So here we are in the midst of the winter season, the shopping is over and the holidays are past. They just flew by, didn’t they?

For many, the holiday season means lots of calorie-laden foods, like egg nog, turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and cookies.

For many, this means weight gain.

Many people also start going into hibernation mode come dropping temps. They eat heavier foods. They gain (more) weight. They cozy up and hunker down.

And just when you think things are slowing down after the holidays, we hurdle on to yes -Valentine’s Day. Crazy, right? The time just flies, and here we are just one month away from yet another “holiday!”

Holy more weight gain! Continuous months of indulging and mindless eating and drinking.

So, how are you going to handle the arrival of winter?

Fear not. Winter is a great time to detox, leading into the lightness of spring.

Don’t forget to get your vitamin D.

The days get their shortest come winter. Researchers at Aberdeen University found that obese people had 10% less vitamin D than people of average weight. The study also found that excess body fat absorbed vitamin D so the body couldn’t use it. Scientists now believe that there is a direct correlation between obesity and low levels of vitamin D. With that, get out there, even in the cold, and get your sunshine, if only for 10 minutes per day.

Move your booty and continue exercising regularly. It can be as simple as taking a walk out in the snowy terrain.

Sometimes you may not feel like it due to the cold weather, but hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Enjoy winter foods. Move toward the more warming winter foods and also emphasize the more warming spices and seasonings including ginger and peppercorns.

Here is a list of the seasonal foods of winter:

Avocado, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Endive, Escarole, Fennel, Grapefruit, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kiwi, Kohlrabi, Kumquats, Leeks, Lemons, Mandarin Oranges, Onions, Oranges, Parsnips, Pears, Persimmons, Potatoes, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Satsumas, Shallots, Sweet Potatoes, Tangerines, Turnips, Winter Squash*

Enjoy them all. Try new things. Just remember, don’t let the couch lure you into curling up with the unhealthy comfort foods like creamy soups or mac and cheese.

*These were found using the following link, where you can learn more about seasonal produce: http://localfoods.about.com/od/whatsinseason/a/WinterFruitVeg.htm

Ah, Avocado. How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways

1. I love that your decadence tastes sinfully delicious, yet it’s the “healthiest” of fats.

2. I love that you make my skin beautiful. The antioxidants in avocados help to get rid of toxins that promote premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. A lot of the toxins on your facial skin are the residue of makeup. Applying 1 mashed avocado as a facial mask and leaving it on for about 20 minutes before rinsing will help to remove these toxins and soften the skin. I promise, in the end, you will not look like the Wicked Witch of the West.

3. I love to use you as a spread on my Ezekiel bread toast with a sprinkle of pink Himalayan sea salt, and red pepper flakes.

4. I love that you make my hair shiny. One avocado mashed and mixed together with 1 egg and your favorite essential oil is great for conditioning your hair. The healthy oils in the avocado help to moisturize and soften dry and brittle hair, and vitamin E helps to restore natural shine to your hair. To obtain these benefits simply massage the avocado and egg mixture into your hair and scalp and leave in for about 20 minutes. Then wash and condition with your favorite shampoo and conditioner.

5. I love to use you in my salads. Any kind of salad.

6. I love to use you on my sandwiches in place of mayonnaise.

7. I love that you complete me. Avocados provide all 18 essential amino acids necessary for the body to form a complete protein. Unlike the protein in steak, which is difficult for most people to digest, avocado protein is readily absorbed by the body, because avocados also contain fiber. If you are trying to cut down on animal sources of protein in your diet, or if you are a vegetarian or vegan seeking more protein, avocados are a great nutritional ally to include not merely as an occasional treat, but as a regular part of your diet. Highest protein content of any fruit (yes, it’s a fruit).

8. I love to use you in my smoothies to add some creamy richness.

9. I love to scramble you in my egg white omelet.

10. I love that you help me with my ABCs. While avocados have a high caloric count (one avocado is 320 calories), the various nutrients and “healthy” fats make it a must-eat. They are an alphabet of vitamins. One avocado provides your body with vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6, along with an enormous amount of potassium and “healthy” fat. Perhaps the biggest health benefit of avocados is that by adding avocado to certain foods, you can improve your absorption of nutrients. This means that when you combine other fat-burning foods with avocado, you can improve your nutrient absorption by up to 400%!

Oh, yes, I truly do love you!

So be sure to add avocado to your winter line-up. As you can see there are so many benefits to them.

Get out of hibernation mode this winter, and get into the healthy mode!

Do you need help maneuvering through the winter so that you don’t gain weight? Do you have issues during the winter season when you feel a little sad and have no motivation? Then why not schedule a free clarity call with me and let’s figure this out. Schedule here:  https://calendly.com/lwadsworth. 

BLACK BEAN SOUP WITH CORN CHIPS, AVOCADO & LIME

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Main Course

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  

• 1 tbsp

  coconut oil

• 1 onion chopped
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 14 oz. can black beans drained and rinsed
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 bunch cilanto finely chopped
• 2

  handfuls gluten-free corn chips

• 1 avocado sliced
• 1 lime cut in half

Instructions

 

• Add coconut oil to a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Once the oil has melted, add onion, cumin, and garlic. Stir for about 3 minutes, then add black beans and broth.
• Stir, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and use the back of a large spoon to mash the black beans to make it thicker. Alternatively, you can blend the soup in a food processor or blender. Mix in the cilantro before serving. Top with crushed corn chips, sliced avocado, and lime juice.