Holiday party tips. Survive and Still Have Fun!

It's that time of year…

While everything about the holidays is wonderful (spending time with family; enjoying special foods; seeing all the decorations; reconnecting with out of town friends; tree lighting; you name it!), it can also feel overwhelming, busy, and stressful.

I know it feels like the holidays are here to throw a big ol' wrench in your healthy lifestyle.

Don't worry though girl, we've got you with 3 tips to survive holiday parties.

I know how hard it is to stay determined and stick to your routines when things aren't always going according to that plan.

I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way! I promise – we can make the holidays work for you!

If you follow these three simple tips, you can totally maintain control over your workouts, your eating habits, and your overall healthy lifestyle, all while enjoying every last bit that the holidays have to offer.

Host the Party

Have you ever been to a party where it seems like there is temptation at every corner? Bowls of candy, dried fruits, and salted nut party mix are used as beautiful centerpieces. Yup, been there.

To get around that, volunteer to host the party at your own place. This will let you feel "in control."

Cook yourself or you can assign dishes to guests, giving out healthy options for them to contribute, like fruit, veggie platter, hummus, etc.

Consider hosting an "alternative" party. Rather than build gingerbread houses out of nothing but sugary snacks, build veggie houses – you can cut up bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and use hummus as your "glue."

Make pasta but sub traditional pasta with all different kinds of spiralized vegetables (you can literally spiralize anything– cucumbers, zucchini, sweet potatoes, you name it!).

Throw a "Dip It" party where you make nothing but healthy versions of different dips and sauces and your guests should bring veggie snacks.

Build mason jar meals with friends (maybe Overnight Oats for those cold winter mornings!). Gift your guests with mason jars that have their names on them, or that are decorated with twine/bows.

The ideas are endless!

Use the LSF Guiltless Nutrition Guide for ideas on overnight oats, noodle bowls, and homemade dips and sauces!

Get Your Protein On

If you can't host there are other ways to survive the myriad of holiday parties!

Loading up on high protein foods before you go is my go-to.

Never, ever (seriously, never) go to a party on an empty stomach.

You'll tell yourself a story – because you didn't eat all day, you can afford to have a bite of this and a bite of that. Before you know it, all your "bites" have added up to more than a normal dinner!

Try having some hard boiled eggs on avocado toast or the LSF hummus with veggies.

Read through my"Real Healthy"section in my Guiltless Nutrition guide. With it, you can be prepared to make conscious, healthy decisions.

Bring Your "Weakness"

We all have that one dish that we can't resist. And the holidays also seem to bring out even more irresistible dishes – it's when everybody goes all out and make their family's famous recipe of something.

If you are headed to a holiday party, offer to make a version of your weakness.

Instead of French fries, bring a mix of Sweet Potato and Zucchini Fries, paired with my LSF Spicy Yogurt Sauce.

Make a couple batches of my Vegan Brownie Balls or my Peanut Butter Chocolate Muffins instead of boxed brownies.

Or, offer to bring a healthy version of a cocktail – I have recipes for Super Skinny Margs, and Grapefruit Spritzers in my LSF Guiltless Nutrition Guide!

And remember, it's okay to miss out on your friend Kelly's homemade fudge – she will make it again next year. Remember to do what feels right for you and your lifestyle. And if that IS eating Kelly's homemade fudge, remember that is TOTALLY and COMPLETELY okay.It isn't going to hurt you or derail your progress.

You may have to put in a little bit of effort and conscious thought to it, but you don't have to throw up your hands until January 1^st.

Follow my tips above, and reflect on how you are feeling, and I guarantee you will enjoy this time of year.

Last but certainly not least, remember that the holidays aren't all about cookies, or lavish dinners. They are about spending time with the ones you love. Reflecting on all that you have to be grateful for. So don't let a plate of cookies stop you from attending your best friend's holiday bash.

Let yourself live. Be loose. And enjoy.