Yes You Can

"But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation." James 5:12

"It's the week before Christmas
and all through the fridge,
not a vegetable was witnessed, not even a leaf of cabbage"

You may not ever eat cabbage, but you get the idea.  This is the week you really throw in the towel.  No more do you give thought to journaling and drinking water.  They can wait till January 1st.  Two weeks off.  Forget about eating healthy and weighing in.  
Friend, I am here to encourage you to do otherwise.  
I'm not the grinch coming to steal all your holiday joy.
I just want to help give you some perspective.  
First of all, you are not on a diet.  You are on a journey learning to love foods that not only help you lose weight, but help your body recover and rejuvenate itself.  Restore and reenergize.  We often forget that it's the food GOD created that heals and restores our cells.  So many of the diseases and illnesses we battle (outside of weight) are still a result of what we eat.  
No, baking cookies and enjoying a homemade slice of apple pie at Christmas dinner is not going to ruin your healthy eating plan, or cause you to be sick.  But sneaking and eating the cookie batter, and half the apple pie, just might.
The week before Christmas is the very best time to seek God in an intimate way, asking Him to help you be mindful of what you're putting into your body and why.  Ask Him to help you focus your attention on Him, the gift that He brought this time of year and in return, give yourself as a gift too.
Today as you begin your countdown to Christmas, start a new tradition.  Follow the admonition of James 5:12,
let your "yes" to I'm on a journey to living healthy be a YES!  And let your "No" to I'm not on a diet be a NO!

Let's Pray.
Dear God,
I want my yes to be a YES!  And my no to be a NO!  Help me to embrace this the week before Christmas.  I realize now that I don't have to give up all my holiday traditions to live healthy.  God I place this journey in Your ever capable hands today.  I know through You, I can do anything.  Even lose weight and live healthy!
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray,
Amen

E4M DAILY STRATEGY
Yes You Can!
A few simple swaps can help keep you on track this holiday season.  
Try these festive shifts to enjoy all the holiday fun without the guilt!

1. Frozen Grapes for The Win!  Swap a few candies or desserts for frozen grapes.  A sweet treat and natural source of antioxidant. Since they are frozen, it takes longer to eat them, which may help that sweet tooth pass!

2.  Go Nuts!  Try chocolate-covered, cocoa-dusted, or cinnamon-spiced walnuts. You can make them yourself or find them at most major grocery stores, and in the bulk bins at natural foods stores. The walnuts will help kick off the holiday season with a dose of heart-healthy fat, fiber, and protein!

3.  Yes You Can Have Chocolate!  Instead of white chocolate or milk chocolate, choose dark chocolate. White chocolate actually contains no cocoa and therefore provides none of the health benefits, the cocoa in dark chocolate has antioxidants, which can help prevent excess weight gain. Dark chocolate is also one of the best anti-inflammatory foods around.

4.  Mama's Homemade Baked Apples! Instead of apple pie choose baked apples. Not only are baked apples much easier to make than a pie, but the dessert choice also has far fewer calories and much less fat and sugar.