Merry Christmas, everyone — happy holidays!!
We are going to the Chicago ‘burbs to spend time with my hubby’s extended family.
Tonight I made my beloved Oreo balls (and aside from some chocolate chips, all I tasted was the corner of one — which I froze in a baggie to have later).
I hope they like them — they have two kids and I figure kids will eat anything with chocolate, right?!
I know I sound like a broken record here but instead of journaling tonight in my personal journal, I’m blogging (hubby is zonked and he conked out on the couch at 9 tonight — poor guy — but he DID ace his final! :))
At least this keeps me accountable and helps me get my head on straight.
Anyhoo … I’ve just been eating so terribly lately and am ready for the madness to stop. I need to remember my motto of “Choose Pride Over Guilt” but I’ve not been doing that lately. I’ve been eating craptastically and feeling guilty about it.
I’ve just had no self-control and my lovely monthly guest arrived today — eight days late!!! So I’ve been crampy, bloated and miserable for the past two weeks (literlaly) and I’ve had no self-restraint.
Haven’t been practicing using my resistance muscles at all. Haven’t been using my own advice about eating clean and eating treats in moderation. Basically, I’d have failed my own class if I were judging myself. Which I’m not … 😉
So … it’s a new day tomorrow, and it’s Christmas Eve. Which got me thinking about Christmas Eve traditions …
We didn’t do it as kids, but we got older, my family started getting a hotel in NYC and doing something fun like dinner and a show on Christmas Eve. One year we saw the Matzo Ball Bash at Caroline’s; one year we saw Lewis Black do stand-up; another year it was Gilbert Godfried — basically, it was my family and all the Jews like us who had nowhere else to be on Christmas Eve except ordering Chinese food and/or going to a movie.
The five Christmases I spent in El Salvador with my then-boyfriend (now-husband) were totally different than any American Christmases. Christmas Eve is the big holiday. Typically, families gather for dinner and a party, and then everyone gathers in the streets to set off fireworks at midnight. The party would continue straight through New Year’s — fireworks every night, complete and utter chaos … but so fun to see. Then Christmas Day we’d all go to the beach or something low-key.
OK, well, that’s about it for me. I might post again before Monday, but probably not. Wishing you and yours a safe, happy and healthy holiday!
How about you? What traditions does your family have for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Let There Be Light 
happy christmas lissa! safe travels- weather is quite nasty here and i wonder if chicago area will get this system as well. dont forget your mittens! 😉 😉
Oh Clare I wear them ALL the time and just bought a plum-colored sweater at the Loft that matches PERFECTLY! I love them–thank you!
Congrats to your hubby on his final!
I kind of go through ups and downs (with eating) throughout the holidays. Last night I made oreo balls (OMG – I can’t thank you ENOUGH for those!) and sugar cookies. I REALLY wanted some and decided to have an oreo ball, but I was terrified it would turn into a binge. It didn’t, so that battle was won, but I know today and tomorrow will be COMPLETELY different stories.
I think most people are probably experiencing similar feelings with food and eating right now…and if they’re not, I wonder if they’re truly enjoying themselves, ya know?
I hope you all a wonderful holiday, Melissa – and, yes, they will for SURE love the oreo balls! (I’ve yet to try them with milk chocolate, only white. Milk chocolate is next!)
Aw thanks, Holly!! Good for you resisting but knowing you’ll enjoy them over the holidays!! 🙂 I agree, if they’re not, how are they enjoying themselves? Anyone who tells me “I don’t eat XYZ” (even at the holidays) is on crack!
Thank you– I hope so! Have a wonderful holiday!
I have been eating terribly the last week or so. On top of holiday treats everywhere I lost a beloved family member and all my ‘just say no to stress and emotional eating” fell by the wayside. I don’t know what is worse, the guilt or the sick/bloated feeling in my tummy and the fact that my pants are feeling veeerrry tight!
I am Jewish and we always did the typical movie and Chinese on Christmas day. My husband is not so for the last 10 yrs we have been together I now also get to celebrate Christmas, usually out of town with his family but when we are home we have a brunch and open gifts then later in the day a movie and Chinese. I can’t give up that tradition 🙂
Happy holidays!
Oh Lara I am so sorry to hear about your loss!!!! 😦 ((hug))
LOL–it’s one of those universal Jewish things 🙂 It bonds us!! 🙂 Though I grew up celebrating Christmas too (my dad’s side isn’t Jewish but my dad THINKS he is Jewish, he’s so cute and does a great Yiddish accent! 🙂
My husband is not Jewish, so we celebrate everything, too! 🙂
Don’t be too hard on yourself. In a few weeks all of the delicious fun of the Christmas holidays will be a distant memory, and life will be back to normal.
We usually have a pretty low-key Christmas, hanging with our families and neighbors, but it feels very festive and cozy, it’s nice 🙂
Have a very Merry Christmas, and enjoy yourself!!
Thanks, Jenn!! Good points 🙂 Enjoy your holiday, too! 🙂
I think the holidays can be a huge trigger for “fight or flight” behavior. Emotions and stress are high even though it is supposedly the “most wonderful time of the year.” They can also be a very reflective time of year, which can cause a lot of stress or bring a sense of peace, depending on the person and their experiences. I’m glad you’re not judging yourself! We’re all struggling with strange urges and slight emotional imbalances this time of year 🙂
In my family, we always experiment with a gourment recipe for Christmas Eve dinner. Tonight it’s roasted chicken with roasted tomatoes and cheesy polenta. All the best!