November 2021 - Journey With Healthy Me

Sweet Potato Chili Fries

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November is Sweet Potato Awareness Month. It’s an appropriate time to recognize the sweet potato, given that many serve it in Thanksgiving meals.

Although sweet potatoes are often smothered in butter, brown sugar and marshmallows, they are much more versatile than that.

Enjoy this fall staple with this quick and simple recipe…sweet potato chili fries…as a flavorful side or as a stand alone meal. And for a delicious pop of flavor, serve the fries with this wonderful vegan lemon dill aioli.

Sweet Potato Chili Fries title meme

The Goodness of Sweet Potatoes

Why include sweet potatoes in your meals?

Sweet potatoes are wonderful for the digestive system. They promote productive bacteria in the stomach, small intestine and colon, while starving out unproductive bacteria and mold. They enhance the body’s production of B12. And they help to prevent megacolon, an expansion of the large intestine due to bacteria, and alleviate narrowing of the intestinal tract due to chronic inflammation.

Sweet potatoes have an abundance of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Their orange flesh is packed with carotenoids. Those phytochemicals are powerful, drawing radiation from the body and protecting against skin, breast, reproductive, stomach, intestinal, esophageal and rectal cancers.

Additionally, sweet potatoes rid the body of unstable, destructive, cancer causing estrogen that interferes with the body’s hormone function. These estrogens come from plastics, pharmaceuticals and environmental toxins. And for those struggling with insomnia, sweet potatoes provide a critical form of glucose that stimulates the development of neurotransmitters, which aid in sleeping soundly. (Info from Life Changing Foods by Anthony William.)

Sweet Potato Chili Fries

I love roasting potatoes and sweet potatoes in the oven. For me, they make a comforting and satisfying meal.

These roasted sweet potato fries take flavor to the next level with the addition of chili seasoning. And they are wonderful accompanied by the vegan lemon dill aioli.

Sweet Potato Chili Fries

Roasted sweet potato fries flavored with chili seasoning

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes or 4 small
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tsp chili seasoning
1 tsp sea salt

Lemon Dill Aioli

1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
1/4 cup vegan mayo
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, finely minced

Instructions

Sweet Potato Chili Fries

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1/2 inch wide fries
Place fries into a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add chili seasoning and sea salt. Mix well to coat fries.
Spread fries in single layer on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 30 minutes, turning fries halfway through, until fries are browned on outside and tender inside. Serve with lemon dill aioli. Makes two servings.

Vegan Lemon Dill Aioli

In a small bowl whisk together all ingredients. Makes a little more than 1/4 cup. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

Keyword Sweet potato fries, Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potato Chili Fries peeled — Sweet potatoes ready to become fries.

Tips for Making Sweet Potato Chili Fries

If you like your roasted fries rustic, leave sweet potato peeling on.

May substitute coconut oil, or another high quality oil, for the olive oil. Add another tablespoon of oil if needed.

I love the slight spiciness that the chili seasoning adds. You may use cumin, paprika, garlic powder and/or onion powder if desired.

Parchment paper helps fries to brown evenly and makes clean up a snap.

Fresh dill may be purchased in the produce section at the grocery store. Or substitute 1 teaspoon of dried dill.

I purchase vegan mayo at Natural Grocers. However, more and more grocery stores are carrying vegan products, such as mayo.

The vegan lemon dill aioli is good with so many things! I love it.

Sweet Potato Chili Fries plated — Sweet Potato Chili Fries ready to eat. Served with vegan aioli and vegan fried green tomatoes.

What’s Your Favorite Way to Enjoy Sweet Potatoes?

Are sweet potatoes on your Thanksgiving Day menu?

They might show up on mine as a vegan sweet potato casserole. Beyond the holidays, however, sweet potatoes are often “what’s for dinner” in my house.

Let me know if you try these yummy fries and the vegan lemon dill aioli!

Sweet Potato Chili Fries with lemon dill aioli — Sweet potato chili fries with vegan lemon dill aioli.

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The Connection Between Gratitude and Health

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November is National Gratitude Month. It’s a fitting time to practice gratitude, every day, and embrace the power it brings into our lives.

Gratitude is more than saying “thank you”, although that’s a start. Showing appreciation for what we have, even the small things, is a wonderful way of expressing gratitude. And it’s a response to kindness, help and generosity from others.

Expressing gratitude became a life changing experience for me, a little more than a decade ago. In the swirling chaos that surrounded my life at that time, including the death of my father and the suicide of a friend, I found my way through by starting a gratitude journal. That daily practice was the beginning of a new way of life for me.

It turns out gratitude improves health and wellness also.

Check out the connection between gratitude and health in this post.

The Connection Between Gratitude and Health title meme

The Health Connection

Research shows that gratitude dramatically improves overall health and wellness levels. That makes practicing gratitude a habit worth cultivating…and not just during November.

Below are ways that gratitude transforms us.

Gratitude Relieves Pain

How we think influences how we feel. And studies show that people who regularly express gratefulness…and truly feel it…experience fewer aches and pains.

This study found that the simple practice of listing three gratitudes at the end of each day resulted in fewer headaches and less stomach pain.

Grateful people also tend to take better care of themselves. They move their bodies more, eat better quality foods and practice self care. All of these contribute to less pain and greater feelings of wellness.

Gratitude Improves Cardiovascular Health

People who feel grateful and express that gratitude experience lower blood pressure and less chronic inflammation, a condition that damages the lining of blood vessels. That damage raises the risk of heart disease.

Keeping a daily gratitude journal not only lowers inflammation levels in patients with asymptomatic heart failure, it also improves heart rhythm.

The Connection Between Gratitude and Health cardiovascular health — The Connection Between Gratitude and Health – less pain and greater cardiovascular health

Gratitude Promotes Better Sleep

We all know how important sleep is to health. Studies discovered that those who made nightly lists of their gratitudes slept better and awoke feeling more refreshed, than those who didn’t. Focusing on the things we are grateful for at night increases a feeling of calmness that helps us fall asleep.

One of my favorite ways to drift off into sleep is to express gratitude by listing them mentally for all the blessings of the day, large and small.

There’s also a correlation between lack of sleep and lack of gratitude! When we don’t get enough rest we feel cranky and crankiness doesn’t tend to support feelings of gratitude.

Gratitude Improves Emotional Health

When in the midst of stress and/or anxiety, pausing to express gratitude shifts our thoughts from the negative to the positive. Feeling grateful snaps us out of detrimental loops of guilt, dread or pessimism and brings us fully back into the present moment.

Additionally, stress contributes to inflammation in the body and chronic illness. Over time, gratitude boosts the immune system, helping to fight off illness.

A gratitude practice, such as journaling or expressing the day’s blessings, also improves depression, helps us release toxic emotions, strengthens relationships and fosters empathy for others. Check out other ways to improve emotional health HERE.

The Connection Between Gratitude and Health stress relief — The Connection Between Gratitude and Health – stress relief

Ways to Practice Gratitude

Creating a gratitude practice is easy and doesn’t take much time. To see the greatest shifts in health and life, express gratefulness daily.

Try any of these gratitude ideas.

write daily in a journal, expressing gratitude for the day’s blessings
every night at bedtime, speak aloud or mentally list at least three gratitudes from the day
create or join a Gratitude Challenge, which are common during November
practice self gratitude
meditate, focusing on the day’s gratitudes, allowing great joy to fill your heart
intentionally look for things to be grateful for…and more will find you
take a gratitude walk, in nature, and express thankfulness for what you see
create gratitude art…try this fun gratitude pumpkin that I did a few years ago
write out favorite gratitude quotes and keep them where you can see them
list “I am” gratitudes… such as “I am grateful for a strong body”
learn to say “thank you” in American Sign Language and use that gesture throughout the day
write five or more thank you notes or texts a day and send them to people you are grateful for
practice telling others that you are grateful for them…make eye contact and be sincere

How are you practicing gratitude this month? And have you seen a shift in your life and health because of gratitude? Share with me in the comments below.

The Connection Between Gratitude and Health nature walk — The Connection Between Gratitude and Health – gratitude walk in nature

Gratitude Sparkers from Amazon:

I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.

Holiday Wellness Tips

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With Halloween celebrated and Thanksgiving later this month, we are well into the holiday season.

It’s my favorite time of year! The weeks between the beginning of fall and the start of a new year are full of joy, excitement and connection. However, they can also bring stress, unhealthy practices and overwhelm.

Enjoy the best of the season and make healthy choices that support well being, rather than depleting it.

These holiday wellness tips will help!

Holiday Wellness Tips title meme

Holiday Wellness Tips

To maintain the optimal level of health, through the holidays and beyond, into the new year, try these tips.

Practice Healthy Eating Habits

At the end of the holiday season, the number one health regret people have is overindulging. It’s easy to do, with holiday parties, family gatherings, special events and always, an abundance of sweet and savory treats on hand.

Create a strong, healthy eating plan. Write up menus in advance that include extra fruits and veggies. Swap out traditional holiday snacks that are full of sugar and fat for healthier versions. This vegan and gluten free gingerbread is a perfect example.

Make wise food choices during the holidays, saving treats for a few special occasions. And if you do overindulge, forgive yourself, move on with fresh determination and make better choices next time.

Mindful Drinking

This time of year, egg nog, spiked punch and special cocktails liven up the holidays at gatherings of all kinds. Be mindful of the number of alcoholic drinks consumed. They pack calories that can quickly add up. Plus alcohol severely impedes mental abilities, reduces fertility and impairs memory.

Consume adequate amounts of water, especially when drinking alcoholic beverages, as they can cause dehydration. Try hot herbal teas as well during these cold months, to warm up the body and boost health.

Holiday Wellness Tips practice healthy eating — Holiday Wellness Tips – practice healthy eating

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is important for health year around. During the holiday season, it’s especially crucial. Holiday induced anxiety increases when we are short on sleep. Adults need an average of seven to nine hours of sleep for the brain to function properly. Plus enough sleep ensures we have the energy and vitality to enjoy all the events special to this time of year.

As much as possible, maintain regular sleep habits. And if you haven’t already, establish a nighttime routine that prepares the body for sleep.

Prioritize Self Care

While busy shopping, creating wonderful holiday meals and decorating the house, don’t forget to take time for you. It’s not selfish. Self care is necessary to reduce stress and anxiety and restore the body.

Set aside at least half an hour a day, to relax. Do something you love such as listening to music, reading, sipping hot tea or coloring. Take a nap. Sit in the sunshine for a few minutes. Do whatever feels restorative to you.

Holiday Wellness Tips self care — Holiday Wellness Tips – take care of you

Spend Quality Time with Loved Ones

The holidays are made merrier when we spend time with those we love. It can feel overwhelming, however, trying to make enough time for everyone on your friends and family list.

Don’t overburden your time. Think quality over quantity. Create holiday memories with those dearest to you. Call others, send a text or mail a holiday card with a handwritten note.

And be mindful of those who are alone during this season. A thoughtful message, cheerful phone call or meeting for a hot drink means much to those who are isolated or on their own. If you feel lonely during the holidays, consider volunteering, organizing a get together with others who may feel alone or reaching out to others with a message or call.

Stay Active

Colder weather can make getting enough exercise a challenge. During this season try incorporating normal activities into the holidays. Play with the kids who are home for the holiday break. Go for walks through the leaves or snow. Visit Christmas markets, villages or neighborhoods bright with holiday lights. Clean house and decorate to Christmas music.

Resist the temptation to “hibernate” and eat high carb foods.

Holiday Wellness Tips stay active — Holiday Wellness Tips – stay active

Reduce Stress

The holidays can create stress. Family gatherings, gift buying, financial strain and being off regular schedules all contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety.

Set boundaries to protect your time and resources. Avoid family conflicts. Focus on what you can control…your thoughts and your actions. Create a Christmas budget. Don’t overdo on the sugar. And as mentioned above, practice self care and get enough sleep.

Have Realistic Expectations

The holidays can feel disappointing when expectations are too high. Be realistic with goals and intentions. Plan out the holiday you hope to have. Keep it simple this year, for a change. And know that everything won’t go the way you want. That’s okay. Accept or even embrace imperfections.

Start a new family tradition that is meaningful to you. And most of all relax. Accept what is and go with the flow.

Have a Healthy Holiday

I hope these simple tips help you have the best holiday season ever, full of joy, love, family and robust health. How we finish the year…is how we begin the next one.

Which holiday wellness tip will you adopt this season?

Holiay Wellness Tips realistic expectations

I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.