Dear Eva,

Well, it's November and the holiday season is right around the corner.  Instead of bombarding you with lots of healthy ways to combat the holiday weight gain (that'll come in December) I decided to take a more humorous view this year........

• 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.
• Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. 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?
• Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
• 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.

Now, doesn't this remind of us of all the right things we know we need to do during the holiday season.  :-)
 

 
Warding Off Winter Weight

1)  Soak up some sun - Lack of sunlight can lead to a drop in feel good neurotransmitters, leading to depression and cravings.  Bundle up and get outside or try to work by a window

2)  Don't cut out the carbs - To make sure those neurotransmitter levels don't drop too low eat some carbs.  Save them for late afternoon, early evening when levels are lowest.

3)  Eat your veggies - People tend to eat less fruit and veggies in the winter months but the produce that's in season is a secret weapon in keeping off the pounds.  Broccoli, carrots, oranges, squash and spinach are all good choices

4)  Move more indoors - People who are active in warmer months working in their gardens for example have a higher drop in their activity level when the weather changes.  Find a way to keep moving indoors using stairs or even the Nitendo Wii.