Holiday Survival Tips - Plus Chocolate Holiday Bark Recipe
The Holidays are here and with that is endless cookie trays, parties, family gatherings, shopping, gift giving, hustle, bustle, flu season and STRESS!
Whether it's a busy schedule, a sore stomach from all the foods or family dynamics, as much as the holiday season is a wonderful time of year, we can often come out the other end feeling run down and ready for a vacay!
I've got you covered with my top holiday survival tips to keep your guts happy, energy up, immune system strong and your mood chipper.
B-Vitamins
B-vitamins help the body produce serotonin (your happy hormone), which aids in the body's ability to cope with depression, stress and anxiety. They can also help boost the immune system during times of anxiety. Interestingly, stress depletes your b-vitamins, so with more stress, comes a depleted body and more struggle to get feeling better. Taking a B-Complex will support your mood and energy this holiday season.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a powerhouse for modulating your immune system, keeping you healthy and happy. Because stress hinders our digestive system and up to 60%-70% of your immune system is rooted in the gut, you might find that you easily catch colds. This is why A.Vogel's Echinaforce is my go to life saver this time of year, which according to research is clinically proven to prevent AND cure your winter flus.
Apple Cider Vinegar
I don't know about you but one of the first things to go when stress comes lingering is my digestion. Eating just about anything will leave me bloated and feeling heavy. Sound familiar? The problem is stress depletes and shuts down the digestive system, leaving foods undigested. Undigested foods begin to ferment in the gut (and not the good kind of fermentation), leaving you bloated. There is nothing worse than feeling heavy and full in your christmas outfit. Support your gut this holiday season, 1 tbsp of ACV diluted in 1/4 cup of water before each meal.
Guilt Free Chocolate Bark
Yep! It pretty much solves all world problems... ok kidding! But one of the worst things you can do is restrict, it will have you feeling all sorts of self-pity and resentment to the people eating all the food around you as you sit deprived. Let's just get you a gut friendly recipe!
Holiday Bark
Ingredients:
6 tbsp coconut oil
6 tbsp honey
6 tbsp cacao powder
6 tbsp natural almond butter or peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Optional toppings:
coconut flakes
pomegranate seeds
drizzle of peanut butter
Note: Natural nut butters works best. (it's runny and blends well)
Method:
Line a 9" square baking pan with parchment paper.
In a small pot over medium heat add all ingredients into a pot until melted and combined.
Pour into your baking pan and top with desired toppings.
Place in the freezer to set for 1 hour
Break into smaller pieces, and store in a container in the freezer.
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