So, in the tradition of giving, I'm offering you a very special gift: the 7 ways to avoid holiday weight gain. It’s one size fits all, so feast your eyes on this easy-to-follow advice before you feast on that second slice of Aunt Edna’s holiday pie.

1.    Keep your eye on the prize…a slimmer you! Mindful snacking is one way to weigh less without stress. Mindless snacking will prevent the weight loss you’re working so hard to accomplish.

​2.    Host your own party. Cocktail parties are so easy to make healthy. Too many hosts toss together a menu of fried foods, fatty cheeses, greasy chips and snacks, and unlimited nuts.

3.    Make the reservations. Social obligations often mean dining out. But if you pick the restaurant, you’re guaranteed to be able to eat healthfully. Choose an establishment that offers a variety of foods so everyone is guaranteed to find something they enjoy. Use these dining out tips to keep it healthy.

4.    Choose to lose. Many people feel that if they don’t partake in the holiday feasting tradition, others will perceive them as rude or ungrateful. Hey, it’s your diet, your way. You have the right to eat what you want, where you want and in the amount you want.

5.    Just say NO…tactfully! You can say to your host, "Oh, I’m sorry. My plan doesn’t include (name the food) but, I surely thank you!" Or, "Oh, thank you so much, I’m sure it’s wonderful! I’m too full right now, but thanks for asking!" Firmly exercise your right of refusal, but be sure to graciously thank your host for offering.

6.    Prepare for a party and take the edge off your appetite. Eat a small, healthy snack before the party. A half-sandwich of turkey in a lettuce leaf stuffed with sprouts and tomatoes will fuel you nicely. Then, at the party, you can pick and choose wisely without being driven by hunger.

7.    Get support. Sometimes you just need to talk to a friend or buddy, and get some support and motivation to resist the holiday temptations. Post on the message boards, call a friend, or bring along your diet buddy for emotional support!

Here's to a healthy holiday season!

© adapted from The Spark People: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=978&page=2​

Roasted salmon and vegetables gently seasoned with coconut aminos, garlic and green onion is a delicious, nutritious meal that’s on the table in thirty minutes flat. The salmon will be moist and tender, the beans and bell peppers crisp and fresh and the mushrooms soaked with the sweet-salty umami flavor of coconut aminos.

What makes this meal so quick and easy is that everything’s seasoned the same, goes in the oven at the same time and comes out of the oven at the same time, too.

Buying individual salmon fillets of the same weight and thickness makes it easy to gauge when the salmon is perfectly cooked. For a 1 to 1 1/2 inch thick fillet, this means 10 to 12 minutes. That’s just enough time to set the table. It’s also just enough time to cook crisp-tender veggies that haven’t lost their fresh flavor or vibrant color.

Make this meal again and again, using a new combination of vegetables each time. Bok choy, thinly sliced cabbage, carrots and zucchini are all delicious options.

Serves: 4 / Time in the Kitchen: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup coconut aminos https://www.marksdailyapple.com/is-it-primal-7-more-foods-scrutinized/ or tamari (60 ml)
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil (15 ml)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil (15 ml)
• 3 green onions, roughly chopped
• 2 to 4 cloves garlic
• 4 (6-ounce) center-cut salmon fillets (170 g each)
• 3/4 pound green beans (340 g)
• 1 pound mushrooms (try a blend of cremini and oyster), roughly chopped (450 g)
• 3 red bell peppers, thinly sliced (seeds removed)
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

PREPARATION

• Preheat oven to 450 ºF (232 ºC).
• Place three rimmed baking pans in the oven to heat up. One needs to be just large enough to hold the salmon, the other two will be for the vegetables. The more spread out the veggies are, the faster they will cook.
• In a blender, combine the coconut aminos (or tamari) and the oils, green onions and garlic for about 25 seconds, until the green onions and garlic are very finely chopped.
• Pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of the sauce into a small bowl and then brush it onto the salmon pieces.
• Combine the green beans, bell peppers and mushrooms in a large bowl. Pour the remaining sauce on top and use your hands to toss the veggies until well coated.
• Take the hot pans out of the oven. Set the salmon pieces in one of the hot pans. Spread the veggies out in the other two pans. Place all the pans in the oven.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until salmon reaches desired doneness.
• Sprinkle sea salt and black pepper over the salmon and veggies to taste. Serve with additional coconut aminos or tamari on the side for additional flavor if needed.

​© http://www.marksdailyapple.com/roasted-salmon-and-vegetables-with-coconut-aminos/#ixzz3piaxGAcu