Let us Eat Cake!
I am a yoga teacher. During the year I’m glad my job requires me to wear spandex and walk around in front of mirrors. It’s a good reason to watch what I eat, have fun juicing and searching out the best watermelons for the season- But during the holiday season- I wish I had a job that required me to eat. Everything. In. Sight.
A couple of yoga students and I were talking about this before class the other day. We were talking about food of course and the holidays. These Yoginis were modifying their eating in a very healthy way and still finding it difficult. She and her friend both have jobs that require them to wear fabulous shoes eat lunch, sometimes dinner, out with clients and often on the same days! They have to behave a certain way- follow complicated social and political niceties. I told her it made sense it was difficult for them, that’s very hard work if you want to live healthily.
I talked about what I was eating (that week- green juice, only). I told her I found it easier to be healthy because of my job. I happen to be an overall healthy person because I’m a yoga teacher. But I also have to eat right because people are looking at me expecting me to look a certain way. Not to mention I’m looking at myself in the mirror and expecting me to look a certain way.
Really, our jobs are the same.
You can see why holidays are very distressing for us. I love to eat. I love sugar. I love cake. I love brownies. I love coffee. I love caramel. And I love drinking good wine and laughing with friends. Tis the season! Yes, the yoga lady likes her wine~
These celebrations are wonderful reminders before the new year how BAD gluttony can feel- even though it tastes so good. In these times of “anorexic is the new fit” I struggle. We all struggle. Balance is the name of the game.
SO what to do? Become aware. And you do the best you can. Let what happened yesterday and what you ate yesterday be in yesterday. See how things go today. All of this beautiful food will be gone soon. If not eaten (by me!) then most certainly because it’s the turn of the wheel. And then our focus is all on fitness and fasting.
To every season….
darla cooks 
This is exactly what I have been battling with all week. We have a luncheon at work today and I have 2 Christmas parties tomorrow night. I have been working at losing weight. Its coming off but I dont want to gain any of it back over the holidays.
You just have to start over every day. And I did have green juice this morning. Green juice is promoting me to want to eat better too. I no longer crave the ‘bad’ carbs as much.
I AGREE Ashley-
my green juice keeps me Saintly!
One thing I always keep in mind around the holidays is that most of the food is available any time of the year. Then I only indulge in the stuff that is a true seasonal specialty. 🙂
great point!
Great advice! So many goodies left and right… thinking the best advice is everything in moderation… i.e. 2 chocolate covered pretzels instead of 10. I never deprive myself of a little bit of yummy (and vino) when I want it. If I do it’s all I can think about.. so thanks for reminding me this is a message to share.
May your holidays be filled with little pkgs of goodies, glasses of fine wine and lots of wonderful treats!
With sweets, I always get creative and modify recipes. I use a lot of “chia eggs,” replace at least half the butter with applesauce, try to sneak in flax, etc. 🙂 It makes a big difference and the people you’d think would be grossed out always love the secretly-healthy cookies.
“chia eggs”? oh no. not in my brownies!
Oh yea the battle of the sugary goodness! Since i like to bake gifts for people (i’m that friend that brings you baked goodies as gifts, love to hate me!), over the years i’ve learned to modify recipes, making things vegan, or adding veggies to make it just a bit more healthy (zucchini chocolate chip cookies, i have requests for these every year)! But one a year, i’m perfectly content in indulging, ’tis the season! I figure because i do yoga, because i exercise mindfulness i can entire those rooms filled with food and know i’ll be okay! Kudos to you for posting this!
ps. i’m lovin’ the postings! i’m really enjoying getting to know you through your blog!
big hugs!
I sure am glad I was eating SALAD when I read that post!!
Great reminder about balance and moderation this holiday season!