Fall is officially here and, despite our best efforts, New Year’s is less than 100 days away. Most of us will have a resolution having to do with health by that time, but let’s start working on it now to ensure a happy and healthy holiday season!
Ignore “Pumpkin” Flavored Treats
While tempting and oh-so festive, it is best to resist celebrating the falling of the leaves with one of these treats. A 16-ounce Pumpkin Spiced Latte at Starbucks made with two percent milk and whipped cream packs in 380 calories. Four pumpkin spiced sandwich cookies contain 300 calories and one pumpkin beer contains 337 calories. With those same 300 calories you could enjoy one of the following meals: Barbecue Salmon and Snap Peas (a six-ounce portion); Pork Chops Stuffed with Feta & Spinach (a four-ounce cut); and even a four-ounce filet with fresh herb and garlic rub!
Start Boosting Your Immune System
One of the benefits of following the previous tip is that your digestion and immune system will be working better since you’ll avoid a lot of sugar intake. In addition to minimizing sugar, it’s a good idea to take a high-quality probiotic on a daily basis. I recommend Klaire Labs Therbiotic Complete. Things to look for in a probiotic: it should be refrigerated, should include multiple strains of bacteria (ours have 12); and should contain anywhere from 25- to 50-billion bacteria per serving. Consult with your functional medicine doctor to determine which dosage is appropriate for you. Probiotics not only helps your digestion and improves your immune system, but also assists your body in synthesizing vitamin K and B vitamins.
Get Active
Fall is a beautiful time of year. Crisp air, changing colors of the leaves, the fetching JCrew outfits. Sign out of Facebook, set your DVR and lace up those sneakers. The moderate temperatures are a perfect time to get some mileage under your feet before the stress of the holidays. Walking will not only boost your metabolism but will help with the winter blues that some of us encounter as colder, darker days approach. It doesn’t have to just be walking – enjoy your outdoor activities. Rake the leaves, join a flag-football team, weed the garden or just chase the kids around. If you’re currently inactive, make it your goal to simply get up every morning, walk outside and take five deep breaths. Just start with something.
The goal for the next 30 days should be to lay a solid foundation of good habits. Traditionally October is a pretty quiet month so make it your practice run before the holiday rush is here. Hit up the farmers markets, cook fresh, real food, nourish yourself inside and out. Designate a team leader for your family (work or home) to have a healthy fall. Practice makes perfect!
This post was originally published on September 27, 2015 on American Daily News.
