No Posts for Two Days on HL Board?!

[Natasha]

Come on, guys, don t give up the fight! Where is everyone, especially during this time of year where your devotion to healthy living commitments is so sorely tested?

[lindrusso]

Hee, hee - I was just thinking the same thing. I can tell it's becoming a struggle, but so far so good.

Feel free to chime in everyone - even if it's just to complain about how hard it is!

I've noticed that although I'm not going to the gym as much as I'd like, I haven't given up altogether. Which is more than I can say most years! Something is better than nothing!

[andi]

You're right you two! I'm feeling major STRESS http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif as I finish Christmas shopping, find time for Christmas parties, entertain, function as Room Mother, and bake my annual Christmas stash for family and friends. I keep telling myself that the gym is probably the best way to "de-stress".

Any other suggestions to maintain sanity during this time? I love this time of year and don't remember it always being so wild!

[kwormann]

Well, except for today (baking for school day) I have stuck to my running plan, unfortunatley I havent been eating well at all!

Kim

[lindrusso]

Andi,

I think the best way to keep your sanity is to keep reminding yourself about what truly is important. Don't kill yourself trying to do it all. The only person who's going to notice that you didn't do it all is yourself. It's easier said than done, I'm famous for killing myself to reach my idea of how things should be, but is a perfectly decorated house worth it?

Wouldn't your family enjoy you and the holidays more if you're happy, well rested and at ease with a nice-enough looking house rather than having you crabby, tense and irritable with a perfect house?? (I'm just using decorating the house as an example here - this can apply to many different facets of the holidays.)

Oh, and don't forget to say no once in a while. If going to a party means that you're going to stress out figuring out what to make or bring, then just don't go.

Well, I could go on and on here..but one more idea that might help next year. Right around Thanksgiving I started making appetizers, muffins, etc. and freezing them. That way now when something comes up (parties or gifts), I don't have to stress out getting things ready - just pop it out of the freezer.

Above all, just remember the reason for the season....and enjoy! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Natasha]

Andi,

I second Lindrusso s wise comments. I keep the shopping to a dull roar and don t feel bad skipping parties when I m too tired or have too many other things to do. In fact, one of my favorite things to do in the holidays is snuggling by the tree sipping tea or reading or listening to holiday music (or, for that matter, just contemplating the holiday season!). Reminds me what it s all about.

Also, I don t know how old your kids are or if they would go for this, but when I was a kid my whole family would go for drives to different neighborhoods and enjoy the lights and decorations. It was a nice way for us to get some quiet family time together and enjoy the season. Just an idea if you re looking to relax...you could also leave the kids with someone and go out for a quiet ride with just your husband! That should put you both in the holiday spirit http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Hang in there and I hope you and your family enjoy the next few weeks!

[Gina O]

I was suprised to see that no one had posted here for a while as well... I wanted to comment on it yesterday but couldn't think of anything witty to say!

I started a new job on Monday, and was worried about how things would go... would I be able to run? will I feel pressured to eat out at lunch a lot, ect? Well, I am very happy to say that even with the addition of a 75 mile one way commute, and having to actually get dressed for work (I worked out of my home previously), I managed to stick closely to my running routine. I missed one day because I left my workout stuff at work accidently, but made it up yesterday. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif As long as the weather holds, I can run during lunch!!!! That has been great, although odd... I spend a lot of my work time on the phone, and have twice needed to grab the phone while changing clothes in my office!!!

Lunch looks like it will work out well too, no one really goes out much. Sometimes they order in, but I don't have a problem not doing that. I will just take my sandwich and yogurt everyday with no problem.

Tonight is Brian's Xmas party... they do a sit down dinner at an Italian restaurant. I will struggle not too eat too much, but it should be okay as the food at this place is not all that good.

The hardest this week will be running... we are supposed to get hit with a major storm tonight... freezing rain, ice, snow and bitterly cold temperatures. I am pretty sure this will keep me off the roads for a few days, I think the back up plan may be to borrow my step-mom's treadmill.

Alright, enough of my rambling for now... just so you know, I think of you all often during my runs... wonder how you are doing, how your workouts are going, ect. Take care, Gina

[Gina O]

I also have a hard time believing that there is such a thing as an Italian restaurant that isn't very good, but this one manages to accomplish that. Most people don't realize this, but St. Louis has a proud tradition of fabulous Italian food with a very large Italian-American population. Tony's, St. Louis' most celebrated restaurant is Italian.

I do a great deal of Italian cooking, so am very particular about the Italian food I eat. (The other "Italian" place that I truly dislike is the Olive Garden). Anyway, tonight's place is pretty mediocre, would never recommend it to anyone. Gina

[emilycat]

Gina,
I just couldn't resist seconding your dislike for the Olive Garden...can't stand the place! It's not quality food, they rely on oil and cheese to make everything taste good, and the portion sizes are so ridiculous that they must waste hoards of food. I guess I should mention that I'm a chain-restaurant snob anyway...I turn my nose up at almost all of them.

[Natasha]

Gina,

I m really in awe of you now that I see that you re managing to stick with your schedule despite that looooong commute! Good for you! About changing in your office - make sure to stand by the door when you change or at least put a chair there, as you d be surprised at how some people don t bother to knock before entering ... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif I ve had some close calls!!

An Italian restaurant where the food isn t all that good?! That s almost hard to imagine. Anyway, good luck at the dinner tonight and I hope you get home well before the storm hits http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Jessica]

I am in complete agreement, emilycat. We only go to chains if we are with people who insist on the restaurant, or if we are on a road trip and those are the only choices. Olive Garden is probably my least favorite in that category--so salty and flavorless.

[Gina O]

It is such a delight to engage with other Olive Garden "haters" if that is not too strong a word! I know it isn't for me. When I tell most people I do not like the Olive Garden, I am met with stares of disbelief, as if I just told a 4 year old that Santa is not real!!!

As far a chain restaurants go, it just depends for me. I have found aspects of some that I really enjoy such as the salad bar at Ruby Tuesday's. As good seafood is hard to come by in Missouri, Landry's scores pretty high with me as well. There is also The Melting Pot, another chain that I have a hard time passing by. Oh, one more plug, I am a big fan of the salads at the Cheesecake Factory. (Do I dare even mention the cheesecakes??? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif )

When I travel, I always try new places, and have had some absolutely incredible meals. My next trip is back to Vegas.... last time I went to Emeril's Fish House, one of Mark Miller's restaurants, and the Palm... looking forward to expanding that list. It seems that many fabulous chef's have places there, so choosing will be a task. Gina

[Jessica]

Yes, Laura, there is a Santa Claus.

[Gina O]

To prove the place last night was yucky, I will provide the menu... the appetizer was toasted ravioli, a St. Louis tradition rarely found anywhere else in the world (except Raliegh, NC because my sister demands we bring her some whenever we visit). Basically it is a pork stuffed ravioli that is breaded and deep fried, then served with marinara. These were cold and greasy. The salad was the best part, mostly just iceberg lettuce, but it was fresh. The dinner selections were steak, medium was the only choice for preparation; chicken marsala (sorta... it was a heavily battered chicken breast deep fried then topped with a tiny bit of mushroom and onion; or cod, looked to be baked. All were served with carrots and a baked potato. I had the chicken and Brian the fish, both pretty bad, very tasteless, but the carrots and potato were good.

Even with lousy food, I had a wonderful evening chatting with good friends and drinking decent white wine. Gina

[This message has been edited by Gina O (edited 12-11-2000).]

[emilycat]

Gina,

Gosh, that sounds wretched! I think the iceberg lettuce would have gotten me first (I know it's superficial, but I often judge a restaurant initially by its salads, and iceberg just doesn't cut it for me), but that menu just sounds, um, not good, to be as optimistic as possible!
You did remind me, though, of the Cheesecake Factory (I usually just go and get the huge Greek salad to save room for a piece of cheesecake! The tiramisu cheesecake is to-die-for!)
I think though, that the thing that annoys me the most about the Olive Garden (and no, "haters" isn't too strong a word http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif ) is how they try to coin it as such an authentic place...everytime I see one of their ads with the Italian families...uhhh!


[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 12-11-2000).]

[Laura]

Santa's not real? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif