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Fun With (out) Holiday Treats
By Linda | December 13, 2011
Tempting treats are everywhere. Chocolate gift boxes sit under the tree, dessert leftovers lurk in the kitchen and holiday cookies beckon us from festive platters. Hostesses greet us with eggnog and wine.
“Oh, have some, its Christmas,” we’re admonished. How do we survive this without looking a bit like Santa with chest pain?
Go for the fat. I know this goes against everything you’ve been told, but a close look at the science confirms this is the best way to survive the holidays (and life) with your arteries clean and waistline lean.
Recently my pant size dropped from a perfectly acceptable size 4 to a loose size 2. Have I been dieting? No. I’ve increased the butter, duck fat, foie and cheese. I also have more energy than ever and rarely get sick.
How do we love both the holiday goodies and our body? Think savory. Go for the cheese plate not the cookie platter. Eat olives and nuts, not fudge. Nosh on popcorn, not candy canes. Re-gift the almond roca and grab a handful of raw almonds. Skip the sweet mulled wine and get a glass of tannin-plush zinfandel.
Try soft herbed goat cheese in endive leaves, not on bread. Roll a slice of lox around some capers and thin slice of sweet onion.
If sugar craving are the problem, start your day savory. Have eggs scrambled with spinach and feta. Have a few slices of bacon instead of jam on toast. Skip the fruit, honey and sugared coffee in the morning and you will diminish sugar cravings later.
I already know the Christmas Eve table this year will be teaming with potatoes, sugared carrots, fruity breads, fudge, gingerbread and pies. I however, will have as much fun as everyone else feasting on the local cheeses, olives, smoked salmon, duck pate, Swedish meatballs, roasted Brussels sprouts and creamy nettle soup. I will toast the holiday with an earthy pinot noir. In the morning I will happily slip into my loose size 2 jeans and celebrate Christmas day with family. What can be more fun than that?
Topics: Uncategorized | 7 Comments »
December 18th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
Linda,
I am so envious of your willpower!!! What is your mental thought process when you are faced with goodies (say your very favorite ones) that LOOK so appetizing..what do you do?
Also, I always love to hear your ‘damage control’ strategies for those times when you may have indulged more than you should have.
Because of you I have increased my fat intake, switched mostly to goat dairy and feel so much better when I eat clean with tons of veggies…but there are those times when the sweet temptation arises!!!
Thank you for your knowledge…once again
December 19th, 2011 at 7:23 am
An insightful comment Andria. It makes me know you are really trying. For me, now, it isn’t about will power. I did go through a sugar/flour purge years ago – by going without both sugar and flour for 4-5 months, I no longer feel tempted to eat them. Now my preference is always something rich and savory. When faced with an old favorite, say thumbprint cookies (I loved those), I just feel neutral, like “those are nice,” but they no longer tempt me. I also know they are basically cheap processed flour, probably GMO sugar, and after I eat them I will feel bloaty and too full. So bring out the cheese and olives, the duck mousse, the fresh roasted nuts… I guess feeling light and happy is more of a draw than feeling heavy and tired.
You are doing great Andria. You have made big changes. Just ask yourself before reaching for a sweet – is it worth it?
December 21st, 2011 at 9:59 am
Thank you again Linda. Your years of advice has helped not only me feel healthy, but also my little ones:) (they rarely get sick too:)
I have a couple of questions for you:
1. Wow on going down two sizes! Besides what you mentioned above, what else helped you get there?
2. I know you have said in the past that water, water, walk, walk will help the body recover after a day of heavy/sugary eating….anything else? (supplements, etc.)
You have helped me get to be where I am…you are 10 years ahead of what we read/hear in the ‘standard nutrition’ world:)
December 22nd, 2011 at 9:22 am
Thanks Andria. You have done really well. It is a lifelong project.
For me, cutting out the carbs is the biggest piece to getting lean. Carbs transform into weight gain fast for most people. Also daily exercise, usually a brisk walk with some hills. Once or twice a week I do interval training. Google that – it really burns fat.
Prevention is far better than recovery. Set your intentions around sugar and what you are willing to live with. I keep dark chocolate on hand because that one little piece seems to do it for me for dessert.
December 27th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
You are so right. Did your flour/sugar purge help with fighting the urge for those type of cravings and was that the reason for doing it? I would be willing to do that as I am appalled at the side effects of sugar…
Happy, happy Holidays. I have enjoyed the sprinting lately:)
December 28th, 2011 at 7:18 am
Yes, cutting out an addictive food (or drink) for a while helps you want it less, or not at all. Give it a try with sugar.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:21 am
I can only tell you bravo I never Christmas Eve table with some potatoes and that stuff in my house only meet serve and lot of salad.I know that is not good for healthy but
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