Nut to Instinct!

If you’re like me and you pay attention to the habits of your local wildlife, you’ve probably noticed that the squirrels in your neighborhood seem to grow fatter by the minute as the days get colder. Those little guys are getting ready to survive a long winter with little to no food. Much to the chagrin of most of my clients, humans don’t get to use that excuse (though many do) during the winter months, yet so many people put on weight in equal proportion to my local squirrels! Sure, prehistoric man and woman may have had to put on a little extra fat in the winter time to guard against freezing to death in bitter winter climes…they needed the extra fat for insulation against the cold. Modern man and woman don’t! Over the millennia, human beings brains have become bigger. Our frontal lobes – not fat – have become our most powerful weapon against anything the elements can throw at us. From thermal underpants, to wool socks, to gortex coats, there is nothing we haven’t invented that can't protect us from wind, water, sleet and snow. But if human hibernation is anachronistic, why are so many of us eating like we are getting ready for a Rip Van Winkle nap?

The truth? It’s nothing more than a bad habit. What used to be instinct is now nothing more than an excuse people throw around so they don’t feel bad about overindulging during the holidays: a time of year that is riddled with pitfalls that threaten your good habits at every turn. The trouble is, bad habits are a lot easier to pick up and a bit more challenging to leave behind than are good habits. Good habits are more challenging to pick up. They usually require a bit of learning and the development of new skills. The good news? Learning new skills, though it takes some work, is also a lot of fun! Take knitting for example. Learning to cast on might seem to take forever. And you might drop a few stitches in your first piece. But eventually Pearl 1 Knit 2 will feel like second nature, and not only have you developed a new skill, but you’ve also got something to show for it! It’s the same with exercise and eating right. It takes a bit of work, learning, and discipline in the beginning. But your efforts will show. You will feel better, and your friends and family (when they aren’t hating on you for staying slim and trim over the holidays) will be amazed and inspired by your discipline, dedication, and your amazing bod!

So leave the nuts (and the fat) to the squirrels! Embrace your humanity by celebrating the power of the frontal lobe. And by the way, if you actually do pick up knitting this winter, you really will be making a bold statement that you are indeed fighting the “instinct” to gain fat in order to stay warm. Instead, you will be using your brain (and your opposable thumbs – another unique human-thing) to produce a garment that can do the same thing, probably more efficiently. Go humans!!!

Thanksgiving nutrition tip: If it doesn’t grow all over the place it doesn’t belong in your face! Make it a point this Thanksgiving to be able to identify everything that you serve as something that can be found easily in nature. Your sweet potatoes don’t need all that sugar and marshmallow! A little splenda (or even better-stevia) and cinnamon will go a long way and leave your tummy feeling happier! Don’t douse your green beans in a fatty creamy mushroom sauce and top them with fried onions! Your guests will appreciate the vibrancy and freshness of whole green beans tossed in a little olive oil and lemon pepper. (If you are really at a loss on how to prepare a fresh holiday meal that is also healthy, I suggest picking up one of Tosca Reno’s books on eating clean – you can find her work at any Borders or Barnes and Noble).

If you have a great fresh and healthy recipe that is full of the holiday spirit, please share it by commenting back to this post!

Finally, here are some holiday dessert alternative recipes ala Ellen that you might want to try out this year to help cut down on the sugar and fat. Thanks again Ellen!

Chocolate Moose Surprise
· Great for holidays, parties, or just everyday, because it’s fat free and guilt free.

Ingredients
1 2.1 ounce package of sugar free chocolate pudding
1 fat free cream cheese package
1 8 ounce container of fat free cool whip
2 cups skin milk

Directions
Use mixer to blend pudding mix with 2 cups milk, once blended,, mix in cream cheese until smooth. Add cool whip and mix until smooth, then refrigerate for 10 minutes.

variations:
Pies: Add mixture to graham cracker crust and top with cool whip for a delicious pie.
Parfait: Layer cool whip on the bottom of a glass cup, add layer of moose, and top with more cool whip. Makes 6 servings.
Peanut Butter Surprise: Add 2-4 Tablespoons of peanut butter to moose and blend until smooth
Mint Surprise: Add ½ - 1 teaspoon of mint or peppermint extract to mixture to make chocolate mint surprise.

Cinnamon Ginger Cookies
· Great replacement for traditional cookies, comes out fluffy with a texture similar to brownies.

Ingredients
1/3 cup of I cant believe its not butter, Fat Free
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
3 egg whites
½ cup twin/ splenda/ equal white sugar substitute
½ cup twin/ splenda/ equal brown sugar substitute
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ginger
¼ teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ cup flour
Nuts of your choice

Direction
Mix eggs then mix in applesauce, vanilla, and butter. Then blend in sugars, baking soda, and spices. Finally add in flour and add nuts or chocolate chips for extra taste.
Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Pumpkin Bars
· Great fluffy cake with a holiday twist and low in fat and sugar.

Ingredients
5 egg whites
½ cup of I cant believe its not butter Fat Free melted
½ cup water
1 cup twin,/ splenda/ equal white suagr substitute
½ cup twin/ splenda/ equal brown sugar substitute
1 ½ cup pure pumpkin in can
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon baking soda
11/2 cup flour
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ginger
¼ teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions
Mix all egg whites, then add in water, melted butter, and pumpkin, then add in sugars, baking soda, baking powder, and spices. Then add in flour and walnuts if you wish. Pour in rectangular greased baking dish.
Bake for 40-50 minutes at 375 degrees.