Let’s face it, this is an unusual holiday season as all of us around the world face down the Covid Virus. The CDC in the U.S has recommended we keep our celebrations and gatherings smaller ( preferably the current house hold you are living with) so we can control the spread and move forward to a healthier future. With all this top of mind, I’d like to share a wise quote to inspire you this year
“Joy is untouched by circumstance.”
How do we create a healthy mindset for the holidays while experiencing a national health crisis? The first thing we can do is to have gratitude for everything we do have right now. That’s what Thanksgiving is truly about right? The second thing to do is reframe the experience in our minds. Yes, there is no denial that it’s disappointing not to see loved ones on Thanksgiving. But now is the time to love the people you’re with! Just think, with a smaller holiday gathering, you can have a more relaxed time preparing Thanksgiving dinner and enjoying the day. The third thing is to remember is joy can always be tapped into by simply choosing to reframe your experience. Okay are you ready to eat, play, and love this holiday?
This week Jolene Hart returns for her 3rd ‘Wise Bite’ installment at the Healthy Epicurean Kitchen! Her focus is on holiday recipes but also on the health of the hostess who often is up early prepping for the days festivity. You are going to love her holiday tips and the special download treat she is offering filled with healthy holiday recipes. I try one of Jolene’s recipes every year and it is always a hit with my guests! I love her holiday recipes and they are truly ‘Healthy Epicurean’ approved.
Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating and remember to nourish your mind, body, and spirit well!
P.S Don’t forget to check out Jolene’s latest inspiring book ‘Ignite Your Light’: A Sunrise to Moonlight Guide to Feeling Joyful, Resilient, and Lit from Within.” A great book to gift everyone this year!
Laura Connolly, Founder of World Wise Beauty
Week #3: Nourishing the Healthy Hostess & Holiday Recipes
Self care is everyday including Thanksgiving! There’s so much focus on holiday menu planning at this time of the year— and rightly so, as the dishes we serve at our holiday meals are often layered with meaning and tradition. But I like to extend the festive flavors of the season beyond parties and gatherings to the simple meals I enjoy on my own— like breakfast. As the cool weather rolls around, many of us put away our green smoothies, but I also love to adjust them to include more root veggies and squash— key foods of the season. Here’s a filling breakfast that will fuel your Thanksgiving party prep and nourish your skin at the same time. And for 14 more of my favorite festive + healthy dishes, check out my Healthy Holiday Recipe download. JH
Spiced ‘Skin Glow’ Smoothie
This antioxidant-packed smoothie delivers ample protein and healthy fats to stabilize your blood sugar after eating, while also targeting your skin’s seasonal nutrition needs for extra healing and repair with beta carotene-rich pumpkin, squash, or sweet potato.
Serves 1
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk (try coconut, almond or hemp)
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 1/2 cup roasted pumpkin, sweet potato or winter squash puree
- 1/2 banana
- 1 serving plant-based protein powder (1 to 2 scoops)
- 1/4 cup raw pecans
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp Eat Pretty pumpkin pie spice (p.137 in Eat Pretty) – or sub cinnamon
- 1 tsp blackstrap molasses (optional for depth of flavor; remove for less sweet)
DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a high-powered blender and process until smooth.
Recipe and image © Jolene Hart. All rights reserved.