Christmas. A joyous time of year that can be often overshadowed by stress and disappointment when everything isn’t going “ just right.”  Despite jolly Santa Claus and smiling snowmen plastered everywhere, the “Christmas spirit” can seem hard to reach. Negative thoughts still occur by the slightest inconveniences like; overcrowded airports, missing packages and no parking spots at the mall. It’s important though that we realize what we do have and that we are grateful for it.

Growing up with a single parent after losing my mom at a young age, the holidays weren’t always easy. With three other siblings, we didn’t always have the latest and greatest Christmas gifts. I was often jealous of my friends when we compared presents. However, my father said something to me when I was a kid that I never really embraced until my adult years. He told me that someone is always going to have it better than you but someone is always going to have it worse.” Telling me to be grateful for what I have. These words could not be more true. We all have different backgrounds and traditions when it comes to celebrating Christmas but one thing we all have in common is we all have something to be grateful for.

This can be easily forgotten throughout the year but especially this time of year when we are all running around like crazy. When rushing to your airport gate, instead of complaining, be appreciative of your ability to rush around. Your ability to walk, not everyone is so lucky.  Your packages may come late but at least you have loved ones to buy gifts for. Some people spend this holiday alone. It can be painfully annoying circling the mall dozens of times without finding a spot but try to be appreciative that you have a vehicle and you made it there safely.

With losing my mother at a young age it wasn’t always a smooth and happy time growing up but I’m grateful for the close bond that I have with my siblings and father that came out of it. Several years ago I went to a benefit for a young boy who had a brain tumor. He was strong, positive and happy. This always inspired me. He also beat it and lives a perfect, healthy life now. I purchased a ribbon his sister knitted and have left it on my purse ever since. I, like many of us can get stressed and negative easily but I like to keep this as a reminder to keep me in prospective on how lucky I am. There are a lot of things I don’t like or complain about but at the end of the day I have good health, a great family and the best boyfriend in the world (sorry ladies).

One of my favorite quotes is by Epicurus, an ancient Greek philosopher. He said, “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” Although written thousands of years ago this mentality should still hold true today. Not just at Christmas time but always. Think about what you have to be grateful for and cherish it.  Merry Christmas!

My eyelids are fluttering as I’m losing the battle to keep them open. I’m sprawled across soft, cozy sheets as soothing music is being played in the background. I almost drift away to sleep as I start to feel gentle warmth and pressure from my massage therapist. I awake from a slightly euphoric state and remember where I was, I am getting a massage. Massages are incredible for your body and soul. There are very few things on this earth that give me the same satisfaction that I get from a massage (pizza being one of them). Massages can help with aches, release tension and promote relaxation. Massage Therapy is not only an amazing way to help with pain but it is also a great way to reduce stress. Routine massage therapy can help stop the stress and aches from building up in the first place.

However this massage I received today isn’t an ordinary massage, it’s a hot stone massage. I have always been mesmerized when I used to see pictures of them in the past, thinking to myself, what are those stones for? My theory that they were used for dramatic effect was quickly crushed as I learned all about what’s behind the stone in a hot stone massage. These aren’t pebbles you find in the park. The stones used during this massage are volcanic rocks that are heated, adding another level to your traditional massage. The use of hot stones can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago. In China they were originally placed on a person’s body as a way to improve organ function. They were also used because of their believed “healing powers” in North America, South America, Africa, Europe and India over the years. These traditions included laying stones in patterns on the body, carrying or wearing stones for health and protection, using stones for the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and for ceremonial uses, such as sweat lodges and medicine wheels, according to Massage Magazine.

Today they are used to warm the muscle tissue, intensifying the massage experience. Madalyn Anderson is the Massage Lead at Essentials Medispa. She says, “Hot stone massages promote sleep, increase circulation and can help reduce stress and anxiety.” These are all characteristics of a traditional massage but by warming the stones and using long, relaxing strokes it helps the muscles even more. Madalyn adds, “This warming of the tissue allows the muscle to relax, which leads to reduced muscle tension and pain, the stones can also be placed along the spine.” This can improve the flow of energy in your body. Anyone can receive a hot stone massage, with the exception of people with edema and pregnant women. This massage does raise your blood pressure, which is not good for the baby. Essentials does offer a Pre-Baby Bliss Prenatal Massage that is great for expected mothers past their first trimester.

If you are unsure about a hot stone massage or have more questions, call the spa today and learn more. Or try a hot stone add-on for only $15 to any massage. If hot stones aren’t your thing, Essentials has an extended list of massages for all your needs. Some of their more popular massages are the Ultimate Unwinder and Thai Massage. The Ultimate Unwinder is a deep relaxing, full body massage that offers a blend of Swedish and circulatory strokes. It’s Essentials “signature” massage. The Thai Massage has also been called the “yoga” massage because the therapist uses their hands, knees and legs to move you into a series of stretches. Muscle compression, joint mobilization and acupressure are all used during the treatment. Truly and unique and rewarding experience. I truly enjoyed my hot stone massage experience but when it comes to massages there is something for everybody. Talk to one of Essential’s massage therapists today, seeing what works best for you. Get ready to transcend and let the relaxation begin.

Once just a side, salads have now become quite a staple meal in households and restaurants across the country. They are flavorful, crispy and healthy. Salads are great because of their versatility. You can dress them up or down for each individual’s taste. They can be used as a snack or load them up for a full blown meal. Although more popular in summer months because of their refreshing taste, salads are great year round. On cooler days, try these traditional salads with a warm twist.

Grilled Greek Salad

• 4 romaine hearts cut in half lengthwise
• 1 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
• 1/4 cup chopped hot banana peppers or pepperoncini peppers
• 1/4 pitted Kalamata olives
• Balsamic vinegar
• Pinch of salt, pepper and garlic powder

Oil your grill top or grill pan with olive oil. Drizzle romaine hearts with oil and seasonings. Sear 1-2 minutes on each side. It should have a light char. Top lettuce with all your remaining ingredients and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Pairs nice with grilled chicken. This will make four salads.

Fried Goat Cheese Salad

• 16 oz.of spring mix greens
• 6 oz. of goat cheese (the log)
• 1/4 cup diced roasted red peppers
• 1/4 chopped artichoke hearts
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs.
• 1 egg
• pinch of salt, pepper and garlic
• 2 tablespoons of cooking oil for frying (avoid olive oil)
• lemon vinaigrette dressing

Place your goat cheese log in the freezer for 30 minutes. Wisk your egg with the seasonings. Sprinkle your bread crumbs onto a plate. Slice the goat cheese log into 1/2 inch rings. Dip in egg wash then roll around in bread crumbs, coating the entire goat cheese slice. Heat a pan with cooking oil. Place breaded goat cheese rounds in pan. Flip them carefully, until they are golden brown on each side. Assemble your salad on a plate with spring mix, peppers and artichoke hearts. Top each salad with a fried goat cheese. When you cut into it, it will be gooey and delicious. Drizzle with lemon dressing. This will make four salads. Great with whole wheat baguette.

Taco Salad

• 1/2 pound of extra lean ground beef
• 1/2 pound of ground turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning (low sodium)
• 16 oz. of baby spinach mix
• 1/4 cup diced sweet peppers
• 1 tablespoon diced red onions
• 1 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup lite ranch dressing

Cook ground beef and turkey. Add in the taco seasoning. Cook according to packet. Toss together the spinach, peppers, onions and cheese. Place the salad mix onto four plates. Top each with 1/4 of the meat. Whisk together the salsa and lite ranch dressing. Drizzle over the top. Makes four salads. Great with whole wheat tortilla chips.

Thanksgiving, a day of stuffing our faces. Undoubtedly the number one diet cheat day of the year. However for some it can’t be a cheat day. For those with food allergies and diet restrictions, this time of year can be difficult. Imagine having to skip some of your favorite Thanksgiving traditional sides or saying no to dessert. It’s tough to have food sensitivities in general but around the holidays it can be extra hard. Luckily advances have been made over the past few years in the culinary world that have enabled us to create gluten, dairy and sugar-free recipes that are delicious.

There are tons of great websites out there dedicated to people with food restricted diets or allergies. I pulled three recipes from popular websites below that are great for people with gluten allergies, dairy intolerance and diabetes. I have tried them all and they are delicious.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies

This recipe comes from amyinthekitchen.com

• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup canola oil
• 1 15 oz. can pumpkin
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 1/2 cups gluten free all purpose flour blend
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice

frosting

• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt

1. Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl combine brown sugar, sugar, canola oil, pumpkin, eggs and vanilla until fully incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and pumpkin pie spice.
4. Pour 1/3 of the dry mixture at a time into the wet ingredients making sure to fully combine before adding more.
5. Use a small cookie scoop to place mounds of the dough onto the parchment paper.
6. Flatten out the mounds by smoothing the top with the back of a spoon. (The shape they are going into the oven is pretty much the shape they will be when they are done)
7. Bake for 11-13 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven, transfer cookies to a cooling rack and let cool before glazing.
9. To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar and yogurt until smooth. (I like to make my frosting thicker so I use less yogurt)
10. Frost each cookie and enjoy!

Diabetic Friendly Pumpkin Pie

This recipe comes from Allrecipes.com

• 1 – 9 inch pie crust
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice
• 6 packets of granulated artificial sweetener ( I recommend Truvia)
• 15 oz can of pumpkin puree
• 1 cup evaporated milkPreheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

1. In a medium bowl whisk together egg, sugar substitute, and pumpkin pie spice until well blended. Add pumpkin and milk to egg mixture, and stir until smooth. Pour mixture into pie shell.
2. Place pie on a baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until set in center.

Dairy free pumpkin mousse

This recipe comes from laurenkellynutrition.com

Coconut oil has been incorporated into recipes everywhere and is the highlight of several popular diet programs today. Coconut oil is high in saturated fat, but eating fat has become quite a popular tool for losing weight. The added consumption of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) has led to greater losses in fat tissue. It helps with weight loss by increasing fat burning and mental clarity.  It also burns off quickly and metabolizes fast. Sounds great but not without its scrutiny. It has become a controversial subject among medical professionals, because coconut oil is high in saturated fats. Some of them are worried that it will lead to heart disease while others have discussed its effectiveness on weight loss.

In a journal published in the US Library of Medicine by a group of college physicians at Columbia, they examined this subject. After the study they conducted with a group of men and women aged 19-50, they found that adding MCT oil, like coconut oil, to your weight loss program can be done without adversely affecting metabolic risk factors.

Coconut oil does not only aid in weight loss it makes your food taste great and makes cooking easy. Instead of cooking spray and olive oil apply a little coconut oil to your pan. Your eggs will slide off with ease, chicken won’t stick and your non-stick pans will feel like they’re non-stick again. When trying to add coconut oil into your diet, a good way to start is first thing in the morning. Start your day with a boost of energy while revving up your metabolism, with your morning coffee.  As with starting any diet, discuss it with your doctor first.  There are several diet programs out there that incorporate high fat into them. The coffee recipe below is my favorite and a staple in high fat diets, like the Ketogenic diet.

Bulletproof coffee

There are slight variations all over the internet but the basic ingredients are the same. You will need your favorite coffee, coconut oil and grass fed butter. This coffee will fill you up, aid in fat loss and boosts your energy levels.  All you do is blend the softened ingredients together. I like to add heavy cream and some cinnamon. Sounds unappealing, but lookout Starbucks, this is the most delicious coffee you will ever have.

• 2 cups coffee
• 2 tablespoons grass fed unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
• ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon (vanilla extract also tastes great)