Saturday, December 24, 2011

Happy 5th Night of Hannukah and Merry Christmas Eve!

Just sitting here, hoping you are enjoying the heck out of this wonderful holiday!  I started my day with my normal 2 hours Saturday morning workout. Then we took my 2 nephews to the beach because it was mid 70's, brilliant sunshine and just about as perfect as a day can get!  We took a long walk on the beach with a destination in mind called Bull Taco.  It is a fun super casual outside taco stand on a bluff overlooking the pacific.  Alas, Bull Taco was closed. So we walked back to the car and went to another fun spot that the nephews selected. 

Then we came home and veged out in a nice hot jacuzzi.  Now we are off to Mom's house to share a yummy Christmas eve dinner. 

Tomorrow morning we will get up and do a fun hike together before opening gifts and eating some more delicious food.  I am going to do the week in between Christmas and New Years as a protein week.  Then celebrate New Years and begin 2012 in good shape to continuing my healty journey.

What types of strategies will you employ to enjoy and deploy your healthy journey?

Desire to savor every treat and every moment.  Dedication to treaure loved ones.  Discipline to make healthy choices and keep moving!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Swappin' Cookies - Hope for Rice Krispy Treats

I was invited to a cookie swap party today.  I tried a new recipe for gingerbread biscotti dipped in white chocolate.  (Yes, they were delicious!) I arrived at the party and was surrounded by TONS of kids.  I was the only one who made a "grown-up" cookie choice.  So, as the cookie platters were passed out to the kids to fill with the cookies everyone had brought.......I watched as each and every kid skipped over the biscotti in favor of the kiddie oriented treats.  Now, I am familiar with rice krispy treats but I had not heard of devil's food cookies made from a box mix with canned frosting. I also learned you can make a "cookie" by pouring melted butter and brown sugar over graham crackers sprinkled with nuts.  Or, a "cookie" made by melting a Rolo candy on top of a little pretzel.  The kid friendly cookies just went on and on.

Then the grown-ups all descended on my biscottis.  It was easy for me to avoid most all of the cookies. They simply did not look good!  So, a new secret discovered - go to cookie swaps that are overrun with kids!  It is easy to refuse those types of cookies!

I hope you are enjoying the season as much as we are!  My brother and his family arrive this week.  I can't wait!  His 2 sons will be staying at our house.  They are 14 and 16 and I love them to distraction!  It is going to be AWESOME having them here for Christmas and New Years!  Instead of cookies in the cookie jar, I am filling it with Kathi's awesome fit bites so they will have healthy snacking available!  There will also be a full basket of fruit on the counter at all times!  We plan to take them to the gym and for lots of walks on the beach.  FUN, Fun, fun!!!

Wishing you and yours lots of love, health and family and friends to share!

Desire to embrace the season.  Dedication to keeping healthy choices available. Discipline to keep exercising throughout it all.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Try a "Mini" Fix!

Frequently, in my work, I facilitate leadership development sessions.  I bring bags of mini candy to the workshops and put a few on each table.  Most people enjoy a bite.  I rarely touch them myself.  I like to tell people that I am alergic to sugar.  When I say it, most people nod their heads and look sympathetic, but I quickly follow-up with....whenever I eat it, I break out in hips!  It takes a few beats, but they realize I am making a joke - har de har har!

So tonight, I was really jones-ing for something sweet, so I ate a mini-twix.  It has 30 calories and tasted yummy!  So, if you are having a craving, try a mini!  It just might do the trick!

Last night, we went to Golden Spoon yogurt.  I orderd a pumpkin fat free frozen yogurt.  The size I ordered has 100 calories so I worked it into my daily count.  It was truly delicious and satisfying!

Our dear friend sent us her annual package of homemade almond roca, aka "Christmas Crack".  This stuff is so good that it is sinful.  So, the package is sitting under our tree, unopened.  I figure if I don't open it, then I can't eat it!  We will open it, likely on Christmas Eve and share it with the family.  Until then, it stays under the tree!

I am satisfying my holiday craving one little bit at a time.  This year, my goal is to get through the holidays with minimal impact on the scales.  I will let you know how I do!

Desire for a stable weigh-in through the holidays.  Dedication to small treats.  Discipkine to keep the Christmas Crack unopened until the 24th!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Relaxing on Sunday Evening

Please remember to include relaxation in your schedule.  All weekend long I have been busy with errands, personal services, planning for more holiday celebrations, all with an eye towards finally being able to plop down and finally relax.  So here I am, plopped on the couch, tapping out my message to you and enjoying every relaxed moment!  Our dinner is in the oven, the salad is tossed and all I have to do this evening is watch our favorite holiday movie with my wonderful hubbie.

Have you ever watched Love Actually?  We watch it every year around this time.  It is funny and endearing and filled with awesome actors and a great message to love each other during the holidays and always.

So my thoughts this week are all about including relaxation in your plan as an important component of your healthy journey!

Desire to just plop.  Dedication to finding time to relax.  Discipline to ensure your journey is well balanced.