moonbeam65

I am back from the basement. The food is partially gone, partially given away, and partially frozen. My rowing machine rocks! And I haven’t been to the gym yet but I am not worried. The reason? I am getting ready to leave for a ski trip in hour. My husband and I are going to the mountains to ski and snowshoe for three days. It’s our traditional way to meet New Year. This time though we decided to do night time skiing instead of going out to the expensive restaurant and eat tons of food around midnight when we are not hungry. The plan is to get headlamps, pack a bag with apple cider, some healthy sandwiches and finger food, get warm clothes on, get our iPods with romantic music, and ski under the falling snow and stars.

Oh, and I followed my friend’s advice and got myself a blue light device to battle SAD. It’s raining and cold in Seattle and I miss sunny days. The device is still in the box in the basement but already I am feeling better. LOL.

I will post again in 2008 my dear buddies. Hope everyone will have safe and happy New Year!

XXX

Out of 14 people invited to our Christmas party, 5 did not show up. In addition, my husband, who is a vegetarian, informed me beforehand that 7 of our guests were vegetarian as well. I cooked up a storm… gave leftovers… and still my house is full of food! Tons of healthy salads and vegetarian dishes plus traditional Russian food. Granted, we don’t have to cook for a another week or even two… but guys, I am my grandmother’s granddaughter and oh boy, she was a great cook which makes me a very good one. Good food, fireplace, Christmas tree, etc… and I am back to my childhood where love was equal food and vice versa. Our kitchen and living room are located on the third floor.

I placed myself strategically in the basement with a computer and tons of work I need to submit tomorrow. Today I work from home. In order for me to get to the warm holiday place with great food, lights and candles, I have to climb four floors up. First of all, I am too lazy to crawl out of my hole into the light and get some food and second, if I do get up there, I would at least exercise on the “StairMaster” and burn some calories off. Oh, did I tell you that all my exercise equipment including new Stamina rowing machine is right next to me in the basement? I will row me some when I need a break and lift some weights on a stability ball.

So my dear Buddies, I sit here admiring my strategical thinking and emailing my friends to stop by for leftovers. Let’s see what happens…

Susan Gahagan writes: Here’s the final word on nutrition and health. It’s a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting medical studies!

–The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

–The French eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

–The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

–The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you!

Hello my Dear Buddies! Thank you from all my heart to those who kept sending me emails and boosters while I was trying to handle my mom’s illness and all the other crazy stuff in my life.

My mom is recovering after her surgery and she is feeling better. She is morbidly obese and it affects her recovery. Another good reason to lose weight… no matter what diagnosis or treatment you might have, not being obese would increase chances of survival dramatically. She already lost 20 lbs in two weeks and will probably lose more although this is not the way I wish she’d lose weight… She is only 68 years old! I don’t want to lose her. I know, I whine like a little girl but believe me, I do feel like a little girl who needs her mommy 24/7. 

 My son turned 22 years old four days ago. I raised a strong, independent, and intelligent man who was just a tiny spark of life 22 years ago. Wonders, wonders. He is bringing his girlfriend to our house on Christmas eve. We are going to meet her for the  first time. Who knows, I might be a grandmother next year. More wonders.

I don’t know what I was trying to repress but I shopped for presents online like a madwoman this year. I couldn’t bear to go to the stores and I used amazon.com with free shipping. Needless to say, UPS people frequented our house for about a week. My husband now calls me a “box lady.” Half of what I bought is crap that was like 70% off. Shopping online can be addictive. Beware.

 And now the last part about diet and exercise. As you remember, I have been working on changing my mindset about dieting. I still work on that and I am not dieting. My weight is stable. I exercise three times a week and I feel okay. I don’t have blame and don’t have self-imposed punishment “the day after” the binge. Oh yes, I am not bingeing eighter. If there are no restrictions and guilt, why would I sneak food and party on like a “closet eater”?

 I wish everyone Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Keep smiling and giving love. And you know what? Love has many faces. Hugs, kisses, warm blanket, presents, mom’s pie, a flower, a poem, a star, a cookie, a Christmas tree… Love is whatever you choose it to be.

Tatiana

Eating Tips for the Holidays

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can and quickly. You can’t find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an ‘eggnog-aholic’ or something. It’s a treat. Enjoy it! Have one for me. Have two. It’s later than you think.

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand-alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, pumpkin and mincemeat - have a slice of each. Or, if you don’t like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert — Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Reread tips: Start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘WOO-HOO what a ride!”

Happy Holidays!

Tatiana