How to Put More *HAPPY* in Your Holidays
Jessica Gershman shares the importance of self-love
The holidays are a beautiful time, but we all know they can be stressful, especially now, as we try to navigate our usual traditions during this unusual year. As a busy mom of four, I get the stress. As a student, practitioner and facilitator of self-care, I know how important it is to take care of you. In order to make this the best holiday season yet, you need to give yourself a little love first.
I have created an entire on-demand platform where you can do just that. Need to carve out a few minutes of “me” time? Interested in connecting to other moms and experts in monthly live classes and workshops? We do that! I have a database full of rejuvenating meditations, breath techniques, and yoga flows. Can’t figure out a holiday menu? I have hundreds of recipes at your fingertips, complete with wine pairings, video tutorials and fool-proof timing methods, because I believe that knowing how to do something builds confidence and can make any task more enjoyable.
Here are five quick tips to help you out this holiday season. There will always be overwhelm, but you don’t have to dwell in it. Join me at jessicanicole.love for full meditations, yoga flows, meal plans and more to make all your seasons merry and bright.
I have created an entire on-demand platform where you can do just that. Need to carve out a few minutes of “me” time? Interested in connecting to other moms and experts in monthly live classes and workshops? We do that! I have a database full of rejuvenating meditations, breath techniques, and yoga flows. Can’t figure out a holiday menu? I have hundreds of recipes at your fingertips, complete with wine pairings, video tutorials and fool-proof timing methods, because I believe that knowing how to do something builds confidence and can make any task more enjoyable.
Here are five quick tips to help you out this holiday season. There will always be overwhelm, but you don’t have to dwell in it. Join me at jessicanicole.love for full meditations, yoga flows, meal plans and more to make all your seasons merry and bright.
#1 Be kind to yourself. I use this mantra on a daily basis, “I do enough. I have enough. I am enough.” Say these words to yourself throughout the day, out loud or in your heart, and be amazed at how they make you feel, especially this time of year when it’s easy to feel outdone.
#2 Restore your balance with breath. My go-to for inner calm is a 2-to1 breathing technique. Inhale through the nose for three seconds, then exhale through the lips for six seconds. Repeat several times.
#3 When you feel stretched…Stretch! Yoga is magic and has been proven to reduce stress and increase happiness. Legs up the wall is an effective pose for pretty much everything. Lie on your back and set your legs vertically against the wall. Bring your hips closer to the wall as you let your hip flexors relax. Bring your hands to your hips and practice expanding your breath into your back and side ribs. Relax your shoulders and breathe through your nose for 2 minutes.
#4 Dish up some holiday cheer. I have created an entire gluten-and-dairy-free Thanksgiving menu available to members, and this stunning Curried Butternut Squash Soup starts the show. It’s soothing and versatile, and it is great for a crowd (or packs easily in a thermos for a winter picnic, because, yes—winter picnics are a thing this year).
#5 Drink. Water of course! Staying hydrated is so important, especially in the winter when the air tends to be dry. Aim for eight to ten glasses each day. It is a festive time, though, and the Rosemary Maple Bourbon Smash is one of our favorite seasonal cocktails that adds a little extra *happy* to any hour, and pairs well with the soup. Try it with local bourbon from Hotel Tango Bourbon or Hard Truth distilleries.
The days may seem to go slow, but the years really do go by fast my friends. I know many of us are ready to wave goodbye to this crazy year and welcome 2021 with wide, open arms, but be sure to cherish every minute, and make time to cherish yourself. For more thoughts on self-love, give my podcast Mom, Slow Down! a listen.
#2 Restore your balance with breath. My go-to for inner calm is a 2-to1 breathing technique. Inhale through the nose for three seconds, then exhale through the lips for six seconds. Repeat several times.
#3 When you feel stretched…Stretch! Yoga is magic and has been proven to reduce stress and increase happiness. Legs up the wall is an effective pose for pretty much everything. Lie on your back and set your legs vertically against the wall. Bring your hips closer to the wall as you let your hip flexors relax. Bring your hands to your hips and practice expanding your breath into your back and side ribs. Relax your shoulders and breathe through your nose for 2 minutes.
#4 Dish up some holiday cheer. I have created an entire gluten-and-dairy-free Thanksgiving menu available to members, and this stunning Curried Butternut Squash Soup starts the show. It’s soothing and versatile, and it is great for a crowd (or packs easily in a thermos for a winter picnic, because, yes—winter picnics are a thing this year).
#5 Drink. Water of course! Staying hydrated is so important, especially in the winter when the air tends to be dry. Aim for eight to ten glasses each day. It is a festive time, though, and the Rosemary Maple Bourbon Smash is one of our favorite seasonal cocktails that adds a little extra *happy* to any hour, and pairs well with the soup. Try it with local bourbon from Hotel Tango Bourbon or Hard Truth distilleries.
The days may seem to go slow, but the years really do go by fast my friends. I know many of us are ready to wave goodbye to this crazy year and welcome 2021 with wide, open arms, but be sure to cherish every minute, and make time to cherish yourself. For more thoughts on self-love, give my podcast Mom, Slow Down! a listen.
RECIPES:
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Serves 8-10
Ingredients:
Optional garnish:
Instructions:
Serves 8-10
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 medium shallots, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 cups peeled and chopped butternut squash (about 1 small butternut squash)
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 ½ tablespoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 14 ounce can full fat coconut milk
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2-3 tablespoon maple syrup (you can sub coconut sugar)
- 1-2 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (optional)
Optional garnish:
- ½ cup toasted pepitas
- Chopped chives
- Full fat coconut milk
Instructions:
- Heat a large pot over medium heat.
- Once hot, add oil, shallots, and garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add butternut squash and season with salt, pepper, curry powder and ground cinnamon. Stir to coat. Then cover and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add coconut milk, vegetable broth, maple syrup, and chili garlic paste.
- Bring to a low boil over medium heat and then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until butternut squash if fork tender.
- Purée on high until creamy using an immersion or tabletop blender. Adjust seasoning as necessary. Return to pot and continue to cook over medium heat for a few more minutes.
- Garnish if desired and enjoy!
- Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Rosemary Maple Bourbon Smash
Makes 2 drinks
Ingredients:
Directions:
Makes 2 drinks
Ingredients:
- 3 shots bourbon
- 1 ½ shots fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ shot dark amber maple syrup
- 1 large sprig of rosemary (plus 2 small sprigs for garnish)
Directions:
- Crush the large sprig of rosemary in your hand and add it to shaker.
- Add the bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup and ice to above the level of the liquid and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into rocks glasses containing large cubes of ice and garnish with remaining rosemary sprigs
