Can you stand yet another post about how to stay healthy and refrain from overeating during the holiday season? I googled “avoid weight gain over the holidays” and got 10 million hits! Many focus on tips such as smart snacking or pay attention to portions. Others try to give strategies for when you are at a party or out with friends. My personal favorite is to avoid the what-the-hell effect. I am willing to bet we have all been there.
My take on all of this is to find the strategy that works for you. No tip will work if you cannot commit to a plan. And you will not commit if it doesn’t fit your lifestyle or mind set. What works for one person will not work for everyone.
The best advice I know to give is to tell you to be mindful. Being mindful means figuring out what works to help you stick to a plan. Being mindful means thinking about what you are about to eat. Being mindful means being honest with yourself. Being mindful means you need to be aware.
Most of all, being mindful means asking yourself, “If I am working hard 11 months of the year to be healthy and to eat well, why blow it all because the holidays are here?”
I know it is the time of year when cooking can be a challenge due to how extra-busy life gets during December. This recipe uses store bought ravioli and tops them with an easy-to-make sauce. Sauté up any vegetables you have and top the ravioli with them before you pour the sauce over the top.
Ravioli in Lemon White Wine Sauce
serves 4
Ingredients:
12 large ravioli (your choice of filling)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons capers, chopped
1 teaspoon dried tarragon (or yor favorite herb such as thyme, oregano, basil, etc.)
1/4 cup white wine
Juice from one lemon
Directions:
Topped with sautéed mushrooms and escarole
Topped with sautéed tomatoes and spinach