Year 2, Day 295: Christmakah

Today is the last night of Chanukah and the night before the night before Christmas. It's kind of a weird time because there's a lot going on but simultaneously no one's anywhere and everything is cancelled, suspended or closed. I count among my blessings the fact that my kids were fighting over a bowl of Kashi Go Lean! last night. I harken back to a time when I worried that they would eat a lot of junk and I would be helpless to stop it. Now I realize that if Emily and I model good eating behavior and don't bring a lot a garbage in the house, they'll have to do like other kids—eat their junk at school and at their friend's houses. That's what I did, anyway.

Breakfast
Kashi Go Lean!
Heritage Flakes
Ikea Muesli
Blueberries
Banana
Unsweetened Soy Milk
Coffee

Snack
2 oz 50% Jalapeno Cheddar (in new package)
Almonds & Cashews
1 oz. Boston Lite Popcorn
Coke Zero

Lunch
Brisket from Blue Ribbon
Romaine & Cabbage, Feta, Balsamic Vinegar
2 Shrimp

Dinner
Chicken Breast
Cauliflower
Avocado Salad

It's funny that I have had Blue Ribbon in nearly every post this week because recently Jill had told me that she though I must eat there once a week and I told her that it was more like once a month or even less. But it also goes in cycles. Sometimes the kids love it; sometimes they turn their noses up at it. You never know until you bring home the extra-large bucket of ribs which way it's going to go. That's why we got a chest freezer.

Year 2, Day 288: Chanukah, Day Two

After a big night of eating and festivity the only sensible thing to do is to try and eat responsibly. However, that plan is out because we plan to celebrate Chanukah with my brother and his family and my mom by going out to a lavish dinner at Legal Seafoods in Peabody. I try to get to the gym but this is unrealistic given the laundry list of things we have to accomplish in the day. Instead, I ply myself with the usual Saturday routine of taking Ruby to gymnastics, then trying to get her to eat, then on to the next thing, and then trying to get ready for our evening out. Of course, we have to wrap and remember the gifts before we go.

Breakfast
Breakfast
Kashi Go Lean
Heritage Flakes
Blueberries
A Small Banana
Unsweetened Soy Milk
Coffee

Snack
2 oz. 50% Jalapeno Cheddar
1 oz Boston Lite Popcorn
4 oz. Cashews/Almonds
Coffee

Lunch
Chicken Thighs
Cauliflower
Hot Dog BItes

Dinner: Legal Seafoods
Shrimp Cocktail
Rainbow Trout
Broccoli
Mixed Greens with Balsamic Vinegar
a bite of: fried calamari
one mussel au gratin (no au gratin)
one fried shrimp (fried bits removed)

It has been written here before, and by many other better writers in this field. Holidays are tough, and they're tough for three reasons. One, there is pressure to eat. ("Come on, enjoy yourself! It's Christmas, Chanukah, New Year's! Live a little! We're all here together.") Two, there is opportunity to eat. (Holiday gatherings revolve around food and liquor, and yes, sometimes presents and dessert). And three, there is REASON to eat. (My relatives/friends/coworkers are driving me to this Double-Chocolate Mousse Cake!). These things get played out over and over again for about four weeks. The best thing you can do is try not take one deep dive as an excuse to spend the rest of December in the pool of bad eating decisions. Once you're in, you can get out just as easily and get back on the right track. Going to the gym makes up for a lot, but not all.