5 Tips To Avoid Burnout This Holiday Season

Deck the halls! I love the holiday season; it’s a time for festivities, family and fun. As a mom I am so looking forward to making this a memorable Christmas for my kids, but not at the expense of my health. Here are my Dr. Mom tips to avoid the usual burnout this holiday season.

1. Keeping a regular sleep routine. Nothing says restoration and health like a regular sleep routine. Go to bed at the same time every night, the earlier the better. Remember to also sleep in complete darkness and away from all your tech gadgets  to ensure good quality sleep, or as good as possible - I too have a 5 month old at home!

2. Starting your day with lemon water. With all the indulgences the holidays bring, why not start your day by stimulating your liver with lemon water, a gentle and tasty liver stimulant that helps you detox toxins. Don’t forget to stay hydrated throughout the day!

3. Avoiding stimulants like coffee. I know, I know not a popular tip for the sleep deprived parents out there, but hear me out. Stimulants can negatively impact adrenal function and make us feel more fatigued. When I was child free, moms challenged me to see if I would still think this was sound advice after having children. Well, two children later and I can honestly say I function much more efficiently without coffee. Want to try a healthier alternative? Try a matcha latte or chaga mushroom tea - these are both energizing and adrenal supportive. 

4. Eating Protein at breakfast. Through my clinical experience, it is clear that most do not eat enough protein for breakfast. It is an optimal way to stabilize blood sugar right from the start which helps to balance our cortisol levels (our stress hormone) and prevents a yo-yo blood sugar affect for the rest of the day. Stabilizing your blood sugar is one of the best ways to remain energized and prevent over indulging in holiday treats – helping prevent  unwanted weight gain. My favourite, and one of the easiest ways to get protein in the morning? Smoothies, of course! Check out my website for my favorite smoothie recipes.

5. Move your body. This would be the worst time to drop your regular exercise routine, so donʼt let holiday commitments get in the way of something that does your body good. Make the time for exercise. Donʼt have a regular workout routine? Now is a great time to start. If getting to a gym doesn't fit in your agenda, then just get moving with your kids, walk around a mall, do a quick home workout when you wake for the day. Moving makes every cell in your body happy.

Already feeling burnt out before the holidays even begin? I can help! Naturopathic doctors are equipped with natural interventions such as botanical herbs, nutrition assistance, acupuncture, lifestyle advice and more to restore health and get you feeling optimal. We are your experts in treating and preventing exhaustion, naturally. I’m here to help you make this a terrific holiday season for you and your family.

Happy holidays!

*This is a guest post by Dr. Michelle Peris.  Visit www.drmomnd.ca to learn more and follow me on Twitter at @DrMomND and on Facebook for recipes and tips. 

Shop Local In Oakville For Holiday Gifts!

Oakville has so many amazing local businesses ready to help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list.  Whether you are halfway done your Christmas shopping or haven't even started yet, these local businesses have great ideas to help cross people off your list.

For Kids

Harlow's Perch has a wide selection of tutus, pajama pants, hats, leg warmers, diaper covers, headbands for ages 0 - 8 years and even handmade accessories designed for newborn photo shoots!  All of their items would make great gifts - my daughter loves her owl hat!

Local author (and a mom of two), Laura, from LPH Illustrations has recently published an adorable booked called 'Susy The Soother Fairy'. The book helps young children get rid of their soothers, once and for all with the help of Susy and her magic sac!  The book would make a great gift for soother loving kids who need to get ready to give up the soother. Susy has an easy 5 step process that makes it fun and exciting (and stress free for parents).  Buy the book here!

Experience gifts are great!  A gift certificate for Crock A Doodle (located at Third Line & Dundas) is a fabulous gift for the little budding artist on your list.  From piggy banks to race cars, a popcorn bowl or an animal, there is something for everyone to paint.  Kids aged 2 and up will have a great time creating something.

Live theatre can be such a treat for kids!  The Burl-Oak Theatre Group's production of Cinderella - A Holiday Pantomime would make a special holiday gift that also provides and opportunity for some great family fun.  The show is perfect for all ages with lots of humour and audience interaction.  Shows take place at the Oakville Centre For The Performing Arts on December 28, 29 and 30th.  Click here to get your tickets!

Pretty in Pink Spa & Studio for girls has an amazing selection of gifts and stocking stuffers for the holidays.  From Cupcake Bath Bombs, to robes, soaps and sleeping bags, you are bound to find a perfect gift among all they have to choose from. A gift certificate is also an option for a spa treatment that is age appropriate (and they have facials for moms too!)

Baby Borg strives to carry the best and most useful baby, toddler, preschool & little kid products!

Don't miss their one week warehouse sale from December 9th to December 15th (hours are 10-4pm except Sunday when the hours are 12-4pm)


For Moms & Dads, Grandparents & Care Givers too!

Gift certificates available for the local Oakville movie theatre!  Thanks to private funding, Encore is able to move to convert to digital and will be carrying all the latest Blockbuster movies!

Treat Yourself! This holiday season put a little sparkle in  yours or a loved one's smile with a 20 minute in office Spa Dent teeth whitening session for only $99 with Trafalgar Village Dental.  Call them today at 905-339-0404.

Visit Wee Piggies & Paws Oakville's website to learn more about their adorable fingerprint necklaces, ornaments and shawdow boxes.  Using your child's finger prints or footprints, you can create one of a kind pieces that will be cherished forever.

Offering Bio Sculpting Gel Nails, Victoria's work is second to none!  Bio Gel can give you beautiful nails that can last up to a month or more (and yes mamas, that is even with tons of hand washing, playing, cleaning, etc!)  Gift certificates available or treat yourself before the holidays to get nails that will last for all your events this season.  Promotional prices apply until Christmas.  Call today for your appointment, (416) 832-8555.  Momstown mamas are already raving about Victoria!

6 Practical Stocking Stuffers For Kids

I love Christmas stockings!  Opening my stocking on Christmas morning was one of my favourite parts of the day.  There was always a mix of fun and practical things inside and I loved pulling out each item one at a time and taking a minute to enjoy each gift.  As a kid, we could always open our stockings before my parents got up which I realize now was there way of not having to get up at 6:00 AM on Christmas morning because at least we were kept busy for a little while!  If you find it tough to fill your child's stocking, here are some of my favourite practical items to put in.  Might as well put in some essentials that you were going to have to buy anyway...that's just being a smart elf!

1.  A Watch
Both my kids are getting a watch in their stocking this year.  These are just basic children's watches that I got for about $10.  My older child is learning about telling time so this is perfect timing for him.  And because my youngest is always trying to keep up with her older brother, might as well get one for her too.  Watches are great items to start the dialogue about time and learning how to read a clock so I love this idea for a stocking stuffer.

2.  A Wallet or Purse
Kids love to mimic their parents so this is a great gift that helps them feel grown up.  Teaching kids about money at a young age is also recommended and this gift can help with that dialogue.

3.  An Umbrella
Chances are they are going to need one anyway, right?  There are tons of fun colours, patterns and character umbrellas available.

4.  Socks & Underwear
Use their stocking to stock their drawer full of fun socks and underwear.  Pick their favourite colour or characters.  If your child is close to potty training, this is also a good way to get them excited about underwear.

5. Toiletries
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, bubble bath, soap, lotion, hair elastics, new brush, etc.  Lots of possibilities here and just as most of the items mentioned above, chances are you can get your child's favourite character on most toiletries.

6.  Craft Supplies
A new pack of markers or crayons, scissors, a sketch book or stickers are all great options. You can also find your local dollar store and stock up on some new supplies like pipe cleaners, feathers, googly eyes, bingo dabbers, etc and then pick a craft to do together with your child.

Stockings can be such a fun thing to fill, so use your creativity and let the shopping begin!  What practical items do you like to put in your child's stocking?  Leave us a comment with what works for you!

Make Your Own Candy Cane Sleighs

I'll be adding these adorable candy cane sleighs to our Christmas table.  They are very easy to make and add something fun to the table.

What You Need:

-Mini candy canes

-Snack size (mini) Mars bars

-Any flavour teddy cracker

-Icing or melted chocolate

How to assemble your Candy Cane Sleighs:

1.  Cut the Mars bars in half.

2.  If you are using chocolate, melt a small amount in the microwave and then put it into a ziploc bag and cut the tip off (creating a piping bag)

3.  If you are using icing, put a small amount into a ziploc bag and cut the tip off (creating a piping bag)

4. Using either the chocolate or the icing, put some on the straight ends of two candy canes and then press one half of a Mars bar and hold.

5. Put the teddy cracker against the Mars bar (the caramel will keep it in place) and put the other half of the chocolate bar in place.  Hold for a few seconds to let it set.

It is easier to assemble these if you have an extra set of hands.  You can do them yourself but it is a bit trickier.  You can add these to any table as is or package them up in clear plastic gift bags to add to a present or to give away as a gift.  These candy cane sleighs are also great additions to the front lawn of your gingerbread house!