Colorful Diet does NOT mean M&Ms!

In the rush of the holidays, are you grabbing handfuls of red and green M&Ms more than handfuls of strawberries and grapes? How can you keep up your 5-10 servings of fruits and veggies per day during the holidays?

Not surprisingly, the answer is the same as the rest of the year- PLAN AHEAD. Start your morning with a smoothie (the picture above was from our breakfast)- frozen fruits like strawberries stay the same price year-round, even though they are out of season. Do you notice the banana is over-ripe? No worries- in a smoothie, it doesn't matter!

BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT TO A PARTY, have a large healthy snack and a big glass of water. If you're not starving when you enter the party, you will be way less likely to overload on high calories offerings.

TAKE SNACKS TO WORK. Apples are still cheap and plentiful, so I take a couple to work each day, along with a small container of my nuts of choice (cashews or almonds, usually.) If I don't eat these, I will be way to tempted by chocolate-covered everything at the office!

BOTTOM LINE: This time of year more than any other challenges our time and waistlines; PLAN AHEAD and PUSH UP the vegetables, fruit and water in your day!

Stuffed from the Turkey?

Welcome to the Monday morning after the long Thanksgiving food festival-oops- holiday weekend! Did you step on the scale this morning? Well, if you saw higher numbers than you would like, you are not alone. Past studies have shown that the average American gains between seven to eleven pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day!
I would much rather address this TODAY than after New Year's, though, because this weight gain is not mysterious nor automatic, and CAN BE AVOIDED or at the very least, reduced!

I think we all know that there seem to be a plethora of parties and increased social activities this time of year. Virtually every one includes high calorie treats and drinks. Often families dash from one kid recital, play, concert or sporting event to the next, zipping through fast food drive-throughs along the way.

Let me encourage you to PLAN AHEAD, and haul out your slow cooker from the back of the cupboard! Healthy food does not have to be a huge time commitment, but absolutely does require thinking ahead. Toss a pork tenderloin in the slow cooker with some salsa, and after work/school you're ready for easy pulled pork sandwiches or tacos, for example. Really, it's only TWO ingredients to toss in, so it's simple! Of course leftover turkey (or chicken or beef) along with some cut up onion, carrots, potatoes or other veggies will make a lovely meal as well. The point is not specifically WHAT to make as much as to remind you that you WILL be rushed, and planning ahead makes it possible to have "grab and go" healthier choices.

As for parties, start off with a large glass of WATER in your hand, rather than mindlessly downing that immediately offered alcoholic beverage (which not only adds calories, but often reduces your judgement/motivation regarding healthier choices along the buffet...)

BOTTOM LINE: Check your weight TODAY and PLAN AHEAD for your meals during December so you don't have the extra pounds to begin 2011!