Even though you should have known better. Even though you have preemptively broken your New Year’s resolution. Even though you really are getting too old for this. You woke up this morning with a hangover.

Hangovers, of course, result from your body dealing with the excess toxins from processing the excess alcohol. Your body is using all of its resources to repair and restore. In short, you feel like crap. Your system can process alcohol in small amounts, but if it’s given too much, your organs will need a chance to reboot. If you found yourself vomiting last night, you may also be dehydrated. So what do you do now?

SLEEP IT OFF
It’s unlikely that you’ll be rising with the sun this morning. The best thing you can do is sleep in. Sleep gives your body a chance to restart and restore all of the vitamins and minerals that the alcohol has absorbed.

SKIP THE CAFFEINE
Nix the coffee and lay off the soda this morning. Caffeine will only make you more dehydrated. Slowly drink several glasses of water. If you already have Gatorade or a similar drink, it’ll help to hydrate your body faster. You can get similar results by mixing 1 teaspoon salt and 8 teaspoons sugar with one liter of water.

REPLENISH
Try making these muffins. The fruit contains fructose, a healthy sugar. Bananas are a natural antacid, which will help any nausea you’re suffering. The walnuts contain iron, calcium and other minerals. The coconut will help to aid in hydration. The carrots contain vitamins A, B6 and C.

EASY MORNING GLORY MUFFINS*
These muffins might seem like a lot of work, especially if standing up seems like an impossible task. So, sleep in a bit first, drink some water and a big glass of orange juice. Take the recommended dose of Ibuprofen and a multivitamin if you have it on hand. When you’re feeling a little better, distract yourself by making these muffins. Then enjoy them as a light brunch to bring you back to normal. Even if you’re not hung over, they’re a great healthy breakfast to start any day.

INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• ½ cup raisins
• ½ cup chopped walnuts (or more!)
• ½ cup unsweetened flaked coconut (or more!)
• 1 apple - peeled, cored and shredded
• 3 eggs
• ¼ cup oil
• ¾ cup applesauce
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 350° F. Place 12 muffin liners into pan.
2. Use a cheese grater to shred carrots and apples. If you prefer a smoother texture, use a food processor.
3. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the carrot, raisins, nuts, coconut, and apple.
4. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, oil, applesauce and vanilla. Stir the egg mixture into the carrot/flour mixture, just until moistened. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups.
5. Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.
6. Of course, the best way to not suffer a hangover is to avoid them in the first place. If you’ll be enjoying alcohol as you ring in 2009, please do so responsibly. Eat before you drink, pace yourself, and switch to juice or water when you’ve had enough. Have fun and stay safe!

* Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com