Articles Tagged with: food

Thanksgiving Guilt

This is a SMALL piece taken from my 6 Week Holiday Insider Mini Series… just so you can get a taste of what you are missing!

What to eat, what to taste, what to fill up on and what to indulge on to keep your waist line ready for the upcoming holiday parties. Strategies for social eating and drinking to feel good, not overindulge but still participate in the act of social consumption while actually ENJOYING yourself and avoiding the guilt of feeling sick later. This is just ONE small excerpt from my 6 Week Holiday Series and one of the first week’s MANY insider tips and insight. I will not be showing this again in my blog or any piece of it from the remaining 5 weeks unless you subscribe to it! This is just a taste. If you are interested, you can still sign up here. You will receive any past weeks you missed plus be on track to receive the new one each week!

Here’s HOW. (Wana know how I know all of this? Read about my experience here)

Thanksgiving, although it gets a bad rap – is actually a really healthy meal if you treat it as such. You have your turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes or sweet potatoes and veggie sides. Eat those things that you can identify and you will be fine. Pasta does not grow on a bush. Can you identify that as a natural grown food product? No. Ok take it easy on that then. Now if you eat all the fatty toppings and added unnecessary ingredients, you may be in a different situation (read: not good).

First load up your plate filling ½ of it with green veggies. Feel free to ask what’s in it or how it’s made to understand if you are consuming a whole lot of butter and crap on top of it. Then the next ¼ of your dish should be turkey. Go for the lean white meat. Go easy on the gravy. Add some color like cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes to the remaining 1/4^th and you have a nice healthy and FILLING meal there.

Eat slow. Put your fork down between bites. Talk to others at the table and have a conversation. Don’t race and don’t scarf down your plate. Enjoy every bite and remember why you are so grateful.

The Devil is in the seconds and the dessert.

If you are drinking, (a lot) you are way more likely to over indulge. Take a break between seconds and assess how you FEEL. Are you stuffed, getting there or what?

If you do get seconds, try for YOU to serve yourself and do it next to a skinny person or no one at all. Serving yourself lets you choose what you like and what you want more of instead of feeling like you must eat everything on your plate that someone else puts there. Choose one or two items you absolutely LOVE and wait all year for and put half of your original helping on your plate. At this point your EYES are way bigger than your stomach can handle, so tread lightly!

Serving yourself next to a skinny person helps with peer pressure, you will see what they are eating and try to keep in line with their portions. Avoid the peer pressure to fill your plate just like everyone (heaver than you) else.

Remember- Thanksgiving is just ONE meal. There will also be dessert that you will want to try. There will be coffee, there will be more wine. Take it easy on the main course. I’m sure you have been snaking all day too. Remember how you want to feel and look tomorrow. Your body is NOT a trash can. Just because typical American custom is to lay back in the Lazy-boy chair, un-button your top button, cradle your stomach and moan in pain does not mean this makes sense for YOU. Won’t you be more THANKFUL for the meal if you don’t have buyers’ (or eaters’) remorse?

Desserts. Yes you can have them. Stick to items with fruit in the name. Apple pie. Pumpkin pie. Have a “small sliver” which you well know means a normal size compared to the heaping servings that everyone else will get. Thanksgiving puts people in a, shall we say “giving” mood. They want to GIVE you too much food because that is how they (a lot of people) show love and affection for you. Tell them you want “a LITTLE”. This is the only way to score a normal size piece and make them aware of how much they cut. Show them if possible how big you want. Take a little of everything. Sure you can try everything but in SMALL portions. Want some ice cream on top of that apple pie? Make sure it’s warm (if you’re going to eat the cal’s you better make them taste the best it can be), plop ONE scoop of ice cream on top and slowly indulge in the delicacy. SLOWLY.

There will be leftovers. Chill the F out! You can eat more of this deliciousness tomorrow too so no need to eat as if the world is ending!

Coffee after? Sure. Sip it slowly. Get regular (not decaf) to help you burn those extra calories off and give you more energy to move around a bit. Decaf is short for “Lets go into thanksgiving food coma immediately”.

If you have food allergies make sure you make everyone aware and stick to it. Just because it’s a “holiday” does not mean you are taking a vacation from protecting yourself from harm! Don’t feel pressured to eat something just because they say “oh a little bit wont hurt.” I deal with this all the time. Just simply replay “Yea a little bit will possibly get me sick for the rest of the night, a lot will send me to the hospital.” They will get the hint and steer that plate clear away from you and onto the next victim.”

Food is to be celebrated, honored, appreciated and used as sustenance, nutrition and to provide health and to SUPPORT us – NOT to binge and feel like crap after. Don’t take the Thanksgiving spirit and turn it into something it should not feel like (Guilt). Enjoy it and appreciate it. There were many times in my life I did EXACTLY the opposite of this (just about every prior year). Now, I can view food on a totally different level, one of fuel to run my temple of a body, not as trash to stuff myself and torture my body.

I am fully aware that stress is a major trigger of why we over indulge, but I address that and many more ways to overcome stress, anxiety and create your calm back in my Mini Series.
Hope that inspired you to have a wonderful, THANKFUL Thanksgiving!

For more tips like this check out how you can get a hold of my Holiday Insider Mini Series information. Act quickly, the price has already gone up.

Black Friday is TOMORROW!!
Shop MY shop on Etsy using code THANKFUL2014 to get 25% off ALL orders untill Monday!
Shop my Chloe and Isabel shop for the most gorgeous jewels to receive 30% – 40% off select items untill Monday.

Hope that inspires you!

xoxo
Emily

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August 7, 2014

Diamond in the Rough

Everyone is capable of being their own brilliant diamond.

“Diamonds are nothing more then chunks of carbon that stuck to their job.” -Malcolm Forbes

Diamonds are the most indestructible element on earth, and yet they were formed of crushing pressure and intense heat. The diamonds that shine the brightest are the ones that have gone through the most intense of ringers.

We as humans are put through constant pressure and trials in order to polish our sharp edges and create a dazzling luster – one that anyone could see from miles away.

“Never dim your light just because it is shining in people’s eyes.” – anon.

Being where ever you may, perhaps the farthest out of your element can be the perfect training ground to polish your diamond in the rough.

Take a look at where you are getting pressure, what triggers something big or painful for you and note that is where you will begin to create your own diamond. What are you avoiding? What is pinning you up against the wall? Take note and get comfortable in the face of uncertainty.

You will never become that diamond if you don’t feel your fear and do it anyway.

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo
Emily

If you’re looking for an added dose of inspiration, check out my girl health coach Arielle Haspel’s new cooking series with Glamour Magazine that just launched last Friday. Here is the first episode. Watch here to catch her creating an easy-to-make, guilt-free summer dessert.

Also check out her recent style feature here!

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel and my new account for all things fashion illustration @EmilyBrickelillustration

December 5, 2013

How to Master the Holiday Soiree

Screenshot 2013-12-05 03.06.30

Happy December! Surely your calendar is getting dotted up with invites and parties galore. Now’s the time to put on some sparkle and glitz to get ready for the holiday party scene ahead. Office parties, friends get-togethers and family events are right around the corner. So that means it’s the perfect time to look extra special and be extra interesting. Whether you are single, taken, married or networking – holiday parties are the perfect time to expand your social roots.

Hostess gifts – Always come with gift in hand to any party you attend. Find time to locate the most thoughtful gift you can for the host of the evening. It is the thought that counts here so think about gifts that would make the host or hostesses’ life just that much easier. Wine is always a good idea, but try to bring a sparkly center piece or candle holder to add to their already put together décor. Bring some hand-baked cookies, a dessert or other food to lighten their load when supplying food for guests. Or if your hostess is bound to be exhausted from all of the holiday cheer she is spreading, gift her something she would not ordinarily buy for herself – something for an at-home-spa treatment, a sparkly manicure set, slippers, makeup (with gift receipt) or a beautiful piece of jewelry. What ever it is make sure you think it is something they would actually really enjoy.

Holiday Cards – Prior to any holiday season begins, one must stock themselves with unique and beautiful holiday cards that express your personality. Let’s face it – there are plenty of generic holiday cards out there but what about the prepster or the chic city girl? Try to find a set of cards that can address all holidays and all types of recipients while still showing YOUR personality so that they never have to wonder who it’s from if you sign it first name only.

For extra special sets– try my illustrated holiday cards here: on Etsy or here www.EmilyBrickelillustrations.com

And use code: IAMGRATEFUL at check out for 50% off during an extended Cyber week.

What to drink – It’s a holiday party and unless you’re at a high end swanky restaurant the drink menu will probably be pretty traditional yet festive. Don’t be the obnoxious guest who asks for a really specific drink that is hard to make and hard to understand. Unless you can quickly and concisely tell the bartender (or host/ess) how to make it – stick with something easier. Remember the tight quarters of guests surrounding you and the bar will have onlookers either annoyed or impressed by how you order your drink. These are people you potentially want to talk with and network. If you can order a festive cocktail on the menu that is featured for the night, a glass of wine or champs then more power to you. This equals less time at the bar, more ability to easily grasp the stem of you glass (as opposed to a rocks glass), as well as additional fingers to grasp a cocktail napkin and occasional hors d’oeuvres. If you really must ask for something unique (perhaps as bait to start a conversation later on) ask what the bartender recommends for something with one specific quality, like something sweet, strong, with rum or with vodka. Now grab your drink and head to the nearest interesting conversation or your dearest friends.

Outfits – Here is where you have the best chance to express your personality and whatever message it is that you want to convey. Want to show people you are changing careers or just got a raise? Dress like it. Do you want to come off professionally and on a serious note? Well show’um your new chic blazer. Dare to dabble in fashion to your advantage and allow it to mold the impression others get of you. Have fun and try to add some sparkle. Opt for colors close to the drink you may be having. Wearing the season’s hottest trend “winter white”? Then stick with white wine or champagne. Donning the latest cranberry hue? Go for red wine and don’t worry about getting bumped by the occasional passers by. If you get spilled on no one will notice!

Holidays are absolutely a time to be warm and merry but if you plan to take lots of photos, stick with a figure flattering ensemble that wont make you look 10 lbs heavier like if you were to wear a trendy chunky knit sweater. If you must – try to belt it but instagrammer-be-ware, you are going to have to werkkk those angles like never before. I say, not worth it. Photos will be flashing from all angles and no one looks cute swallowed up in fabric.

For shoes – here is your chance to be extra daring. Bring out the over the top shoes and really let them be a conversation piece. Colorful, sparkling or really high, this is a place to have extra fun – especially if you love shoes as much as me. Whoever minded another woman complimenting you and asking you where you got your shoes anyhow?

For handbags – avoid the clutches. These are ideal for dinner parties where you can set your clutch down as you sit. For holiday parties and cocktails alike you will be scurrying around the room from couch to kitchen, from conversation to bathroom and so on. Choose a handbag that is festive, on the smaller side but can be worn over your shoulder or on your wrist. Bags with chains or straps are important. Nothing is worse than not being able to shake someone’s hand, give out a hug or grab up a delectable passed appetizer because you have a cocktail in one hand and your purse in the other. No swag there. Also – size matters. Make sure your bag can hold your cell phone/s (all of them), lipstick, other makeup touchup and the necessities. Holding a purse AND a cellphone that wont fit is not a way to enjoy the party.

Conversation – brush up on the latest news, get ready to spill your most recent endearing stories, have your elevator pitch ready (and business cards) and keep a breath mint and mirror on hand. Frequent teeth checks for rouge food should happen on a consistent basis. No one wants to be remembered for the girl with food in her teeth, and no business deal will get done without being recollected as such. Steer away from politics if possible, or if you are in a political crowd, make sure you can back your opinions up with facts and stats.

Always have a “get in” and “get out quick” escape phrase in your back pocket if you need it. Use the “get in” phrase when there is a specific single you are eyeing across the room, a potential contact that you want to make sure remembers you or a friend that is being swallowed up by gushing guests. Allow the “get out quick” phrase to be your getaway route in situations like the following: If you are being bombarded by rude or annoying continuous questions that you would rather plead the fifth on, if you see that potential mate or contact heading toward the door, coat in hand and you haven’t had a chance to mingle yet, if you feel offended by something someone is saying to you or (no offence you-terrible-conversationalists-you) if you are in the middle of a very dry discussion and you are longing to hi tail your way out of there.

What could these phrases be? They will require some creativity, personalization, pure interest in what conversation you are about to enter into, and swave.

Genuine compliments are always great ways to get into a convo, adding your opinion or making a tasteful joke. Just make sure not to rudely interrupt others but instead, try to enhance the conversation and stand out. This will surely get you remembered.

And for the escape route phrase? Best tip: keep it authentic, no matter what. Be kind, unpretentious, thoughtful and to the point.

Now off you go and don’t forget – eye contact and firm handshakes win all.

Hope that inspires you to get into the holiday spirit!
xoxo

Emily

November 21, 2012

How to survive the holiday season stress free:

Click here to get these holiday cards! www.EmilyBrickelIllustrations.com

1) Think in ADVANCE!!!! – Yes I know this whole blog post may be coming in advance – but yet Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I repeat TOMORROW. Yes that means Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday are this weekend. So this blog is actually rather timely. Use these steps in advance to get you through the holiday season un-scathed and ready, willing and able to enjoy in the holiday fun!

Think about these things in advance:
Holiday gifts you will give. Now is the time to actually read your catalogues and check off some items for your holiday list. Add it to an actual list, (no a checklist in your head does not count) – I like an excel sheet. Add a budget for each person and a column for what you will get them. If you don’t know yet leave it blank. If you can get gifts for every body on your list from two or three stores only or order them online together you will save time and money on taxes from repeat trips.

Plan meals, outfits, hairstyles, makeup or what you will bring to a party in advance. Everybody knows that when you wait to the last minute you don’t serve up your best. This is generally because you don’t leave yourself enough time. I am the queen of this, well until this year since my 2012 new years resolution was to think more in advance and OH the wonders it is already providing me. I am much happier and I am more proud of myself every time I do anything even a little bit more in advance. Better still, I can give more of my best efforts. This allows you to be more creative in your projects, say holiday décor or pie baking. You can put more love into something, or actually get things out on time, say your holiday card notes. You can even wear something that you look and feel good in and maybe have a plan B outfit incase you don’t like it that day; This will make you feel soo good, instead of running out the door in a rush, not completely confident in your wardrobe decision. Remember, when you don’t feel comfortable in what you are wearing it can be completely distracting from your fun and relaxation.

Buy Holiday cards and Thank you cards in advance. This is true for birthdays and other occasions as well. I’m talking a month or so in advance. This way you get the best of all the options out there, get what you really want, have time to write them and send them out or have time to wrap your gifts in a really fun way. When the stress of the actual holiday gets here you won’t have to frantically run to Wallgreen’s to get a card making you late and frazzled. (Been there.) Check out my website for some awesome holiday card options.

2) BALANCE it out! Your diet: Ok so every year for the holiday season I waittttt for the sweet potato pie with marshmallows on top, the pumpkin pie, apple pie, any kind of pie really. A la mode? Even better. Desserts and homemade holiday pies are totally my thing. And I will get seconds. Oh. Yeah. Thirds? It will cross my mind.

Now, I definitely don’t want to gain any weight right? I ate really good all year, I worked out and want to look skinny for the holidays coming up (Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years, Valentines, oh my). So what’s a girl to do? Balance it out.

The weeks before the holidays I try to eat really clean and healthy. Clean to me means only foods with one ingredient in them like: Chicken, Steak, Veggies, Fruits, Rice, Potatoes – only things that are naturally grown and 100% unprocessed. For sweets I like dried dates (they look gross but totally squash my sugar cravings) and they are only 150 calories for 3 of them. Other desserts: yogurt with no added gunk in it, with honey and berries! Yum. Snacks: bananas, apple sauce. Drinks: Water, water, water, an occasional glass of wine, tea, maybe a chai latte with coconut milk.

Take some extra days in the gym – tack on 2 extra days or 2 extra hours a week AT LEAST so you can pre-game your body to enjoy in the holiday calorie yumminess and not feel guilty or gross.

Your work: Take on some extra hours at the office, get some projects done in advance (if this is ever at all possible), and work your little butt off so during the holidays you can disconnect from technology and not feel guilty about taking your days off. Plan social media in advance but don’t forget to take lots of pictures to upload to your instagram later at night!

Your head space: If you know or think you know the day will be full of stress, take the morning to spend an extra 5 or 10 minutes in your morning meditation, take a yoga class, a walk or a nice long coffee break. Clearing your head at the start of the day will help you manage the stress and commotion later in the day. You will feel better and be able to get through any possible mishaps with a clear head and a non-defensive attitude.

Hope this helps and inspires you to get ahead of the game and enjoy the holidays this year.

**The holidays are really about family – so taking these extra steps will ensure you wont get carried away in the stress of the “packages” and material things. Your mind will be focused on the priorities.

What’s that? You don’t have time for this? Well you will have less time later on that’s for sure. As my mentor Gabrielle Bernstein says when people tell her they don’t have time to meditate, “Do you have time to feel like crap?”

No thanks! Well spoken Gabby!