I think it's about keeping it all in perspective. One warm fresh baked pumpkin snickerdoodle cookie is delicious. The entire pan will leave me feeling crummy. I think the key to nutrition and fitness success is to indulge--with limits. We run into trouble when every night, is dessert night. I remember a time several years ago when the meal wasn't finished until I had dessert--after lunch AND dinner. After age 40, those 100 calorie cookies catch up with you.
At my gym we call this a "Free Day," a time to enjoy the proper portion size of the foods you love.
It's also important to contribute something to the feast that you know will sustain you and not leave you in a food coma. When people tell me they failed in the nutrition department because they ate what was served--I always ask, "What did you contribute to the meal?"
Take along a new veggie dish, a Greek-yogurt based dip, or a really beautiful side dish you'd be proud to share.
Here's a recipe for a colorful, hearty salad made with pomegranate and an ancient Italian grain called farro. You can find it at Trader Joe's or in the health food section of most grocery stores. Wheat berries are a good substitute. This serves up nicely as a side to turkey. In fact, I just made this with a pork tenderloin which I stuffed with apples, poblano peppers and sweet potatoes.
Slice the pomegranate into quarters and gently nudge out the berries. If you do this in a bowl of water in the sink, it makes clean up easy. The white pulp will rise to the top of the water.
Pomegranate Farro Salad
3 cups water
1 ½ cups farro or wheat berries
3 tbs balsamic vinegar
1 tbs pomegranate molasses
¼ cup olive oil
5 cups arugula (optional)
4 cups romaine
3 stalks celery, chopped
2/3 cup sliced green onions
½ cup pomegranate seeds (peel and clean the fruit)
½ cup roasted unsalted almonds, chopped
Bring water to boil. Add farro, return to boil. Simmer 25 min. Peel pomegranate.
Whisk vinegar, molasses, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper in bowl. Drizzle in ¼ cup olive oil, whisk well. Add remaining ingredients, including cooled, drained wheat. Serving ¾ cup. 175 cal, 27 carbs.
Feeds 8, easily.
Pomegranate molasses adds a tart element to the bold taste of balsmic vinegar and really completes this dish. Lighten it up by adding greens to the grains. If you're taking this to a party, add the greens when you get there, and toss throughly.
Get Moving
After that holiday meal, or before, plan an activity which involves moving. My husband's Uncle Ed used to make everyone put on thier winter coats and go for a post-dinner stroll after dinner. It was a Thanksgiving tradition. Get your regular exercise on holidays. It's good for stress relief. Most fitness centers offer holiday hours and it's a good break from the kitchen to break a sweat.
Don't Blow Calories on Booze
Alcohol calories quickly add up. And when we drink, we feel more free to eat everything in sight. Suddenly, it's ok to binge on the entire bowl of giant cashews. Know your limits and stick to it. Chase a beer or glass of wine with a glass of water. Alcohol also inhibits fat burning. So if you're serious about maintaining weight or losing body fat, booze is your worst enemy. It actually negates the effectiveness of your workouts.
Be Thankful
We are all thankful for something. If I focus on my "haves" I think I'll be healthier, happier and more able to manuever the "have nots." Plus, no one wants to be around a negative Nellie.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Pomegranate molasses adds a tart element to the bold taste of balsmic vinegar and really completes this dish. Lighten it up by adding greens to the grains. If you're taking this to a party, add the greens when you get there, and toss throughly.
Get Moving
After that holiday meal, or before, plan an activity which involves moving. My husband's Uncle Ed used to make everyone put on thier winter coats and go for a post-dinner stroll after dinner. It was a Thanksgiving tradition. Get your regular exercise on holidays. It's good for stress relief. Most fitness centers offer holiday hours and it's a good break from the kitchen to break a sweat.
Don't Blow Calories on Booze
Alcohol calories quickly add up. And when we drink, we feel more free to eat everything in sight. Suddenly, it's ok to binge on the entire bowl of giant cashews. Know your limits and stick to it. Chase a beer or glass of wine with a glass of water. Alcohol also inhibits fat burning. So if you're serious about maintaining weight or losing body fat, booze is your worst enemy. It actually negates the effectiveness of your workouts.
Be Thankful
We are all thankful for something. If I focus on my "haves" I think I'll be healthier, happier and more able to manuever the "have nots." Plus, no one wants to be around a negative Nellie.
Happy Thanksgiving!
