Thanksgiving, how did you do?

While there’s no scorecard (well there sort of is), how do you feel after the first holiday hurdle of the season? Many of our Foodtrainees checked in with us and for the most part the reports were something to the effect of “I feel much better than in past years” which was music to our ears. As the week progresses we’ll meet with and hear from some clients who overdid it. Either way, evaluate and reset if need be.

I write a lot about planning for the holidays  but wanted to show you a little recap, Carolyn and I love a plate pic. Here are some….

Never save up on a holiday eat your regular breakfast and lunch

Don't fill up on heavy apps, stick to crudite 

Love looking at various plates (actual dinnerware) 

How was your thanksgiving? Any family drama? What was your favorite thing you ate? Mine was the turkey...so delicious this year. 

The party is over but that's ok

I was recently away as my kids had spring break. Before I complain, you should know that I fully appreciated the warm weather, the leisure time (although I am guilty of scheduling vacation days) and opportunity to explore a new place. On this trip I tried sour sop, star apple, naseberry, Blue Mountain coffee and pretty much jerk everything. The trip was invigorating, special, adventurous, beautiful etc.

When our plane landed at JFK last night I received an email from a friend.

When are you working out this week? I am aiming to go everyday this starting tomorrow at 9:30. I need to get back to my routine, traveling with the family vacation left me totally out of shape

I’ll have you know via Facebook I know for a fact this friend doesn’t appear out of shape and never has but I totally understand that she felt it. She added.

I know it’s against the Slayton rule to start over on Monday but I am.

I joked that it’s so sad. I was away at a place with an organic farm. I was eating greens, active and hardly boozing it up but still felt more than a little off. I told her I was rebooting today as well.

My healthy friend added I brought my nutribullet, my miraculous powders and found kale at a market in the Bahamas it’s not like I was pounding pina coladas but still...

If you’re still with me after the post Jamaica woe is meing let me explain. It doesn’t take a lot, especially when you’re in a good routine, to feel off after a week away. The three main culprits are the salt (when you’re eating most meals out), slightly less exercise (or less intense exercise) and a GI slowdown many experience.

Post vacation plan: 

• Go Plain Jane- hard-boiled eggs, simply grilled chicken or poached salmon are perfect. Befriend the steamer or hit the farmer’s markets for some fresh, raw greens. For condiments apple cider vinegar, walnut or coconut oil and lemon are where it's at.
• P and C or probiotics and chia daily. If your GI system slows down with the rest of you while away, I hear you. I love the cocochia packets as they contain both probiotics and chia. If your probiotic supplement is hiding in the cabinet time to put it near your toothbrush so you remember to take it.
• Sweat- cardio helps with jetlag if you have it and it also helps you loose that fluid. 180-200 minutes per week post vacation.
• Tea and turmeric- Yogi detox tea and Fennel tea are great post vacation tools. And turmeric is good for mood and inflammation…sprinkle away.

The silver lining in coming home feeling a little off is that it makes getting back into your routine (work included) sort of nice. At least I think so.
Do you feel off when you get back from a trip? In what way? What do you do to remedy it? 

I say Hello

Image via Verrle Duoh

I suffer from a constant state of “what’s next?”  This even extends to the seasons. I love leaving the office while it’s still light, a good margarita and travel (Croatia-wow); however, you will not find me uttering “last beach day of the season”. Nope, I’m craving a cup of tea, football and cozy sweaters.  I understand you may be sad to see summer go but I’m ok with it. As the Beatles said “You say goodbye and I say hello”.

Maybe I can get you excited for all that fall offers.

Goodbye to weekends away, houseguests and loosey goosey

Hello (Virgo, hand raised) to routine, schedules and some structure which isn’t a bad thing.

Goodbye to watermelon and peaches (not that we can't get anything, any season but enough already)

Hello to apples, so satisfying and versatile. Ever try to nut butter a peach?

Goodbye "its too hot out" and other excuses

Hello to  crisp morning runs, maybe training for a race

Goodbye to gazpachos and trendy chilled soups.

Hello to chili, lentil soup and other “soups that eat like a meal”

Goodbye to summer squash

Hello winter squash and pumpkin (this one is no contest)

Goodbye to adulterated seafood- lobster rolls and fried clams and other foods that prove summer isn’t really all that healthy

Hello to whole foods: salmon and Brussels sprouts and Whole Foods too if you’ve been out of town.

In our family, goodbye to the dart frog Pirate but

Hello to a puppy hmn…

Goodbye to summer reading (I loved The Interestings, didn't love Middlesteins) hello to cookbook reading (Wellfed, 50 Shades of Kale others)

Goodbye to the BBQ (those grill marks are carcinogenic, can I sat that now that it's Sept?) and please let’s say goodbye to the hot dog for a while

Hello to the slow cooker and roasting.

Goodbye to packing your bags

Hello to unpacking the pounds 

Goodbye to skin cancer (I’m knocking wood)

Hello to the Little Book of Thin  now available in preorder, you can say "hello" to this more than once.

Goodbye to "I'll do it after Labor Day,"

Hello to starting now

And hello to all of you, it's been a nice blogging break but looking forward to writing, connecting and hearing about your fall plans.

Which “fall” items above are you most excited about? Do you prefer summer or fall? Do you think focusing on “what’s next” is a good thing or a bad thing? Have you ordered your copy of LBT?