Works for me Wednesday, holiday weight management.

Just about everyone I know dreads putting on a few pounds during the holidays.  And let's face it--it's probably going to happen.  There are countless once-a-year treats to be had, and I for one think you should have them.  Then again, at our house, butter is basically its own food group during the months of November and December, so I may be biased.  I also think it's too ambitious for anyone to try to lose weight during the holidays.  Instead, I'm all about damage control for weight management these next two months.  And to do it, I employ a simple mindset on how I eat. 

I'm not a dieter in a traditional sense and never have been.  But that's not to say I don't watch what I eat because I do.  I just don't restrict myself on a daily basis.  Instead, I think of my overall eating habits in blocks of days:  Mon & Tue; Wed & Thur; Fri, Sat, & Sun.  And I spread the good, the bad, and the downright ugly amongst these blocks of time.  If I eat horribly over a weekend (I cannot be let loose on party dip--it's really a problem), I try to redeem my diet over other days.  I actually do this throughout the year but it's especially helpful during the holidays. 

Let's talk specifics.  Most of the upcoming holiday parties will fall during the latter part of the week.  So I'll front load the veggies and fiber and all things healthful earlier in the week.  This goes for my family, too.  Because then I won't have a battle on my hands when the older boys are too excited at the party or family dinner to sit and eat like they usually do and only have eyes for the dessert spread.  Instead, I'll remember the midweek spinach fest and hardly blink when they belly up to that buffet o'treats and help themselves to, say, a third serving of pie.  In fact, they're probably just falling in line behind me--mmmm, pie.  And it's all good because come Monday, we'll crave something green and from the earth and I'll happily oblige. 

This game plan used to work on its own.  And then my aging metabolism became a factor--grrr.  Now I also up my cardio as much as possible and here's what has helped on that front: 

A few months ago, my friends turned me onto this super affordable workout video by Jillian Michaels.  It combines cardio and strength training but only takes 20 minutes.  Seriously.  And I dare say that every single one of us has 20 minutes a day (or at least every other day) to squeeze in a workout, right?  Especially when the commute is just to your TV and not your gym.  And in case you're wondering, it's no walk in the park.  I usually turn up my nose at workout videos, truth be told, because I'm a part-time fitness instructor going on my 14th year and my class motto is "hate me now, love me and your thighs later."  But this video challenges me.  And it's just the little extra I need to balance the excess in calories I cannot wait to consume.  Because as much as I love going to the gym (no sarcasm there.  I really do love to workout), I'm not going to go any more frequently during the holidays.

Here's to you, your forthcoming smorgasbord, and jeans that do not bind.

For more tips, be sure to check out the posts over at We Are THAT Family's works for me Wednesday.

DIY take out (sesame and peanut butter sauce).

When I was working, we'd do take out at least once a week.  Actually, it was probably closer to twice a week and we went out at least once.  Obviously, it was a hard habit to break.  Here is one of the ways we've managed. 

When I need to turn leftovers into something, anything, that everyone will happily eat, I often rely on this sesame peanut butter concoction to help.  My boys are big fans of it, and I certainly like the taste as well--which should tell you right there that it's something special, right?  Unless I'm the only one who struggles to appeal to both a kid's and an adult's taste (though honestly, I could eat mac n cheese every night.  But then I'd have to buy a new, larger, stretchy, wardrobe.  So there's no money savings there). 

Back to the sauce.  Did I mention that it's super easy to make?  And versatile?  Thin it a little to make a sauce or keep it on the thick side for dipping.  I usually add it to cooked thin spaghetti or soba noodles and whatever cooked chicken left from a previous meal.  Toss in some fresh vegetables, such as thinly sliced red pepper, snow peas, and carrots, then top with some peanuts, and it's a one bowl wonder (great for lunches!).

I learned this mix of ingredients so long ago that I have no idea who to credit.  And since I hardly ever measure, below is my best guess.  Start with these amounts and adjust to your taste.

This is a pretty standard, all purpose sesame peanut butter sauce found in many Americanized Asian fusion cookbooks.  I wanted to mention that because my mom is Thai.  And growing up, I don't think my brother or I ever ate a sauce made with peanut butter.  My point is, my mom didn't teach me this one.  And so to my handful of friends out there who visit my blog and who also happen to know my mom (and who stash her eggrolls into take-home containers before the end of the boys' party--yes, I know all about it so stop thinking you're sneaky), you're not allowed to tell her, okay?  Because if you do, she'll come over here and make me prove that I can still make a decent pad thai for the kids from scratch (which I can, thank you very much). 

This is enough for 1 lb of thin spaghetti (which I toss in a little sesame oil after cooking).

3/4 cup smooth peanut butter

5-10 Tbl soy sauce (depends on whether you're using low sodium, which I do, and how salty you like things.  Once, I was nearly out of soy sauce, so put in very little and was surprised to discover we didn't really miss it)

3 Tbl sugar

2 Tbl warm water--use entire 2 Tbl if making sauce (I use the pasta water), use less for a thicker, dip-like consistency

2 Tbl sesame oil

2 Tbl rice vinegar

Place ingredients into blender or use an immersion blender (what I do) and blend until smooth.  For extra flavor I sometimes throw in a few chopped cloves of garlic, as well as a chunk of chopped, fresh ginger.  The next time you're craving some Asian style noodles, I hope you'll try this instead of reaching for a take-out menu.

For more ideas, be sure to check out today's DIY post over at A Soft Place to Land.

p.s. Sorry, no pictures.  Squarespace and Internet Explorer are not friends today.

Halloween 09 recap.

So this week I immediately opened my Google 2010 calendar and wrote the following, in bold, across the first week of October:

Finish boys costumes by the 15th.  Seriously.  Do it.  And while you're at it, figure out your costume (and Charlie's) if you're going to the grown-up neighborhood party.  Do not wait until the day night of the party to make something--it makes you grumpy.  

It's not as if I didn't get everything done.  That's the thing with Type A procrastinators--we're good at it.  And we usually pull it out so never really learn our lesson.  But next year will be different!  And yes, Type A procrastinators are also typically optimistic.  

Max was Clifford, Leo was Snoopy, and Will was Eeyore.  My sewing room is covered in fur and felt bits.  It's even sticking to the walls.  In one of the pictures below, I tried to capture Leo wagging his tail, which he did every time he got some candy.  He did not break character all night and it was the cutest thing.  I also whipped up some very last minute grown up costumes because one of our neighbors throws a party that begins after the munchkins are tucked in.  My parents came over to babysit so Charlie and I could go.  We went as sushi--he was a salmon roe roll and I was shrimp nigiri.  I forgot to take a picture but if I get one from the other partygoers I'll add it later.

As for treats, cake pops were made.  The kids loved the happy witches and Frankenstein Jrs.  The eyeballs--not so much.  I think someone at the party told them that they were cow eyes and they just couldn't get over it.  They did look pretty realistic--red edible marker for the veining was key.

Can you believe it's November?  How did that happen?  I've pulled out several UFOs (unfinished objects) from last year.  And I'm trying to get back into knitting.  Which makes perfect sense because, as I'm sure you know, there is always so much extra time around the holidays.  We shall see.