The Holiday Waistline

A Gluten & Dairy Free J.T. Talks About Staying Healthier During the Fall and Winter Holidays!

I carved this pumpkin using acorn and leaf cookie cutters and a mallet. Super easy!

I decided that my first October post would not be a recipe. Instead, I am posting my game plan for staying healthier during the holidays. Have you ever noticed that once October hits, baking, and the consumption of more treats and goodies than normal seems to be on everyone's minds? All of the candy, all of the sweets and the myriad of new recipes to try for the holidays can tempt even the most health conscious people. Normally, I kind of give in and let go, "It's the holidays for goodness sake!" But this year, I refuse to feel bad. I don't want to feel overstuffed. I don't want to get heartburn or stomach pain from having too much chocolate, and I don't want to gain a couple of pounds and feel guilty for doing so. As a Celiac and dairy allergy sufferer it has taken some time to adjusting to the new lifestyle, especially around the holidays,  So this is my plan:

• I am limiting my baking! If you read my blog, you may have gathered that baking is a bit of an obsession for me.  It relieves my stress and makes me incredibly happy, but once something is baked, it also has to be eaten. It also doesn't help that I feel the need to practice, practice, practice as a chef in training. Instead, I will bake a few things here and there, but I will concentrate on healthier sweets like baked cinnamon spiced apples for instance.
• I am only going to make and eat the seasonal and holiday dishes that I REALLY look forward to. Last year was my first year adjusting to being gluten free and I went on a mission to recreate all of my gluten filled favorites. Unfortunately, I found that having too many treats all of the time, makes the desserts that I looked forward to all year less special and a bit underwhelming. Instead, of having a treat ALL of the time, I will have them less frequently, so that the pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving tastes like a TREAT and not just another SWEET! 
• I will not let the colder weather keep me from eating as healthy as I do in the spring and summer.  Fall is the beginning of the Carb/Sugar/Fat season. Too many carbs, sugars, and fats affect blood sugar and causes cravings like something awful. Cravings plus this time of year is dangerous for me. Since I don't have my gall bladder anymore I have great difficulty digesting certain fats, so I am sticking with my lean meats, vegetables, fruit, legumes, gf whole grains and healthy fats. 
• I will continue to control my portions. I will eat small amounts of safe foods until I am satisfied, not stuffed.  Stuffed really does not feel good, so, why put myself through it?
• I am reducing the amount of holiday weight that I allow myself to gain. Every year I give myself 5 pounds of wiggle room.  I'm lucky enough to be able to work it back off rather quickly. However, this year, its three. I'm realistic, fall/holiday eating can be tempting, but I want to be more mindful of the things that I am putting in my body. I do not want to have feelings of regret come January 1st if my jeans feel too tight!
• I will maintain my exercise routine.  I really enjoy exercising, but once it gets cold, I lose motivation. This year, I am making a larger effort to maintain the healthy habits that I reintroduce every spring and summer.
• I will not allow myself to feel deprived when I can't have something at a party because it isn't gluten or dairy free.  Far too often I feel like I am missing out because of all of the things that I can not have, so I go into my kitchen and make a version that I can eat. Unfortunately, I end up eating more of it than I care to admit. This year to combat this, I will have something gf and df at gatherings so that I can enjoy it in addition to sharing it with everyone else.
• I will let everyone know my goals. I truly believe when you share your goals with people, you have a greater chance of having support and success.  Many times, I even find that people jump on the bandwagon with me!
• I will look at the positive side of being gluten and dairy free during this time of year.  I must admit, last year was my first dairy AND gluten free fall/holiday season and I felt a bit overwhelmed. But, this year, I am going to be thankful that I feel better, and have my health. I am even thankful that I can not have every treat at holiday parties, because I will not be tempted to eat those things.

I am not saying that I will not enjoy myself. I will have a few indulgences and I have a few decadent dessert posts that I have been working on for you, but I'm just going the lighter route.

So there you have it. That's my plan. It is not anything new under the sun, but its a start.  How do you handle to temptation and a healthy lifestyle during this time of year? Please share! I would love to hear everyone else's strategies!