Christmas and New Year’s are truly the most wonderful time of year when we count our blessings and spend cherished time with loved ones and friends. 

It’s a time for Christmas trees, cards, twinkling lights, wreaths, presents and… 

Lots of FOOD! 

Yes indeed, the holidays usually present several opportunities to indulge in foods and beverages that are not-so-great for your health (or your waist). 

But never fear!   

Because you CAN enjoy some tasty holiday treats without gaining 10 pounds or completely derailing your health goals. 

Here’s how: 

1- It’s a balancing act 

The holidays are known for family dinners featuring a variety of delicious foods and desserts, and there is no reason to deprive yourself of a special meal.  So go ahead and enjoy your dinner. 

Just balance it out the next day with healthy simpler foods, such as soups, salads, stews, fresh vegetables, and fruits.   

Also, remember that rich meals typically cause heartburn and gas, but you can stay feeling great with a natural heartburn and indigestion remedy such as Gastro BeCalm Blend. 

Gastro BeCalm Blend eases digestive discomfort with four of Nature’s most effective, proven, and potent herbs—mastic gum, marshmallow root, ginger root and DGL licorice root.  

This awesome herbal blend helps soothe, calm and quiet a cranky stomach and pave the way for more comfortable digestion, and less heartburn and discomfort. 

2- Keep the “cheer” under control 

There is nothing wrong with having some “holiday cheer,” but be smart about it. 

Alternate cocktails with a glass of water, club soda with lemon or lime, or unsweetened iced tea. Not only will this keep the calorie tally lower, but it will also help prevent overindulgence. 

And if the “cheer” has gotten the best of you, be sure to have someone drive you home or get an Uber. 

3- Fight the sugar onslaught 

The holidays are known for Christmas cookies, pies, cakes, eggnog, and candy, but unfortunately all that sugar is murder on your gut microbiome. 

Sugar is nourishment for harmful bacteria and yeasts, which in turn stirs up gas and bloating plus weakens your immune function. 

But you can support your gut and help it bounce back from sugary holiday treats with Super Shield multi-strain probiotic formula! 

Super Shield’s variety of 13 robust probiotic strains help beef up and support the friendly bacteria in your microbiome, so it can keep the upper hand over harmful microbes, promote sound immune function, and pave the way for normal, healthy BMs. 

4- Remember the “E” word 

Exercise is important 365 days a year, but especially around the holidays when your calorie intake may be greater than usual.  

In addition, the holidays can be stressful, and exercise is the best natural stress reducer there is! 

If you are limited in time, get creative! Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator, go for a walk during your lunch hour, park far away from the door at the shopping center (if it is safe), or do push-ups, squats, dips, sit-ups, or plank during commercials while watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark station.  

You can always think of a way to get extra movement if you use your imagination. 

And now for the delicious recipe! 

Here is a recipe for a super-nutritious, healing soup that I make for my family every year around the holidays! 

It is loaded with delicious vegetables and is just what you might need after a lot of rich foods and sweets. 

Sherry's Recovery Soup 

Serves:  6 - 8 

3 tablespoons olive oil  
1 large white onion, diced 
3 large carrots, peeled, and sliced 
3 stalks celery, sliced 
2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed, and diced 
3 cups broccoli florets 
2 cups diced zucchini or yellow squash (or a mix of both) 
2 large tomatoes, diced (or 1-14 oz (about 396.89 g). can diced tomatoes) 
1-14 oz (about 396.89 g). can Great Northern or cannellini beans, rinsed 
3/4 cup fresh or frozen peas 
8 cups broth of your choice 
3 tablespoons basil pesto  
Salt and pepper to taste 
Granted Romano cheese and/or chopped fresh parsley, optional (for garnish) 

The holidays are truly magical…and there is no reason you should not enjoy yourself or end up feeling guilty, especially since you can help your body bounce back! 

May God bless you and your family this holiday season. 

To your health, 

Sherry Brescia