Holiday Temptations

            The air outside is increasingly crisp and I cannot help but get a shock of excitement each morning when I see frost outside my window. It is the dawning of the holiday season and with it all its delectable treats and bubbly parties.

            I thought it only fair to share my tricks to enjoying yourself without the guilt or the extra post-holiday pounds on the scale. Remember the following strategies are inspired by the ecSatter model of eating competence that has guided my blog in giving myself permission to delight in eating cheesecake without the guilt:

-         Go for your most favourite treat! Don’t try to satisfy your desire for it with some other unworthy substitute because you will likely end up eating your favourite treat in the end anyways and then you will have acquired both treat’s calories!

-         Choose the smaller pieces of everything when gathering multiple items at a buffet in order to reduce caloric intake slightly. You can always go back for seconds IF you are still hungry!

-          When baking with friends or for on your own choose the low fat and low sugar substitutes often. Be an advocate for healthy intakes of fat and sugar. If you have tried any of my cheesecakes you will quickly appreciate the treat is still yummy in your tummy! Don’t use the holiday splurge excuse for using extra butter. You won’t need it to enjoy your treat.

-         Eat a satiating, balanced dinner before going to a party full of appetizers, as you will be less likely to indulge glutinously when your stomach is happily satiated. This way you can enjoy a few treats without a fear of over eating and a distracting growling stomach. Plus, for those of you who get grouchy when hungry, this will spare your loved ones from seeing you at your worst.

-         Enjoy food and don’t restrict it. Remember balance. Eat and enjoy, but don’t let the holiday hustle and bustle distract your attention away from mindful eating and knowing when your hunger cues are nagging and when the “I’m full” rush fires. Both are equally important and should be responded to equally as promptly.

-         Maintaining your structured eating patterns so as to assure your body it will get what it needs and does not need to store for fear of deprivation.

-         With so much wonderful holiday goods around you need not be worried about getting all the good stuff in at one occasion. Enjoy it over a few days and extend the holiday goodies and joy they bring!

Source: Inspired by Ellyn Satter’s eating competence model. See article about holiday eating at http://www.ellynsatter.com/information.php?info_id=131. It is worth the read!

           

            This cheesecake is no doubt inspired by the Christmas season. With hints of peppermint, white chocolate, caramel milk chocolate, and candy cane it marries all the flavours characteristic of holiday sweets. My mission for creating decadent cheesecakes has the occasion to shine this season and impress and delight all of my extended family and old friends. I hope that this recipe will provide you with much the same reactions of "oo
and "ahh" over such a luscious low fat cheesecake.

Look in my Recipebook for the "White Chocolate Candy Cane Cheesecake Recipe".

Enjoy :)