Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice! Pure Love!

“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.” ~Henry Van Dyke

I am wishing you all a very, very Happy Valentine’s Day. Remember, the love we celebrate today is for each other…our spouses, significant others, family, children and friends. As always, food plays a role in our celebration but it isn’t the main event, so don’t treat is that way. If you are going out to dinner, certainly enjoy every bite, just remember to stop when you are satisfied. Try to be more conscious of the entire event…enjoy being with your Honey, the conversation, being waited on, not having to get up in the middle of your meal to take care of others, not having to do the dishes or clean up afterwards and the atmosphere of the restaurant. There is so much more than just the food to “take in” when dining out on a special night like tonight, so try looking at the entire experience with fresh eyes.

You may get or already have gotten candy this year, even if you requested “no candy please”. Try not to be annoyed! The intention was good! It takes a while for those who love us to really understand the healthy changes we are making. Bless their hearts for loving us just the way we are and not understanding why they we don’t want a box of gourmet chocolates all to ourselves! Use the special candy as a way to practice balanced behavior. It was a sentimental gift and it was meant for you to enjoy, so rather than eating the whole box today just to “get it over with” and see a weight gain on the scale next week, try eating one or two pieces a day and tracking them in your food tracker. There is NOTHING WRONG WITH EATING CHOCOLATE! There is no food we “can’t have” if we just keep moderation in mind. If we can remember no food is off limits, we will start to un-do the scarcity mentality that says “Hurry, eat all the candy now, while I am already ‘off’ track’ and before I have to get back ‘on’ my diet.” That all or nothing mentality is outdated and ineffective and it’s time to leave it behind.

That’s all I’ve got for today!  Enjoy Valentine’s Day 2011!