What are you having for Xmas?
Author: Maharishi Ayurveda Date Posted:19 December 2016
Eating for Xmas
Christmas time is often a time of reconnection with friends and family and the beginning of summer holidays for many in the southern hemisphere.
Here are some tips to help you have a merry and hearty xmas and new year, filled with love, joy and moments you will treasure.
Christmas Day Tips
- Have a sit-down family meal at the table, ensuring the table is festive and dinnerware is set without television or other distractions. It is a time to share and talk and connect. It is about enjoying each others company while eating the meal at your own pace.
- Be sure to thank the cooks and shower them with appreciation for the beautiful tastes and aromas. Be effusive and generous with your compliments. See what happens when you do this.
- Eat slowly at your own pace to better digest your lovely meal and avoid the risk of seriously overeating, which happens when we eat in a rush.
- Herbal help: Consider having 1-2 tablets of Digest Tone before your meal to aid digestion, as we often eat more quantity and richer foods at this time. Take Digest Plus 1-2 tablets after the meal.
- Or for a home remedy mix equal parts of ginger powder, black pepper and white pepper and take ½ a teaspoon (5gm) at the start of the meal. Then take a drink of fennel and ginger tea at the end of the meal.
Place 1 tsp of fennel seeds and some grated ginger or ¼ tsp of ginger powder in a cup with a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 5-10 minutes and then sip and enjoy! - After eating sit for 10 minutes. Then take a gentle stroll for 20 minutes to aid digestion. Being gently active at this time aids digestion and also allows you to chat and catch up with friends and family.
- Give the precious gift of love in what you say and do.
- Take time to stop and be completely attentive when you speak with someone. Being present in the moment in this way can open up a deeper and more satisfying level of communication for you both.
- Spread the Christmas cheer of forgiveness, acceptance and love to brighten your day and the coming year. Be gracious and forgiving to yourself and others for things done or not done over the past year as you prepare for a new year and a new you!
Holiday Snacks
Snacks are important to provide a boost of mental and physical energy and are an effective way to stave off hunger pangs and prevent overeating later in the day. Reaching for sugar-laden snacks such as biscuits, cakes, chocolate bars, or salty and fatty snacks like potato chips and corn chips may provide instant satisfaction, but the quick spike in blood sugar levels will leave you feeling hungry and unsatisfied. Have healthy snacks with staying power nearby like fruit, yoghurt, a few whole grain crackers or a handful of nuts.
A snack does not replace a meal; the amount of food should be just enough to hold you over until your next meal, but not spoil your appetite. If you are not exercising regularly, check to see if you really do need a snack in between meals. Hunger can often be due to dehydration so drink a cup of green tea or a glass of water and see if hunger returns. If you are hungry and not exercising regularly then take a piece of fruit or light snack to keep you going through to lunch and start thinking about how you can fit exercise into your holiday routine.
- Grab a banana, orange, some grapes, or go tropical with pineapple and melons.
- Grab a handful of nuts to boost your energy and supply good fats to your mind and body. Try a handful of brazil nuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, etc.
- Have a small pottle of yoghurt and a warm drink.
- Get the afternoon boost you need with raisins, dried apricots, mango, papaya etc along with a palmful of nuts.
- Make a smoothie - mix up a sumptuous smoothie including yoghurt, bananas, spirulina, fruit juices and your favourite berries. A simple smoothie is to blend banana, pinch of cinnamon and milk together.
- Have a slice of fruit bread.
- Have crackers with cottage cheese and tomato, hummus or avocado.
- Enjoy a slice of whole grain bread or a bagel with some nut butter for added protein.
Wishing you an energised and happy Xmas. May your new year bring a deep fulfillment and satisfaction in all areas of your life.
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Linda Sinden has been a practising Maharishi Ayurveda Consultant since 1990 and is a regular contributor to our weekly Insights. She has a practice in Auckland, New Zealand and also provides phone or Skype sessions for those who need assistance, but don’t have a consultant in their vicinity. Email: lindasinden@orbislife.co.nz Skype: Linda.Sinden |
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