Thanksgiving just wrapped. You probably stayed up late with family and are still finding random leftovers in your fridge.

Here's the thing: Halloween's around the corner, kicking off the sugar season. Then we barrel into December's chaos - parties, shopping, family gatherings, celebration eating. It basically doesn't stop until January when everyone's exhausted and making desperate resolutions.

But right now? You've got a small window to catch your breath, get outside before it's freezing, and maybe enjoy October while it lasts.

Most people stumble from one holiday to the next, getting progressively more depleted. What if you used this week to fortify yourself instead?

After a long weekend of being 'on' - whether hosting, being a guest, or just getting through it - you’re probably dragging. And here's your limited-time opportunity: it's still pleasant outside.

I hate to say it, but in three weeks it'll be dark by 5pm, the trees will be bare, and temperatures will be dropping. Right now though? The leaves are still gorgeous and that unmistakable smell of fall is in the air. We call this crisp temperature ‘minty’.

Get natural light before seasonal darkness hits. Once winter arrives and you're commuting in the dark, getting sunlight becomes challenging.

So this week? Walk. Hike. Bike. Sit outside with your coffee. Do the outdoor things you'll miss when it's -15°C in January.

This isn't about crushing workouts. It's about soaking up October.

Go Jays Go! 🔵⚾ The Blue Jays are in the ALCS and yes, these games might be giving you heart palpitations. But shared excitement with your community actually reduces stress long-term. When your team wins (please win), your brain releases dopamine and oxytocin - the same feel-good chemicals from positive social connection. The collective joy? The sense of belonging? That's fortification too.

Your routine was probably off over the long weekend. But now you're home, and here's your chance to set yourself up before the next wave hits.

Deal With Those Leftovers - Before they go bad, freeze that turkey carcass for your next batch of homemade broth. Leftover turkey? Toss it into soup or chili, or freeze it for quick protein additions later.

Get Back to Baseline - Return to whatever you normally eat that makes you feel good. Not as punishment! Your body needs a few days of steady energy before the next round of celebrations.

Batch-Cook Your Sanity Saver - Make a big pot of chili from my "Love What's On Your Plate" cookbook. Freeze it in portions. When November gets hectic, you'll have healthy food ready to go. Works for any dietary requirement, and transforms into stuffed peppers for variety.

You just survived a long weekend with family. Some moments were lovely. Some were... less lovely. And you've got two solid months of similar situations ahead.

Right now, while you still have energy, build your reserves.

Sleep First - If the weekend wrecked your sleep, fix it now. Go to bed 30 minutes earlier this week. Everything is harder when you're tired.

Find Your Reset - What helps when stress builds? A quick walk? Three deep breaths? Blast your favourite song in the car? Try a few things this week and figure out what works. You'll need it in December.

You can't avoid holiday stress. But you can walk into it with reserves instead of running on fumes. Try this short Relaxation Meditation

Most people drag themselves from Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year's, getting progressively more exhausted. Then they try to "reset" in January when they're completely depleted.

You're doing something smarter. You're using this calm-ish week to get outside while it's nice, prep some food, and build your stress capacity.

Nothing dramatic. Just strategic fortification before the chaos hits.

Get batch-cooking recipes from Love What's On Your Plate →
Read the full blog post at svliving.com

What's your fortification strategy? Hit reply - I love hearing what actually works in real life.