My 5 Favorite Tips To Nourish Your Body This Thanksgiving

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving memory?

I talk a lot about staying present with friends and family around this special time of year...

Truth be told, it’s because I spent so many years JUST thinking about food, rather than connecting...so I get all fired up with wanting to empower you.

But pre-eating disorder there were so many traditions that involved food WITHOUT it being the focus.

The day before Thanksgiving, my family would pile into our Chevy Astro van and head to Costco.

We’d make our way around the store and sample all of the holiday treats (aka free lunch ). Then we’d pick out our favorite fresh baked bread and cheesy spreads (aka crack :P).

My mom would grab a turkey and make it just for our family so that we could have homemade soup and sandwiches through the weekend while we cozied in and started decorating.

Food was something we shared. Something that we experienced all together. A way we connected while building all of the other memories throughout the weekend.

To me, THAT is the true meaning of breaking bread.

I’m so grateful for the journey that I’ve been on and how it’s finally led me back to connecting with people and not just my plate.

If little fears around food/body image are popping up over the holiday, take a deep breath.

Listen. Laugh. Hug....and definitely kick the season off with Sleepless in Seattle- by far the best seasonally transitional movie.

And if you want to take another step forward- these are some of my favorite ways to nourish your body and let go of anxiety this holiday…

Hydrate. Start the morning with a big glass of water to help with digestion and remember to continue filling up your cup throughout the day.

Breakfast. This is one of the most commonly forgotten tips during big holiday gatherings, but can quickly send your body into starvation mode and your mind into "scarcity" thinking.

Joy. Choose the foods that you love- and decide if you feel that way because it’s the truth. Is it something that you genuinely enjoy? Or have you maybe labeled the foods "off-limit" most days of the year without even realizing it and feel like you have to eat them at events?

Pause. Take your time and take everything in. Savor the flavors, chew your food, take breaks to breathe/laugh/check in to see how full you are. Remember to apply more self-love, instead of self-sabotage. You absolutely deserve this no if, and ‘s, or but’s.

Leftovers. Give yourself a gentle reminder that there’s no need to eat everything in sight- taking food home is a powerful way of releasing the scarcity mindset(ex. "better eat this now because it’s my only chance") and helps you really enjoy.

Above all, be in the moment. Enjoy the heck out of the food + the conversations- the gratitude you’re experiencing or any other emotions that come up.

I’m so incredibly grateful for you and the food/body journey we’re on together.