How do you cope with the Holidays

I am really struggling already and Thanksgiving is a week away I am down 40 pounds and refuse to go back. With that being said I have tried my best to tell my mom that it is really hard for me to be around some foods and not overeat.  Well I usually do all the baking for the holiday you know the stuff Pecan pies, pound cakes, Red velvet cakes etc.. and every other sweet thing you can think of.  I sooooooooooo don't want to bake the crap this year. I know some of you will say well don't do it them yeah right. My mom is not doing so well heath wise and this Holiday will be the first in a long time that she has both of her kids home with her so I don't want her stressing and trying to do everything herself. So after all that how do y'all deal with the holiday have you come up with some recipes that cut out some of the fat or do you just not eat the fried Turkey,greens and so on???

Bygodsgrace26

Hey Bygodgrace!

Seriously....the only way I can cope is NOT to cook all the sweets. Especially so much that there is a lot of leftovers.

Hummmm...does the Turkey really have to be fried. Once upon a time...no body had even heard of Fried Turkey and roasted Turkey was just fine..and oh so good. You can still have your greens...even with a little pork if its your preference as seasoning...you just dont have to eat the seasoning..LOL!  I use smoked turkey myself. 

My weakness is the sweets though...just reading your menu... made me 

I will roast a turkey, make corn bread stuffing, greens and/or cabbage, potatoe salad, green beans, candied yams. I have to leave the Mac and cheese alone...just not worth the calories for me. I will make two sweet potatoes pies AND thats it...seriously. Cause I know it would be a huge set up for me if I have leftover sweets.

If you must make a lot....get paper plates so folks can clean you out....and not leave you with all that temptation.

Anywho....these are my thought. Hope you enjoy your holiday!  

Keep your eye out...I am sure you will see recipes posted...especially on Sunday. Keep an eye out for Mack Mama...shes alway has something good cookin...and post recipes regularly. I know I will be lurking for some too.   

I posted my coping techniques last week. Just look under "New Post-op Tips". I can't remember them all, they should be 1 or 2 pgs back. Take care of yourself.

I'm a newbie with 20 lbs to goal and this holiday will not fcku me up.  I'm trying to hit goal by my birthday in January and there is Christmas to deal with too.  I'll be indulging on Thursday, leftovers Friday, then back to my plan on Saturday. 

First cook less.   I started doing this a few years ago.  I have always had a 48 hr rule on junk foods.  Non essentials got trashed before I ate them.  Now they get trashed immediately. 

Make a menu after you decide how many meats, sides, deserts, etc.  Favor veg over starchy sides where you can. 

If you can't handle it don't make it.  There are dozens of desert options.  Pick two and that's it.  Others can bring something.   

Use substitutes like smart balance lite, splenda, liquid smoke for butter, sugar, smoked meats. 

Skip or reduce the fats in many recipes.  I used to throw a stick of margerine in everything.  Now 2 tbs of smart balance lite, just 90 calories is substituted.  I've done this for years and no one has even noticed.

In dishes like mac and cheese use at least half lower fat cheese.  The fat content is still high enough to be flavorful even without the full stick of butter or margerine. Also try using dreamfields low carb macaroni.   

Use fresh herbs.  The flavor and aroma is far better than the high fat.  You'll need less salt too.

Have disposable containers and/or freezer bags ready for gueasts to leave with leftovers or to freeze them immediately.   The thought process of defrosting what you want on that extra plate may keep you from going back again and again over the week.

Send everyone back home with the remainder of whatever they brought instead of washing all the pots. 

Make sure that dinner incldes a variety that is easy for you to eat and stay on your plan.  Some wl friendly leftovers will be around so you can relax for the weekend too.