Just days away from my favorite time of year!!! We already started putting up the Christmas tree… how about you? Not only is December Christmas and New Years Eve… it’s my birthday and anniversary month!
Celebrate with me by joining my upcoming free 5 Day challenge Healthy for the Holidays (more about how to join below) and let’s refocus on making fitness and living a healthy fit life fun again!
And… Let’s workout together! Join me for group fitness classes locally or online. Take a look at my class calendar here.
Recipe: Best Homemade Apple Crisp
Serves 12
Ingredients
FILLING
8 medium-large apples, 1/2 tart & 1/2 sweet
juice of 1 large lemon
2/3 cup coconut sugar
1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 Tbsp arrowroot starch
1/4 cup fresh apple juice (or filtered water)
3/4 tsp freshly grated ginger
pinch of ground nutmeg
TOPPING
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup almond meal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1/2 cup organic brown sugar
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
Directions
1.) Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
2.) Peel the apples, quarter, remove cores and thinly slice lengthwise.
3.) Add them to a large mixing bowl and top with the rest of the filling ingredients. Toss to combine. Pour them into a 9×13″ baking dish.
4.) Rinse out your bowl and add in all the topping ingredients. Stir to combine and break down any clumps of sugar. Pour on top of the apples in an even layer.
5.) Bake for 50-60 minutes uncovered or until the filling is bubbly, apples are fork tender and topping is golden brown.
6.) Remove and let rest for 30 minutes before serving. Serve plain or with coconut whip cream or vanilla bean coconut ice cream.
Gratitude is Good for You
November was all about thankfulness, and a time to focus on gratitude, because it’s actually very beneficial to be grateful! In case you didn’t know, here are some benefits you can continue even after November has ended:
💖 Feeling run-down? In self-reports, grateful people report less physical symptoms like aches and pains. They also take better care of their health and are more likely to recover quickly from illness.
💖 Do you have a short fuse? A University of Kentucky study found that people who scored higher on gratitude scales were less likely to lash out against others and were more sensitive and empathic to others.
💖 Having trouble sleeping? A study in Applied Psychology reported that writing in a gratitude journal before bed improves sleep quality and quantity.
💖 Feeling stressed? Research over the years has shown that gratitude can reduce stress and help to overcome trauma. One study of Vietnam veterans showed that those with higher levels of gratitude experienced lower rates of PTSD.
💖 Need a confidence boost? The Journal of Applied Sport Psychology found that gratitude increased athletes’ self-esteem. Plus, other studies have shown that gratitude reduces social comparisons. That’s a big deal in today’s social media highlight reel kind of world!
It only makes sense that being grateful leads to a more peaceful and healthy life. God calls us to be thankful several times throughout scripture, so it’s clearly part of His design for us!
“It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.” – Germany Kent
OK, we know now that gratitude is great for us. 🙌 It’s time to put gratitude into action with a daily habit of journaling! ✍️ It is recommended to write down 3-5 things (minimum) that you are grateful for each day. So where do we start and how do we make it stick?
✔️Decide when, where and how you will do gratitude journaling. It could be in the morning, at your lunch break, or before bed (or all 3!). Choose a time that will be easiest for you to stick to, and a time where you feel most stressed, anxious or down. Also, pick out a special journal or notebook to write in!
✔️Get others involved. Make it a family affair where you all do it at the same time after supper, or share your gratitude around the table, or discuss it at bedtime. You can also get friends or co-workers involved for more accountability and so they can experience the benefits too.
✔️Make sure you remember to do it. Duh, right? It can be hard to remember when you’re first starting out! You can either set an alarm on your phone to remind you. Or you can choose a daily habit or event that you always do, that can become your cue to do your gratitude journal too. Maybe it’s with brushing your teeth before bed, when you pour coffee in the morning, after your workout or after eating lunch.
Share in the comments below: when, where, and how will you start your gratitude journal?
Keep Your Fitness Fun
I know it can be hard to stay on track with your workouts during the chaotic holiday season. Yet it’s arguably more important than ever to get your workout in to help with stress relief, digestion, immune support and all the extra eating.
That’s why this month we’re Finding Fun With Fitness! 👟 I’m excited to share some ideas with you to make staying active more fun and to get the whole family involved. Everyone wins! 😉
First off, it’s important to always have fun with your workouts and keep things fresh. There is something to say about challenging yourself and trying different things. But if you are really struggling to enjoy your workouts, that’s a problem. 😔 Especially during this time of year, if you don’t enjoy your workout, you are much less likely to get it done with the busy holiday schedule.
Sometimes you need to just go back to an old favorite that you know and love, something that you are familiar with and can truly enjoy during this crazy time. Whether it’s running, biking, dancing, lifting, or another sport – do what you love and have fun with it! Now is not the time to push through trying something new that you don’t even like. Save that for the new year when motivation is higher. 😜
Bottom line… just have fun! Move your body in a way that brings you joy. Also, when you’re enjoying it, your family is more likely to join in. Invite them workout with you and set the example for the whole family! In addition, this time of year is a great way to inspire even more people while you see extended family and friends. 😊
What type of workout is the most fun for you?
Healthy Holidays 5 Day Free Challenge
It happens every year…
The holidays arrive with festivites, events, and countless gatherings, parties, pot lucks and feasts. So many opportunities to enjoy decadent foods and treats!
By the time you ring in the new year you realize — you’ve gained the annual Holiday 10 (or 20). 🙄 Now you have to figure out a way to get back to where you were a few months ago. UGH!
🙋♀️ Been there, done that — it’s no fun!
Don’t you worry your pretty little head because I’ve go news for you! It doesn’t have to be a vicious cycle! You can enjoy the holidays and NOT gain.
It’s true! I’ve got a 5-Day Challenge starting on Month Day to kickstart the holiday season with a few simple habits to help you stay on track through the holidays and beyond!
Imagine… ringing in the new year feeling excited to continue your journey. No back-peddling to lose the holiday weight — just continuing the simple, healthy habits you’ve been doing all along (while enjoying the holidays + life).
Join my free 5 Day challenge inside my Life Fit Collective Facebook group here! We will begin Dec 7th.
See you soon! And keep living life fit!
Angel
Angel Ballance 