Our Elvis Christmas Tradition + Healthy Holiday Baking Ideas

I am sure we are all busy with holiday parties, shopping, and planning, so I am really trying to keep this week’s stories & tips brief for y’all.

I promised earlier to share about our holiday decorating tradition with Elvis I have been a HUGE Elvis fan since listening to my friend Missy’s 45 record of Teddy Bear over and over again and singing our little hearts out.

This love of Elvis led to many trips to Memphis and falling in love with the city that is dubbed the Home of the Blues & Birthplace of Rock & Roll. We loved it so much we moved there and immersed ourselves in the music, history, people and culture for 6 years.

Our Elvis holiday tradition is playing Elvis’ Christmas Album, sharing a bottle of champagne , and decking the halls. It HAS to start with that album… Elvis coming in harmonizing “Christmas… Christmas… then drums & some groove… Well, it’s Christmastime pretty baby… and the snow is falling down…” That officially kicks off our Christmas season every year.

Simon was a bit of a Scrooge about the holidays when we first met. I imposed this Elvis, champagne, putting up the tree, and decorating on him. And you know what?? He has grown to love it and cherishes the holiday traditions we have created together.

We may have to have a teeny-tiny tree for our RV touring years, but I guarantee you Elvis and champagne (regular or NA) will be involved!

I hope you have holiday traditions that bring you lots of joy with those you love every year. If baking cookies or holiday treats to share with neighbors (I did this every year in Memphis) is your tradition, I have tons of healthier recipes for you this week.

This Week’s Shot of MINDSET

This week’s mindset tip is all about BALANCE Specifically, balancing Body, Mind and Spirit when it comes to holiday traditions.

Health is always top of mind for me with food, drink, and moving my body. Yet, we all know I fully believe in Progress Not Perfection. That definitely applies for holiday parties , cookie decorating, big family meals , and all of the not-so-healthy options this time of year.

I keep BALANCE in mind and zoom way out to the bigger picture. True, this Christmas cookie may not be ‘healthy’, but overall is it better for me mentally and spiritually to just enjoy this meal and time with family without beating myself up over sugar or calories?

I firmly believe doing what is right for overall health, Body/Mind/Spirit, is the best approach. I can always get back to the foods and movement that make me feel the healthiest and allow me to reach all of my health goals after the family Christmas gathering. I can have one cookie instead of a dozen. I can see the big meal as ONE meal and adjust other meals around it.

Just sharing a gentle reminder this week to keep a sense of Balance when it comes to the holidays. Balancing choices to feel your best on all levels – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Let any guilt or self-criticism go and enjoy the season!

This Week’s Shot of HEALTH

Chocolate Covered Katie has tons of healthy recipe ideas for holiday baking . I LOVE sweets and have a huge sweet tooth. When I discovered this site for healthier dessert ideas… I was in heaven! I love this description of her site:

Chocolate Covered Katie is one of the top 25 food websites in America. Her
favorite food is chocolate, and she believes in eating dessert every single day.

Woman after my own heart right there! There are tons of options for vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free, keto or whatever your version of healthier looks like. There are also tons of savory meal recipes. Her philosophy on diet and desserts lines right up with my insights this week on Balance.

If you are interested in using the power of the mind to uplevel your life, I share mindset expertise every week, along with fun & insightful stories from my own life path from 80s hair band superfan to chemical engineer to health & mindset coach (what a journey!).

You will also see plenty of health promoting tips and recipes because I am blown away by the power of intermittent fasting + a healthy diet to prevent & reverse just about any health concern Mindset plays a big part in health and healing too, the power of the Mind Body connection is pretty mind blowing.