3 Healthy Holiday Recipes, Fitness Mistakes to Avoid, and Tips for a Jesus-Filled Season

Can you believe Christmas is here? It’s my favorite time of year! But it’s also easy to feel overwhelmed by the rush of the holidays—especially when it comes to food, fitness, and staying energized. This year, let’s choose joy, nourishment, and grace over guilt. Instead of focusing on what we “shouldn’t” eat or do, let’s look to Jesus and let His example guide us.

Jesus’ Example of Food and Fellowship

While reading Luke, I came across a verse that inspired this episode:
Luke 7:34 – “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’”

Jesus didn’t shy away from food or fellowship—He embraced them with gratitude and love. Whether at the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11), sharing a meal with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (Luke 10:38-42), or celebrating the Passover (Luke 22:14-20), Jesus showed us that food and fellowship are part of a full, rich life.

Let’s follow His lead: eat with joy, not guilt, and focus on the beauty of the moment rather than perfection

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Avoid the Holiday Fitness Trap

The holidays often lead us into these traps:

• Stressing over cookies and food at parties and wanting to avoid them or overindulge.
• Setting weight-loss goals at the hardest time of the year.
• Missing family moments to stick to a rigid health routine.

These mindsets steal your joy. One treat won’t derail your health, and missing a workout doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Let’s shift our focus to what really matters.

*Download Your Free Fit God's Way Guide Here

A New Perspective for the Holidays

The holidays are about so much more than staying “on track.” This season is a time to:

• Celebrate the birth of Jesus.
• Cherish family, friends, and fellowship.
• Embrace rest and gratitude in Him.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

What Not to Do with Your Fitness Goals

1. Don’t stress about eating. Enjoy food with intention and gratitude.

2. Don’t aim for weight loss during the holidays. Focus on maintaining sustainable habits. Extreme dieting often backfires and causes self-sabotage.

3. Don’t skip celebrations to stay “on plan.” Be present, not perfect. Family connection matters more than calorie counting.

Practical Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season

1. Nourish your body with whole foods.

   • Balance holiday treats with protein, healthy fats, and fiber-rich carbs. 

2. Prioritize rest.

   • Late nights can steal your peace. Establish a bedtime routine and rest in God’s presence. Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

3. Keep moving and stay hydrated.

   • A brisk walk, dancing, or playing with family keeps you energized. 1 Timothy 4:8: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things…”

4. Lean on God’s strength.

   • When the season feels overwhelming, trust Him to renew your strength. Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…”

Healthy Holiday Recipes 

Eat God's Way Balsamic Roast Beef

This easy, flavorful Balsamic Roast Beef is perfect for a healthy holiday feast. It’s rich in flavor, tender, and packed with protein. Serve it alongside your favorite veggies or a wholesome side dish like Maple-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pecans and Cranberries for a meal that satisfies without the guilt.

Ingredients:

• 3–4 lb grass-fed beef roast (chuck roast or round works well)
• 4 carrots cut into large pieces
• 3 sweet potatoes cut into large pieces
• 1 sweet onion sliced
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp dried rosemary (or fresh, if you have it!)
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 cup beef stock 
• Optional ¾ cup red wine

Instructions:

Prep the Roast: Season the roast with salt and pepper. Sear on both sides in a skillet with butter

Place the Roast in a Slow Cooker with all ingredients other than the carrots and potatoes

Place the meat in the slow cooker and layer the onion, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, beef stock, bay leaves, rosemary sprigs, and red wine (if desired) on top.
Slow Cooker Option: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low. Cook for about 6 hours. Then, add the carrots and sweet potatoes, turn the heat to high, and continue cooking for another 3 hours or until the vegetables are tender and the meat is fork-tender.
Oven-Roasting Option: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the meat and all the ingredients (except the carrots and sweet potatoes) in a Dutch oven or a roasting pan with a tight-fitting lid. Cover and roast for 2.5 to 3 hours. Add the carrots and sweet potatoes, cover again, and roast for another 1 to 1.5 hours, until everything is tender.

• For both methods, remove and discard the bay leaves and rosemary sprigs.
• Transfer the cooking liquid to a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Let it simmer until it thickens to your desired consistency.
• Pour the sauce back over the meat and vegetables before serving, or serve it on the side.

Maple-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pecans and Cranberries

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup

• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.

3. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet.

4. Roast for 20–25 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through, until the Brussels sprouts are golden and crispy.

5. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle with chopped pecans and dried cranberries before serving.

This dish is the perfect blend of savory and sweet, adding color and flavor to your holiday spread!

Almond Butter Blossoms (Healthier Holiday Cookies)
 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond butter

• 1/2 cup rolled oats

• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp sea salt

• 1/2 cup almonds or dark chocolate chips or large dark chocolate kisses

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a bowl, mix almond butter, oats, honey (or maple syrup), vanilla, baking soda, and sea salt until combined.

3. Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

4. Use your thumb to make a small indentation in the center of each cookie.

5. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are golden.

6. Immediately after baking, press an almond, dark chocolate chips, or dark chocolate kisses, into the center of each cookie. Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

These cookies are a healthier, nutrient-packed version of the classic holiday treat, perfect for sharing with family and friends!

Celebrate with Intention

Let’s reject the worldly pressures of dieting and perfection. Instead, celebrate with the grace and love of Jesus at the center. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can navigate moments of indulgence with self-control and gratitude.

Luke 7:34 – “The Son of Man came eating and drinking…” reminds us to embrace food and fellowship with joy.

Let’s make this season about health, peace, and the true gift of Christmas—Jesus Himself!

Share the Joy

If this message encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs extra energy and hope this Christmas. Together, we can create a ripple of celebration that honors God in everything we do.

🎄✨ Merry Christmas, Sweet Sister in Christ!

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