59. Ayurvedic Holiday Guide: Eat, Drink, And Actually Feel Good
Kate is a self-described holiday dork who loves parties, cookies, cocktails and a good stuffing situation. She also remembers what it felt like to stagger out of Thanksgiving week bloated, gassy, constipated and anxious for days. In this solo episode, she downloads her personal Holiday Health Guide, honed over two decades of living Ayurveda, healing her gut from parasites, and still saying yes to celebration.
You will learn the one shift that made the biggest difference in her digestion during feast season, how she navigates appetizers, cocktails and desserts without deprivation, and the simple kitchen and travel tools she never shows up to a party without. From meal spacing and spritzers, to CCFT in a thermos and fennel seeds in a mint tin, this is a realistic Ayurvedic survival guide for Thanksgiving and the winter holidays.
If you want to enjoy the cheese board and the pumpkin pie and still feel like yourself the next day, this episode is for you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why feasting in winter actually makes sense from an Ayurvedic and seasonal perspective
The number one way people disrupt their digestion during the holidays
How to use meal spacing as your secret weapon, even on a feast day
How to handle appetizers, cheese boards and snack tables without going into a sugar spiral
Ways to enjoy wine and cocktails while respecting your inflammation and sleep
How to work with CCFT, ginger, fennel and hot water before, during and after big meals
Movement and “run about” strategies that help your body metabolize richer foods
How to bring your own dishes so you feel included and supported at every table
Gentle post holiday reset ideas so you can come back to balance without a crash diet
Key topics and practices Kate covers
Why we feast in winter
The biggest holiday digestion mistakeHow Kate handles appetizer tables
CCFT and fennel: simple herbal support
Alcohol, spritzers and savoring
Savoring as a nervous system tool
Ginger digestives and when not to use them
Movement and “run about” after sweets
Bringing your own dishes so you feel supported
Boundaries around “cookie season”
Gentle post-holiday reset
About Kate O’Donnell
Kate O’Donnell is a nationally certified Ayurvedic practitioner, longtime yoga teacher and the founder of the Ayurvedic Living Institute. She is the bestselling author of the Everyday Ayurveda series, including The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook, Everyday Ayurveda Cooking for a Calm, Clear Mind, The Everyday Ayurveda Guide to Self Care and Everyday Ayurveda for Women’s Health.
Through her books, online courses and live teachings, Kate is known for translating traditional Ayurvedic wisdom into simple, doable practices for modern life.
Call to action
If this episode helped you rethink your holiday habits, share it with a friend or family member who wants to feel better this season too.
Subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate in your favorite podcast app so you never miss a new episode. To go deeper with these practices, explore Kate’s books and online courses, or join the Ayurvedic Living Membership community for ongoing seasonal support.
Health Disclaimer
The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.
Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org
Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024
Gift Guide: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/digital_downloads/gift-guideAyurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership
