Holidays are here again, and that means parties and dinners and social occasions where, no doubt, you’ll be faced with visions of sugar cookies…and gingerbread men and cheesecake squares and loads of other gut-busting, calorie-laden indulgences. At this time of year, to avoid receiving the Gift of Flab, remember the following rule of tongue: Make it Splurge-Worthy!
When you get the urge to splurge (and we all do!), don’t waste valuable calories and stomach space on tasteless, mediocre treats. Instead, before any high-fat, high-calorie or sugary treat crosses your lips, make sure it’s “splurge-worthy.” Rate the indulgent food on a scale from 1 to 10 (with 1 being “really icky” and 10 being “outta-this-stratosphere delectable.”) If it isn’t a 9 or a 10, don’t bother–it’s not worthy!
I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of Christmas fruitcake. I just don’t get it. Never have. Chockful of those scrumptious artificial fruit globules and the ever-so-tasty FD&C red #3. Yuck! It’s not worthy! Repeat: Not worthy! Or that sugar-loaded, headed-straight-to-your-hips “sheet cake” that’s typically served at birthday or anniversary parties? You know, with the obscenely sweet white icing and the pleasing texture of a sponge? Not worthy! Be polite, enthusiastically sample a small morsel, then slip the rest to Aunt Gertrude’s Pomeranian. Every single high-calorie indulgence should have a high “worth it” factor and should be for a food that you absolutely love, love, love. At Christmas, I just go nuts over those homemade chocolate macaroon thingys with oats and coconut. Dee-lish! Our sister Margie’s scrumptious cherry cheesecake scores a 15 out of 10 in Greta’s books. Definitely worth the calories! What’s your favorite “splurge-worthy” holiday treat?
Just remember, there’s nothing worse than having to loosen your belt after eating a meal or food that you didn’t really enjoy. Talk about waisting calories!
5 responses so far ↓
1 Pascale // Dec 10, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I made your “Lovin’ my no oven pumkin cheesecake” for the potluck at work, I’ll let you know how it goes over.
2 patty // Dec 12, 2008 at 10:03 am
I agree completely. I read a book about emotional eating and that was one of the tips to follow–only eat food that you absolutely love. It has been interesting to try this exercise, because I am actually finding that some foods I thought I loved, I can actually do without. And it made me realize how often I eat food that just doesn’t do it for me. This has been so helpful to me in keeping my weight in check, and it really isn’t all that difficult.
What is splurge-worthy holiday fare to me? Pierogies (if made well), ham, really high quality chocolate, especially if it has hazelnuts in it, hot chocolate.
Not splurge-worthy? really dry Christmas cookies, fruit cake, cheeseballs (they’re good, but just not worth it to me), punch (would rather eat my calories…)
3 Ola S. // Dec 12, 2008 at 10:52 am
I agree, Patty - chocolate is a big one over the holidays. Everywhere I turn, I’m faced with it! I can never get away from it!! Oh man, sooooooo not looking forward to that….. But even though I hate it, I guess chocolate would have to be my holiday splurge treat of choice because it’s just about the only thing I tend to splurge on!
4 Natalie // Dec 18, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I’m glad I have my Healthy Chocolate to get me through the holidays, Since eating it for 8 months now, I no longer crave simple sugars or the junk I used to eat. I’ve lost 12lbs ( and happy to say keeping it off ) by cutting this stuff out of my diet and the chocolate helped me do that. It’s truly amazing. I’m not so sure I’d have the will power to get me through the Holidays without it. Too many temptations. lol Now I don’t even look sideways at sweets and other chocolate.
I’m so grateful to have it in my life. It’s now my ” guilt free ‘ treat and so much more.
If you want to know more info email me @ narladybug@yahoo.com
5 Ola S. // Dec 19, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I lied - I DO have another holiday treat that I like to splurge on: my grandma’s lemon cookies. (I’m helping her bake them as we speak, which is what reminded me of them.) They are so good and SO addicitive, and they’re almost bite-sized so it’s way too easy to get carried away and have like 30 a day! The first batch is out of the oven and I’ve already had a few! Oh my….
Leave a Comment