I’m about to tell you what most articles at holiday time don’t.  HAVE FUN!!!  Fun is the most important nutrient in your life – in the world.  FUN! FUN! FUN!   We always start out with good intentions, but sometimes when we get carried away with partying, with whatever substance; it goes too far and we pay the next day. Wisdom, I think, helps prevent this.  Have you noticed that you get smarter every year?  Even with signs of aging, you still get smarter. 

As I am older and wiser, I seem to know, how to listen to my inner voice -- not a New Age inner voice, just a plain old inner voice.  The message is “OK, you’ve had enough of that food; time to change modes.”   No stop sign, no guilt, no finger-pointing, just change of modes.  Eat more salad, avoid the wine, ‘cause you’ll have night sweats all night if you drink it – get high on life.  Yeah, have the chocolate, make a lot of noise, smile a lot, have the mixed nuts, even a piece of bread.  Have fun and move on.  But – but, but – prepare yourself – by being SMART.  No need for the guilt thing if you’re smart.  Here’s how to be SMART:

• EAT SMART FOOD - Food that energizes, balances, soothes, and regenerates. Take control at home.  Use Holiday Blues-Buster Foods:
  
  
• Have 3-5 small servings of lean protein daily: eggs, sunflower seeds, lean poultry, fish or beef.  Use organic.
• Use only whole grains themselves and avoid the flour products, except of course, on days that you have FUN!  Just be smart about it.  Recoup with oatmeal, barley or millet in soup, brown rice as small side dish.  But basically reduce your grain/flour food consumption (they are all carbs), because most fun foods – chocolate, desserts, wine, bread, etc. are carbs.  Make December and January “Limit Carb” months.
• Love those good fats and oils.  Remember, they help the liver and gall bladder eliminate the not-so-good ones you ate at the party the night before.  Use raw nuts and seeds, flax and olive oils on salad.  Avocado and pine nuts are great for the brain
  
  
• TAKE SMART SUPPLEMENTS  -  Every practitioner has favorite products. They are the ones that work. Over the years, I’ve accumulated my arsenal of favorite products to use at holiday time. My suggestions are based around nutrients and supplements, designed to relieve the following stressors. Here are some of my secrets:
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  Energy depletion – support the adrenal glands.  Use vitamins B5 and B6, ginseng, blue green algae, adrenal hormone creams, such as Endosis. 
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  Emotional stress – support the nervous system and adrenals: My favorite products are Brainstorm, which acts as a natural anti-depressant, Glysen for blood sugar balance, relieving depression and anxiety, and RelaxTone for anti-anxiety. 
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  Immune system depletion – boost activity of the white blood cells that fight bacteria and viruses.  My favorite products are IM Encap, Flu Max and Gripia Pro.  Year after year, my patients report to me, that for the first time ever, they’ve been through the winter and holiday time with no colds or flu.  The whole family stayed healthy.  Keep these products in your Natural Medicine Cabinet.  Major good investment. 
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  Digestive stress – Over-eating, too much alcohol, late night partying can contribute to intestinal gas, bloating, acid reflux, and bowel irregularities.  Definitely take digestive enzymes with you and pop 2 or 3 before a large meal.  Good bacteria like acidophilus and bifidus are indispensable at holiday time.   Adults and children should use them especially from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.   

Eating is fun; in fact it can be a blast.  Communal holiday eating is unbeatable and can create the longest of lasting memories.  If you’re smart about it, there will be no repercussions.  Last year, I started a weight loss program, right after Thanksgiving and continued it through the holidays, into February.  It was very successful.  I ate anything I wanted on a few strategic days through holiday time, went back to my Ultra Lite weight and health program the rest of the time, and lost 30 lbs.  It was really fun and most of all – successful! 

Dr. Laura Thompson, Family Nutritionist and Naturopathic Endocrinologist has a nationwide practice by phone, and locally in Carlsbad, California. Call for in-home testing info, 800-608-5602.  

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products suggested, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please check with your health care practitioner for your best health options.