You know that strange week between Christmas and New year when no one seems to know what day it is? Twixmas is the unofficial term for the time between Christmas and New Year’s Day, usually from December 26th to December 31st. We’ve worked and we’ve wrapped and we’ve traveled and we’ve prepared and we’ve baked and we’ve cleaned. Twixmas is a time to relax and catch a break from the busy Christmas season. As a child, I loved the days between Christmas and New Year. They were the days of no school, I got to stay late in bed, read for hours, and eat whatever I could make in the microwave. My mom and dad would go to work leaving me and my little brother to ourselves. As I aged, I started to love the period between Christmas and New Year for different reasons. My socializing commitments are done and at work most things are on hold until after the new year. Reconnecting and celebrating with loved ones is exciting, but it can be tiring, too. Breaking your typical routine can leave you in a funk, and it may take time to feel like yourself again.
Here are five ways to help you recover after a busy holiday season — or vacation, or stressful work week — or anything, really. 1. Keep drinking water. Water delivers nutrients to cells, helps your body get rid of waste through urination and sweating, and even aids in digestion. Every part of your body relies on water to function properly. 2. Eat good choices. It can be tempting to limit your food intake after enjoying several large holiday meals. But don’t restrict yourself or eat less than you did pre-holiday feasting; your body still needs fuel. Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions, broccoli, beans, leafy greens and lean proteins such as chicken and fish are the best choices this week. 3. Get slowly moving. You may feel sluggish so take a quick walk to get you energy levels up and improve your mood, memory and sleep. 4. Be mindful. The holidays can be emotional for some, or you may just need time to come down from all the excitement. If you’re in a post-festivity funk, journaling, yoga, or just deep breathing exercises can help. 5. Get enough sleep. All those late nights and holiday parties may leave you feeling groggy. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Seven to nine hours of slumber helps restore your immune system, relieve stress, and boost your mood and energy levels. If you need a nap, take 20 minutes out of your day to snooze.
We made all the fun treats and the special dishes and the favorite meals. Well, even though we certainly want to enjoy some downtime, it is a fact that we all still need to eat. I’m ready for a breather — both from indulgent meals and cooking. Right after the holidays I always crave dinners that are light and fresh, and come together with the most minimal effort possible. A recipe low in calories helps with the guilt of overindulging. This week’s recipe uses turkey kielbasa but any kielbasa or polish sausage works. You can use white rice instead of brown rice. I think cilantro tastes like soap so I leave it out.
Confetti Kielbasa Skillet
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
7 ounces smoked turkey kielbasa, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 medium onion, halved and sliced
1/2 cup sliced baby portobello mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
3/4 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb seasoning blend
1 can (15 ounces) no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained
1 package (8.8 ounces) ready-to-serve brown rice
1 cup frozen corn (use fresh in season)
1/2 cup chopped roasted sweet red peppers
4 teaspoons minced fresh cilantro (yuck!)
Directions
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add kielbasa, onion and mushrooms; cook and stir 4-6 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add broth and seasoning blend, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Bring to a boil; cook 2-3 minutes or until liquid is almost evaporated. Stir in remaining ingredients; heat through.
