With the holidays in full swing, I want to help you glide through these days with the grace and knowledge of a pro.

Navigating the holiday seas can seem treacherous and overwhelming at times, but with game ready awareness and tools in your pocket, it can also be a most excellent adventure.

Here are some tried and true tips to help you get all the way to 2015- Happy, Healthy and Inspired.


Change plans if the thought of the same ritual is stressful.
Do you put too much pressure on yourself? Just because you’ve done the same ritual for the past 10 years doesn’t mean you have to do it this year. Maybe some of your holiday rituals are obsolete, or you just don’t have the time/energy/bandwidth to do them all. Put your rituals to the test—If the idea of it stresses you out and brings you to a place of obligation rather than joy, skip it. Create new rituals instead.

DIY- Breathe
You can do it while driving, working, travelling, holiday shopping you name it. It’s free and you don’t even have to take a class (just read these easy how-to instructions)! Breathing is quite literally the best tool for stress. Feeling anxious because your in-laws are in town? Breathe. Have an upsetting conversation? Breathe. Feeling sad, mad or glad? Breathe. Breathing lowers your heart rate, takes you out of fight or flight stress response, and integrates you in the present moment.

Be flexible with your workouts.
Maintaining your usual exercise routine during schedule challenging times can be darn right impossible. You may not have time for a 45 minute or hour long workout. Or your trainer might be out of town, or your kids might be home and you can’t bring them to spin class can you??? Be kind and generous with yourself. If your usual workout isn’t happening, do something else. Crank out 20 minutes of cardio at the gym or take a vigorous walk. Anything is better than nothing.

Curb cravings and detox with greens.
100% green juice (usually celery, cucumber, parsley, spinach, sometimes kale or dandelion) is a quick way to alkalize and mildly detoxify post-holiday binge. If you notice your diet is getting off track or you’re beginning to feel toxic, head straight for the green juice. Buy it organic, either fresh or bottled cold-pressed. Drink at least 16 oz for maximum benefit.

Keep protein-rich snacks handy.
How many times have you said to yourself, “I don’t need to eat anything, I’m going to _____ party later tonight?” Saving your appetite for an event can be a recipe for disaster. By the time you eat, you’re so starving you’ll eat anything including more rich foods and sweets than you would like. To skip the overeating experience, have a protein-rich snack before you leave. This way you can taste all the good stuff without having to over do it.

Remember to Enjoy Yourself.
It sounds funny— I have to remember to have fun? Yes. Amidst all the chaos, it’s actually pretty easy to forget to have fun. We can get so caught up in the doing that we forget to just be. Wherever you are and whatever you may be doing in these next few weeks, practice being present. It’s guaranteed to be better than anything that comes in a box. Every moment has a special gift to offer. ☺