Anyone notice we are at the holidays?

[FitTrey]

I enjoy the holidays and they are stress free for me these days. I only visit immediate family and everyone is cool with my diet. In fact, I have influenced most of them, to widely varying degrees, but even the worst eat at least a little better because of me. I will cook various entrees and deserts that I don't normally make throughout the year but they are all compliant even if they are richer than what I typically eat. The recipes all come from books and cookbooks by Dr. McDougall, Kim Campbell, Joel Fuhrman, Neal Barnard, etc. It will feel like a special holiday meal yet I will not gain a pound during a time of year when people typically do put on some unwanted pounds.

[SonjaK]

This is a great question! Like GoodLife said - Ten years ago, I realized that I was jumping from holiday to holiday and from candy/store-bought treat to candy. Seriously, there was always something unhealthy to look forward to and I finally had a lightbulb moment around that. So I stopped and I haven't bought candy or treats like that at the holidays since. I hardly see them anymore when I go to the store. And when I do, they are not tempting.

I have been fairly whole foods-based for about 7 years so I mostly cooked/baked treats, used whole grains, what I thought was healthier sweeteners and oils, etc. I had an easier transition to WFPB than a lot of people do because of that. I was already focused on healthy eating - I just was wrong about what that meant. Because I had to go gf then too, I'm used to declining food, bringing my own, etc. Most people haven't even noticed that my rice with chicken lunch is now rice with beans. Still a big salad and an apple with it.

Last year I went bonkers and did tons of baking because I hadn't in years - gingerbread-iced cookies, fruitcake (with real fruit), etc. I enjoyed it all but it was too much and I felt sick (and gained a little weight). Felt hungover and ready for clean eating by the time January rolled around.

Having only been WFPB about 6 months, I'm still in learning mode when it comes to cooking, but I love it. I've been experimenting with new recipes and baking healthier/compliant treats. I really enjoy the holidays (mostly because of the time off from work and the longer chance to relax). Deaths in the family and other changes in my personal life mean I will be alone for Christmas this year and I'm going to use it as an excuse to try some new, fun recipes that I am uncertain about. I will put in the extra work (because it's Christmas!) and since it's just for me, it won't matter if something(s) turn out nasty. And I am looking forward to the easier/oil-free clean up, and less stress.

Sonja

[Vanilla Orchid]

Well, thanks for that reminder, Jim.

I gorged on candy for Halloween. The Devil made me do it. Now, back to Earth.

I like to cook elaborate holiday meals when I have the time, but lately, I'm pretty darn busy. We don't have a lot of family around, but we have two groups of family-like friends we get together with for Thanksgiving. They all know about our eating habits, and they are not all vegan, but they have their own health and food needs, and we respect one another's requirements. The first group gets together for a late lunch/early dinner on Thanksgiving Day. I always bring something that is McDougall compliant and also gluten free (respecting needs of the hostess). The second group is mostly omnivorous with a few vegetarians. I always make my Vegan Wellington for that group since they love the stuff. It's rich by McDougall standards, but mostly compliant. It includes two stuffings--one is mushroom based and the other is nut based, baked it a very thinly rolled crust of puff pastry--mostly to keep it all together and make it look pretty. Rave reviews.

And I always bring a fruit crisp dessert, generally made from persimmons, pears and cranberries.

I'm hoping to get together a McDougall event between now and the New Year as well. Stay tuned.

[Chumly]

I had some candy over the past few days, but it is different than in the past. My tolerance is much lower. I used to binge on candy bars and similar foods to extreme excess. Now I feel sick after eating 4-6 miniature candy bars. It is progress! I have been eating the McDougall plan more consistently. I have been making meal preparation a priority on the weekend. When I prepare my food and have lots of tasty options for my meals, it is easy. I just need to keep improving on doing this every single day!!

Michael

[Nean]

Halloween potluck - mashed purple potatoes in the crock pot. Lemon wedges on the side. Squeeze of lemon makes the potato fushia pink. For a Halloween gross table put the same potatoes in a brain mold. (We don't do trick or treat- the neighborhood church hands out pounds of candy and most kids don't go door to door) All other holiday potlucks either mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy or sliced up yams baked plain or with pineapple and sprinkled with pecan or walnut pieces (1/2 cup per huge pan). That's the only way I can attend and thrive.
One year I did attend a holiday party while I could only have water. I keep myself moving and people just assumed I ate at some other table, but it wasn't a sit down meal situation. It was actually easier not to eat anything than to try to decide what I would/could have.

[roundcoconut]

Just chiming in to mention that I do restaurant work and this means that I walk home stuffed with cash after each holiday. What a money-hog I am!

Halloween was kickin', and I made good money. (Didn't eat anything gross, just served nice people with their cute costumed kids who were sitting down to dinner after trick or treating.)

I am set up to work Thanksgiving (people pay good money to have a fancy dinner somewhere else) and I always offer to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (same is true -- people get their wallets OUT, man!) -- so I guess I just think of the Holidays as my money days.

Also, it is ridiculously convenient to work holidays, as I have zero sentimentality around ANY of this! GoodLife, you are totally right -- this is just about Candy Holidays and Carcass Holidays!

[Bougainvillea]

It's turning out to be easier than I thought it might be. I am retired, so I don't have to deal with an office full of food. And I'm going to my best friend's house for Thanksgiving, but it's really crazy and casual - Filipino/mixed crazy extended family - that always has a rice cooker going So, I'll be able to just pig out on rice and I'm sure there will be other stuff I can eat.

I do still imbibe, so no worries there. I just take my diet mixer

Not sure about X-mas yet, but I'll probably be home alone, which actually suits me fine. I get videos and have a drink or two and will pig out on vegan food.

Shopping is already done. I mostly just endure the holidays until they are over, but it's much easier now that I'm retired and don't have family to deal with. Just friends who take me as I am. So, it's all good.

[Kaye]

Thought this might be relevant to this thread

Holiday Dinner: How Vegans and Non-Vegans Can Find Joy Together

NOVEMBER 16th @ 12PM PT / 3PM ET

https://www.forksoverknives.com/holiday ... er-Webinar

Vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters can sometimes feel like they’re living in different worlds. And when the holidays roll around, those worlds often collide around the dinner table.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, psychologist Dr. Melanie Joy will offer meaningful advice on how plant-based eaters can improve communication and connections with friends and loved ones all through the holiday season. In this presentation, Dr. Joy will help you:

[bbq]

FYI - here are a few direct links to watch some videos:

Holiday Dinner: How Vegans and Non-Vegans Can Find Joy Together
https://www.facebook.com/forksoverknives/videos/10155280514789353

Healthy Holiday Tips from Barnard Medical Center
http://youtu.be/sSHETYHSqPM
https://www.facebook.com/BarnardMedical/videos/859234380885203

巴納德醫學中心的節日健康秘訣Healthy Holiday Tips from Barnard Medical Center
http://youtu.be/5Wx4f4M2dYA

5 Steps to Staying Healthy Over the Holidays (and achieving your best A1c)
http://youtu.be/JC-xiFqJOCY

Articles below:

Plant Powered Eating for the Holidays
http://nutritionstudies.org/plant-powered-holiday-eating/

Tips for A Healthy Holiday Season
http://plantbaseddietitian.com/healthy-holidays/

Holiday Challenges
https://www.eatingyoualive.com/blog-eya/2015/12/24/mo1y1eb4jlz72thfsc2g01sdignvkf

Tips for Visiting Friends and Family Who Are Not Plant-Strong
https://www.forksoverknives.com/tip-for-visiting-friends-and-family-who-are-not-plant-strong

Two Important Tips from Doug Lisle to Get You Through the Holidays
https://www.forksoverknives.com/two-important-tips-from-doug-lisle-to-get-you-through-the-holidays/

The Ultimate Guide To A Healthy and Happy Plant-Based Thanksgiving
https://www.truewellth.org/vegan-thanksgiving

10 Essential Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season
http://www.theplanteater.com/2014/11/24/10-essential-tips-for-a-healthy-holiday-season/

Guide to Eating at Social Gatherings (and Holiday Meals)
http://www.plantplate.com/Guide/Detail?GuideID=7027

17 Delicious Plant-Based Recipes to Get You Through the Holidays
http://www.nomeatathlete.com/plant-based-holiday-recipes/

Podcasts:

Healthy Vegan Recipes for the Holidays with Dr Pam Popper
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-jazzy-vegetarian/2012/12/05/healthy-food-for-the-holidays-with-dr-pam-popper
http://d1at8ppinvdju8.cloudfront.net/4/075/show_4075473.mp3

Plant-Based Holiday Recipes with Robert Cheeke
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-jazzy-vegetarian/2011/11/23/plant-based-holiday-recipes-with-robert-cheeke
http://d1at8ppinvdju8.cloudfront.net/2/398/show_2398753.mp3

How to maintain a plant-based diet during the holidays
https://mealmentor.simplecast.fm/45
https://audio.simplecast.com/20375.mp3

How to Stay Happy and Healthy During the Holidays
https://www.tfflifestyle.com/tff047/
http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/296776677-tffpodcast-tff-047-how-to-stay-happy-and-healthy-during-the-holidays.mp3

Navigating a Plant-Based Thanksgiving with Elspeth Feldman: PYP 236
http://plantyourself.com/navigating-plant-based-thanksgiving-elspeth-feldman-pyp-236/
http://traffic.libsyn.com/plantyourself/elspeth-feldman-2017-11-02.mp3