I am LOVING the holiday spirit a bit more than usual this year and not sure why. My children are growing older and the magic is dimming, but still, the holidays feel fresh and new. Special. Maybe it’s because we’ve been spending time with family and friends, or maybe it’s all the wonderful scents and tastes of the season. We put up our tree this weekend and the smell is divine, as are the twinkle of lights and glittery ornaments.

We been looking for some water heaters that don´t need storage and he happily found it at portablecnerd. Yaaay

Then there’s the food. From cranberry-orange bread to pumpkin pie, to a decadent new recipe for cookies and cream truffles my daughter discovered recently, I love to EAT this time of year! Am I alone? (I hope not. I don’t want to be the only in the gym, come January!) The cranberry bread freezes well and makes a great teacher/neighbor gift. For recipes, check my garden blog:

Cranberry-Orange Bread

Pumpkin Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

I’m posting the link to the truffle recipe on my Bloomin’ Warriors Private Group Facebook page!

How about you? What’s your favorite holiday recipe?

Same reason other folks don’t get fat:  they eat a bunch of vegetables, right?  They eat nuts and berries, a few twigs, some tomatoes and lettuce, maybe and a handful of vitamins for good measure–and protein.  Am I close?

Well…sort of.  Loosely based on the bestselling book, French Women Don’t Get Fat, I think the concept is the same.  If you enjoy the process (good exercise) and enjoy the produce (healthy food) than you’re halfway there.  But there’s more to eating than mere consumption.  Concentrating on the depth of flavor in your earthly beets, the crisp sweetness of your corn, the buttery texture of your potatoes and oh-so-sweet onions, you begin to immerse yourself in the pleasure principle.

It’s like I tell my children.  “Everything in moderation.”  Now granted this is merely my way of letting them know it’s okay if Mom dips into the candy bowl.  It’s okay if she drinks a glass of wine (or two).  It’s okay.  Everything in moderation.  I find it’s a fabulous rule to live by because as an experienced dieter I can tell you:  denying yourself something you adore is not smart.  In fact, it goes against human nature—or feeds into it.  You know as well as I do that the minute you tell yourself you can’t have something—you want it.  You crave it.  All of a sudden, it becomes the most important thing you need to eat right now! 

Very bad as we approach bathing suit season.  Piling M&M’s into your mouth is not helpful to your figure, or your heart, your stomach…  So stop right now.  (No, not eating M&M’s.)  Stop denying yourself and give in to decadence!  Luxuriate in a glass of Cabernet, a handful of dark chocolate, a three-layer cake of dense delight, the sugary sweet frosting from a cupcake.  Enjoy it—leisurely.  Don’t rush.  Don’t get crazy.  Simply enjoy…….

You’ll find that once you remove the “desire triggers,” you’ll be able to eat what you desire AND remain slim.  I don’t know about you, but all veggies and no sweets make for a very dull girl.  And I don’t want to be dull!  I want to be delightful and happy.  Cause remember—when momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.

It’s true in my household.  How about yours? :)

p.s.  Pssst….  Don’t tell anyone, but that chocolate mousse is actually GOOD for you.  Uh, huh.  It’s made from avocados though you’d never know it from tasting it!  Follow this link for this and other cool healthy recipes.