Onward to the holidays!

Today was my grandson Lorenzo's first birthday.  We had a big party at home and naturally there was lots of food.  I had a few more carbs than usual but I was able to resist birthday cake with ease.  It amazes me to think of all the food we consume  in social situations merely because we think we are expected to eat it.  Nobody minded that I did not eat cake.  There are occasions when we do get pressured to eat something though.

I once had a boyfriend with whom I visited his grandmother on Sunday evenings.  She was Irish but would always fix us Pirogi which for those who don't know is a Polish dish similar to ravioli stuffed with potato, cheese, sauerkraut or all three.  There was always more than we wanted to eat.  Usually for dessert she would give us a dish of chocolate chip ice cream with a side of green jello.  She would start pressuring us if we didn't finish all she prepared.  She would start telling us that she didn't have money to waste and she bought this food especially for us.  Then she would lament that she could not eat all this food herself so we were breaking her heart. 

Other food persuaders might not use the same strategy as grandma did but we all have trouble saying no to friends who make us something special when we come over to dinner.  We don't want to insult anyone's cooking. 

I went to an Italian wedding once where the food started out around 4 pm at the cocktail hour..  There was a huge buffet with more than enough to be called dinner.  The rest of the food was served over the next eight hours.  It didn't seem like a lot of food as each course was graciously  and individually served.  We never felt overly full, just pleasantly satisfied.  My date and I left at midnight although the party showed no sign of winding down.  When we stopped to think of how much food we had eaten during the whole reception we were feeling quite guilty. 

It is so unlike me to be strong in the face of temptation.  I hope I can sustain my resistance to sugar-laden goodies.  I am not even halfway to my weight loss goal.  Before weight loss surgery patients are counseled to expect some periods of depression and feeling of loss.  I have not felt that way yet.  I do miss my morning egg-Mcmuffin and I always seem to hear a McDonald's breakfast commercial on the radio just as I'm driving past McD's on my way to work.  But I have broken the habit of stopping there.  The only thing I ever buy there now is bottled water. 

So as the holidays loom ever closer (at the department stores they're already here) I feel strong yet cautious about all the temptations ahead.

Love to all,
Marlena of Mohegan