Mindful Eating, Holiday Tempations

Spent a couple of hours with friend Rose this morning, the first time we have had to talk in several months. She’s been taking care of a sister in Florida and missing the group talk after aqua-cise. Rose is one decade older than I and full of more wisdom than my lifetime has been able to absorb. The topic of nutrition and taking care of oneself dominated our conversation. Rose has never had a chronic weight problem but early in life realized habits that could lead to overweight. Here’s how she avoided them:

-Never eat mindlessly. Eat what you want but fix a plate, get a drink, utensils and sit at the table when you eat. NO noshing on the run or over the kitchen sink.

-Make your MIND eat as your MOUTH eats. Either trying to eat alone will not satisfy you and eating forever will become habitual.

-IF you cannot pass through the kitchen without reaching for something to eat, do not GO into the kitchen. Wait until meal time.

-As we age and our metabolism rate declines food must become LESS important. Keep busy, see friends, look for creative ways to have a social life that does NOT revolve around eating. You can look and feel your best when you prioritize needs and know that social eating is not the way to a healthy life.

Thanks Rose for all the good advice, my weight journey should be so simple. All of this discussion begun by the fact that the last year of my life has been dedicated to healthier eating, more exercise, more dancing and getting a trimmer waistline. And the efforts have paid off, or so says the results of a recent blood test. All my numbers, LDL, HDL, Tri-somethings are not just ‘normal’ but ‘Optimal.’ My weight and my blood results are the best they have been in ten (10) years. This is for me a major, life-altering accomplishment. Forgive me for boasting.

I was feeling good about that and also the fact that I ate nothing at last Monday’s DOQ Guild’s Holiday party (Rose and I both belong). Tables heavy with sweets and chocolate were tempting but I resisted BIG time. I rationalized that photographing the food was better for me than eating the food. Better still was photographing the party and forgetting about the food.

This visit with Rose was also prompted by Jan’s request for fabric returns. Rose had ‘borrowed’ four bolts of fabric from which to select and cut last September, after our fall lunch. Her time since had been interrupted by illness, travel and family needs. I now have four bolts in my car headed back to Jan’s house next week.

Speaking of my younger sister Jan: What do you get a sister who has just finished remolding her dream home, has new furnishings, the best kitchen you could ask for and is now making time for family? Her birthday is December 23, the worst. All her life Jan has had a fifteen-minute birthday that suddenly snaps into a holiday party. And do not even mention the twofer gifts - one for both birthday and Christmas gifts. Christmas kids get cheated out of a lot. And who NEEDS a cake two days before Christmas dinner? Bummer. Next week will be 'birthday' time for Jan.

Tonight was a special evening for hubby and me. The Lantern in Chapel Hill has an unique reputation, the menu offered is pan-Asian, and the quality is second to none. Yesterday was our 20th anniversary but that evening was scheduled for his investment club’s holiday dinner (Yes, another one!). We spent a cozy dinner tonight in the dimly lit, back bar room of the restaurant ordering a crispy Flounder and Black Cod with a sake marinade. In a thousand years I could not cook like this restaurant’s chef and I loved every single bite. We skipped dessert and headed home to a bedtime glass of champagne: toasting another twenty years. Hubby and I have now reached the end of holiday concerts, parties, anniversary and we face the next week ALONE at last.

The time will be needed to recoup and prepare for our annual Christmas dinner for six. My sister and brother-in-law and a second couple, the Sterns, who have joined us on Christmas day for the last five years. Hanging the last decorations was completed this afternoon and the table centerpiece is all ready for fresh apples and holly. On December 25 we toast the New Year, hubby does his prime rib roast and Yorkshire pudding and the rest of us contribute a dish. Our holiday meals are the best and the friends are even better. How will l control myself at this once-a-year feast? Stay tuned. . . .