Mind over Fatter – How to Enjoy Good Friends, Family and Food During the Holidays Without Gaining Weight By Dee Wolk, Founder and Creator of No Diet Weight Solution® I have some facts to share with you. Through my research, I learned there are approximately 55 celebrations per individual, per year. These include religious holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, national holidays, etc. I hope you’ll agree that a holiday is just another day of dealing with food. There is always one just around the corner for you Are you feeding emotional hunger with food? If you’re not physically hungry and the food isn’t needed for fuel, your body will store that food in your fat cells. Oops! Therefore, you wear the food that is eaten for emotional hunger. We are not born winners; we are not born losers. We are all born choosers. Let’s take note that food does not make you fat. It is your relationship with food that creates excess weight. You can choose to change your relationship with food. Here are some tips to help you make better choices: 1. Choose to think positively about how you want to relate to holiday eating. Then affirm and resolve not to overeat. Reassure yourself that you can have fun without overeating. Dee's Magic Mix "Gee, Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!" Only Dee's Magic Mix will transform your recipes from plain, boring food into culinary delights – straight from the Land of Oz! Dee's Magic Mix can be used on meat, poultry and fish. Sprinkle liberally. It stores indefinitely in an air-tight plastic container. Keep on hand to enhance food flavor and send your taste buds "Over the Rainbow." Ingredients (makes 9 ounces) 6 tablespoons oregano 6 tablespoons sweet basil 2 tablespoons garlic powder 3 tablespoons parsley flakes 4 tablespoons paprika 1 teaspoon black pepper Mix all ingredients together and use generously on all your favorite recipes. Roasted Turkey Breast Lots of healthy protein and low in fat, this versatile roast has staying power, and oh, so easy! This tasty dish makes a wonderful entrée. Slice it cold for a sandwich; cut it in strips, wrap in foil and take to work for a fat-burning protein snack; chunk it, add light mayonnaise for a low-fat turkey salad; use strips over greens for a main-dish salad; I could go on and on... Ingredients (makes 10 servings) 1 (3-pound) turkey breast 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 tablespoons Dee's Magic Mix (more if desired) Preheat oven to 400 degrees for 20 minutes, then reduce to 325. Wash turkey breast and dry thoroughly with paper towels. Rub dry breast with oil and sprinkle with Dee's Magic Mix. Cook 30 minutes per pound until crusty brown on the outside. Remove skin before eating. 2. Choose to stay in present time with yourself. Just because you have binged in the past, it doesn’t have to be your pattern this year. 3. Choose to take smaller portions. Holiday time means special food. Let yourself enjoy little tastes. This allows you to taste everything, without risking getting stuffed. 4. Choose to practice polite ways to decline more food if you feel you have had enough. 5. Choose not to hit your party too hungry. “I’m not having lunch so I’ll have more room for my holiday giving dinner.” We’ve all said that. But skipping meals to save calories for the big meal of the day is a bad choice. This will cause you to overeat. Having a small meal beforehand will help you make better choices later on because you won’t be so hungry that you’ll overeat. In our country, the average American gains six pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Your goal during the holidays should not be weight loss, but weight maintenance. My wish for you this holiday season and on all special occasions is to choose good health over overeating. You can do it. You are the chooser. 54 Beachwood Buzz n December 2015