Happy IP Thanksgiving

The holiday season is always hard to get through without gaining weight. Coworkers love to bring in holiday treats, parties with sweet and savory items and alcohol galore, not to mention the meals we spend with our friends and family. There is no doubt winter sparks a time where people tend to exercise less and eat heavier food than in the spring and summer. The combination of the two typically leads to unpleasant weight gain.

With winter rapidly approaching and Thanksgiving just a few days away, what are your plans for healthy living into 2011?

Out of the many holidays it seems that Thanksgiving is the easiest to eat healthy, as long as you bypass the buttered veggie dishes and sweets. With a little thought you can enjoy an Ideal Protein approved Thanksgiving meal!

Ideal Protein Approved Turkey Dinner

PROTEIN
- 5oz Turkey

VEGETABLES
- Unlimited salad with your favorite Walden Farms dressing
- 2 cups of steamed veggies drizzled with lemon and herbs
- Mashed Cauliflower topped with chives (see recipe below)

DESSERT
- Ideal Protein Butterscotch Pudding dusted with Pumpkin Pie Spice
Or
- Ideal Protein Chocolate Muffin dusted with cinnamon and nutmeg

Special Note: If you are on the Alternative protocol, you could even add in a sweet potato with cinnamon and nutmeg drizzled with Walden Farms Syrup or a whole wheat dinner roll (group1). Another choice would be to add a serving of parmesan cheese on top of the mashed cauliflower (group 3)

It can be difficult to eat differently than those around you, but bask in the knowledge of how you are feeding your body! You will not feel sick by over eating, you will not feel guilty for eating high-fatty food, and you WILL feel energetic and can better enjoy the company around you, which perhaps normally you do not have the opportunity to see.

Be mindful of what you consume during these cold and festive winter months. When your New Year’s Resolutions rolls around, maybe this year it won’t be to loose the weight you gained over the last three months. You will be so proud to have not gained weight during the easiest time of year to do so.

Stay active, eat health and live better the rest of 2010 and into 2011.

Have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving holiday!
BodyLanguage

EASY Mashed Cauliflower
- Steam med. head of cauliflower till well done
- Place cooked cauliflower, ½ tsp. olive oil, garlic, rosemary, oregano and sea salt in a food processor.
- Blend till smooth
- Top with fresh cut chives
- Enjoy you healthy helping of mashed “potatoes”

Have an Ideal Protein Thanksgiving!

So you are on Ideal Protein during the holiday season and you want to try to "be good" and stay on track, but you are wondering what to do!

Here are our Top 10 Helpful Hints from the team at Body Language regarding how to stay on track on Turkey Day:

1. Get Active! Plan to be part of a Turkey Day race like the Hobbler Gobbler (http://www.active.com/running/rio-rancho-nm/hobbler-gobbler-thanksgiving-day-run-2010) or go for a long walk before AND after the feast to work off some of those extra calories.

2. Drink 16 ounces of water 30 minutes before dinner time.

3. Eat plenty of turkey, salad, and veggies and stay clear of the fattening stuff/carb-loaded stuff.

4. Pick ONE Thanksgiving Day favorite and have a small portion of it...wine counts!

5. Give Thanksgiving Day leftovers to a local homeless shelter so you are not tempted the next day.

6. Try to be the chef! If you cook it, you know what is in it...host the big day at your home.

7. Celebrate the day with games, outdoor activities, and crafts...not just food!

8. Eat early! Have that big meal as early as you can and try not to eat and then sleep.

9. Don't go for seconds! Get your plate and fill it one time only...that is all you need.

10. Enjoy your holiday knowing you are not going to gain weight. (Unlike most Americans!)


Happy Thanksgiving!

The BodyLanguage Team