Cakes and Cookies and Pies, Oh My!

Cakes and pies and cookies, oh my! We are in full swing holiday mode here at The Pilates Center, and our calendars are already filling with family events, holiday parties, and school functions. As the cool, crisp Fall weather sets in, and tables fill with warm pies, spiced lattes, and creamy & delicious comfort food, it can be more than easy to overindulge. Especially during the busy holiday season when we’re rushing from one event to the next, often eating on the go. The problem is, sometimes food that is fast/easy/comforting is anything but easy or comforting on our stomachs. The holidays can wreck havoc on our diets and gut health. But I’ve got the answer, y’all- trust me!

As I’ve mentioned on the blog before, so many physical and neurological imbalances can be traced back to the gut. Even--and especially--during the holidays, when the treat options are endless, we must be mindful of what we put in our body. I like to think of it this way: our bodies and organs expend energy to keep us going. If we consistently feed our bodies the wrong types of food, our organs go into overdrive trying to digest, process, and eliminate the junk. And if we are taxing our organs in this way, you better believe our bodies and brains will be exhausted and imbalanced. As a family we do our best to avoid any foods with artificial color (food dye, red 40 seems to be the worst), artificial flavor, artificial sweeteners (no diet drinks), and mainly 3 preservatives found in many packaged foods: BHT, BHA, TBHQ. Don’t get me wrong- it can be incredibly difficult to do this during the holidays! To combat this, my family and I reach again and again to Young Living’s DiGize and Peppermint essential oils.

Blending tarragon, ginger, peppermint, juniper, lemongrass, anise, ennel and patchouli, Digize has an herbaceous, spicy scent that I love to apply (in a carrier oil) to my or my kids’ stomachs after a meal. You can also diffuse this one after a large holiday meal to soothe and calm your guests while everyone is digesting the holiday goodies! Use it alongside YL’s Peppermint essential oil, for the perfect post-holiday party gut-soothing routine.

When used orally for digestion, Peppermint oil functions as an antispasmodic that helps to relax and calm the smooth muscles in your intestine; it also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. This helps minimize symptoms of bloat, indigestion, and gas.
Keep in mind that the quality of essential oils absolutely makes a difference. I've tried to save a buck with essential oils from other sources (health food store, amazon). They simply did not work for us. If you ever doubt the difference in quality, one easy test will convince you: Take a whiff of a store bought bottle of peppermint vs. a Young Living bottle of peppermint. (or any of their oils for that matter). Each and every bottle of Young Living essential oil is 100% of that actual oil, and nothing else. It is also vigorously tested to ensure therapeutic grade. This means they don't just smell good, but work with your body at the cellular level to support your emotional, neurological and physical wellness.

Sticking to your Pilates routine, being mindful of what you put in your stomach, and incorporating a gut-boosting essential oil program to your routine will help you not only survive but THRIVE in this holiday season. Contact me today with questions or to get started!