December 11, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 19 Navigating the holidays: Relax and enjoy the season During the holidays, the last thing we need is another to-do list. We really need a few minutes, several times a day, to regroup and rebalance. Here are some ideas to help during this busy season. Get grounded and set your intentions. Know that you have the power to enjoy vs. get stressed. Check in with yourself often to minimize the stress and maximize ease. Set your intentions before going out the door. Decide to relax and enjoy the season. Decide to make good food choices. Noth- ing ruins a good time more than going home with regrets. Staying grounded will help you realize that goal. Wear your mission proudly and stay motivated. If you have been working at being healthier, don’t let peer pressure ruin your hard work. Let others know you are on a mission to improve your health. Tell them how much you care about stay- ing on a healthy track and how well you are doing. Then quietly pat yourself on the back for standing strong. Never starve yourself before a party or gathering. Eat normal sized meals leading up to the party. Skipping breakfast and/or lunch because you have a dinner party is never a good idea. That first drink will go straight to your head and you will end up overcompensating the rest of the evening or continuing to make poor choices. Have a snack of some sort before heading out so you don’t hit the buffet ravenously hungry, but do save room to enjoy and taste the treats being served. Find a buddy. Find someone on the same healthy page as you are and have a plan before you go out. Keep each other on track. Having a friend in the room can make some of the awkward situations easier and less likely to result in nervous eating and drinking. Taste; don’t eat. Do a “recon” of the food before you start, and make choices based on the big picture. Don’t waste calories on everyday items. Take a taste, not a full portion. This lets you try more without piling on calories. Know your trigger foods. These are the foods you want to eat without stopping. Find them, face them, and then and avoid them like the plague. Have a very small taste if you must, then get away from the table. Use veggies to fill in any slow times or if you don’t like to have empty hands or an empty plate. Be thankful for what you have and who you are. Make a new habit this season. Every day, before you start out, make a conscious effort to stop, breathe, and think of five (or more) things for which you are thankful. Remember to be grate- ful for yourself. Whether you are begin- ning your journey to wellness, or at any point along that path, thank yourself for taking care of yourself and decide what is important to you. Live your life to follow that priority. This article was submitted by Eva Conover, Health Coach, AADP of eva@evasfresh.com.