FAVE WAYS TO AVOID THE HOLIDAY FOOD, DRINK & OTHER HANGOVERS

Our most popular blog is back and includes more of my faves than ever before! Whether you’re suffering from food, alcohol or other over indulgences, sleep deprivation and/ or emotional runoff associated with the season, you can feel better and have more energy now by practicing  these tips. Best part, these can be used all year round to avoid acting like the Grinch.  

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I recco CHOOSING LIGHT, TOP SHELF LIQUORS (vodka or tequila are the preferred) over dark liquors (brandy or whiskey).   But whatever you choose, STICK WITH ONE TYPE OF ALCOHOL.  Light liquors have fewer “congeners" (a minor toxic chemical element of alcohol that gives it it's distinctive characteristics) which may contribute to hangovers.     

• MY FAVE: 2oz of  top shelf TEQUILA  on the rocks, with salt.  SIP IT or have your FAVE VODKA or tequila ON THE ROCKS and SQUEEZE IN SEVERAL FRESH LEMONS OR LIMES to your taste and fill with club soda or sparkling water. Order an additional tall glass of club soda/sparkling water and fill your drink with the water after every couple of sips.  Do not order a second drink until you’ve had 1-2 full glasses of sparkling water. This serves the dual purpose of diluting your alcohol/extending the time it takes you to finish the drink as well as helping you to stay hydrated.
  
  

• STAY HYDRATED.  Alcohol makes you urinate more, which can lead to dehydration. But not just water, you lose minerals as well. The processes that break down alcohol also produces lactic acid and other chemicals that interfere with the production of glucose (sugar) and electrolytes.   ​

BEST FOOD AND DRINK BETS FOR YOUR EVENTS

ALCOHOL

• Try to pace yourself to ONE STANDARD DRINK PER HOUR (2 ounces of hard liquor,) which is about the rate at which your liver can keep up. For most people, the most pleasant moment is when the first one kicks in (.05) and drinking more at that time just moves you away from the “sweet spot."  At one per hour, your blood alcohol level will tend to stay in that range, resulting in more pleasant feeling.  Never drink more than three. And if coming off a cleanse, stick with none or max, one. Even those with high tolerances’ livers cannot process well more than one per evening.

I reco CHOOSING LIGHT, TOP SHELF LIQUORS (vodka or tequila are the preferred) over dark liquors (brandy or whiskey).   But whatever you choose, STICK WITH ONE TYPE OF ALCOHOL.  Light liquors have fewer “congeners" (a minor toxic chemical element of alcohol that gives it it's distinctive characteristics) which may contribute to hangovers. 

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• MY FAVE: 2oz of  top shelf TEQUILA  on the rocks, with salt.  SIP IT or have your FAVE VODKA or tequila ON THE ROCKS and SQUEEZE IN SEVERAL FRESH LEMONS OR LIMES to your taste and fill with club soda or sparkling water. Order an additional tall glass of club soda/sparkling water and fill your drink with the water after every couple of sips.  Do not order a second drink until you’ve had 1-2 full glasses of sparkling water. This serves the dual purpose of diluting your alcohol/extending the time it takes you to finish the drink as well as helping you to stay hydrated.
  
  

• STAY HYDRATED.  Alcohol makes you urinate more, which can lead to dehydration. But not just water, you lose minerals as well. The processes that break down alcohol also produces lactic acid and other chemicals that interfere with the production of glucose (sugar) and electrolytes.   ​

WHAT IS A HANGOVER?

Although there is no official definition, a hangover is the crummy feeling that follows a night of excessive alcohol or unhealthy food and includes at least two of the following symptoms:  headache, nausea, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue.

Drinking drains and interferes with the body’s absorption of vitamins and minerals such as:  amino acids, B12, B6 and folic acid, calcium, magnesium, and more.  Eating foods that you may have allergies or sensitive to like gluten, dairy or sugar, can have the same draining effect on your brain and body-leaving you sluggish and bloated.  

Simply put:   Alcohol is a toxic substance.  When you ingest toxins of any kind (and as far as I’m concerned that can include being around emotionally toxic environments/people,) it may result in dehydration, lack of sleep and other side effects to throw your body out of balance. 

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FOOD

WHAT TO EAT BEFORE THE DAY OF YOUR EVENT:

• 4 OUNCES OF LEAN PROTEIN AND UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF VEGGIES
• ALOHA PROTEIN SHAKE
• ALOHA DAILY GOOD or ORGANIC GREEN JUICES
• ORGANIC CHICKEN BONE BROTH
  
  

I like to have a mostly liquid day on those days I know that I will either be eating late or that I may not have the best food choices at my event.  

WHAT TO AVOID:

• The most common food allergens & difficult to digest foods that cause bloating, gas and fatigue: gluten, dairy, beans and grains.  
• Nuts and dried fruits:  Nuts in large quantities have too many calories and may affect your stomach. Dried fruits have an extremely high glycemic index. Nuts are a good snack if you can have just a few, 8-12 total.   

• Dessert and sugary foods. Sugar is a drug and a depressant.  

• Champagne and sparkling wine. These can literally go straight to your head. Studies have shown that the effects of bubbles in alcohol increases the delivery of alcohol through your system and cause you to become intoxicated faster.  They can also cause bloating.

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PRACTICE MINDFUL EATING HABITS  

Chew your food UNTIL IT’S THE CONSISTENCY OF BABY FOOD + EAT ONLY UNTIL YOU’RE 80% FULL.

HEALTHY FOOD STAPLES TO HAVE ON HAND AT HOME-YOUR SHOPPING LIST:

• ALOHA Protein Shakes and Daily Good Superfoods

• Organic, hormone and antibiotic-free chicken breast or turkey

• Organic, Cascadian Farms frozen veggies: Kale, chard, broccoli, brussels sprouts & asparagus.

• Organic Chicken Bone Broth:  My new, most favorite healthy food.  

• Amy’s Organic Gluten Free, Dairy Free Pizza (they come in small or large).

• Andean Dream Quinoa Pasta:  Get them next time you’re at Whole Foods.  These non perishables are my quick and healthy go to’s for comfort food.

• Food For Life Gluten free bread, muffins or bagels:  These taste great and are also corn and soy free which many gluten free products are not. Only for when comfort food is the only thing you crave.

• Organic, free-range, hormone and antibiotic free eggs and turkey bacon.

• Traditional Medicinal Gas Tea and Smooth Move Tea

• Coconut Oil for cooking

• Eden Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

• 1 fresh LEMON and 1/2 inch piece of ginger.  Ginger is a great digestive aid and can soothe the stomach.  Great to keep around.  
• CALM Magnesium
• SOURCE NATURALS NUTRA SPRAY MELATONIN

• BACH RESCUE REMEDY:  Natural Stress Relief.  Dr. Oz uses this for himself and the kids version for his kids.

• BOIRON’S NUX VOMICA:  Natural hangover remedy
  
  

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YOUR PARTY DAY PLAN:

• UPON RISING: Make a blender of MB CLEAN DRINK: Makes the blood more alkaline, is cleansing and starts you off on a good, hydrating note.    

• BREAKFAST:  ALOHA Protein Shake for breakfast

• EVERY HOUR TILL 5PM: Drink 8-12 ounces of Traditional Medicinals Gas Tea mid morning and mid afternoon or MB CLEAN DRINK

 

• LUNCH/DINNER BEFORE EVENT:

1. Protein shake
2. 12 ounces Organic Chicken Bone Broth
3. Lean protein and veggies
   
   

Eating food helps to reduce the acetaldehyde in your stomach, and it is the acetaldehyde that is thought to be one of the main causes of hangovers.  If you are going to a party that will be serving small bites, be sure to have a before going out!

• WHEN YOU GET HOME IN EVENING:

1. Blend one tablespoon of CALM magnesium + 1 packet Daily Good berry flavor with 8-12 ounces of water.
2. Drink one cup of Smooth Move Tea. It’s good for elimination and you’ll want to eliminate as much as possible/flush toxins out the next day.
   
   

• BEFORE BED: Best not to eat before bed but if you’re starving try these things in this order

1. 1 T of almond or sunflower butter or
2. ALOHA chocolate protein shake or
3. One piece of gluten-free toast with grass fed butter + drop or two of raw honey.   
   
   

• AT BEDTIME:

1. Open a window to freshen the room and get some fresh air. This will oxygenate your body and help you sleep better too. Be sure your room is 67 degrees or cooler.
2. Take two squirts of Source Naturals Melatonin under your tongue and hold for 60 seconds before swallowing
3. Put your Melatonin next to your bed and if you wake up anytime before 3AM and can’t go right back to sleep, take 2 squirts and practice breathing through your nose six counts in and out until you fall back to sleep.
4. Practice TWO BELLS BREATHING if feeling anxious. Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth, close your mouth and inhale/exhale six counts. Repeat for as long as you like. Optimally a minimum of 28 minutes per day. This is my fav meditation/stress reducer. Download the recording HERE and put on your iPhone today and use for immediate, stress relief anywhere, anytime.
5. Avoid taking acetaminophen based pills. Alcohol metabolism increases the toxic effect acetaminophen has on the liver and can be dangerous when mixed with the alcohol in your system-even before going to bed while alcohol is still prominent in your system.  These also make you urinate more leading to further possible dehydration.

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DAY AFTER PARTY TIPS

SLEEP IN  if you can or follow the next two steps and go back to bed.

UPON RISING & THROUGHOUT THE DAY

1. MB CLEAN DRINK:  Sip (don’t chug) 20 ounces of Keep sipping throughout the day  until you’ve reached 80-100 ounces total.
2. NUX VOMICA-Take 5-8 pellets under tongue.  You can repeat this 3x throughout day.
3. BREATHE- Practice TWO BELLS BREATHING, EFT and/or MINDFULNESS.  
4. BACH RESCUE REMEDY. Four to six drops under your tongue for 60 seconds. Repeat this as often as you like throughout the day.
5. BULLET PROOF COFFEE - If you are a coffee drinker, have one cup.  But be sure to follow it with a big glass of water.  Caffeine will only dehydrate you more and it will not help your stomach.  AVOID Milk and other DAIRY products in your coffee and in general-they may make you feel more queasy or bloated.  If you’re not a coffee drinker try some GINGER or other HERBAL TEA-Ginger soothes the stomach.
6. EXPRESS GRATITUDE  for all that you have. Be grateful for the family and friends with whom you’re spending the holidays and the job you have that requires you to go to that company X-mas party and for all those other social opportunities, good friends and family to celebrate the holidays. Some people are really alone at this time of year. Gratitude makes us feel better right away.

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7. EAT: BREAKFAST-After you’ve done steps above, have a breakfast with healthy alternatives to the normal greasy, hangover foods.  See ideas above.  LUNCH & DINNER:  Turkey Burger-no bun or Amy’s Organic Pizza or Rice Pasta.

8.  RINSE: Take a shower. A good shower, although it does not treat the symptoms of the hangover helps you feel revitalized.  Use warm water, not hot and finish with a 30-60 second cool rinse. Or take a cleansing Epsom Salts bath.

9. MOVE: Only if you’re well hydrated take your fave SOUL CYCLE or other spin class, a light jog, or 25 minutes on the BELLICON. They’ll make you smile and release some endorphins. If you are sleep deprived and you go to class it can make you feel worse. In that case, opt for a couple of planks + 3 sets of pushups + 30 squats.

10. LAUGH: Too tired to go to class?  Watch a funny movie. Love Actually is one of my holiday faves. Laughter always makes us feel better.   Whatever you do, don’t call that friend that’s always in a bad mood.  You’re likely to feel a little depressed if tired, hungover so you want to avoid negative people.

11. SWEAT: I live for my SUNLIGHTEN INFRARED SAUNA and try and sweat 3-6 days a week. If you can’t get to in one of Sunlighten’s, any dry sauna-especially the one at THE RUSSIAN BATH HOUSE will do. Three x 20 minute rounds with short breaks or dips in a cold plunge is optimal but pace yourself and be sure to take electrolytes and that your hydrated.

12. SUNSHINE and the FRESH AIR, even if only for a few minutes.  Our body in order to function properly needs oxygen.  


Find my Amazon Shopping List of Hangover Prevention Tools/Remedies HERE.

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