Mimic Christmas tree for food choices

Christmas and food – decadent, mouthwatering, beautiful food – usually share the same stage; seldom do we envision one without the other.

We usually allow our healthy choices for living to disintegrate the last six weeks of the year. Visions of dressing, gravy, fudge, apple pies, assorted cookies, and fresh bread are just a few mental temptations.

If we would limit our intake of those glorious choices, we might not need a new year’s resolution, and we might like ourselves better – leading to better mental wellness.

There is no denying the connection between our physical health and our mental health. Good choices in one supports improved wellness in the other.

When I think of holiday food I picture hand-dipped chocolates, peanut brittle, and eggnog with brandy; not great examples of what I am about to say.

We (that includes you and me) need to make our plates look like Christmas trees: Mostly green with splashes of color.

That message is pretty simple. Make every plate we fill look like a Christmas tree: Mostly green (vegetables) with splashes of color (vegetables and fruit). Treat ourselves to a few white items (bread, sugar, potatoes, pasta, rice, gravy), we don’t want to feel deprived, but if you think of a Christmas tree and choose accordingly, I think you will be surprised how mentally and physically strong you will feel when you greet 2015.

Until the next time: Live while you live