Is it just me, or is this year’s Holiday Season particularly egregious when it comes to the amount of refined sugary treats around?

I know Holiday time is bound to have sweets, but really . . .

Here’s what I’ve been reminded about concerning the white, processed, powdery substance:

1. Sugar is addictive—and I don’t mean kinda like addictive, I mean in every sense of the word addictive.  Not everyone is susceptible (like alcohol),...

This time of year always reminds me of a story:

There was a wise, kind King, beloved by his subjects, who was about to retire.

(OK, so when I first heard this in the late 1970’s, the King wanted to marry off his daughter to the suitor of his choice. I’ve tweaked the story a bit to keep the good and eliminate the misogynistic. ) 

He had no children and loved his kingdom, so he wanted to leave it in good hands. 

He devised a contest, and...

It’s gift-giving season. And I have a confession to make.

I’m a terrible gift giver. 

I was born this way.

I’m just not the best shopper.  If it can’t be found on Amazon, I’m not finding it. 

I’m ecstatic when someone tells me what they want.  I’m great at getting things done.  Checked off the list!  You got it. 

I know, I know, it’s not that romantic or surprising or...

How did your Thanksgiving go? 

I know for many of you, planning worked—congratulations!  You discovered that it’s possible to have a meaningful, memorable time without regretting food choices. 

Nice job.

For the rest of us—we can love ourselves anyway and learn from the things we could’ve done better. 

In fact, it’s one of the ways humans learn best—from things going awry.  But the learning only...

Just a quickie this Thanksgiving to say I am grateful for you, your friendship and following.

May you and your whole family enjoy health, happiness and peace this season and always.

And laughter too . . .

(couldn't find the clever creator's name--thank you, Funny!)

I leave you with this sincere Thanksgiving Day wish:  (found on quotesgram.com)

Plan, Plan, Plan!

In Love and Gratitude,  Stephanie

. . . many things—family, warmth, love, friends, gratitude, service and food.

But it’s just one meal. 

One meal.

Lots can happen in that one meal, but if it stops there—no major problem.

The bigger issue is the long weekend associated with Thanksgiving and the potential for a slide on the slippery slope through the rest of the Holidays. 

The key here is to put the Thanksgiving meal in its place.  One meal.

Then...

Daylight Saving Time ended last weekend and while we are still adjusting to the darker evenings, consider this:

We have a golden opportunity here. 

We can fix two problems in one fell swoop: the problem of getting to bed too late and the problem of not having enough time in the morning.

Many people struggle to get to sleep at a reasonable time. 

Getting to bed may not be the issue. 

Often we get into bed early enough, but then we watch...

Apparently, there are phases to Halloween candy acquisition in my house—

First there’s collecting (trick-or-treating).

Then the assessing (dumping it on the kitchen table to see what you got).

Then categorizing (chocolate vs colorful vs wrappers).

Then the trading (minimally successful).

And then the consuming (OK, the consuming was done throughout the entire process). 

It’s a fun family activity!

It was a ball watching my kids’ excitement...

We talked a bit about environmental control last week—the idea of not having Halloween candy in the house until the day of Halloween to protect ourselves from ourselves. 

It works.

If it’s not there, we won’t eat it.

Then a sweet reader told us (through the comments section—we love comments!!) about the draw to buy the candy because it was on sale . . .

Ah.  The trap of “The Sale”.

Money and food have...

. . . is October 31st.

It barely has time to settle into the bowl before little ghosts and princesses grab for their treats.

Less time alone with the candy = more available for the costumed kids.

Universal goal of Halloween achieved!

But, I learned this trick the hard way.

It took years. 

Long ago, I would buy some for the kids and a bag for myself.  They are “fun-sized,” I’d argue.  Good portion control . . ....