11 Ways I’m Preparing for Thanksgiving as a Chronic Lyme Patient
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I wanted to share how I’m preparing for the holiday this year as someone managing chronic Lyme disease. If you're like me, navigating a holiday centered around food, family, and social gatherings can feel overwhelming. But over the years, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks that help me enjoy Thanksgiving with less stress and more joy.
Here are the 11 things I’m doing to prepare for Thanksgiving as a chronic Lyme patient:
1. Accepting My Limitations and Letting Go of Expectations
The first thing I’m doing this year is embracing my limitations. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting everything to be perfect, but I’m learning to let go of those expectations. Instead of focusing on what I can’t do, I’m focusing on what I can do. Being kind to myself and accepting where I’m at physically makes the holiday so much more enjoyable.
2. Preparing Foods in Advance
To save my energy and reduce stress, I’m prepping as many dishes ahead of time as possible. This includes making gluten-free and dairy-free stuffing, desserts, dips, and soups. By preparing these dishes in advance, I can ensure that I have clean, nourishing food that aligns with my dietary needs. Having homemade, allergy-friendly meals makes all the difference in how I feel during and after the holiday. I also keep a few allergen-friendly, clean-ingredient baking mixes on hand just in case I find I am too tired to cook or experiencing a flare.
3. Treating Myself to a Raw Vegan Cheesecake 🍰
This year, I’m ordering a delicious raw vegan cheesecake from The Naked Bar Atlanta. It’s a perfect dessert option that fits my dietary restrictions and is absolutely delicious! I’ve ordered one of their seasonal cheesecakes which is completely free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugars. It's made with clean, wholesome ingredients like cashews, dates, and coconut oil, making it a guilt-free dessert that I can actually enjoy without worrying about reactions.
For those of us managing chronic illnesses, having delicious treats that don’t compromise our health can feel like a small victory.
4. Staying Hydrated
Hydration is key, so I’m making sure I have plenty of filtered water on hand to drink and cook with. I’m using the Boroux filter, which helps remove impurities and ensures that I’m using the cleanest water possible. I also make sure to use my electrolytes daily! Staying hydrated not only supports my energy levels but also helps my body handle any extra holiday stress.
5. Stocking Up on Clean Seasonings
To add flavor to my dishes without compromising my health, I’ve ordered some pantry essentials from Clean Monday Meals. Their chicken bouillon, ranch seasoning, and onion soup powders are gluten-free, dairy-free, and free of artificial ingredients, making them perfect for my cooking and dips. These little swaps help me enjoy flavorful food without any unwanted side effects.
6. Making Sure I Have All My Meds and Supplements
Thanksgiving is a long weekend, so I’m double-checking that I have all my medications and supplements fully stocked. The last thing I want is to run out of something important when most doctor’s offices are closed. A little preparation here goes a long way in ensuring I feel my best and I don’t have any panic moments because I ran out of crucial medications or supplements.
7. Adding More Veggie Dishes to the Menu 🥦
While Thanksgiving is traditionally a carb-heavy day, I’m balancing things out by incorporating lots of veggie-forward dishes. Roasted Brussels sprouts, sautéed green beans, and a vibrant salad are some of my favorites. This way, I can enjoy the feast while still getting plenty of nutrients. I use the Clean Monday Meals Seasonings in a lot of these dishes!
8. Celebrating Thanksgiving at Home
One of the biggest ways I take care of myself is by celebrating Thanksgiving in my own home. This helps me avoid cross-contamination with foods I’m allergic to and allows me to control the ingredients in every dish. Hosting at home has been a game-changer in managing my health. If you plan to celebrate someplace else, brining a prepared plate or dish you’ve made ensures you have something safe to eat on the big day.
9. Surrounding Myself with Supportive Friends and Family
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, and I’m incredibly grateful for the friends and family who understand and respect my health needs. This year, I’m making sure to surround myself with those who support my journey and make me feel comfortable. It’s so important to be around people who uplift you and bring you joy.
10. Keeping My Space Mold-Free
During the holidays, we tend to bring in items from garages and outdoor spaces, which can introduce mold into the home which can trigger mold illness symptoms or allergies. To keep my environment clean, I’m using EC3 mold candles and EC3 mold wipes from Micro Balance Health. These help me prepare my space in advance and keep it free from mold issues during cleanup. It's a small step that makes a big difference in my air quality and overall well-being.
11. Having Fun and Focusing on Gratitude 🌻
At the end of the day, Thanksgiving is a time to relax, be present, and give thanks. I’m reminding myself to take it easy, enjoy the moment, and focus on the things I’m grateful for. Whether that’s savoring a delicious meal, laughing with loved ones, or simply resting, I’m making it a priority to have fun and just be.
I hope these tips inspire you to create a Thanksgiving that’s both joyful and manageable, especially if you’re navigating chronic illness.
With love and gratitude,
The Lyme Advise Team
Some links shared in this email are affiliate links and many are not. Lyme Advise works hard to find discounts for our community because we know how important it is to save money as a chronic Lyme patient. We also like sharing links to make your life easier to find the things we love and use!
Discount Codes to save money for companies and items mentioned in this email are:
Clean Monday Meals: Save 10% off your entire order with code LYMEADVISE
Micro Balance Health: Save 15% off site-wide, with the exception of subscriptions and AMMA products, with code LYMEADVISE
Buoy Hydration: Save 20% off when shopping with the link Lyme Advise provides. A discount coupon code will pop up on the Buoy Hydration website shortly after clicking to visit. Valid site-wide and withe the chronic illness subscription program. When using the Lyme Advise link for the subscription program, total savings equals 55% off your monthly orders.
The Naked Bar ATL: While we don’t have a discount code for them specific to Lyme Advise they are currently running a Thanksgiving Sale. Enjoy 25% off 6,7, and 8 inch cheesecakes and sweet potato bars! Use code thanksgiving