5 Tips to recover from a Christmas Coma

Oh I over did it this weekend!

It all started with the Nettle's Sausage and French Toast I made for my family on Christmas Eve morning. It was fantastic!  Since we've been married, my husband and I have celebrated a psuedo-Christmas morning with our blended family. Our youngest daughter Rachel, the twins and their babies either spend the night or come over in the wee early hours of the morning on Christmas Eve and we pretend its Christmas day.  It gives us the opportunity to share in the magic of Christmas morning and not deprive them of having their own Christmas morning traditions at home.

At our house, I want that breakfast to be something remembered and my family loves my french toast. For Christmas, it comes with extra powdered sugar and Pampered Chef Sweet Cinnamon Sprinkles! Oh its delightful and it warms my heart for the kiddies to come back for seconds!

That was just the beginning of my poor nutritional choices, complete with homemade M&M cookies, homemade cinnamon rolls, a full southern Christmas lunch and movie theater popcorn!  Needless to say, I went to bed last night feeling rather miserable, with a headache and bloated belly.

This morning I slept in and woke up with recovery in mind.  I've shared these tips for Halloween and Thanksgiving and they are my go-to holiday recovery!

These five easy steps will get you back on target in no time:

1. Remove - If you have high-carb, sugary, fatty leftovers in the fridge, remove them immediately.  Either freeze them or trash them now. (I think I ate everything here, so no need for me to worry about this one;))

2. Re-hydrate - Flush out the excess acid, fats, etc. Drink extra water over the next few days to replenish lost fluids and to aid in digestion. Focus on drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces. For example if you weigh 150 pounds, drink at least 75 ounces of water each day. We also recommend SPN Rehydration to re-hydrate.  It's an all natural sports drink with very little sugar and only 40 calories. (I've got my 20 oz. water bottle loaded and ready.  If you have one with a straw, you'll drink even more water without realizing it).

3. Refuel - If you're diet over the last few days has been typical of most Christmas indulgences, your digestive system has been in overdrive! Focus on getting as many raw fruits and veggies as possible this week. Remember, sugar weakens the immune system so the more fruits and veggies you can get over the next few days, the better.  An easy and convenient way to get a balanced meal with added nutrients from nutritious veggies is with a meal enhancement shake and super green supplement.  A shake like the Body FX from FirstFitness Nutrition gives you the vitamins and minerals of a complete meal and is easily digested to get you back on the right track super fast.  Adding the Vital Green adds important antioxidants to strengthen the immune system and help fend off winter colds. (Made my yummy shake in my new Magic Bullet that I got for Christmas from my sweet hubby!)

4. Recommit - Often times guilt follows our over-indulgence and that's understandable.  However, it does not move us forward, it only ties us to our mistakes.  Get over it, move on and recommit to your healthy eating habits starting today! Get out and take a walk, get back in the gym.  It'll give you more energy to get geared up for the New Year!

5. Rest - Drink a full glass of water before bed, take your vitamins, have a cup of tea and relax. Rejuvenate your body with at least 7 hours of sleep each night. (Fortunately, I'm off today and have vowed not to get out of my PJs!)


If your ready to take control of your health and make a lasting transformation, be sure to take advantage of our Life by Design!  Order it this week and get a FREE Trimbolic as my personal gift to you! 

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours!

Wishing you many blessings and a season of peace, love and fun this Christmas!

In His Love, Jason, Amy & Rachel

Digital greetings...

...from a slacker!

Here it is, Christmas Eve Eve and I have everything all wrapped and ready and waiting! I just need to mop the floors before all of our children and grandchildren come over in the morning to celebrate our pseudo-"Christmas Morning".

When Jason and I were first married, we started this! We wanted that "Christmas morning" joy with Rachel and all the kids, so we usually pretend its Christmas morning on the morning before. This allows the twins to have Christmas morning with their babies and Rachel to have the "Christmas morning" experience with her mother and family.

It feels good to have it all done. It's been done since Monday! Call me crazy but I kind of wish I had "just one more thing" to pick up just so I could see the madness at Wal-mart and the mall! I guess I feel like I'm missing out on something! Crazy I know!

So before you think I've done something great, you need to know that I did not send Christmas cards this year (or last year for that matter)! So, if you haven't received my cute little card in the mail, that's because its NOT THERE! I felt so bad for not doing it last year that I vowed I would get them out right after Thanksgiving this year... hmmm... now once again, I am vowing to do the same...

So, in lieu of paper and stamps, I have created a digital greeting for you all! Click the photo in the upper left-hand corner to receive my year-end report and Christmas wishes! Oh and to see a cute picture of Jason rocking out with a baby guitar!

If Christmas time is His birthday...

...why don't we see Him more?

24,746 things on my to-do list...

...for 2011

In the spirit of "making a list", I thought I'd get a head start on the annual tradition of New Year's resolutions. But instead of dwelling on what I'm not doing well, I thought I'd make a list of all the things I could do to be a better me in 2011. While 24,746 things may seem like a lot, once you read the list I think you'll get that its not going to be too overwhelming! ;)

I guess you could say I'm resolving to take more time for myself, my husband, my family and my community. I have other things I want to focus on too, but this is the fun stuff!

1 5k
4 facials
4 trips to the beach
12 bottles of wine
12 girls days out
12 haircuts
12 massages
12 new outfits
15 pedicures and manicures
26 family nights
52 date nights
52 memory verses
52 yoga classes
52 Zumba classes
156 workouts
200 bare-feet covered
300 meals for strangers
365 hours alone with God
23,360 ounces of water

Just to clarify, these are all minimums! As far as this list is concerned, 'more is more'! ;) Don't worry I will be setting some limits for myself in other areas!

Listen...

... for His voice
Oh, no, His voice wasn't in a bush burning

It wasn't in a rushing wind
It was still
It was small

Be still & listen

Got Stress?

Thanksgiving menus, Christmas lists, shopping, parties, plays, dinners, your in-laws.... AAUGH!!

These are just a few things that could be stressing you out as the holidays draw nearer. This stress combined with all of the 'comfort' foods that will be available over the next month can easily lead to that seven pounds we talked about last week.

Take a look at this Q&A from Edward T. Creagan, M.D. and the Mayo Clinic.

Q: How do you control stress-induced weight gain?

A: When you're under stress, you may find it harder to keep up healthy-eating habits. Also, during particularly stressful times, you may eat in an attempt to fulfill emotional needs, which is sometimes called stress eating. And you may be especially likely to eat high-calorie foods during times of stress, even when you're not hungry.

To combat weight problems during stress and reduce the risk of obesity, you need to get a handle on your stress. When you feel less stressed and more in control of your life, you may find it easier to stick to healthy-eating and exercise habits. Try these stress management techniques to combat stress-related weight gain:

1. Recognize the warning signs of stress, such as anxiety, irritability and muscle tension.
2. Before eating, ask yourself why you're eating — are you truly hungry or do you feel stressed or anxious?
3. If you're tempted to eat when you're not hungry, find a distraction.
4. Don't skip meals, especially breakfast.
5. Identify comfort foods and keep them out of your house or office.
6. Keep a record of your behavior and eating habits so that you can look for patterns and connections — and then overcome them.
7. Learn problem-solving skills so that you can anticipate challenges and cope with setbacks.
8. Practice relaxation skills, such as yoga, massage or meditation.
9. Engage in regular physical activity or exercise.
10. Get adequate sleep.
11. Get encouragement from supportive friends and family.

What are your stressors during the holidays and how do you overcome them?

Put some clothes on...

... your neighbor.


I want to introduce you to your new neighbor, my friend, James.

Maybe you met James when he was hanging around with us earlier in the year. Maybe you have no idea who or what I'm talking about and you're thinking, I've never seen this guy and he certainly doesn't live next door to me.

The truth is, he doesn't live anywhere. He's a ... "vagabond", "vagrant", "wanderer"... well not exactly. All of these terms by definition indicate that he'd have no purpose or direction in his travels. But for my friend James, this is a choice, and if you talk to him, you'll quickly find out that he doesn't classify himself as anything more than "a follower of Jesus". I'll let you read his story for yourself, I believe you will find it rather inspiring!

What I will tell you about James is that he is the founder of Clothe Your Neighbor as Yourself. At the foundation of what he does, he sells t-shirts and with the profits, he lives among and provides for our neighbors.

This organization is giving you a chance to kill two birds with one stone in this "season of giving". Here's what I mean:

1. You have a list of people who you want to give something for Christmas

2. You want to be in category 3 and "give back"

When you purchase one of these shirts for that special some one on your list, your new neighbor, James is going to take care of #2 and put you in category 3!

And thus, you will have JOY and LIVE LONGER as a result!

I'll be putting my order in and marking some names off of my list today! I hope you will do the same.

Be sure to check out the CYNY website and to follow them on Facebook and Twitter to travel along with your new neighbor, James.

"..So he asked him, "Which is the most important of all the commandments?" Jesus answered, "Here is the most important one. Moses said, 'Israel, listen to me. The Lord is our God. The Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind and with all your strength.'—(Deuteronomy 6:4,5) And here is the second one. 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.'—(Leviticus 19:18) There is no commandment more important than these." -- Mark 12:28-31

Get in Category 3...

...give!

Unless you are cut off from all forms of media, (and if you're reading this, I know you're not) you are probably in one of the following two categories:

1. Super excited that Christmas is coming, making your list, shopping, putting up your tree, planning Christmas Eve with your family, pulling out your Christmas CD collection, driving those in the next category insane!!

2. Super agitated that Thanksgiving isn't even here yet and we're already talking about Christmas, I mean Halloween wasn't over before the store had out the Christmas decor and now there are pre-Black Friday sales, c'mon!

Well, I'm here to form a third category for you!

3. Hallelujah! Christmas is coming and I am living in abundance because the Lord sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for my sins! I have more than I need and I am super excited to give back this year at Christmas!

Now, I know there are some of you out there who want to be in category 3, but don't know where to start in the "giving back". Maybe you just don't know of anyone in need or don't "trust" charitable organizations. You know, I actually have people who come to me during the holidays and ask if I know of a charity or organization they can give to at this time of year, even those who do not recognize the true meaning of Christmas (you know the part about "I am living in abundance because the Lord sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for my sins!").

Well, I'm here to help! Over the next several weeks, I intend to introduce you to some ministries and some people who I know and love who are serving others in a real and tangible way!

An article I recent read by Drs. Oz and Roizen over at Success Magazine has this to say about helping other:

Almost every study of longevity indicates one secret that makes people healthier and happier: helping others. Some research shows a 60 percent decrease in mortality figures among those who help others; they’re aided by what’s called the “helper’s high.” Specifically, it’s the dignity, the joy, the passion and the purpose of helping others that have these beneficial effects, whether you’re helping another person quit smoking, building a home for a family in need or mentoring a child at school.

So, if you want to find JOY in the season of giving and LIVE LONGER, stay tuned!