From Funk to Spunk

As school is back in swing and summer holidays fade into distant memories, the daily rhythm of life kicks back into high gear and many people experience the latest syndrome or itis. Post-Holiday syndrome is a kind of Busy-life-itis, resulting in a funk or depression that greets us as we resume the cadence of our daily lives.

If you experience the Post-Holiday Blues, how can you get yourself from funk to spunk? One of the quickest ways to sparkle is to adopt healthier eating habits and to reset your system after a summer of decadence.  Here are our top tips for using foods to get back on track this fall:

• Choose Alkalizing Foods – Alkalizing foods are synonymous with green. Think Kale, Swiss chard, Green Juices, Salads and loads of veggies. As you alkalize, your body will begin craving these foods that enliven and resuscitate your happiness. Aim for 1 serving of greens along with 1 green juice and watch your cravings topple. (Check out our super simple recipe for making Kale Chips at home, a great way to work in some green at snack time! Or try the Kale and Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Dijon Dressing, unexpected and delightful recipe to get both your greens and protein.)

• Aim for 1 Meal-Sized Salad each day - Raw vegetables and salads contain enzymes and are a great “trick” to choosing a predominantly healthy meal laden with veggies. Skip the dairy-based dressings, which are a source of heavy calories and opt for a light vinaigrette.

• Omit Sugars and Processed Foods – Sugar filled junk foods are one of the quickest avenues to funk with both sugar and processed foods singing the blues. Most of us know the ill effects of sugar, but can feel powerless to its addictive cycle. Replacement is the key. Simply omitting something requires us to use will power, which is rarely successful long-term. However, omitting and replacing with the right synergy of alkalizing foods sets you up for success. 

• Omit anything that is inflammatory – Have one of your kryptonite foods crept back into your diet? Whether chocolate, gluten, or citrus, one person’s poison is another’s super food. Finding your unique sources of inflammation can go a long way to kicking blues and boosting your happiness. Mood elevation and decreased irritability are one of the most common effects we see in LoveLife Method programs.

• Eat small, frequent meals and snacks – One of the best ways to balance blood sugar and reduce irritability and bad moods is by staying properly fueled throughout the day. When craving sugar, try substituting for protein snacks instead. Keep these nearby – in your purse, in your desk drawer, or in your car – to reach for healthy when you’re h’angry. Visit our Snack Section of the blog for some of our favorites.