(as published on www.outinamerica.com)
Surviving Post-Holiday Scale Shock
By: Rodney Smiley
11-19-2004
The Holiday season is here again. It comes without fail every year, as prompt as Tax day and nearly as unwelcome, bringing family and friends and glad tidings and … food: lots and lots of food.
By mid-November, most of us have at least two or three feasts scheduled. Whether we’ve planned them ourselves or RSVP’d to others, none of us are looking forward to the Holiday Gain. Not to be confused with the Gains of the Holiday – gifts and such. Oh no, the Holiday Gain is encapsulated in a wonderful reminder that comes about the second week in January when our clothes fit as snugly as Jordache jeans in the 80s.
Typically, we’ve eaten more than our share and have avoided the gym as if it were plagued with locusts. Or Republicans. For some of us, it’s a year long battle that culminates in an all out blitzkrieg of calories, fat and bacchanal-like parties come Holiday time.
But must we succumb to the evils of thrice butter-basted fowl and sugary glazed hams, partnered with potatoes laced with butter and salt? Must we face the black specter of Scale Shock in January, when our hearts beat faster and our palms sweat and we nearly collapse from the realization that yes, we’ve gained weight like Liza in the 90s?
A small amount of Egg Nog and Fruit Cake aside –both of which if prepared properly contain liquor and therefore are a must for dealing with relatives - there are ways to minimize the bulk (!) of Holiday Gain.
If preparing the Holiday meal yourself, make the decision to serve healthier alternatives to traditional fare. Hams need not be glazed to a shellacked finish. Turkeys don’t require three coats of butter before baking. Potatoes can be substituted with a wonderful cauliflower mash – your guests will probably not taste the difference. Green beans can be topped with Japanese bread crumbs instead of French Fried Onions.
Use fresh herbs and seasonings to flavor your dishes instead of sugars and butter and you’ve created a delicious and healthier meal.
If attending another’s dinner, take the time to survey the table before asking someone to “Pass the potatoes.” If served ham or turkey, aim for capturing slices from the inside, rather than the exterior. Most times these cuts are less invaded by the chef’s personal flavor fest and are thus less likely to add extra calories.
Choose smaller portions of side dishes – you certainly don’t want to offend your host by refusing his cornbread stuffing, made from his dear old Grandmother’s recipe. You can take tastes from each dish, in smaller portions and still enjoy a wonderful meal with your family and friends.
Drink water before and during the meal. The extra water will make you feel full sooner and you’ll be less likely to overeat - no matter how good the sweet potato pie is.
Speaking of dessert, sometimes opting for coffee and ‘just a sliver, please’ of sundry desserts served at holiday meals is the answer. If you’re hosting, serve a healthy alternative such as a fresh fruit tart or a scoop of frozen yogurt. Add a sprig of mint and a few berries and you’re in fancy-town.
Exercise. Despite the rushed and crazed atmosphere of the Holiday Season, we all must remember that the one true way to battle the January snuggies is to exercise. Keeping an exercise routine is difficult during the Holidays – for some of us it is difficult to keep no matter what Season - but it is a key factor in surviving Holiday Gain.
Remember that the Holiday Season is best spent in the company of your family and friends. Above all, plan to spend time with people you care about. Dining together is just one of many ways to share the Holidays.
Volunteering for a charity or homeless shelter will bring not only the satisfaction of helping those less fortunate but also will be something you can share with your fellow volunteers.
Even a night of egg nog (told you it was important!) and reruns of Rudolph and A Christmas Story is a great way to spend time with those closest to you.
So remember – enjoy your Holidays; spread peace and love and fashion tips to the less fortunate. Just don’t forget about the scale come January.
No comments:
Post a Comment