How To Eat and Drink Your Holiday Hangover Away

I talk a lot of talk about eating right, exercising and not going overboard, but I do not walk the walk. When champagne's present, I drink it. I always try the festive finger foods being passed at a party. All of them. When there're a ton of parties to hop, I hop to. But I can't seem to hop to the gym in the morning. I've been looking into doing a post-holiday fast of some sort to clear my system and undo most of what the holidays do to me, but I started to think what it might be like if I didn't let the holidays get to my waist line in the first place. This way of life is a killer on my health, and isn't going to be cured by a few fixer-uppers. In need of a new way of thinking, I went to Denise Mari, the founder of Organic Avenue, to pick up some tips on detoxing after the fun and festivities are over. One time. Maybe, eh, five days of my life on a week I'm not planning to do much. But Mari's personal lifestyle choices, tips and ways of taking care of her body, pre-overeating, happened to be really inspiring. "The holidays aren't all about the food," she says, "Turn social situations into what they really are, and take the emphasis off unhealthy eating." More solid battle of the bulge/hangover advice to follow.

After a major holiday party, the first thing I crave when I wake up (slightly hung over) is something heavy, or greasy. What kind of food should I be reaching for to replenish myself after I’ve over done it with the booze the night before?
Hydrate! Then honor your body’s craving for salt. You have most likely become dehydrated and peed away your precious electrolytes. Add a pinch of sea salt to replenish your minerals, and guzzle Alkaline Water to help neutralize all of the acidity created from a night of debauchery.
 
There are so many different ‘cleanses’ out there. How do I choose one that is right for me and my lifestyle?
With this question in mind the LOVEcleanses were born! At Organic Avenue you can choose from four different cleanse programs.

●LOVEeasy: This is the best choice if you are weaning off a standard American diet or just want a 5 day raw organic food and juice experience that will help build confidence for more ‘juicy’ cleanse at a later date.
●LOVEfast: This one is best if you are almost ready for a juice-fast but think you may abort the program if you don’t chew all day. LOVEfast has 1 salad each day!
●LOVEdeep: This cleanse is best if you are committed to juice only. Really it’s a mental thing. Most people can go all juice and realize they are not hungry once they get going.
●LOVEmore: This is a recent addition to our cleanse offering. It focuses on an alkaline green protocol with a combination of juices, soups and salads.

What can a ‘cleanse’ or a ‘fast’ do for me?
A cleanse or fast yields differing results depending on the person. A few common outcomes are: weight-loss, increase in energy, clearer skin & eyes, regular bowel movements. But the ones I love the most are when I hear people kick the addictive habits like smoking, or daily coffee drinking. Oftentimes there are unexpected insights and clarity of mind and an increased focus on self-love, which are not bad side-effects at all!
 
What is the minimum number of days I should do a cleanse to feel results? Can I do one if I can only spare three days?
There is no minimum number of days required, and every 24 hours are an incredibly powerful confidence boost! Often people feel they need to set aside time and have to plan the perfect week to take on a cleanse. But there is no need. You will find it is quite enjoyable to have your juice and food all prepared and ready for you. Consider one day to boost confidence and give the body the necessary nourishment it deserves, and go for 5 days to really get through the hump and feel tremendous. Keep it going as long as your budget allows.

My schedule is crazy during the holidays. How can I accept dinner invites and attend parties and still stay on track with my chosen program? Can you recommend a program for the social butterfly?
I think of the social butterfly as someone who has a sense of confidence. Turning social situations into what they really are- social situations- and taking the emphasis off eating unhealthy is the best thing one can do. Make “being” social that much more of a learning experience by being genuinely interested in the people you are socializing with. It’s not all about the food, yet that’s how most of us feel! You can curb your cravings and prepare in advance by eating before you go out, bring healthful alternatives to share, and help to choose the restaurant you will be attending. There is some willpower involved when faced with trays of finger food and when all food options scream ‘comfort food’. Yet endeavor into expanding consciousness and self-love as you choose wisely this holiday season. You will feel so good the day after!

What was your motivation for starting Organic Avenue?
Organic Avenue was founded in 2002 to truly to help people transition and maintain a healthful vegan lifestyle. I would encounter people regularly, and so often my diet/lifestyle choices became the topic of conversation. I took the opportunity to collect ‘excuses.’ People would say, “I would eat that way if it was available.” Another person might tell me they “would eat that way if they could afford it,” or if it tasted good. I collected the excuses and knew that if I was really going to help the people, our planet and help end animal suffering, I had to create a business that took any sense of deprivation away. I knew I had to create a lifestyle about abundance, beauty, and radiant health. These are the natural by-products of a healthy Live.Organic.Vegan (LOVE) diet and lifestyle. I had to make it easy and attractive to others. I do the best I can to walk the path as a committed vegan that elevates my game by increasing the raw food in my day, and focusing on the offerings of Organic Avenue. I created a membership to lower cost of entry, I focus on recipes that are delicious and irresistible, and further by creating retail shops and an online offering. We do our best to make it easy and accessible! Now try to tell me why you too can’t do it? I will use your excuse wisely.