Week 1: Stress Less About Holiday Shopping

well  my friends,

I've done alot of shopping online.  But i always have a  little sealed sandwiches bags of single servings of seeds [pumpkins] or nuts.  I also have sugar free vanilla latte at the end of a long shopping day.   well thats it

From past experience, I know that it can be too easy to forget about healthy eating in anticipation of Black Friday and those amazing bargains.  Not eating for energy will leave you feeling tired and irritable, and more likely to blowing healthy eating habits.  Here are some of my suggestions for surviving the quest for bargains.

Protein, protein, protein.  Fill up on healthy snacks such as salads and our delicious SB rollups. 

Baggies!  Rollups fit nicely into a small baggie, as does a healthy serving of nuts.  Stash a couple of string cheese sticks or, my favorite, celery filled with Laughing Cow and sprinkled with sesame seeds.  YUM!

Stay hydrated! 

Rushing around all the time will wear out even the most ardent shopper. As well as ensuring you're eating properly during the day out, be sure to factor in some breaks for a breather and to regain your sense of humor so that you avoid Black Friday turning into Black Mood Friday!

I plan to wait it out for early morning Black Friday mall crowds, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be in my jammies shopping for Black Friday bargains early Friday morning.  The crowds in the malls tend to slow down by mid-afternoon, and I will venture out then.  Local news channels post “mall alerts” throughout the day, and last year, I was amazed at how many empty parking spots there were at the malls around 4.  Shopping a little bit later in the day will also provide you with the opportunity to see all those twinkling Christmas lights after the sun goes down. 

My wish list?  To stay healthy, stress-free, and happy during the holiday season.  I love decorating and will focus on that, as well as spending time with friends and family.  That puts a smile on my face.

Look at the stress you may experience as excitement; try to view the hassle as a challenge. Positive attitude and unrelenting gratitude can help relieve stress.

Hope this helps!

Hello All,
I made it a point to finish my shopping before Thanksgiving, except for stocking stuffers. I intend on watching my grandchildren on black Friday with popcorn and a movie. When I did go shopping I ate lunch and then headed for the mall. I carried an apple in my purse for when I passed Aunt Millies pretzel shop. If I didn't need it I ate it at 3 or 4 for my snack. Worked great for me.

Hi everyone,

Please remember to post all your great ideas under your Team thread.

Thanks!

I really have no shopping tips because I haven't been to the mall in over 15 years.  When my kids were little I would go all the time but slowly, most of the stores were replaced with very high end shops.  These days I do a lot of shopping on line.  I have 7 grandkids and 3 children + spouses. For Thanksgiving I am going to my Daughters, coming home on Friday.  She is very health conscious so I know it will be good there.  I recently moved from a small condo to an even smaller apt.  so not too sure what Christmas will bring.  Since cooking and baking seem like an enormous chore to me these days, there won't be that temptation. 
That being said, there is always temptations, even if it's something I'm not that crazy about because it's not always about the food.  Knowing I'm an emotional eater, I have to be very careful when my mind starts to wander.

Estelle

Estelle,

Please post this under the Sassy Snowflake thread in order to recive credit for posting a response to the week one Challenge.

Thanks!

For Thanksgiving I am preparing a few dishes that I enjoy (SB friendly) and taking those to my daughter's. My son-in-law's parents will be there as well. It always is a stress-free day and I enjoy it. 
The family is still celebrating birthdays this fall so I am still buying birthday gifts. I have started shopping but I do not see that as a stressful time. I won't be shopping this Friday though---there are 2 more b-days to celebrate in the family.
I do plan to take some fruit and cheese with me---string cheese works well for me with apples. I think rewarding oneself with a skinny latte' is a perfect idea.
 

A babbie of goodies is great but thirst making.  I take a small container of liquid with me as well.  This year every one wants cash so I am not shopping for them, just for me.

I've grown to love shopping on line.  I don't have to drive anywhere, I can browse all I want with no one trying to urge me to make a purchase, I don't have to pay sales tax, if I'm lucky I don't have to pay shipping and I have my own kitchen to choose Phase 2 foods appropriately.  If I do have to shop in a mall or downtown, I go as early after breakfast as I can so I can be home before lunch time.  If I drive to a mall, I bring string cheese, celery sticks or a small can of tomato juice for a mid morning snack and my water bottle.  My Christmas gift list includes gifts for 2 adult children (and one of their girlfriends), one of my friends, my husband, brother/sister-in-law and my Dad's wife.  I usually start my list of suggested items in September and I finalize it no later than Thanksgiving.  I love the holiday season so I put on Christmas music while I internet shop.  Just like planning for my meals, if I plan ahead for shopping, I feel more in control about temptations (food as well as impulse buys) at a mall and I can enjoy the season knowing I'm in charge!  My wish list is to do my best to stay on control throughout this holiday season.  I know there'll be slips but I plan to keep those to a minimum and if they do happen, I wish that I will understand its not the end of the world and get right back onto plan.