By Reliv Director of Marketing Erin Koch
The same thing happens every year at this time. Pumpkin spice everything floods my favorite grocery stores and coffee shops. Suddenly my healthy eating routine comes to a screeching halt (insert record scratch sound here). I practically run through the aisles trying not to look at the tempting treats that I swear sometimes leap into my cart by themselves. Pumpkin waffles. Pumpkin bagels. Pumpkin spice cereal. Pumpkin cream cheese—how did you get in my cart?! Are they trying to mess with my mind? Yes. Yes, they are.
Fall is my favorite season, so a couple of years ago I decided that I wouldn’t let pumpkin spice and everything not-so-nice ruin my healthy lifestyle. After all, I put in a pretty good effort to stay healthy year-round and I could survive a few weeks out of the year, couldn’t I? Well, not without a plan I couldn’t. So I came up with some clever ways to celebrate my favorite season by focusing on senses that didn’t always involve taste.
- Candles & Cinnamon Sticks. The smell of pumpkin spice, cinnamon and apples always fill my home this time of year. For a few bucks I pick up these little fall treats that have zero impact on my calorie count and still allow me to enjoy falls flavors.
- Campfire. There is just something about the sound of a crackling campfire that is just so warm and cozy on a crisp autumn night. It’s such a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors and look up at the night sky for some perspective (something I don’t do enough).
- Cozy Throw. After a long day, curling up on the couch with a cup of tea and a snuggly soft throw is definitely my idea of a slice of heaven.
- Clothes. There is nothing more fun than swapping out your clothes for the season. Whether you treat yourself to a new fall sweater or shop your closet (hey, I remember you from last year!), it’s always fun to change up your look.
- Coffee. This is my favorite way to indulge my sense of taste, so this is the one pumpkin spice treat I do reach for at the store. By brewing it myself at home and adding in a splash of coconut or almond milk, I’m saving a ton of calories and still enjoying an indulging fall pick-me-up.
Ok, now there is one other pumpkin spice treat I do allow myself to have this time of year. It’s Trainer Tina’s Pumpkin Pie shake and it’s pure bliss. Plus, it’s super healthy and not loaded with sugar like the ones from your local smoothie shop.
With this plan in hand, I’m much more prepared to handle the pumpkin spice season. Even if I do slip up and one little box of pumpkin spice cereal slips into my grocery bag, I don’t beat myself up too much about it. After all, it’s once a year and by treating yourself a little bit you’re much more likely to stick with your healthy lifestyle year-round. What are your favorite tips for treating yourself? Share in the comments below and happy fall y’all!