Creating or Rediscovering Healthy Family Traditions
Thanksgiving is a time to reconnect with family members you may not have seen in a year or more. It is also a time to rekindle the feeling of gratitude and love. However, for some of us the holiday season has gotten off track leaving a void where the season should pull us together. Here are a few suggestions to help us all get back in touch with healthier family traditions.
Go on a Family walk after the Big Meal
One of the best ways to recoup after a big meal is to go on a walk. Even if you can’t get the entire family together to walk, you may find that a few family members are up for it. The only way you’ll know for sure is if you try it out!
Lighten Up your Favorite Family Recipe
We all have that one favorite family recipe that’s full of sugar, butter, and other not-so-great for you ingredients. One way that you can make things a bit healthier is to experiment with lightening up the recipe. Perhaps just use a third less of those ‘bad’ ingredients and see what happens. Maybe you’ll like it just as much.
Sneak More Healthy Greens onto the Dinner Table
Instead of diving deep into carb packed veggie sides, exchange them for Brussel sprouts or roasted green beans. Anything that can cut out some of the carbs and calories is an excellent substitution.
Deliver Thanksgiving dinners to housebound people
Call your local Meals on Wheels group and offer to drop off turkey dinners to elderly and sick people around your neighborhood. Your visit will make the holiday a meaningful and special occasion to remember.
Gratitude Changes Everything
To be grateful is a choice, so let's choose gratitude by making a list of the many things we are grateful for in this world. It may not come naturally but we can’t let this stop us from giving thanks. There is so many things to be thankful for, we just have to open our eyes.
With a little effort, we can turn the holidays into a healthier happier version of their former selves.