Christmas on the Brain

It couldn't be helped. The moment, the very instant that we had eaten our turkey, played a game of cribbage and finished visiting with the long lost cousins from Colorado it hit me. Christmas.

I have actual conflict in my life over whether I love summer or the Christmas season more. For the moment, whichever is right in front of me is my very favorite time of year. And right now, it is Christmas. 

I am talking about listening to Harry Connick Jr., Nat King Cole and Michael Buble. Poring over my address list and carefully ordering family Christmas cards and getting pictures printed to send. Spending hours planning parties, shopping and wrapping gifts. Making presents with my kids to give their teachers. Staying up late making something handmade because I love unique gifts. Going to Starbucks and ordering a tall skinny vanilla latte in a red Christmas cup and pulling my favorite infinite wrap scarf over my head and going to the mall. Planning out my Christmas lists and daydreaming ideas of how to make people smile on Christmas morning. Dressing my babies (ages 9, 5, and 1) in a little holiday sparkle and going to their Christmas programs to watch them sing "Silent Night."  Helping them write letters to Santa for themselves and also taking them shopping to make a gift bag for a homeless student their age. Driving around with the whole family watching the lights sparkle and shine, debating about which house is our favorite. I love it all.

Christmas brings out the best and worst in people. At worst (and we've all been there) we are frazzled, busy, broke and regretful. At best we live in the moment, remember that a small handmade gift is treasured just as well or better than an expensive thoughtless trinket, and we soak it all in with careful planning, picture taking and quiet family moments.

When we take the time to plan ahead, overwhelming moments of temptation do not happen as frequently or get the best of us. Plan who you'd like to shop for and set a budget (with money you have) for each person. Believe with all your heart that a well thought and carefully written card is BETTER than any expensive gift you cannot afford. 

Plan what you'll eat and when. Before you eat something, think about what it is and what it represents. If you have already decided that you are on the path to health during this Christmas season and beyond, don't give in to a small thing you want NOW that will sabotage a big thing you want in the LONG TERM. If each decision is made based on supporting what you want for yourself long term, you will be successful. If your food decisions are based on a passing whim or fulfilling a short term desire, you will not attain your long term health goals. 

We are each the sum total of our long term decision making habits.

Decide today what you want. Make the plan. Live each day between where you are and where you want to be making decisions that support your plan.  And do it with a friend! Accountability makes us stronger. Emulate someone who has what you want. 

I wish you a Christmas season filled with purpose and hope.  I wish you a healthy body, a healthy mind and healthy finances. May your days be merry and bright!

Start Thanksgiving Right!

 It's time for some appetizer inspiration for a healthy Thanksgiving. I have a friend who lost 15 pounds last year between Thanksgiving and Christmas by staying on program and that meant making a few welcome adjustments to the way they celebrated the holidays with their family. Here are some great ideas if you get to bring an appetizer to a gathering this year!

Grilled zucchini wraps are simple and so healthy, not to mention they still pack that creative visual punch that many of us enjoy striving for when we get to bring something to share to a party.

What you need: 5 medium sized zucchini, olive oil, fresh ground pepper and either laughing cow light swiss cheese wedges OR feta cheese, depending on your taste.

What to do: Slice zucchini into long, thin strips. Lightly oil large skillet or grill. Grill zucchini strips quickly, 2-3 minutes. Add a teaspoon of cheese at the to of one zucchini strip and grind pepper over the top. Roll up and secure with a toothpick. Repeat. You might pop these into an oven just before serving if you prefer them warm!

 For so many of us that are choosing to eat healthy, feeding our kids can trip us up because they eat so many things that we are trying to avoid, like lots of crackers and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or maybe they don't like healthy food. Or maybe offering your kids lots of healthy options is the next item on your to do list. Here are some great ideas! Make a healthy fish platter as part of your kids' breakfast the morning after Thanksgiving. All you need is orange slices, dried apricots, blueberries and bits of strawberries or more apricots for the lips. Get creative, get the kids involved and have fun with it!

 If characters that your children recognize will make veggies more fun, buy some tomatoes, carrots, blueberries, blackberries, broccoli and olives, along with little white cups for some light ranch dipping sauce and ask your favorite little people to help you arrange the platters. (There are platters at the dollar store if you don't have any at home.) Also for those of you feeling less than crafty, this is an easy one to follow. Pull up the picture on your phone or computer screen and place your veggies accordingly. It's super easy and the kids will love being involved!

 If you have a grocery store nearby and a few minutes to put together a great conversation piece, this turkey is just the thing to get some healthy ooh's and ah's when you walk into your next Thanksgiving gathering. Making this says to everybody, " I am strutting my healthy all over this party! Check me out, I am getting healthy and sassier by the day. Don't you want to be me??" It's fun to do, give it a try! Add to the shopping list: Red leaf lettuce, celery, baby carrots, asparagus, red, yellow and green bell peppers, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, 1 yellow squash and olives for the eyes. It just doesn't get any healthier or cuter than that. If this is what you choose to munch on during a party, you will leave feeling proud and accomplished. Might as well make this fun!!

If your holiday gatherings tend to be a bit more fancy or buttoned up, consider the zucchini boat. Healthy, delicious, and just the right amount of sophistication. Just how I like my men... did I say that out loud? Oopsie...
What you need: 5-6 of the larger zucchini you can find, cherry tomatoes (on the vine if you can find them), parmesan cheese and basil.
What to do: Slice the zucchini length wise and scoop out the middle to create a boat. Sprinkle with fresh grated parmesan and sliced cherry tomatoes. Shred the basil and sprinkle on top. (Take several basil leaves and roll them into a tight ball. Hold tight with one hand while slicing the whole thing into small shreds.) Top with fresh ground pepper and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, checking every few minutes to make sure you haven't browned your cheese too much. Serve hot and cut into bite sized pieces to assist eating as a finger food.
Here's to a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my healthy body and this one precious life I was given to create the life and the health that I really want. Cheers!

Nursing mom success

This is Angela & here is her story: "After my 3rd baby was born I found myself still wearing maternity clothes 9 months later. I started on the nursing moms program and lost 34 lbs in 3 1/2 months and I now wear a size 2-4. What I love most is how I feel. I have no more pains in my back, joints or my feet and I can out run my 20 year old brothers!!!" 




I also did this nursing moms program, so I can speak firsthand to the ease of the success found within it's protocols. If you can eat small meals every few hours and drink a lot of water, you can do this too :)

Who is ready to start FEELING better?

Stay tuned for tips and recipes for a grateful and healthy Thanksgiving day!

Stuffed Mushrooms, it's what's for dinner

Stuffed portabello mushrooms... is there anything that will draw me to the appetizer tray more quickly? Fortunately, these little babies are also healthy and health plan approved!

Here's what I used:

3 large portabello mushrooms
1-2 wedges laughing cow light cheese
1 oz. shredded parmesan

Here's what I did:

Pull the stems off of the 'shrooms and put into a blender along with laughing cow cheese wedges and a tablespoon or two of water. Blend into a nice spreadable, scoopable, delicious substance and fill the mushroom caps. Sprinkle with shredded parmesan and bake at 350* for about 20 minutes. Serve alongside a nice garlic chicken breast that has been baked and sprinkled with parsley. Your taste buds and your waistline with thank you!