Here’s the problem with skinny jeans. They may be sexy but they are nearly impossible to get off. After a Christmas night out with the girls I arrived home to find myself in a bit of a quandary. Humidity had not only got the better of my hair, but also glued my jeans to my thighs. Handicapped by one or two cocktails, I had three options: sleep in them, cut myself out of them, or wake the lovely husband for assistance. The latter was risky. At 2am I couldn’t guarantee a very friendly reception. Thankfully, after an inelegant game of tug of war, I managed to free myself. Only to discover I had blue legs. Now I know why the label read “wash before wearing”.Nevertheless, the skinny jeans incident was cause for celebration. It was the first time since having the girls that I’d felt fit enough to wear them. After practising what I preach on the food side and working up a sweat training to run 5K, I was ready. It’s been such hard work getting into them though, that I’m scared to let any of it slip. That means I’m aiming to be good this Christmas. Well we shall see!The holiday season is extremely hard to navigate if you are trying to be healthy. We’re too busy to exercise and overwhelmed with tempting treats. The solution? Here are just a few little tricks to help you exercise some damage limitation. For those of you that would like extra help, I have a few spots left on my Nutrifit course in January. It’s a ridiculously healthy way to lose weight, gets great results and will leave you feeling energised for the New Year. E-mail me for details at nourishbda[AT]gmail.com. Merry Christmas!Quick fix tips for a healthier Christmas:1. If you are having Christmas at home, consider cooking turkey breast only as it’s lower in fat than thighs/legs. Don’t be afraid to take the skin off too as you can still maximise flavour by using a really tasty 24-hour marinade. See the honey, lemon and thyme Christmas turkey recipe for a delicious option. Also, try making mashed potatoes mixed with mashed cauliflower, cooked spinach or beetroot. These make a great “chunky” mash, or if you use a hand-held blender you will get a super-smooth result. The spinach and beetroot options are really colourful and are a great addition to a festive table. All of them reduce carbs and increase fibre.2. At a buffet or brunch, it’s tempting to just keep on eating! Instead of going all out, take smaller plates of food. Every alternate time you go to the buffet, just choose a fresh salad. That way you can keep everyone company as they eat, but you’ll halve your calories. This will also make you feel less guilty about dessert. Easy on the salad dressing though unless you know it’s a lighter option. When it comes to the turkey, choose breast meat only and avoid the skin.3. Make smart drinks choices. If you don’t drink alcohol, then good for you, but don’t be too smug about your fruit punch. Any sweet drink (whether punch, juice or soda) contains heaps of sugar, so be careful. Dilute juices with two-thirds still or sparkling water instead. When it comes to alcohol champagne, red wine, or spirits without sugary mixers are the best options. I’m sure I don’t need to warn you about eggnog.4. Don’t keep too many treats in the house. It’s tempting to stock up “for guests” at Christmas but if it’s there you will probably eat it. Make sure you have lots of healthy snacks as options too. Keep guacamole, hummus and salsa on standby instead of cheesy or creamy dips. Replace regular chips with lentil chips, pop chips or veggie sticks.5. Get outdoors. The weather’s getting colder, which in Bermuda, means it’s the perfect time to get outside and exercise. Invent an outdoor family Christmas tradition a picnic walk round Spittal Pond, or a treasure hunt in the Botanical Gardens. Give exercise-related gifts (scooters, skateboards, bikes, footballs, kites, jump ropes) and get down to Clearwater to take advantage of all that space.Honey, Lemon & Thyme Christmas Turkey BreastUsing the breast only lowers the fat and calories significantly. Honey, lemon and herbs boost the flavour! Please note that this recipe requires you marinade the turkey for 24 hours before cooking. You will also need a two-gallon zip-top plastic bag.This version: 207 calories; 5.9 fat vs traditional version: 397 calories; 12.1g fatIngredients (makes 12 four oz servings)7 cups water, divided3 tbs freshly ground black pepper, divided6 sprigs of fresh thyme¼ cup kosher salt or low sodium salt½ cup honey1 large lemon, the juice of¼ cup brown sugar2 cups ice cubes1 6lb whole bone in turkey breast, skinned and rinsed2 tbs olive oil1 tbs chopped fresh thymeCooking sprayMethod:1. In a small saucepan combine 1 cup of water, 2 tbs pepper and the thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat, pour into a large bowl and then cool to room temperature.2. Add the rest of the water (6 cups), lemon juice, salt, honey and sugar. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve.3. Pour the solution into a two- gallon zip-top plastic bag. Add the ice and turkey, then seal.4. Refrigerate for 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally.5. When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400F.6. Remove the turkey from the bag. Discard the solution. Pat the turkey dry with paper towel.7. Rub the turkey with olive oil.8. Combine 1 tbs pepper and chopped thyme. Rub over the turkey.9. Coat a roasting pan in cooking spray. Place the turkey in the pan.10. Cook for one hour, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 180.11. Cover with foil and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.12. Make gravy using the juices from the roasting pan, cornstarch and additional lemon juice if desired. To increase the volume of gravy, add some chicken or vegetable stock.The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns BA Hons, Dip ION is a fully qualified nutritional therapist trained by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in the UK. Please note that she is not a registered dietitian. She can be contacted at nourishbda[AT]gmail.com.