<p>Cookie…butter…how can it be anything other than fabulous!</p>
<p><a href=“http://cdn.blisstree.com/files/2011/12/cookie-butter-nutrition-facts-640x480.jpg[/url]”>http://cdn.blisstree.com/files/2011/12/cookie-butter-nutrition-facts-640x480.jpg</a></p>
![http://cdn.blisstree.com/files/2011/12/cookie-butter-nutrition-facts-640x480.jpg[/url]](http://cdn.blisstree.com/files/2011/12/cookie-butter-nutrition-facts-640x480.jpg%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
<p>Big proponent of the just take two bites method. Or just eat four squares of chocolate. If I had to deny myself chocolate all hope would be lost.</p>
<p>Schedule these cooking shows on your DVR for after the holidays!</p>
<p>Melissa D’Arabian (won Food Network Star two years ago) will hosting a lifestyle show on The Cooking Channel called “Drop 5 Pounds”:
Drop 5 Pounds is a lifestyle show, produced in partnership with Good Housekeeping magazine (based on their hugely successful monthly column), that encourages small changes that lead to big results. </p>
<p>I like the concept - not just healthier meals but also healthier lifestyle changes.</p>
<p>Also Paula Deen’s son will be hosting a new show (same channel) called, “Not My Mamas Meals” where he takes Paula’s sinful recipes and makes them healthier and still tasty. Interesting!</p>
<p>Just bumping to say hello and offer some encouragement as we hit the holiday home stretch! Stay strong, people!!!</p>
<p>Looking for something easy and somewhat healthy to take to a holiday party this weekend. It can be anything. It is a buffet that people just help themselves throughout the evening. Plates are small and you most probably will be eating standing up or sitting on a couch.
So far I am doing well. Down 1 lb since Thanksgiving. Still have several big meals to get through plus a holiday vacation.
Ideas of healthy snacks I can bring on vacation in my suitcase.</p>
<p>How about a bowl of Baba Ganoush? My wife buys eggplant and makes it herself. I don’t know what the other ingredients are but it doesn’t last long at our place. It can be spread on crackers, bread or scooped with raw vegetables.</p>
<p>Maybe something more protein based that will be filling (to you as well as others) but not so fat based.</p>
<p>Perhaps some type of meatball, spinach ball or other “bite” that is savory but not calorie illegal!</p>
<p>Roasted veggies are always a huge hit around here. It is something most ID as healthy but rarely take the time to prepare themselves. You can have it with or without the dip. Make the veggies bit-sized and then you have a low-cal, healthy thing you can snack on too. Roasted peppers, asparagus, and mushrooms are scrumptious!</p>
<p>My SIL & I always try to split desserts–take a small portion & split it among ourselves so it’s just a taste or two. This way, we can get an idea of what everything tastes like without so many calories. Especially great for buffets or where there are just too many tempting sweets. If something is especially delicious, we may go back for another small portion.</p>
<p>A good exercise tip without working too hard is to take a parking space as far as possible (without being isolated) and walk further to & from your destination. Also, whenever possible use the stairs instead of the elevator. You will probably get their sooner and get a bit of exercise in. Wear comfortable shoes ALL THE TIME–it’s much easier to exercise and walk those extra steps when your feet are comfortable.</p>
<p>mom60, I’ve been making these lately. They are healthy, low-fat, high protein, beautiful, and delicious! The only ingredients - smoked salmon, Greek yogurt, red onion, cucumbers. I don’t even put the filling through the food processor, just chop the salmon and mix with yogurt and chopped onion.</p>
<p>[Smoked</a> Salmon in Cucumber Boats Recipe | MyRecipes.com](<a href=“http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/smoked-salmon-cucumber-boat-50400000117849/]Smoked”>http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/smoked-salmon-cucumber-boat-50400000117849/)</p>
<p>I use nonfat Greek yogurt.</p>
<p>Ratatouille is easy and very popular at parties we go to. If you want to turn it into fingerfood put it in filo cups.</p>
<p>My new record: I did not gain any water weight after a long flight (and several days of indulging in nice food)!</p>
<p>Good job BB!</p>
<p>I realized both pairs of my old jeans that now fit are black - no blue - and have frayed inner seams. So I took my 30% coupon into Kohls and bought a pair of blue jeans that are slightly too tight, betting that they’ll fit soon. I also found a pair of pants on the 80% off rack that are really too tight (although I can zip them) and figured for a final price of $6.72 that they’re worth the risk! My rate of loss is slowing but I’m still trending down.</p>
<p>DH is off to see his mother for the next five days and will be back for the second night of Chanukah. I admit latkes will be a control problem but will try very hard. At least the gelt will be nice tiny tastes of chocolate!</p>
<p>Great buys, Marilyn! Hope they motivate you to fit them properly! Trending down is a good place to be as holidays kick in with all the temptations. I have been trying to park further and take more stairs–there are quite a few of them at the shopping center and don’t have to fight as much for parking that is further away. :)</p>
<p>Previous weight: 177.8</p>
<p>Current weight: 174.2</p>
<p>Lost 3.6 lbs this week. I am very happy with that! I am concerned about the next two weeks and being in the presence of cookies and candy due to Christmas…</p>
<p>Lifetime Weight Watchers member here. Lost 30 pounds in '87 for a big college reunion and never looked back. Wonderful healthy program. Can’t say enough about it.</p>
<p>Dke, yes I am really liking weight watchers. I need the support. I am very lucky to be attending meetings with my aunt and cousin. My aunt has lost exactly 30 lbs as of yesterday. She inspires me. I try not to look at this as having an end date and have not set a goal weight. I just want to be healthy.</p>
<p>Congrats to you, maintaining is the hard part.</p>
<p>I’m back from my almost three week eat a thon and vacation. I got on the scale this morning and I’ve gained 3 pounds which is MUCH less than I thought! I seriously ate everything in sight for three weeks. The last thing I gobbled down was a chocolate chip crossiant in the airport lounge…it was delicious. The favorite jeans still fit. The second favs are a little snug. I think I can lose the excess in a couple of weeks if I eat right and exercise everyday…should be a breeze at this time of the year :)</p>
<p>Thumper! Glad that you are back safely. Ahh, don’t worry about the three pounds. It is probably water weight from sitting on those planes. I always gain at least 3 pounds after flying somewhere, no matter how long the flight is. My weight gain record was 7 lb (!!) after the shortest trip we took this summer. Of course, I lost it all in the next couple of days.</p>
<p>Mmmm… Chocolate filled pastries at CDG. Best airport food ever! :)</p>
<p>Today was “weigh in day”. I gained exactly 2 pounds on my vacation. I weigh the same today as I did on November 15…which really isn’t too bad since I ate like a small horse on my three week vacation. So…back on the wagon this week! Hopefully I’ll lose those two pounds quickly. Oh…and the second favorite jeans fit just fine. I wore them yesterday.</p>