Christmas Fudge

Staying fit through the Holidays can be a challenge! Last night Christmas parties everywhere featured seasonal, and not to mention deliciously rich culinary treasures! Everything from Prime Rib to barbecue and then there were the desserts! I'm feeling my belt tighten just thinking about that delicious chocolate mousse! And the fudge at work all week! Forget the sugarplums - I'm having visions of Christmas cookies and candies dancing through my head!

No small wonder Jolly old Saint Nick is always pictured as pleasingly plump! Today, Moms everywhere will be baking Holiday favorites. Chocolate - a traditional Christmas favorite - is already flying off the store shelves! Russell Stovers and and fine chocolate makers enjoy record sales during this wonderful time of the year!

Chocolate fudge for Christmas is such a delicious treat. Make some and bring it your work-place or share some with family and friends this week. Here is a pretty easy chocolate fudge your loved ones are sure to enjoy:

Melt one-quarter cup of butter. ( Use real butter - unsalted if you wish )

Mix together in a separate dish one cup of white sugar, one cup of brown sugar, one-quarter cup of molasses and one-half cup of cream.

Add this to the butter, and after it has been brought to a boil continue boiling for two and one-half minutes, stirring rapidly.

Then add two squares of Baker's Premium No. 1 Chocolate, scraped fine. Boil this five minutes, stirring it first rapidly, and then more slowly towards the end.

After it has been taken from the fire, add one and one-half teaspoonfuls of vanilla.

Then stir constantly until the mass thickens.

Pour into buttered pan and set in a cool place.

Cut into squares and wrap a bunch in plastic wrap or tin foil and top it off with red and green ribbons!

Merry Christmas! Enjoy the Holidays with your favorite chocolate treats and don't forget to keep eating healthy!

Eat, Be Merry, and Exercise

As Thanksgiving fast approaches and we look forward to all those special foods to enjoy over the coming weeks. Maybe now is the perfect time to start or crank up our exercise programs. Now is a great time to take stock of where we are and where we’d like to be before this year draws to a close.

Maintaining or even losing weight in these last few weeks of the year can be a big challenge. With so much good food to enjoy over the Holidays, the average adult can easily gain over a pound just in December alone!

I know I’m already looking forward to a big slice of Mom’s homemade pumpkin pie! And who can resist a little gravy on their meat and potatoes at Thanksgiving?

Then comes the annual Christmas parties. Festive affairs with families, friends, and lots of delicious delicacies! These weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas often include a bounty of tasty treats in workplace break rooms around the world. I’m really looking forward to Dad’s annual batch of peanut brittle. The Christmas season just wouldn’t be the same without it.

Visions of sugarplums and all these tasty treats are already causing me to loosen my belt a notch. I swear I can gain weight just thinking about all the Christmas goodies! Maybe now would be a good time to start burning a few more calories each day! Maybe I should try to get in a little more exercise this week – and every chance I get.

Maybe I should strive to enjoy plenty of fresh fruit, and vegetables over the coming weeks. There is still time to lose a few pounds before this year goes into the record books. Maybe I can avoid gaining weight again this year! Maybe – if I keep up my efforts toward getting in shape - I can even lose a few pounds! Maybe!

Let the Holiday Fun begin!

The coming weeks will be filled with opportunities to enjoy family and friends and lots of great food! Holiday gatherings always seem to include a wealth of delicious treats. Everyone has their favorite Thanksgiving recipe. And then come the Christmas goodies! Weeks of holiday parties can challenge even the best healthy eating plan!

It's OKAY to splurge! Enjoy these last few weeks of the year and all your favorite culinary creations!

If you're seeking to hold your weight in check or even lose a few pounds before the New Year arrives, take heart! You can have some pie and eat it too! Moderation is the key. Can you substitute a low-fat or even non-fat whipped cream on that delicious slice of your favorite pumpkin pie? Maybe limit your slices of pie and cake to smaller portions.

Drink lots of water before every meal - and you'll feel full sooner. You'll eat less! Eat something healthy before that office party. Grab an apple or a banana on the way and then try to limit your choices from the buffet line! Maybe one glass of wine instead of two or three.

And don't forget to schedule time for your daily exercise. Try to exercise and workout at least four days of every week. If weight loss is still one of your goals - try to get some exercise five or even six days a week! And increase your times if you plan to enjoy some Holiday treats!

No worries - enjoy this wonderful time of year. Have as much fun as you can with your loved ones and co-workers! And keep an eye on your goals! Keep exercising and as often as possible! Try to stick with your healthy eating plan as much as possible! If weight loss is a goal of yours - the quickest way to lose weight and keep it off is still the same. Exercise, burn more calories, and keep eating healthy!