If you live in the US it’s likely you’re celebrating Thanksgiving this week. And if you’re healing, dealing with inflammation or autoimmune it’s likely the holiday might create some stress or anxiety.

I know in my 10+ years of being gluten intolerant and healing with food as medicine I have come across my fair share of comments about my life style and food choices from friends and family. And it has felt isolating and frustrating when they didn’t understand.

I think it’s important for us with chronic illness or are healing our bodies put our self-care first and give them the benefit of the doubt - they could just be curious - and also they haven’t had the same experience and may not understand, and that’s ok.

At the end of the day yours above anyone else’s is the only opinion that really matters, you are the keeper of your domain, the queen of your queendom! So love it’s your choice, set yourself up for a better experience. One that you can feel good about your choices and feel good in your body at the end of the day.

(See below for 3 additional tips not included in the video)

Watch

3 self-care tips for thriving during the holidays!

3 Tips you’ll hear about in the video:

1. set yourself up for the day with a morning practice!

2. get clear on boundaries and how you will take care of yourself in the moment

3. before you go - know your non-negotables

3 additional food tips not included in the video:

The food often served at Thanksgiving is packed with hormone and endocrine disrupting, inflammation causing and disease contributes - Here are a few tips to avoid such ingredients and not let one meal set you back in your healing progress!

1. eat breakfast! seriously don’t skip out on this meal, and have a snack two hours after, the last thing you want is a blood sugar crash having you reach for the nearest “food” no matter what it is! This will keep your energy and cortisol (stress) levels in check for the day.

2. eat only whole foods and skip the processed foods - not only do most of these contain common allergies but these are the known inflammation causes - instead fill up on whole veggies and things made from whole food ingredients.

3. are you a guest? bring you’re own side dish and snack to add to the meal, you can even make enough for everyone in case they want to try! I find this works really well to feel like I’m contributing and sharing something I can have! Some ideas might include - roasted root veggies or brussels, winter salad with dressing options, stuffed squash etc.

At the end of the day - always remember to go easy on yourself - if you decide to have something that you know affects your body - don’t hold onto any guilt it’s not worth it! Just accept, forgive and move forward. Come back to the healing techniques you have to get back on track!

XO

Katie

P.S. let me know your holiday survive to thrive tips in the comments! The more the merrier!

P.P.S. need to get back on track to healing? I recently held a 5 day reset program and it’s still available for you to purchase and go at your own pace! It’s beautiful fall/winter foods, self-care practices and two video calls to guide you all the way through! Check it out here.