is often masked as thirst, so staying hydrated will prompt you to eat less. Eat three nourishing meals a day. Skipping meals in an attempt to save calories will result in a ravenous appetite and slow down the rate at which your calories are burned. Do not go to a party hungry. Eat a good meal before you go. Reduce processed sugar. If you are looking for ways to trim holiday calories, trim your alcohol consumption. Continue to exercise. Get more sleep. Well rested, well nourished people tend to handle stress better and enjoy life more.
    Schedule something special for yourself that will nourish and support your well being.
    Though the holidays are a time of year for traditions, don’t try to do it all. Simplifying your celebrations will reduce stress. Plan ahead and ask what you need — this year — to create a healthy holiday. What do I want to accomplish before the end of the year? Make a short list. Set a realistic goal. Ask for support from friends and family.
    Finally, it’s always refreshing and a welcome relief on perspective to focus on the true meaning of the holidays. Slow down a little bit from your everyday life and give real thought to what you are thankful for. Feeling grateful and appreciative attracts more of what you are grateful for and value into your life. Celebrate vibrant health, kindness, generosity, friendship and love. What better way to honor yourself and the spirit of the holidays?
Rochelle Blank, HHC, AADP, is a holistic health counselor and owner of A Natural Choice. For more information, or to ask questions, contact Ms. Blank at www.a-naturalchoice.com. She will speak about “Romancing the Holidays with Healthy Choices” at the Princeton Public Library on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
All about winter squash, plus great recipes — http:// whatscookingamerica.net/ SquashRecipes.htm