Not Back On The Horse Just Yet

Hmmm… This holiday feasting seems to be taking a little longer to get under control than I originally thought. Again, there was too much in the way of sugary treats. On the somewhat more positive side, there were also more healthy options today; there just weren’t enough of them. I will keep at it though.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 7 glasses of water
- 1 cup carrots, broccoli, and yellow pepper with roasted garlic dip
- 4 homemade sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles
- 3/4 cup fat free blueberry pomegranate yogurt with 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 chocolate marshmallow treat
- 1 peppermint cream filled chocolate
- 1 cherry cream filled chocolate
- 1 piece of almond roca
- 1 miniature peanut butter cup
- 1 orange cream filled chocolate
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1 brown bun with margarine
- 1 cup stuffing
- 3 slices of honey mustard glazed ham with mustard
- 2/3 cup steamed broccoli with margarine
- 1 slice apple pie with 1 cup vanilla ice cream
- 3 small Mandarin oranges
- 1 cheese bagel with cream cheese
- 1 glass juice
- 1 sour cream glazed doughnut

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

One More Christmas

Well, what I ate was not really better than yesterday, but the quantity was a little more reigned in. Maybe it’s bad that I am not all that concerned, but considering that my hubby and I just got to do our Christmas today I felt pretty okay with letting the celebratory eating go a little further.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 9 glasses of water
- 2 heated turkey sandwiches on white buns with mayonnaise and margarine
- 2 pieces of heated homemade cranberry apple crisp with 1 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 4 homemade sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles
- 10 chocolates with white chocolate filling
- 1 cup flavoured jelly beans
- 1/2 cup smokehouse almonds
- 1 mug hot apple cider

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

I'm Dreaming Of A Light Christmas

We managed to make our way around to visit and celebrate with four different groups of people today! It was fabulous to spend time with loved ones, but I am beyond stuffed. Seriously, my food list is probably as horrific as it has ever been on here! I will leave this day of overindulgence where it belongs though – in the past – and move forward with healthier choices tomorrow. Now that’s a great Christmas gift!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 9 glasses of water
- 1/2 cup candied almonds and dried cranberries
- 2 pieces homemade stollen with sugar and butter
- 1/2 cup party mix snack
- 1 large eggnog milkshake
- 1 1/4 cups French fries with salt and honey mustard sauce
- 2 cheeseburgers on hamburger buns with onion, ketchup, and mustard
- 15 cheese crackers with cheese
- 1/2 cup cheezies
- 1/4 cup jelly beans
- 1 glass diet lemon lime soda
- 5 homemade miniature fruit and pecan shortbread cookies
- 4 gherkin pickles
- 1 cup grape, broccoli, celery, green onion, and pecan salad with a homemade mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar dressing
- 1/2 cup stuffing
- 1/2 turkey leg with cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup corn with margarine
- 1 white dinner bun with butter
- 2 pieces of a homemade chocolate and peanut butter marshmallow bar
- 1 piece of a homemade coconut fudge and pecan bar
- 2 slices of a homemade pistachio and raspberry holiday log
- 12 herb crackers with spicy cheese
- 1 piece of homemade lavender fudge
- 1 cup homemade trifle
- 2 miniature peanut butter cups
- 1 piece of almond roca
- 1 nut cluster
- 1/8 cup flavoured jelly beans

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas

I am in a wonderful mood and feeling sated from a warm family Christmas dinner! We are on our way out to see some close friends so there will likely be a bit more eating in my near future, but no time for later posting, so I am journalling what I have consumed so far and will post any extras on here tomorrow! I hope everyone is enjoying a fabulous holiday season!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 7 glasses of water
- 3 miniature Mandarin oranges
- 3/4 cup fat free blueberry pomegranate yogurt with 1 cup wheat flake granola cereal
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1/8 cup party mix snack
- 1/2 cup dark turkey meat with cranberry jelly
- 2 white buns with butter
- 1/2 cup corn with margarine
- 1/2 cup steamed broccoli with margarine
- 1/2 cup mashed potatoes with margarine
- 1 cup stuffing
- 2 1/2 cups homemade trifle
- 3 homemade chocolate peppermint cookies
- 3 homemade lavender shortbread cookies
- 2 homemade chocolate and vanilla fruit cookies
- 2 pieces of a homemade coconut layer bar
- 1 cup dried pineapple, mango, and papaya

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Homemade

Okay. I admit it. I went too heavy on the Christmas goodies today. I have been better about turning down all sorts of store bought junk of late, but I am finding the homemade stuff really hard to refuse! Even so, considering how much home baked treats I had in front of me today – from several different sources – I actually think I did better than many others would have. But, it’s still something to work on.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 9 glasses of water
- 1 Mandarin orange
- 1 pumpkin pie fruit and grain bar
- 5 homemade miniature fruit and pecan shortbread cookies
- 1 pita pocket with tzatziki
- 1 1/2 cups Caesar salad with croutons
- 1 cup Greek seasoned rice
- 1 lamb souvlaki skewer with tzatziki
- 2 homemade shortbread wedges
- 3 homemade buns with margarine
- 3/4 cup fat free blueberry pomegranate yogurt with 1 cup wheat flake granola cereal
- 3 homemade lavender shortbread cookies
- 3 homemade sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles
- 1 piece of homemade lavender fudge

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Christmas Countdown

I just need to get through a few more days and I will actually have some spare time again… right?!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 5 glasses of water
- 2 Mandarin oranges
- 1 piece of a peanut butter bar with icing
- 2 slices of honey mustard glazed ham with mustard
- 1 glass of organic root beer
- 1 1/2 cups fettuccine Alfredo
- 3/4 cup fat free vanilla yogurt with 1 cup wheat flake granola cereal

EXERCISE:
- 45 minutes of walking completed in 2 outings (20 minutes long and 25 minutes long)

The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow

I had a pretty cruddy day. Lots of stuff seemed to go wrong and I am feeling sorry for myself. I think I did alright with the eating, considering the emotions of my day were paired with a birthday party. Hopefully tomorrow is better...

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 9 glasses of water
- 1 banana
- 2 toasted whole wheat English muffins with bacon, eggs, cheese, and margarine
- 3/4 cup fat free vanilla yogurt with 1 cup wheat flake granola cereal
- 4 homemade chocolate peppermint cookies
- 3 slices of white bread with butter
- 3 1/2 cups fettuccine Alfredo
- 1 slice of ice cream cake

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Write And Wrong

It’s not hard to tell that my days are getting busier and busier again with Christmas fast approaching. I was getting a little better at posting slightly more insightful entries, but I seem to be back to barely jotting down a couple of brief thoughts just before heading to bed. At least I am still writing something!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 8 glasses of water
- 1 banana
- 2 mugs eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1 toasted whole wheat English muffin with margarine, turkey bacon, cheese, and egg white
- 3 slices honey mustard glazed ham with mustard
- 1 cup cheese scalloped potatoes
- 1 1/2 cups steamed broccoli with dill cream sauce
- 2 homemade chocolate peppermint cookies

EXERCISE:
- 15 minute walk

Slip

It was a bit too much of a lackadaisical day on the food front for me today. I definitely let my guard down a little more and shouldn’t have. And I had no idea what kettle corn tasted like prior to this evening. It is now officially on my list of foods not to buy for myself! And the cheesecake is already packed up for my husband to take to his co-workers tomorrow.

I just have to keep at it. Slips don’t have to mean that I fall down on my face…

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 12 glasses of water
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1 piece of a homemade fudge coconut bar
- 3 homemade buns with margarine
- 3 homemade chocolate and peppermint cookies
- 2 slices of whole grain toast with cheese
- 6 gherkin pickles
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes and carrots with sun dried tomato dip
- 6 cups kettle corn
- 1 mug of hot apple cider
- 1 slice of birthday cake with icing and sprinkles
- 12 spicy potato chips
- 1 slice homemade cranberry eggnog cheesecake with chocolate crust and whipped cream

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Yuletide Cheer

Well, even though tonight means that I probably gained back what I have lost from following a healthier diet this week, I actually don’t think I did too badly this evening. It was our big Christmas party with lots of homemade treats and delicious dinnertime favourites. I did show a little restraint though. I was even given a bottle of ice wine as a hostess gift, but I didn’t even open it! All in all it was a wonderful night with family and friends. Regardless of what the scale says tomorrow, I am thrilled that the night was so much fun!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 10 glasses of water
- 1 orange
- 2 slices whole grain toast with cheese
- 4 homemade pull apart buns with butter
- 15 whole grain cranberry crackers with herb cheese
- 2 slices honey mustard glazed ham with mustard
- 1 cup cheese scalloped potatoes
- 1 cup Caesar salad with bacon, cheese, croutons, and light dressing
- 1 cup steamed broccoli with dill cream sauce
- 4 gherkin pickles
- 1 slice homemade cranberry eggnog cheesecake with a chocolate crust and whipped cream
- 2 homemade chocolate peppermint cookies
- 2 homemade lavender shortbread cookies
- 1 homemade sugar cookie with icing and sprinkles
- 1/2 cup chocolate mints

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Beat

I am beyond beat right now. So much for doing so well at getting to bed at a decent hour…

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 9 glasses of water
- 1 banana
- 2 slices whole grain toast with cheese
- 3/4 cup fat free vanilla yogurt with 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 pumpkin pie fruit and grain bar
- 1 pear
- 1 hazelnut chocolate
- 1 raspberry cereal bar
- 1 cup celery, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, and carrots with ranch dip
- 7 cheese and potato perogies with onion and sour cream
- 3/4 cup fat free strawberry yogurt with 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal

EXERCISE:
- 15 minute walk

Half Baked

I am feeling pretty good about today and yesterday. I got the majority of my Christmas baking done over the past 24 hours and I didn’t sample a single cookie nor even taste a lick of batter. I am really happy about that!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 7 glasses of water
- 2 small Mandarin oranges
- 2 slices whole wheat toast with cheese
- 3/4 cup peach yogurt with 1 cup wheat flake granola cereal
- 1 pear
- 1 bagel with cream cheese
- 1 cup pineapple
- 1 small mug hot chocolate
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk

EXERCISE:
- 15 minute walk

Progressing Towards Progress

Something that has been helping me lately on all fronts is that – even though I am still feeling the incredible busyness of the season – I have been getting to sleep at relatively reasonable hours for most of this week. Another good habit that has been helpful for getting back on the healthier bandwagon is that I have been trying not to eat after 8pm. It’s all baby steps, but I do feel like I am making some progress towards more consistently healthy choices.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 11 glasses of water
- 1 banana
- 2 slices whole grain toast with cheese
- 1 cup fat free vanilla yogurt with 1 cup wheat flake granola cereal
- 1 cup pasta with white cheddar sauce
- 1 pear
- 8 cheese and potato perogies with fried onions and sour cream
- 5 large crackers with cheese

EXERCISE:

Just Desserts

Well, I just figured out what I will be making for dessert for our Christmas party! I will be adapting a recipe that I found for eggnog cranberry cheesecake! Yum, yum, yum! I really hope it turns out! It certainly is not the healthiest option, but I always do something special for the holidays and I am pretty sure that my guests will make sure there is nothing left for me to binge on after our gathering. It feels good to be planning on a little indulgence without the worry of leftovers.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 8 glasses of water
- 1 banana
- 1 toasted raisin bagel with cheese slices
- 3/4 cup fat free vanilla yogurt with 1 cup wheat flake granola cereal
- 1 pumpkin pie fruit and grain bar
- 1 fried quesadilla with 2 soft tortilla shells and cheese
- 2 Mandarin oranges
- 3 1/2 cups celery, carrots, tomato, and cucumber with creamy dill dip

EXERCISE:
- 30 minutes of walking completed in 2 outings (both 15 minutes long)