Holiday Get-Togethers Both a Physical and Mental Strain? Here are 5 Tips to Get Through:

1. Invite Those Whom You Know Will Get Along

It’s sweet and ambitious to hope that quarrelling relatives will use a time of togetherness as an opportunity to let bygones be bygones, but if a couple of people haven’t spoken to each other for years because they can’t stand one another, your dinner party isn’t going to be the balm that eases such ills. If you’d like a stress-free, pleasant get-together, invite friends and family members who actually like one another and will mingle well.

2. Ask Everyone About Food Allergies, Sensitivities, and Restrictions

Most of us have friends and family members of various ethnic/religious backgrounds, and there are a variety of food restrictions that go along with certain cultures and faiths. Furthermore, whether someone avoids a certain food because of personal ethics, or because it will make them horrifically ill, it’s best to avoid adding any of it to your meal plan. The last thing any host or hostess wants to do is kill anyone with their cooking, so as soon as you receive confirmation that your guests will be attending, ask them about any foods that may be forbidden. The same goes for if kids are attending: some may be solely accustomed to “kid food” and will refuse what’s being served, so ask parents what (if anything) the kids will want to eat.

3. Don’t Try to Do It All Alone

Many hosts end up stressed out and frustrated because they get so overwhelmed by trying to handle every aspect of the celebration itself that they don’t end up enjoying the actual event. Gather together friends and family members and allot certain tasks to everyone.  This allows a greater possibility that everything will get done.

4. Give Away Leftovers

There will undoubtedly be leftovers after the meal, so encourage your guests to bring plastic containers with them so you can land some on the seat of their car.  If you don’t, you’ll be stuck with zero fridge space, or a bunch of food that you may not want to eat for a week afterwards.

5. Allot Time to Relax

If you’re hosting this year’s party, be sure to book some time off the following day to relax and chill out. Even the most stress-free party will require a lot of work, and it’ll likely do you good to have some “you” time the next day.  It’s inevitable that something may not go entirely according to plan, and that’s absolutely ok. Try to flow with things, keep a sense of humour, and remember that you’re among those who love you: dinner doesn’t have to be “perfect” in order to be amazing. :)

Zeke Samples, IFA, CSN, CPR, IDEA

Surreal Body Solutions, LLC

803.322.7649

www.SurrealBodySolutions.com 

& contributing health and exercise author

Personal Training | Nutrition | Supplements | Motivation

4 Hotel Chains Supporting Today's Dietary Needs

I have blogged many times about the importance of meal preparation when traveling.  Staying fit on the road is never easy, particularly when it comes to healthy eating; healthy options are hard to come by.  Thank goodness hotels are starting to recognize the demand for healthier food options, and a handful of chains are taking action. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Fairmont, and Westin hotels, are among the brands paving the way, working with health experts and organizations to come up with some tasty, guilt-free and gluten-free menu options. 

Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. is introducing a culinary program that allows guests "lite" low calorie and healthy options to help keep wellness goals in-line when traveling. The luxury hotel is setting the standard for new hotel meal options.

I enjoyed the gluten-free options in the Orlando, Grand Lakes property in March 2013.

The program was first launched on a trial basis in Westend Bistro in January 2013 with the introduction of the award-winning restaurant's "Bistro Lite" menu section. The offerings soon became among the most popular items ordered off of the menu, prompting the D.C. hotel to build off of Westend Bistro's success by expanding the concept to the hotel's other food and beverage outlets, including The Lobby Lounge, In-Room Dining, Club Lounge, In-room Mini Bar, and Banquet menu.

Hyatt

The “Food. Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served.” initiative launched in 2012 has brought cage-free eggs, hormone-free beef, and sustainable seafood options to all of Hyatt's 492 hotels, among other health-conscious food options. 

JW Marriott

JW Marriott focuses on bringing local food experiences — and local ingredients — to all of its 60 properties. It has also worked with nutritionist Keri Glassman to create healthy kids’ menus, which premiered this spring.  Both the JW Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton properties are found together in Orlando, FL.  

Westin

Westin, which has more than 200 hotels, introduced a nutritional program inspired by the popular books published by Superfood Partners LLC. Its hotels have menus designed with doctors and nutritionists that incorporate natural “superfoods” and pair ingredients in ways that increase their nutritional value. In addition, Westin hotels lend workout gear and provide running maps to guests as part of a fitness initiative with New Balance.

In Health, 

Zeke Samples - IFA, - IDEA

surrealbody@gmail.com