Well, most of us know it as “Fall”, but when the weather turns cooler (for those of us in places like New Hampshire anyway) and October arrives, it starts to get spooky.
I’m not talking about witches, ghost, and goblins – I’m referring to those insidious creatures that sneak up on us in the night, crawl up our arms, and throw themselves at us until we are forced to get rid of them by ripping the package open and destroying them by consumption – halloween candy!
Did you know that the average American consumes 26 pounds of candy a year (you’re holding up your end of that average – aren’t you?), and that for most the bulk of that is consumed around Halloween?
But it doesn’t stop there.
The feasting continues through Thanksgiving, then Christmas, right on to New Year’s.
Not good.
The next thing you know, 5 or 10 pounds have magically attached themselves to your backside!
Here’s some tips to help you get through October with your girlish figure intact (Yeah – I’m talking to you Joe)
- Don’t “stock up” on the candy. Buy just enough to get you through the night. If you know only 5 or 10 trick or treaters normally visit you, 10 bags of peanut butter cups may just slightly - a little bit – perhaps maybe – be too many.
- Allow yourself one piece (not bag) of candy per night. None would be better, but let’s be real. And no, peanut butter cups don’t get separation anxiety if you only eat one at a time.
- Try some new and healthier recipes around the holiday season. You can get the holiday flavors we all enjoy so much without feeling guilty about it. It is very easy to get trapped in an emotional eating pattern. You eat too much, feel guilty about it, eat too much to feel better…you know the drill. If you make a poor decision, nothing you can do about that decision. Make a better one next time.
Here’s a delicious recipe that’s also great for your body. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Creamy Pumpkin Shake
Ingredients:
- 3.5 tbs. Pumpkin puree
- 1-2 Scoop(s) Vanilla Protein Powder
- 1 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice
- 2/3 Cup of Ice
- 2 tbs. of cool whip
- 2/3 Cup of Calorie countdown fat free milk
- 2 tbs. Splenda
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream
Directions:
Put the ingredients in a blender, blend away, pour into a glassand enjoy. Top with whipped cream and Pumpkin Pie Spice for added flavor.
Don’t let candy season hold you back and weigh you down – you can do it!
To your best health,
Dean
