It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like…

the North Pole vomited on America?  ;D  Is it sad that I know it’s the holiday season when Corporate America tells me so?  When Starbucks takes down the pumpkin latte and breaks out their red cups?  When Target looks like a second rate winter wonderland?  Ok, I guess if I were to be less cranky, I could bring up the red poinsettias peeking out of the tree branches outside my window — those are pretty indicative too

And let the Holiday Bake Fest begin…

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You also know it’s holiday season when the baking bug bites even the most anti-domestic-goddesses you’ve met — you know, the people who usually scoff at cooking or who believe the kitchen is just the room with the microwave — and they’re all of a sudden breaking out the Betty Crocker mixes and bringing in their warped, yet delicious, concoctions to the office or to your doorstep. I guess this is a good time to remind you that no one out there is really going to de-friend you if you don’t partake in their baked goods.  If you’re really not feeling like you want to splurge on a cookie that even Frankenstein couldn’t love, in the words of the anti-drug slogan, just say no.   If I’m really not feeling trying some one’s baked goods, I don’t mind using a little white lie. What, did you think I was better than lying?!  Fools!  I’ve been known to say, sweetly of course, “oh that is so sweet of you and while those look AMAZING (*emphasize how amazing the goods look*), I’ve had my fill today and couldn’t possibly have more.”  Just make sure this person doesn’t see you scoffing down a cupcake or two later that day, but you get what I’m saying.  Do what you gotta do.

Of course, if someone brings in baked goods with a health slant, by all means, I’ll break out my fork faster than the judges on Top Chef!

So, even if the holiday season is like a grab bag of mixed emotions for you (it is for me anyway…), it’s always a choice whether to victimize or empower ourselves.

Perhaps the one thing I have to remember is that the holidays are more about giving than gaining (scale-wise, or metaphorically speaking, right?   I am going to begin compiling some of the coolest health-related gift options out there that are budget-friendly and sharing with you here.

One of the items I’m most excited to put on my list to give to others is the Hungry Girl Chew the Right Thing: Supreme Makeovers for 50 Foods You Crave recipe cards book to be released December 8, though available for pre-sale on Amazon.com for $11.55.

I think one of the most empowering things I’ve learned on my health journey is that if I don an apron and whisk, I can make (and eat!) my favorite foods while still staying true to my health goals and I want my friends who are hesitant to make their own foods to give it a try!  Hungry Girl recipes are perfect for that purpose!

I am also looking forward to trying more recipes from Alicia Silverstone’s The Kind Diet

and seeing how I can make some of the dessert options friendlier towards my personal goals.

Must See of the Day

• Jezebel‘s, “‘If You Want To Be Popular, You Can’t Afford To Be Skinny’” (11/9/09) here — Check out this vintage ad and remember that how we perceive weight and beauty has always been a social construct!

Give-Away Round Up

• Win $35 towards an appliance at cookware.com here

How were your weekends?!  Nothing too eventful going on in Cranky Land — trying to get over my cold in time for my birthday trip to Disneyland this Wednesday — fingers crossed — and trying to wrap up on homework stuff as per usual.  What’s on your holiday list this year?

<3,

The Cranky One

Tags: Alicia Silverstone, healthy gifts, Hungry Girl, the Kind Diet