Turkey Time Tools by Carina Sohaili

Thanksgiving is a time for friends, family and memories to be made – not a time for feeling guilty about food choices or depriving yourself of certain foods. Below are my Turkey Time Tools so you can be healthy AND enjoy yourself. My tips were also featured in Fox News Magazine.

Preparation before the meal:

  • A huge mistake my clients tend to make is eating very little until the big meal. This is a recipe for disaster. Make sure you have a solid breakfast and lunch filled with a good combination of protein and healthy carbohydrates. When you starve yourself during the day in preparation for a huge meal your body has a much harder time acknowledging when you are actually full. You also will get much more intense cravings for sugary and carbohydrate heavy sweets.
  • Ditch the all or nothing diet mentality. So many people have “cheat” days then are excessively strict and deprive themselves. This causes them to overeat way too much when they “let themselves go.” I always hear “I am starting my diet tomorrow.” You should erase the term diet from your vocabulary. Indulge in a balanced way; if you are craving a serving of stuffing have a portion but do not eat three servings. Do you notice how the first serving of an amazing food tastes the best? The food is not as good the second or third time around.
  • Remember why you are at the Thanksgiving table in the first place. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and be grateful for the people you are surrounded by. Focus on friends, family and conversation. The dinner is only one part of the equation.
  • Whether it is a morning jog, a brisk family hike or a football game do something to get your sweat on. Make time for physical activity even if it is a twenty minute fast walk around the block before dinner. Everything counts and something is better than nothing. Make it a friend and family event. Everything is better with a buddy.

What to eat:

  • Fill up on protein! Go for the light meat instead of the dark meat and skip the skin. Light meat has less saturated fat (unhealthy fat) than the dark meat. Filling up on protein increases your feelings of satisfaction, stabilizes your blood sugar levels and will keep you more full for a longer amount of time. If you are vegetarian make sure there is a healthy protein option at your dinner so you do not just overeat stuffing or marshmallow yams. (Check out my Meal Makeover Spaghetti Squash video tutorial here for a healthy vegetarian option.)
  • Get creative! So many people are closed-minded when it comes to healthy alternatives and ignore the idea before they even try it. I always teach my clients to find some healthy swaps that they can enjoy. Instead of marshmallows add Greek yogurt (with stevia) to the Yams. Spice up your dishes with cinnamon, garlic and nutmeg instead of extra butter and excessive oils. Spices are incredible; they are huge metabolism boosters, help curb cravings and increase post meal satisfaction levels. Not to mention transform the taste of dishes.
  • Get your greens on! There is always a healthy basic side dish at Thanksgiving whether it is steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts. Just make sure it is not soaked in extra butter or excessive oils.
  • What about dessert? Easy breezy! If you are unable to bring a healthy dessert like my warm pumpkin cranberry parfait then simply indulge in a balanced way. Guess what? If you did fill up on protein you will 100% not crave the same amount of dessert you do normally. Take time to visit, play card games or watch a movie with the family. Always have an activity besides just eating dessert. If you have a love affair with pumpkin pie, have a slice, enjoy it and move on. I also am a huge dark chocolate fan! Check out two of my favorite, “no brainer” Eat Yourself Gorgeous dark chocolate healthy desserts here.

Have a plan for the day: what you are going to indulge in, what you are going to pass on and how you are going to get your sweat on. Everyone is different so it is really important to understand what your weakness is and be aware of it. If it is eating too much stuffing to avoid talking to that relative who you have nothing in common with or having one two many helpings of marshmallow yams. Simply keep yourself in check and focus on the bigger picture of why you are together in the first place. 

Remember to have compassion for yourself; always focus on progress, not perfection.

Small consistent steps overtime is how lasting change occurs.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Need more health tools?

Check out my Flu Fighting Foods, my Divine Dark Chocolate Munchies and my Beauty Bites!

Healthy Holiday Eat Yourself Gorgeous Meal Makeover Videos: https://www.vibranthealthylife.com/videos-meal-makeovers-with-carina-sohaili

XX,

Carina

Join the community for holiday tips all season long:

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Indulge and Go Dark: A Heart Healthy Halloween by Carina Sohaili

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Halloween and the numerous holidays coming up are a time for friends, family and memories to be made. Depriving yourself of certain foods tend to lead you to overeat the foods you forbid in the first place and then deprive yourself of them again; an unhealthy cycle. How do you enjoy yourself while being healthy? Become a fan of dark chocolate! I also have included two of my client favorite “no brainer” Eat Yourself Gorgeous healthy dark chocolate recipes: my warm dark chocolate pumpkin puree and my divine dark chocolate apple crisp sandwich.

Select wisely. Many labels advertise “healthy dark chocolate” but really are loaded with processed sugars, excessive ingredients and preservatives (defeating the purpose of going dark). To get the most health benefits make sure the chocolate is made with a minimum of 70% pure cacao and read the back of the label. Try to get as real as possible with little added ingredients. I always carry a couple of squares in my purse whenever I need a 3PM pick me up or post dinner treat. I also love munching on a small handful of dark chocolate chips (Lily’s brand is a great choice) instead of that afternoon cup of coffee. If you are looking for an easy but healthy Halloween treat – this is it. Trader Joe’s has great pre-portioned snack bars. Balance is key. 1/2 ounce (around 2-3 squares) is a good snack size.

BEAUTIFUL benefits of going dark:

  • Beat cavities. Dark chocolate contains Theobromine, a compound that hardens your tooth enamel, lowering the risk of cavities.
  • Feel good. Dark Chocolate triggers the release of “feel good” hormones in your brain. The same “feel good” hormones that get released after you do physical activity or when you are falling in love.
  • Control Cravings. This delicious delight does not spike your blood sugar levels. What does that mean? You will have more stable energy levels throughout the day, and not have that sudden crash you normally get with other candy. Most candies contain tons of sugars and hidden preservatives that make it very hard to tell when you are actually full. So you just keep munching and suddenly the bag is empty!
  • Fight the flu. Dark chocolate contains zinc (which most people lack in their diet). Zinc is a mineral superstar when it comes to boosting your immune system and also great for smooth clear skin. (More Filling Flu Fighting Foods can be found here and Skin Clearing Smart Snacks can be found here.)
  • Focus. Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the heart and brain improving your thought processing abilities. Brain food!

Eat Yourself Gorgeous Divine Dark Recipes (all take fifteen minutes or less to make with under four ingredients):

Divine Dark Chocolate Apple Crisp Sandwich: Slice up an apple and bake in the oven for around five-ten minutes until the top is a golden brown. Spice up your life and add spices of your choice (cinnamon is a great one). Apples are nature’s candy but if you like things extra sweet sprinkle on some stevia (an all natural sweetener). Then melt ½ ounce of dark chocolate, spread and smack together to make your baked apple dark chocolate sandwich. If you like this recipe, you can find my Cinnamon Almond Butter Apple Sandwich recipe here.

Quick tip: practice planning! Take an hour on Sunday and make a batch of dark chocolate apple sandwiches for the week ahead so you can have a delicious, divine treat whenever that craving hits. I have a client bring these babies to work and she shares them with the entire office instead of her normal weekly crispy cream run.

Warm Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Puree: Use 1/2 cup of organic canned pumpkin that you can find at any local market, and is the same price as normal canned pumpkin. (For another easy pumpkin recipe check out my Pumpkin Spice Pancake Video Tutorial here.) Blend the pumpkin with ½ ounce of melted dark chocolate and heat up in a saucepan for around one minute. Mix in one tablespoon of stevia an all-natural sweetener from the stevia leaf and as always, spice it up with cinnamon or nutmeg. For more dark chocolate recipes check out my Dark Chocolate Avocado Shake Recipe, my Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Video Tutorial and my Dark Chocolate Muffin recipe featured in Entrepreneur magazine here.

For more pumpkin recipes and healthy comfort food options check out my Eat Yourself Gorgeous Fall Video Series.

Remember, everyone is different, has different tastes, preferences and goals. As always, focus on progress not perfection. Every small change counts. 

Join the community for inspiration and more health tools:

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Love always,

Carina

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Satisfying Beauty Bites by Carina Sohaili

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The time has come to get your glow on! Once you start eating better, you start feeling better. Try munching on these satisfying beauty bites and eat your way to radiance:

  1. The Zesty Lemon Avocado Mash: One of my favorite stress reducing bites that I always suggest to clients is my zesty lemon avocado mash. The perfect 3pm pick me up. Mash up ½ of a medium avocado (the ideal snack size), add a dash of sea salt and freshly squeezed lemon. If you are on the run or at work simply do a little planning in advance. Just like any muscle, the more you practice planning the easier it gets. First and foremost, the myth that fat is bad drives me crazy. Avocados are packed with heart healthy monounsaturated fats. These fats have been proven to reduce stress as well as increase post-meal satisfaction levels. Moreover, avocados contain plant protein to keep you more full for a longer amount of time, give you lasting energy and curb unhealthy junk food cravings. Adding the lemon will help reduce stomach bloating, strengthen immunity and help clear up blemishes due to the high vitamin C content. For more skin clearing snacks check out my Meal Makeover skin clearing French Fry video here and my recent TV appearance here. Lemon also will prevent this splendid spring bite from turning brown if you are at work. If you are craving a crunchy munch instead of a mash try dipping in some freshly sliced red bell peppers which are huge immune system boosters and loaded with skin clearing vitamin C.
  2. My Sweet Cinnamon Apple Almond Butter Sandwich: Spread ½ tablespoon of almond butter over two thick apple slices (I love Pink Lady apples). Add cinnamon and nutmeg to the almond butter before spreading. It is very easy to go almond butter crazy; keep your portions in check to make this a smart snack. If you know that the jar will be gone in five minutes try another snack – everyone is different. Apples are one of my favorite healthy carbohydrates and are packed with fiber, keeping you full and satisfied for a longer amount of time. Not to mention the combination of different vitamins in apples is great for banishing blemishes. Pairing an apple with almond butter will keep your blood sugar levels stable, which will reduce your cravings for junk food. Cinnamon and nutmeg are two of my favorite slimming spices because they are both natural metabolism boosters and increase your post-meal satisfaction levels. Have a sweet tooth? Check out my healthy dark chocolate version of the snack here and my feel good dark chocolate shake recipe here or my creamy dark chocolate ice cream video here.
  3. The Get Gorgeous Baked Spice Grapefruit: Sprinkle half of a medium grapefruit with cinnamon, nutmeg and 1/2 tablespoon of stevia (an all-natural sweetener that does not spike your blood sugar levels). Bake for five minutes at 375 F until the top is a golden brown. If you are on the run or at work, you can enjoy this divine delight without baking it. Grapefruit is a great source of vitamin C and vitamin A, two vitamins that have been proven to contribute to clear skin, a more even complexion, and a reduction in those pesky dark circles under your eyes. Moreover, grapefruit contains an enzyme that aids in burning fat. It is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up when you are losing focus and hanger (hunger-anger) starts to kick in.
  4. My Chunky Pineapple Cream Cup: Combine 1/2 cup of plain non-fat Greek Yogurt, 1/2 cup of pineapple and 1 tablespoon of stevia. Pineapples contain specific enzymes that improve skin hydration, decrease fine lines and give you an overall smoother complexion. These enzymes also help fight off damaging free radicals that contribute to aging. The protein in the Greek yogurt will make this a smart snack because it will keep you more full for a longer amount of time (not to mention, give it a richer creamier taste). The healthy carbohydrates from the fruit will keep you energized until your next meal (for another healthy parfait option check out my Eat Yourself Gorgeous pumpkin parfait video here).

Get creative. If the concept of putting together a smart snack is overwhelming find simple options that work for you in your life. Nourish yourself from the inside out and be selfish. Find time to make your health a priority. My recipes also were featured in Sweet Lemon Magazine. More information about my Custom Eat Yourself Gorgeous Programs can be found here.

As always, focus on progress – not perfection.

Stay tuned for my special announcement I get to share very soon…

XO, Carina

Connect with me & join the VHL party for health tools, tips and inspiration:

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A Heart Healthy Valentine’s Day by Carina Sohaili

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Here are some tools for your mind and body to celebrate the month of love in a heart healthy way. From divine dark treats (my warm dark chocolate cinnamon banana bites) to eating out made easy, and the heart healthy benefits of sassy salmon – I have you covered in my step-by-step guide.

Go Dark. Chocolate and the day of love go hand in hand. Deprivation is no fun and leads to the deadly combination of HANGER. Not to mention, it is no way to live life. You also will most likely end up overeating then repeating the unhealthy cycle. Instead, go dark and indulge in dark chocolate.

Select Wisely. Many labels advertise “healthy dark chocolate” but really are loaded with processed sugars (defeating the purpose of going dark). Make sure the chocolate is made with a minimum of 70% pure cocoa and read the back of the label. Try to get as real as possible with little added ingredients. I always carry a square in my purse whenever I need a 3PM pick me up or post dinner treat (Lily’s Brand is a great choice). Just because dark chocolate has incredible health benefits does not mean you can go to town! Around 1-2 squares (1/2-1 ounce) is a good snack size. Moderation is key. Below are some of the beautiful benefits of going dark and my simple warm cinnamon chocolate banana bites.

Feel good. Dark Chocolate triggers the release of “feel good” hormones in your brain. The same “feel good” hormones that get released after you do physical activity or when you are falling in love.

Control Cravings. This delicious delight does not spike your blood sugar levels. What does that mean? You will have more stable energy levels throughout the day, and not have that sudden crash you normally get with other candy. Most candies contain tons of sugars and hidden preservatives that make it very hard to tell when you are actually full. So you just keep munching and suddenly the bag is empty!

Fight the flu. Dark chocolate contains zinc (which most people lack in their diet). Zinc is a mineral superstar when it comes to boosting your immune system. (For more flu fighting foods check out my piece here). You can also check out my featured piece in Beauty High Magazine on why I love dark chocolate for clear skin.

Focus. Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the heart and brain improving your thought processing abilities. Brain food.

Carina’s Simple Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Banana Bites: melt ½ ounce of dark chocolate in a saucepan for around 30 seconds to a liquid texture of your liking. Place half of a sliced banana in a cooking pan with organic cooking spray and heat on the stove for around 10-15 seconds until the top of the banana slices are a light golden brown. Drizzle the melted dark chocolate over the warm banana slices. Always spice up your life! Add cinnamon or nutmeg (for more slimming spices read my piece here) and if you like things extra sweet add a dash of stevia (an all natural sweetener from the stevia plant). Craving more dark chocolate? Check out  two more of my “no brainer” dark chocolate recipes here that take less than 10 minutes to make. If you are a fan of ice cream you can watch Creamy One Ingredient Dark Chocolate Ice Cream video tutorial here.

Sass it up with salmon: salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy fat that the body does not produce on its own. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the risk of heart disease, irregular heartbeats and help lower blood pressure levels. These healthy fats also increase your ability to focus and improve your mood. For a healthy side dish to go with the salmon check out my Avocado Zucchini Pasta video tutorial here. If you are eating out, the best way to order salmon is steamed or poached to retain all the nutrients.

Be brave and branch out…by staying in. Instead of going out to a fancy dinner with your significant other or group of friends plan to cook a meal at home. Home cooked meals are much healthier than eating out and getting comfortable in the kitchen is a great bonding activity. Cooking may seem draining or daunting at first but just like using a muscle that you have not used, it will get stronger and easier with time. Check out my Eat Yourself Gorgeous Meal Makeover Videos here for a library of simple recipes.

Mind. Valentine’s day is a day of love; show yourself and your loved ones how much you truly care by taking a step to make health a priority. Even if it is a small change, everything counts. If you are feeling alone on Valentine’s Day treat yourself to a delicious healthy home cooked meal, massage or activity that YOU enjoy.

Indulge and invest in yourself. Once you start focusing on your own health (mentally and physically) the right people will fill your life. Everything happens for a reason. Trust the process.

Stay tuned for my special announcement coming soon…

Check out my Eat Yourself Gorgeous Video Series here

Join the party for health tips and easy recipes:

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Love always,

Carina

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Filling Flu Fighting Foods by Carina Sohaili

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Food is the best medicine around and nobody likes being sick! The time has come to start eating your way to radiance…

Here are two of my favorite foods to help protect you against the flu, curb unhealthy cravings, boost energy levels, and get that skin glowing. Not to mention a way to make your favorite comfort foods a bit healthier.

Pasta please! Instead of your traditional pasta, go for skin clearing spaghetti squash. This sassy squash is packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and magnesium. Need some energy? Hello magnesium! This mineral is responsible for energy production within the body. It also helps slow down the aging process which will minimize those pesky crows feet and fine lines.

Feeling a bit bloated? Potassium helps flush the body of excessive toxins and waste that is fantastic for de-bloating. Vitamin C and vitamin A protect your skin from dry, flaky, rough patches and is key in strengthening your immune system (two of the best vitamins for fighting the flu around.) Squash is a healthy carbohydrate high in dietary fiber, which will keep you more full for a longer amount of time. This will help prevent you from reaching for that office donut. The rich warm flavor of squash is a flu fighting favorite of mine; it will warm you without filling you out. Not to mention, tastes divine! Check out my simple video tutorial on how to make it here.

Precious pumpkin! Pumpkin is one of my favorite skin super foods loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Not to mention, beta-carotene, a cancer fighting antioxidant. Vitamin A is fantastic for the bags and dark circles under your eyes, while vitamin C will give your skin a young, dewy glow. These two vitamins are also great immune system boosters. Here is my pumpkin pancake taco recipethat is a client favorite and takes less than 10 minutes to make.

Stay tuned for all new Eat Yourself Gorgeous Meal Makeover episodes out soon (watch episodes 1-5 here) and a very exciting announcement I am waiting to share with the community!

Learn more about my Custom Eat Yourself Gorgeous Programs

For more free videos, health tools and easy recipes join the VHL party and connect with me!

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Love always,

Carina

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Holiday Party Tools by Carina Sohaili

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The holidays are about memories, moments and fun. There is no time for feeling deprived or guilty about food choices (that also is not the answer to a happy life). Below are my simple tools (nine easy to apply steps) so you can enjoy the holiday season without the guilt.

Remember, nobody’s perfect. Set realistic goals to stay on track so you can truly enjoy this holiday season and not go on a crazy diet in the New Year.

For more Holiday Tools check out my article featured on Active.com on Healthy Holiday Sides (link is at the end of the piece) my Eat Yourself Gorgeous Meal Makeover Video Series and my Everyday Health featured piece.

  1. Never go to a party starving. Often times when we are stressed out, tired or cranky it is because we are eating sugary packed junk foods and unhealthy sweets with preservatives. These foods make us crave more unhealthy foods and mess with the hormones that regulate the stress response within the body. By nourishing your body with nutrient dense foods and always having a healthy snack, you will have increased energy, a calmer demeanor and be less likely to lose control at the holiday buffet. One of my favorite snacks is organic canned pumpkin with a dollop of plain all natural Greek yogurt. This is a great combination of a healthy carbohydrate (from the pumpkin) and protein from the Greek yogurt. I call it my special “bliss in a cup” energizing snack. It is quick, easy to make and leaves me feeling like I just ate a slice of pumpkin pie. Moreover, the fiber in the pumpkin is great for your digestive system especially during the Holidays. Watch my video tutorial on how to make it here.
  2. Eat real food before you reach for the sugary sweets. Fill up on protein before you head to the dessert table. Protein will help stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep you more full and satisfied for a longer amount of time. By eating protein you will reduce your cravings for junk food and sweets. One of my favorite protein appetizer options is shrimp, which you can find at most holiday parties (if not, be a great guest and bring a healthy appetizer). Just do not drench your shrimp in the cocktail sauce, which is usually made with excessive sugars. Instead squeeze on some freshly sliced lemon for flavor and zest (lemon helps with holiday bloating and is a great immune system booster as well). If you are vegetarian, hummus is normally a party platter favorite and a good source of protein.
  3. Indulge in a balanced way. If you are craving a serving of pie have a reasonable portion but do not eat three servings. Do you notice how the first serving of an amazing food tastes the best? The food is not as good the second or third time around. This will prevent you from feeling deprived and then overeating later on.
  4. Munch on veggies. Often times when we are not hungry but see other people eating it is very easy to mindlessly put food in our bodies. When I am in the mood to munch I always go for veggies. I love carrots because of the vitamin-A. Vitamin- A is great for vision, dark circles under your eyes and an immune system booster.
  5. Volunteer to bring a healthy side to your next holiday party. Not only are you a great guest because you are contributing to the party (the host will love you!) but you can ensure that there is something delicious AND healthy for you to eat. Bringing a healthy side does not have to be complicated or overwhelming. Check out my library of healthy holiday cooking videos from Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes to Skin Clearing Spaghetti Squash here! All take less than 20 minutes to make.
  6. Be mindful of your environment. It is very easy to overeat when everyone around you is overeating as well.
  7. Always have a plan. If you know you are going to be around a group of people that over-indulge all the time, have a plan going into the situation. Make it clear what you are going to indulge in, what you are going to pass on and other activities you are going to focus on (schedule a family game of cards or talk to that uncle who you have not seen in a while). Focus on friends, family and conversation; not simply stuffing your face with food at the holiday buffet. Remember why you are at the gathering in the first place.
  8. Learn to take a deep breath and slow down. It is okay to say no to certain events if you are feeling drained and over-worked. Finding balance, especially during the holiday season is important. Recognize when you are doing too much and be okay with cutting back. You do not have to be superman (or woman). Make choices that are energy inducing as opposed to energy draining. Be smart about your time and how you invest it.
  9. Ditch the all or nothing diet mentality. I always say to focus on progress instead of perfection. So many people have “cheat” days then are excessively strict and deprive themselves. This causes them to overeat way too much when they “let themselves go.” I always hear “I am starting my diet tomorrow.” You should erase the term diet from your vocabulary.

Eat Yourself Gorgeous Meal Makeover Holiday Cooking Video Series: https://www.vibranthealthylife.com/videos-meal-makeovers-with-carina-sohaili

Active.com featured piece: http://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/5-healthy-makeovers-for-holiday-sides

Everyday Health featured piece: http://www.everydayhealth.com/food/8-Health-Experts-Weigh-In-on-Navigating-the-Holidays-the-Healthy-Way.aspx#/slide-7

Just like any muscle, the more you practice consistent healthy habits the easier they will get. By implementing these tools you will be less stressed and have more energy to invest in activities you truly enjoy. Happy Holidays!

For more easy recipes and health secrets connect with me:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ YouTube ~ Quick Tip Newsletter ~ Blog

Love always,

Carina

* Stay tuned for an exciting announcement I get to share VERY soon!!

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Turkey Time Tools by Carina Sohaili

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Thanksgiving is a time for friends, family and memories to be made – not a time for feeling guilty about food choices or depriving yourself of certain foods. Below are my Turkey Time Tools so you can be healthy AND enjoy yourself. My tips were also featured in Fox News Magazine; I have included the article link at the end of the piece.

Preparation before the meal:

  1. A huge mistake people make is eating very little until the big meal. This is a recipe for disaster. Make sure you have a solid breakfast and lunch filled with a good combination of protein and healthy carbohydrates. When you starve yourself during the day in preparation for a huge meal your body has a much harder time acknowledging when you are actually full. You also will get much more intense cravings for sugary and carbohydrate heavy sweets.
  2. Ditch the all or nothing diet mentality. So many people have “cheat” days then are excessively strict and deprive themselves. This causes them to overeat way too much when they “let themselves go.” I always hear “I am starting my diet tomorrow.” You should erase the term diet from your vocabulary. Indulge in a balanced way; if you are craving a serving of stuffing have a small portion but do not eat three servings. Do you notice how the first serving of an amazing food tastes the best? The food is not as good the second or third time around.
  3. Remember why you are at the Thanksgiving table in the first place…not to stuff your face with food! Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and be grateful for the people you are surrounded by. Focus on friends, family and conversation. The dinner is only one part of the equation.
  4. Whether it is a morning jog, a brisk family hike or a football game do something to get your sweat on. Make time for physical activity even if it is a twenty-minute fast walk around the block before dinner. Everything counts and something is better than nothing. Make it a friend and family event. Everything is better with a buddy.

What to eat:

  1. Fill up on protein! Go for the light meat instead of the dark meat and skip the skin. Light meat has less saturated fat (unhealthy fat) than the dark meat. Filling up on protein increases your feelings of satisfaction, stabilizes your blood sugar levels and will keep you more full for a longer amount of time. This will prevent you from having thirds, fourths and fifths of the bad stuff. If you are vegetarian make sure there is a healthy protein option at your dinner so you do not just overeat stuffing or marshmallow yams. (Check out my Meal Makeover Spaghetti Squash video tutorial here for a healthy vegetarian option.)
  2. Get creative! So many people are closed-minded when it comes to healthy alternatives. Find some healthy swaps. Instead of marshmallows add Greek yogurt to the Yams. Spice up your dishes with cinnamon, garlic and nutmeg instead of extra butter and oils. Spices are incredible; they are huge metabolism boosters, help curb cravings and increase post meal satisfaction levels. Not to mention transform the taste of dishes. Check out my new Eat Yourself Gorgeous Healthy Holiday Cooking Videos here for quick and easy suggestions.
  3. Get your greens on! There is always a healthy basic side dish at Thanksgiving whether it is steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts. Just made sure it is not soaked in butter or excessive oils. Do not be shy to ask how food is prepared. You should be proud you care about your health.
  4. What about dessert? Easy breezy! The crust in the pumpkin pie is the killer. If you are unable to bring a healthy dessert like my warm pumpkin cranberry parfait then simply indulge in a balanced way. Guess what? If you did fill up on protein you will 100% not crave the same amount of dessert you do normally. Take time to visit, play card games or watch a movie with the family. Always have an activity besides just eating dessert. Have the inside of the pumpkin pie, skip the crust and whipped cream toppings. I am also a huge dark chocolate fan! Check out two of my favorite, “no brainer” Eat Yourself Gorgeous dark chocolate healthy desserts here.
  5. Have a plan for the day: what you are going to indulge in, what you are going to pass on and how you are going to get your sweat on. Everyone is different so it is really important to understand what your weakness is and be aware of it. If it is eating too much stuffing to avoid talking to that relative who you have nothing in common with or having one two many helpings of marshmallow yams. Simply keep yourself in-check and focus on the bigger picture of why you are together in the first place.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Healthy Holiday Eat Yourself Gorgeous Meal Makeover Videos: https://www.vibranthealthylife.com/videos-meal-makeovers-with-carina-sohaili

Fox News Magazine Thanksgiving Feature: http://magazine.foxnews.com/food-wellness/how-survive-thanksgiving-without-packing-pounds      

Join the community for health tools, holiday tips and free videos all season long:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ YouTube ~ Quick Tip Newsletter

Love always,

Carina

Stay tuned for a very exciting announcement I get to share VERY soon!

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