Give Thanks to your Body this Thanksgiving

Our bodies do a lot for us. Add it to your list of things to be grateful for this year.

I offer you a couple ways to give thanks.

The Thanksgiving meal is a perfect opportunity to practice mindful eating. When was the last time you really paid attention to what you were eating? Despite the people and delicious food swarming about, all you need to do is remember these 2 simple things. Experiment and see what happens.

1. Sit with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Connection to the ground literally connects you to the moment, reminds you to eat with all senses, and good posture supports smooth digestion. 

2. Pause and take a deep, conscious breath in that moment before digging in. Bonus points for pausing again between each bite. The space of a breath is an opportunity to notice and appreciate nourishment. If nothing else, it will slow the meal down, giving your digestive system a chance to handle all you send its way.

Incorporate superstar ingredient raw apple cider vinegar into your recipes this Thanksgiving. And if you're not cooking, bring a bottle to the table and wow your loved ones with some fun facts. 

• A source of acetic acid, apple cider vinegar has been shown to balance blood sugar. Paired with a starch, it can dramatically reduce blood sugar spikes! Not only do I finish my roasted potatoes and stuffing with apple cider vinegar for purely-taste reasons, it helps keep energy levels stable and helps prevent that post-meal crash coma. It's also my secret ingredient to perfect roasted Brussels sprouts...shhh.

• Apple cider vinegar is acidic (ok, duh) which is exactly what your stomach wants when it's digesting protein. As a boost to your natural stomach acids, a little garnish to the piece de resistance is like an appreciative pat on the back to your digestive system. You may even want to brine your turkey in the stuff!

Eat well and have a great holiday.