November 22, 2021: You Deserve To Enjoy Holidays

I used to majorly stress out around the holidays, and especially leading up to Thanksgiving.
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Don't get me wrong, Thanksgiving has always been a favorite holiday of mine. My mom makes incredible food, I love the coziness of late November, the Macy's Parade, the Dog Show, the football. I love seeing my friends and fam.
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But I would stress out about the food.
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Now, I am so grateful to have made peace with food and healed my relationship with my body. Holidays get to be what they're meant to be: joyful times to be present with the people we love. And food is such a special part of coming together and enjoying the holidays.
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It's a journey to make peace with food, but here's one little reframe as we head into Thanksgiving week:
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*All foods nourish us.*
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Literally.
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I *love* stuffing. My mom's is amazing (and now I know how to make it, too, score!) And the old me thought it was so "bad" for me.
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But let's deconstruct it, shall we?
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Sausage: protein! Protein is the building blocks for our muscles (and so much else). We need it!
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Celery + onion: tons of amazing vitamins and minerals, baby!
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The stuffing: carbs, which are essential for energy + brain function.
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Butter: fat helps us absorb nutrients, gives us energy, supports cell function... and the list goes on!
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Chicken broth: has essential fatty acids and protein which help muscle, bone, skin, and blood cells.
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And another important thing? IT'S DELICIOUS and so, so satisfying!
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And guess what? Jo is really great for my mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
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So, friends, ENJOY your favorite Thanksgiving foods this week, and toss out that side of guilt. It's not needed (and bad for you health).

Julie Ohlemacher