Year: 2021

Like they say in the song, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! And while the holiday season can be filled with happiness and joy, it can also be filled with stress and anxiety. With the pressure of buying gifts, financial strain, cooking, cleaning, entertaining and so much more, it can be tough to take a step back and enjoy this time of year. Luckily, with some simple tips, you can reduce stress and enjoy this holiday season with the ones you love. Read along to find out a few tips for relieving holiday stress.

Make Time For Yourself

The holidays often come with a great amount of togetherness. While this can be a good thing, it can also cause unnecessary stress for some. Make sure to carve out time for yourself, where you can unwind and relax. Meditation and mindfulness can be a fantastic way to focus on you and relieve stress, even if you only have twenty minutes to yourself. Many people focus on giving and helping others during the holidays, and while that is important, it is just as important to check in and take care of yourself.

Set A Budget

One of the main reasons for holiday stress is the financial strain that often comes with the season. With gift giving and party hosting, it can be easy to swipe the credit card without realizing just how much you’re actually spending. Before you do your shopping, decide on a budget you are comfortable with and stick to it. This will reduce being shocked by your credit card statement later on and take away some of the stress you typically feel this time of year.

Eat Healthy

For many people, the holiday season is full of delicious, decadent food and plenty of festive cocktails. While it is okay to indulge in moderation, it is important to make sure you’re still fueling your body with the nutrition it needs. Plan ahead by preparing healthy meals and eating at home, or if you’re heading to a party and bringing a dish, choose something on the healthier side that you and your friends can enjoy. Eating healthy will keep you feeling your best and let you enjoy the season.

Stay Active

With the weather getting colder and the sun setting earlier, it can be easy to want to skip your workout and spend your evenings cuddled up on the couch. Add to that the busyness of the holiday season, and you may be tempted to forget about your workout schedule for a few months. Not only is exercise necessary for your physical health, it is extremely beneficial for your mental health as well. Even if you don’t have time to get to the gym multiple times a week, a walk around the neighborhood, an at home workout, or a yoga class can get your blood pumping and ease your mind.

Talk to Loved Ones

Suffering from stress and anxiety can feel very isolating, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Enjoying time with family and surrounding yourself with loved ones is the best part of the holiday season. Talking to a loved one, who has likely experienced these same feelings, can help relieve some of your stress. A simple phone call, text or a chat over coffee can calm your nerves and offer the support you may need. It is very common to experience stress during this time of year, and surrounding yourself with people who love you and understand can be comforting.

Don’t let this wonderful season become something you dread. As the stress builds, remember these tips and find ways that work for you to take care of yourself and ensure you’re enjoying the holidays with the ones you love. From everyone here at Southwoods Health, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to spend with your family and friends, relax and enjoy delicious food. However, if you are focusing on eating healthy it can be tough to stay on track during the holiday season. Try lightening up some of your favorites, or visit the link below for healthy recipes to bring to your Thanksgiving dinner this year!

Roasted Fall Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 3/4 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2” pieces
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp chopped rosemary leaves
• 1 tsp chopped thyme leaves
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Scatter vegetables on a large baking sheet.
3. Toss with oil, balsamic vinegar, rosemary and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the vegetables are tender, shaking the pan halfway through.
5. Before serving, toss roasted vegetables with pecans and cranberries.

Source: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a50228/holiday-roasted-vegetables-recipe/

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs green beans trimmed and cut into 2″ pieces
• 10 brown mushrooms, sliced (about 8 oz)
• 1 tbsp oil
• 2 tsp oil for frying
• Cooking spray

Pecan Onion Topping ingredients:

• 1 cup pecans finely chopped or crushed
• 2 large onions thinly sliced in half moon shapes
• 1/2 tsp oregano dried
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Healthy Creamy Sauce ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups 2% milk
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 tsp oregano dried
• 1/2 tsp basil dried
• 1/4 tsp thyme dried
• 3/4 tsp salt
• Ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

Directions:

1. Pecan Onion Topping: Preheat large non-stick skillet on medium heat and add pecans. Cook until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Return skillet to the stove and swirl 1 tbsp oil to coat. Add onions and cook for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown/almost charred, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a bowl with pecans.
3. Green Beans and Mushrooms: Return skillet to the stove and swirl 1 tsp oil. Add green beans and a splash of water, stir, cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring once. Transfer to another large bowl.
4. Return skillet to the stove and swirl remaining 1 tsp oil. Add mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
5. Creamy Sauce: While mushrooms are cooking, in a medium bowl add milk, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, thyme, salt, pepper and cornstarch. Whisk together. Add to the skillet with mushrooms. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened a bit, about 4-5 minutes.
6. In the meanwhile, preheat oven to 375° and spray medium baking dish with cooking spray.
7. Turn off the heat, add green beans and stir to coat. In a bowl with onions and pecans, add remaining Pecan Onion Topping ingredients: salt, oregano and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Stir well.
8. Transfer green beans to previously prepared casserole dish and sprinkle with the topping. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Serve hot.

Source: https://ifoodreal.com/healthy-green-bean-casserole/

Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast

Ingredients:

• 1 whole bone-in turkey breast, 6 1/2 to 7 lbs
• 1 tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 2 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage leaves
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp good olive oil
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 cup dry white wine

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°. Place the turkey breast, skin side up, on a rack in a roasting pan.
2. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, mustard, herbs, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice to make a paste.
3. Loosen the skin from the meat gently with your fingers and smear half of the paste directly on the meat. Spread the remaining paste evenly on the skin. Pour the wine into the bottom of the roasting pan.
4. Roast the turkey for 1 3/4 to 2 hours, until the skin is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer registers 165° when inserted into the thickest and meatiest areas of the breast (test in several places). If the skin is over-browning, cover the breast loosely with aluminum foil.
5. When the turkey is done, cover with foil and allow to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
6. Slice and serve with the pan juices spooned over the turkey.

Source: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/herb-roasted-turkey-breast-recipe-1943552

Healthy Pecan Pie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raw honey
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 tsp fresh orange zest
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tsp ground ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 cups raw pecans
• 1 bottom pie crust

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. In a large bowl, combine raw honey, coconut oil, eggs, fresh orange zest, sea salt, unsweetened almond milk, ground cinnamon, pure vanilla extract, and whole wheat pastry flour. Stir to combine.
3. Arrange the raw pecans into the prepared 9-inch pie crust.
4. Pour the liquid filling mixture over the pecans, spreading some with a spoon if necessary.
5. Place into the oven and bake for 10 minutes at 400°, then reduce the temperature to 350° and bake for 20-25 minutes.
6. The pie will rise in the oven. You will know it’s done when it has small cracks in the top and is no longer jiggly.
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool, preferably overnight.

Source: https://www.asweetpeachef.com/healthy-pecan-pie/

While it is okay to indulge a bit during the holidays, it is important to keep your healthy eating goals in mind and choose healthy dishes. There are plenty of ways to eat healthy during the holidays, and focusing on fresh ingredients and staying away from processed foods can be a great place to start. Keep these delicious and nutritious recipes in mind while planning your Thanksgiving menu this year!

When a woman is diagnosed with Breast Cancer, she is likely scared, stressed, sad and confused. You may find yourself asking, “What can I do to help?”. While it may seem like you can’t do anything, there are plenty of ways you can be supportive and helpful throughout their journey.

Listen

An important way to support your friend or family member is to communicate and listen carefully. When someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, they’ll be experiencing both positive and negative emotions. They will need someone to listen, no matter what they have to say. Be that trusted source and let them know they can confide in you.

Visit

A cancer diagnosis can be a very isolating experience. One of the best ways to show you care is by spending time with them. It lets them know you are thinking about them and they aren’t battling cancer alone. However, it’s important to always check-in before showing up, as they might not be feeling well.

Stay in Touch 

If you’re unable to visit in person, a text, phone call, email or card can go a long way. Regular check-ins can improve their mental health and increase their well-being. Also, try your best to respond quickly whenever they reach out to you and listen intently to any requests or questions they may have.

Help with Housework

Lending a hand and taking care of household chores is a great way to help. Make sure to inquire first, but if they accept your offer, find out exactly what needs done. Taking out the trash, doing laundry, cooking dinner and grocery shopping are all small things that can make a huge difference and help them feel less overwhelmed.

Be an Advocate

If your loved one is okay with it, accompany them to their doctor appointments and treatment sessions. Sometimes they may feel too tired or stressed to ask questions or retain the information the doctor is giving them. Being there to take notes, ask questions and advocate for them can relieve some of the pressure they’re feeling and make their appointments less stressful.

Make Life Normal for their Kids

When mothers are diagnosed with breast cancer, one of their biggest concerns is usually how it will affect their children. They often worry their kids’ lives will be turned upside down, especially if the kids are young. Whether you’re dropping kids off at dance, cheering on the sidelines at a soccer game or inviting the kids over for movie night, helping your loved ones kids lead a normal life will take stress and worry off their mind. Getting the kids out of the house can also give moms some time to relax and take care of themselves.

How Southwoods Offers Support

Southwoods offers patients a Nurse Navigator program to help guide them through the emotional and physical journey of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Recognizing each patient has a unique set of circumstances, our compassionate Nurse Navigators focus on personalized care and emphasize relentless attention to detail. At Southwoods, it’s not just about the treatment, but how you’re treated – and that is especially apparent through our Nurse Navigators at the Southwoods Center for Breast Health.

There may not be a one size fits all way to support a loved one with breast cancer, but even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference. The most important thing you can do is just be there and listen whenever your loved one may need to talk. Support comes in many different shapes and sizes, and finding out what your loved one needs can help make their journey a little less tough.