I have a few end of year/new year related posts to share with you in the upcoming days but for today I thought I would actually share some of the things I’ve been eating lately. It’s been a while since I have written a meals-based post and I’m sure most of you could use a break from all the “best of 2012/2013 goals” posts that are all over the blog world.
I will use this post as an opportunity to address my take on getting over the holiday food/drink hangover that so many of us experience. I am just really not into the whole “must clean up my diet” thing after the holidays. It’s too much pressure and for me it is pointless to try to eat perfectly clean. I have finally realized that I naturally fall back into my normal routine and get back to equilibrium without freaking out about it and setting all these parameters around how I should be eating and exercising. I have naturally been craving hearty and healthy meals but I’m still splurging on leftover dessert and Christmas candy when I feel like it. I try to keep my workouts consistent and I find that helps a ton to help me feel good (and sane) throughout the holidays and into the new year.
I am the first to say that what works for one does not work for all but I function best when I strive for that whole 80/20 balance and don’t restrict certain foods or commit to working out a set number of times/types. It’s the whole being intuitive with your body thing. Some days I crave salad and protein and others I may want cupcakes and wine. Some weeks I want to run and CrossFit and workout really hard while others yoga is a perfectly great way to get my exercise in.
How do you “get back on track?” Are you more in the camp of “say it, do this thing” or “eh, it will all even out?”
Now, for that food!
Vegetable soup and cheese and crackers.
A small slice of red velvet cake.
Veggie pita pizza.
Omelet with smoked salmon, spinach, goat cheese and avocado.
Butternut squash and bean chili. Love this recipe. Cast iron cheddar cornbread on the side. Love this recipe too.
Coffee, banana eggnog oatmeal and grapefruit juice.
I just received the sweetest text from a friend about 2012 being behind us and the possibility that the new year ahead brings. She finished the text with, “Intention everything you could ever imagine.” What a great thought to carry with me today.
Happy New Year’s Eve. However you celebrate, wishing you love and peace to close the year and light and unlimited potential to start a new one.
*And if you are in need of a little kick in the butt to get back on track, Katherine at The Real Food Runner is hosting another 7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge. I would participate but I don’t have a blender! 😛
Love, love, LOVE your take on holiday splurges and handling the “hangover” that often follows! I find that if I truly listen to my body throughout the holiday season, I never go so overboard that I feel the need to “detox” in the first place. I enjoy plenty of cookies, candy, etc., but I stop before I’m too full and I continue habits like eating a healthy breakfast, drinking plenty of water, etc.
I’ve never been quite as good with exercising intuitively, though…I’m usually a “Do this activity x times per week” type of person. Perhaps this is what has led to my most recent injuries…Pushing through when my body truly needed an extra rest day or a lighter workout. Definitely something to work on this year once I’m recovered!
Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve!
I love this post because I totally agree with you…I hate that mindset of having to clean up your diet after the holidays! For me, I just want to catch up on sleep to feel better since social things will wind down a little. But I have no intention of restricting myself in any way food wise and wouldn’t want to, it all just evens out and my body will crave what it needs.
I agree with EVERYTHING you say in this post. Delicious eats and here is to a happy, safe, fun, and new beginning to 2013! Let’s stay positive and enjoy it all. XOXO
I love this! I think you have such a wonderful balance of health and indulgence, and that is SO so important. I know it will all even out. I ate very clean today and fully intend on stuffing myself with seafood and cheese and crackers and beer tonight. Because what’s all that working out and clean eating for if you can’t reward yourself with wine and ice cream?! Alllll about the balance, and no restrictions. I love health and I love indulgences, and too much of one and none of the other can have the total opposite effect. Hope you have an incredible 2013!!
Every year previous to this one, I have totally gorged and binged on food from Halloween to New Year’s Day and then of course freaked out and had to “get back on track,” sometime in January. This year, nope. Losing 45 lbs has done wonders for myself. I no longer want to gorge and binge on foods and also find myself natually wanting more vegetables, fruits and enjoying holiday treats when they come up. I managed to have a very enjoyable (and delicious) Christmas and can’t get enough citrus right now! Bring on 2013, I’m so excited for what this year has in store for me.
Happy New Year!
One of my favorite quotes regarding this topic: “Everything in moderation…INCLUDING moderation!” 😉
I love this post. I am trying very hard to keep a positive and healthy mindset in regards to this subject because you’re right…it’s wayyy too much pressure, and putting restrictions on what I allow myself to eat takes joy out of my life because I love cooking, experimenting, and I love eating! But that being said, I have gained quite a few from the way I’ve been eating the past couple of months and it’s really hard to not beat myself up over it.
Love the post, but I’m full on board the back on track train! I usually aim for 80/20 but I’ve been indulging and having a wonderful time with family for the past 11 days and looks forward to the cliche clean start of the new year!
Love your post! And the recipe for your chile. Going shopping today and will be making this week! One of my favorite quotes sums up how I feel about New Years and resolutions.
“I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.” ~Anaïs Nin
Oh my! The chili is delicious!!!! I couldn’t stop tasting it. What a great recipe! Can’t wait to eat it with some greek yogurt and avocado. Thank you so much for posting that recipe!!
Love your take on holiday eating!!! Right on point!
really enjoyed this post! consistency trumps perfection any day. love love love the honesty and personality that has been in all your posts lately. happy new year to you. 🙂
thank you so much kaitlyn! means so much to me to be able to “put myself out there” a bit and feel supported. xoxo