Welcome to WWW! lol

WWW is NOT: 

• to hold you accountable on your weight.
• about losing weight.

WWW is for sharing tips and ideas and options for healthier alternatives, such as: 

• food/drink substitutes
• healthy recipes (or healthier versions)
• discuss exercises for anyone: indoor, outdoor, chair-bound, bed-ridden.

Thanksgiving is next week and pretty much 'kicks off' the eating/drinking holiday season. The football game is on and you're chowing down on tasty appetizers - and not paying attention to how many you consume. Time for the main meal and you're already half-full. But if I pass up Aunt Sarah's sweet potato casserole (yuck), I'll get the hairy eyeball. Uncle Fred makes the best rolls - gimme two! Aunt Libby's pecan pie? Oh, HELL yeah! Sure, Uncle George. crack open that bottle of Evan Williams. 

Gaaaaaaaaaaah!!! I can feel my pants getting tighter!

Some tips for control:

• DO NOT SKIP BREAKFAST! Trying to "save room" for the big meal is a mistake. You KNOW that. So eat your breakfast/brunch and be sure to include PROTEIN - something like Greek yogurt or eggs. A protein-rich breakfast helps curb your appetite all day long and you tend to eat less.
   
• PASS UP THE BREAKFAST CEREAL. The blood sugar spike and crash from the cereal will leave you RAVENOUS for the rest of the day.
   
• GET A SMALL PLATE FOR THOSE APPETIZERS. Don't keep walking by, grazing and eating. Fix a small plate or a napkin with goodies so you're aware of how many/much you're consuming.
   
• JUST A SPOONFUL. Everything looks soooooo good and you want it all. Well, you can have it! But don't pile in onto your plate. Take a spoonful of this and that (and that ickle casserole you loathe). After you've enjoyed your plate, you can always go back for a little more of the things you really like. 
   
• DO NOT START THE MEAL WITH BREAD. Eating carbohydrates in your first few bites triggers the release of hunger-stimulating hormones. Eat a few bites of turkey to start - it has the opposite effect.
   
• CHEW! "Well, duh, Aniki. I'm not gonna swallow it whole." You didn't listen to me and ate that damn cereal for breakfast. Now you can't get the food into your mouth fast enough because you're starving. SLOW DOWN! Don't talk with food in your mouth. Chew it. Savor it. Slowing down helps you digest your food better AND gives your body a chance to tell it's full before it's too late and your pants split (you should worn the elastic waist ones!).
   
• ENJOY THE MOMENT. Before you dig in, take a little time to notice and appreciate the food on your plate - the colors, the aromas, the time and care and love that went into preparing each dish. With each bite, save the flavors, texture, mouthfeel, richness - crunchy, soft, salty, sweet, umami... This is a meal to be enjoyed; not rushed. Just like your time with your loved ones.

I'm not typically a fan of carrots unless they're cooked with pot roast. But I found a recipe that's pretty darn tasty AND not drowning in butter...

GARLIC ROASTED CARROTS

24 baby carrots, tops trimmed to 2 inches
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 Tbsp freshy parsley leaves, chopped (optional)

Preheat the ove to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with nonstick spray.

Place carrots in a gallon-sized ziploc bag. Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Gently toss to combine.

Arrange carrots in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until tender.

Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired. Serves 4.