December 25, 2008 Healthy Christmas

Well, Christmas has come and almost gone. Overall it was a really good one. But different in SO many ways!
For starters, there were the presents. I had asked the kids for a set of dumbbells--3, 5, and 8 pounds. And that's exactly what they got me! In addition, Santa brought me a Pilates DVD and a new iPod Nano with an armband for wearing it at the gym. Fitness equipment is the last thing I'd ever have asked for in the past, but this year it was all I really wanted. Of course, my favorite present came from the scale this morning--down 2 pounds this week!!
Next, there was a big difference in the food. Not only was most of what I cooked organic and lacking in poisons like trans fats and high fructose corn syrup, but there was more emphasis on veggies and fruits. Also, the portions were MUCH smaller! I paced myself through the day so I didn't get too full to enjoy the next meal. Breakfast was the pancakes I'd so looked forward to, but they were quite a disappointment. Lunch was a simple turkey sandwich with the roll gutted, but it was dry and pretty unappealing. I added a cup of grape tomatoes and enjoyed those alot better than the sandwich.
I'd made Butternut and Apple Soup from a recipe I got from the chef on our riverboat cruise last summer. We had all LOVED the soup, and I had agreed to make it for Christmas dinner. Again, a big disappointment. It had nowhere near the flavor of the original, which was so good I could have eaten it for dessert! Fortunately, dinner was quite nice. The chicken was moist and tender, the stuffing was delicious, and the peas, mashed potatoes, rolls and cranberry sauce did not disappoint.
Laura had gotten a Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker from Grandma and Grandpa, so we'd planned on her making some for dessert. It turned out really yummy, and was perfect on top of my apple pie, which could have used a little more time in the oven to soften up the apples. The taste was certainly not compromised though, and we all enjoyed it--just a small piece for me, thank you!
Yes, I grazed a bit during the day. A couple pieces of shortbread that Santa put in my stocking, a couple of nibbles of the mini M&Ms the kids got, but I really did not go overboard. I logged a good part of my food, and, while I knew I was over my calorie range, I didn't feel like I'd just "blown it".
Finally, I think the biggest difference was ME. Both physically and mentally, I am such a different person than I was last Christmas. I was on my feet most of the day, and yet my feet, legs, and back aren't bothering me a bit. I was much less stressed than usual, and really enjoyed opening the presents and watching the kids' reactions. I didn't worry that things weren't perfect, I just did my best and that was good enough. And, while I did feel that it was a "free" day food-wise, I didn't feel the need to "get it all in today cause tomorrow it's back to the famine".
It was so nice to be able to concentrate on the best parts of the holiday--spending time with family and friends. I had a great visit with Tracey and her family at lunchtime. Laura joined me for Pilates (but got bored pretty quickly and went back to her computer). I helped Danny put together his new drum set. My dad brought me a huge bag of family scrapbooks, letters, photos, and geneology charts, and we had a great time reading through the letters, looking at the pictures, and trying to figure out who the heck these people were. Danny and I worked together on making dinner, Laura and I set the table together. I had a nice call from my sister in Turkey and got caught up on their day as well. For once these things were far more important than what I could put into my mouth.
When I think about the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I know that, no matter how wonderful the gifts today, both under the tree and otherwise, the greatest gift of all time was a humble baby, lying in a manger, sent from a loving and benevolent God. As we read the story of that first Christmas this morning, I thought about that gift and what a difference it's made in my life. After all, it's that gift that makes all the other gifts, even the very gift of my life, possible.
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:5-7.
Merry Christmas!