We Wish You a Merry Food-Mas

It's coming: The onslaught of delectable holiday treats. Right now, there's a plate of "stained glass cookies" that my daughter made last night sitting on my kitchen island. I can virtually guarantee that my neighbor will soon be stopping by with the delicious homemade chocolate peanut-butter balls that she makes every year. And later today, my kitchen will be humming with the production of raisin squares, brownies, cookies and a traditional Scottish steak-and-kidney pie (yes, some family traditions are a bit disgusting...).

 

In the past, I'd have simply given up and surrendered to the temptations of the season -- no matter what they were. But now, my stay-healthy strategy is simple and effective:

 

1. If it's not special, skip it. I save my splurges for the things that really come along once a year. Brownies? No way -- I can get those any old time. Homemade chocolate peanut-butter balls? Sign me up!

2. Savor the traditions. Sure, that steak-and-kidney pie is just about one of the most unhealthy foods on the planet. But my Scottish grandmother made it every year, as did my mother. Though they're long gone, one bite brings them both right back to the table for me.

3. Pump it up. Though time is short right now, I still get in my workout -- even if it's dancing around the kitchen to funky Christmas tunes or letting my dog chase me around the island at top speed (really, that could be my daily workout -- he never gets tired of it). 

4. Remember the protein.A nice pumpkin pie protein shake makes a great breakfast and makes it easy to get some protein in to counteract the crash that comes from eating too many fatty treats.

5. Leave the leftovers. I'm not hosting this holiday, so all treats will be left behind for the hostess and her family to enjoy. Not having to face down leftover cookies makes it much easier to avoid overindulging.

6. Relax (or as my 12-year-old would say, "Chillax"). The holidays are all about family and friends. Who wants to spend them worrying about every bite?

 

I won't be blogging on Thursday, so I'll simply say Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. May you all enjoy a wonderful time with those who are dear to you.

Comments

[Sagan]

Merry Christmas!

[Charlotte]

Hi Dara!! I recognize you from Leslie's sight! Thanks so much for your kind comment on my blog:) I'm so glad we have found each other now! Although I wish I'd read your post yesterday - I'm stuffed to the gills and rather regretting all that french toast I had for breakfast. Ah well. Will you do a post soon on how to recover from excess? ;)

[Alyssa]

A coffee shop by our house serves up freshly baked cookies every day. They have gingerbread cookies only during the holidays, so that's when we go and indulge. We pretty much avoid it the rest of the year though. Too much temptation, lol!
Happy New Year!

[Kelly Turner]

Merry belated Christmas!

Kelly Turner
www.everygymsnightmare.com

[elissa]

I hope you had a happy holiday!
Thank you for that blog post a little while back that acknowledged my comment about Thanksgiving calories. I'm sorry I was bitter -- I blame hormones.

I also wanted to thank you for the great recommendation for Candy Cane Lane decaf green tea. I'd been hunting for that stuff ever since you mentioned it, and finally I found a display of it at my local grocery store. I bought 2 boxes off your recommendation alone, and now I'm so hooked I might have to buy a case to tide me over through the year. That is a GOOD flavor.

[Dara Chadwick]

Thanks, Sagan. Hope yours was great, too!

Nice to see you here, Charlotte. Not much we can do about excess after the fact except step up the workout and remember that today is a new day ;-).

I love gingerbread, Alyssa. That sounds like a nice family tradition.

Thanks, Kelly. Hope your holiday was happy, too.

Elissa, no apologies necessary! You didn't come across as bitter -- I thought you made valid points. Besides, I like it when people share their perspectives, whether they agree with me or not. I always learn something new or refine my own views, and that's a good thing! So glad to hear you like the tea. I love the flavor, too, and it makes drinking green tea a pleasure rather than a "something I should be doing." Now that you mention it, I may have to go stock up before the holidays are completely over.

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I'd like to try that pumpkin pie protein shake, that sounds really good. I know I'm a little late for Christmas, but I enjoyed the post anyway, thanks.

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