Happy Thanksgiving

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My Trip Home and….

…my twist on the weekly photo challenge: Merge.  (Nothing official, just Photoshop fun.)

A couple of months ago, the universe told me not to go to the mountains.  Nothing was in sync until I made a reservation to fly up to see family.  As the sun rose last Friday morn, I headed out for a weekend of good food and family bonding.  It was a fabulous trip!  I was able to see cousins, aunts, uncles and the star: grandma.

On the flight home, I began to drift off.  Is there something on the wing?  I do NOT want to be in the Twilight Zone.  It’s Fred!  He must have followed me on the trip.

Just then, I get jarred awake.

The pilot is on the PA system:  “(static) Um, well folks, it looks like we are done with the roller coaster for awhile.  They are routing us west to avoid the storm.  We will have about 15 minutes with the seat belt sign off.  If you should need to use the facilities, this would be a good time.  We will land about 20 minutes later than my previous estimate.”

It is at times like these that we all ask ourselves certain questions:

Social Eating

With Easter and Passover coming up, a lot of us are trying to figure out how to enjoy large family meals and stay close to our diets.  My immediate family has become used to my odd habits.  Many times I get asked if I can eat something as opposed to “here take this, it’s great”.  When it is a larger gathering, there are usually several healthy options and it is up to me to keep the deserts and other things off of the plate.  Everyone is there to enjoy the time together and catch up on everyone’s lives.  Eating is secondary.  Every family has its traditions and by all means you should take part.  A few bites of Grandma’s famous _____, is OK.  Do not feel guilty the rest of the day.  The four glasses of wine at a Passover Seder meal…well enjoy.  The important things are to celebrate the occasion and the family and friends that are gathered.  That being said, here are some of my tricks.  Please share your own.

• Take a dish of something that is on your diet with you.  Not only can you enjoy it but there are likely other people there that will appreciate having a healthy option.
• Workout before you go.  Today is actually National Walking Day.  Do not depend on working out after the meal.  You will be tired and it may be late.  That is a dangerous combination that kills many plans to work out.
• Drink a couple glasses of water before you go or when you get there.  I have heard that you should eat before going.  However, I always feel like I am eating an extra meal.  Like grocery shopping, it is not smart to show up starving.