Thanks so much to all of you who have been participating in the Neighborhood Bulletin Board. It's been so much fun reading and exchanging comments and ideas. One letter, in particular, caught my attention. It was a request for suggestions and inspiration to help get through the stresses of the holiday season. I've got some ideas about that, which I've written about below. Please feel free to respond to me, and to continue the discussion with each other, on the Neighborhood Bulletin Board, or by sending me a personal e-mail. This is a big topic, and it goes deep for many. I know there's a lot to ponder and to talk about. The subject is more than Food. It's about love, self-love. And self-care. Please read on.

Cordially,

Wonderful though the holiday season is in many ways, it is also a time of stress. I have a few ideas about how to slow down and soak up the beauty of the Solstice (yes, there is poetry in the shortest day of the year), and also about how to become and remain a peaceful and level-headed island within the sea of food madness. Here's a list of things you can focus upon to keep your body and mind healthy and happy during the holidays. Remember, it's not about improving yourself. It's about loving yourself.

The Ten Best Gifts You Can Give Yourself

1) Negative Ions. Get fresh air every day, even if it means bundling up and stepping into the Tundra, or just opening a door and sticking your head out. Breathe in deeply; breath out with a big sigh. Do this several times a day, if you can.

2) Water! Drink plenty of fresh, clean water throughout the day. It will keep your system clear and vital. Drinking other liquids, too, can help you control your appetite. Karen wrote into the Neighborhood Bulletin Board that one of her tricks to keeping her eating in check is to drink a cup of herbal tea or broth before each big holiday meal

3) Eat Enough! You heard me correctly. Many people actually eat too little good, wholesome food during the holiday season, in anticipation of/compensation for high-calorie treats. Don't fall into this trap! Pledge to yourself that every day you'll eat at least 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, plus lots of lean protein, whole grains, and legumes. Don't skip breakfast, either, especially during this season. Keeping yourself healthily fed will help you to moderate your consumption of the "other stuff."

4) Slow Down Around Food; Focus on Pleasure. Allow yourself treats if and only if you promise to eat slowly and absolutely enjoy every bite. Make a big sign with the word "GUILT" in a circle with a line drawn through it. Make another big sign that says: "PLEASURE!" Wear loose, comfortable clothing, so you won't walk around feeling punished. Smile at your food and take a deep breath before you dig in. This may sound fakey-fuzzy, but it actually physiologically helps you relax.

5) Exercise Each Day – or Just Keep Moving. This doesn't mean you need to sign up for a special program at a gym or hire a personal trainer. Just keep moving moderately and often. Welcome errands and housework as opportunities to move. Offer your services to help an elderly relative or neighbor. You will burn off energy, get your endophins flowing, and reach out to another person all at the same time. This does not need to be some radical new self-improvement plan. Remember: The more you sit on your butt, the more of a butt you'll have to sit on.

6) Relaxation is Key! I know it is hard to order oneself to relax. "Relax – or else!" just doesn't cut it. But do try to set aside some time every day for a piece of quiet and calm. You don't need to become a Buddha or join a sect. Just sit in a chair for 15 minutes, relax your jaw, close your eyes, and pretend each breath you take is an ocean wave. Thoughts will still come and go, but your breathing will still come and go too. Just keep that jaw loose....and if your thoughts persist, you can always try again tomorrow.

7) Keep a Food-Feelings Journal. If you are anxious and feel out-of-control around food, buy yourself a lovely blank bound book to write down descriptions of your fears and desires. When you want to reach for the chips, reach for the journal instead, and try to figure out what's really going on. Is your body really hungry or is it your feelings? Listen to yourself from way down inside. This is such a big topic, I will try to write more about it in the future.

8) Stretch. Reach for the sky. Or just stretch naturally, whatever feels good. Do this several times a day. Treat yourself to a book about stretching – or better yet, a yoga class. Yoga is amazing – and it's good for just about everyone. But if this feels like too big a commitment, just stretch a little. It will feel very, very good.

9) Feed the Hungry. Put a can or two of food aside each day to donate to the hungry – and make a weekly delivery to a church or a shelter. Volunteer in a soup kitchen, if you can, or find other ways to become active in your community. It will really put things in perspective.

10) Count Your Blessings. Literally. List them, if you need to. And remember to give thanks, whatever that means to you. I need to constantly remind myself to do this. It feels profound when I do. Why is it so easy for us to forget?