Merry Christmas! On our 12th and final day of 12 Days of Wellness, I'm summarizing each day so you can reflect on all we've covered! I hope you'll continue to find these tips useful in the days ahead. Thanks for following along my first long series!

Day 10: Booze

We've talked extensively about parties and food, but we should take time to mention alcohol as well. Here are a few tips to remember when your imbibing this weekend and through the new year:

Day 10: Social Media 

Tis the season for social media overload! If you find it hard to stick to your healthy lifestyle (both mentally and physically) while seeing a constant stream of food pictures, friend/family drama, complaining, bragging, etc etc, you are not alone. 

Day 9: Focus

I'm always fascinated by the social dynamics of food and eating; how strongly tradition and memories effect our thoughts on what we eat. But what if we started to look at things differently?

Day 8: Consistency. 

If you want to successfully make a lifestyle change, consistency is key. This means not setting limits on when the change is 'done' or 'over,' rather thinking of it as a journey. It may not look the same every day. It may not be perfect. But it's a continual effort that moves forward.

One thing that I've learned since adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet, is that bringing my own food is a must. This is especially easy during this season because holiday parties are notoriously pot-luck. Today, I'm sharing a new recipe for vegan pinwheels!

The busiest time of year is probably not the best time to start up a new work out plan, though it may work for some people. I think the most realistic goals to have during this season are ones of maintenance. If you don't have a current routine, try keeping your focus on staying active in daily activities. Take the stairs. Make an extra loop around the grocery store. Shovel the driveway (just don't hurt your back ;)). Take a walk, even if it's in the snow...

Stressors of life are inevitable, but it is our mindset that we have control over. The habits and patterns we create in our lives dictate how stress affects us.

Here are a few simple strategies to consider when stress seems abundant...

Nutrition and exercise are really only a portion of what truly makes up wellness + health. Rest and stress-management are two other vital pieces of the puzzle. 

Making time for rest and self-care during the holiday season can seem impossible. But, like most things we've talked about so far, it's all about being intentional.

Why wait until New Year's to start thinking about resolutions? I'm not a big fan of the cliche goals, like "Go to the gym more" or "Eat healthier." Don't set yourself up for failure when it comes to setting goals. Let's talk about some simple steps to consider when you're making a diet and lifestyle change. 

Day 2: Community 

We're all a little better together. 

There's a reason that support groups exist for times of life transition. It's hard to pursue change alone. This is no different when it comes to changing up your diet. 

The holiday season can be stressful. Full calendars, endless gift buying, family dynamics, travel, and FOOD. 

Typical American family holiday traditions revolve heavily around food. These traditional foods are usually different than what we eat on a regular basis -- often higher in saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, sodium, and sugar. These foods leave us feeling sluggish, and for many, they leave us feeling guilty. 

The first step in creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, be it during the holiday season or any time of year, is a healthy relationship with food.