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Here we go! November. ‘Tis the season for food, food and more food!
We sail right out of our candy-corn-induced, Halloween-sugar comas into nap-inducing effects of turkey and all the trimmings. Just as our stomachs manage to process the gravy and stuffing, we are inundated with marshmallow-dunking-fondue-fountains, insidious people-shaped cookies, Aunt Mavis’ once-a-year pie, copious amounts of alcohol, and more turkey! Then come the New Year’s Eve parties *and* New Year’s Day football food-orgies.
Is it humanly possible to not gain a kazillion pounds by January 2nd? Yes, dear friends, it is. You just gotta be smart about it, and I’m not talking raw-broccoli smart either.
In the days leading up to big, food events, save up some calories. Seriously. Go light on food all the while reminding yourself something really good is coming. The day of the event opt for a light breakfast (to take the edge off – we don’t wanna completely go off the deep end here) and start planning
your plate. Really get into it. I like to imagine a 50-foot buffet table filled with items I dearly love: liquid chocolate, chocolate baked goods, and just plain chocolate. Anticipation is most of the fun.
Use these special occasions to eat things you hardly ever get. Don’t waste your precious calories on the mundane. You want exciting things – the stuff you won’t see again until next year. Do I want a plain, grocery store brownie? No way. Gimmee that homemade, cheesecake, turtle-nut-caramel, dark chocolate, 52-layer, brownie!
Following that strategy, watch the portion sizes (duh). Try slivers of pie instead of whacking off half of it – save feeling conspicuous when your paper plate collapses. Besides, someone else might want some.
Once you’ve made your fabulous choices and not caught the ire of other pie-lovers, move on. If you are anything like me, just the smell of sugary goodness is a Siren song. Go in the other room and enjoy your once-a-year, tasty treats.
Yes, you will down more calories than usual in one sitting, but you’ve saved up for it and won’t do it again for a while. You might gain a pound or two (we are not aiming for ten), but you will smile, remember how awesome it tasted, and then just get back on the straight-and-narrow.
It’s not the end of the world, and that pie was dang good.
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