The Night Before Christmas

If you are not a part of our facebook group, then you do not have a clue what you are missing!  Last month I issued the group a challenge, and as usual, these brilliant brains came up with a masterpiece!  So, without further ado, please enjoy the Wellness Soliloquy's version of "The Night Before Christmas".

'Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the fridge,
Not a carb was lurking,
Not even a smidge!

I know it was stocked with carbs earlier today,
I made sure there were goodies stashed safely away. 
It's not like I eat like this most of the time,
But my goodness, it's Christmas - eating is not a crime!

I spent all day cooking for my family
And now there is no food leftover for me?
It seems so unjust and it seems so unfair,
I'll just go sit on my pity pot and sulk over there.

How could they be so stingy and selfish,
So mean, nasty and unkind?
I went back into the kitchen one last time
Hoping some small morsel to find.

Then out of the corner of my eye I did see
A single slice of pumpkin pie, saved especially for me!
My family does love me - they really do care
They are not so awful - they know how to share!

Do you feel deprived if you don't get to eat that extra little piece of pumpkin pie on Christmas Eve?  Well, don't feel alone - I think most of us, especially if we spend most of our time trying to be "good" - have that problem!

There is a real connection between love and food.  It is not simply imagined, contrived or conjured.  There is a very strong bond between love and food! 
We are so drawn to the scent of freshly baked bread - probably the single worst carbohydrate for most diabetics.  I have a diabetic friend who says, "My little corner of heaven is going to smell just like freshly baked bread - and if you don't like that scent, you can live next door to somebody else!"  She's a hoot!

It's those same foods that smell so divine that play havoc on not only blood sugar levels, but emotions as well.  That combination of white flour, sugar and yeast are terrible for our bodies.  Alkaline foods trigger a more positive outlook mentally and emotionally.  You're better able to cope with the stresses of everyday life if you eat high quality foods.  By contrast, if you eat a lot of boxed,processed, high carbohydrate foods, you will not be as emotionally prepared to cope with the day to day challenges. 

I'm not finished researching the subject and I hope to find the answers I'm looking for.  Until then, here's what I do know.  I know that my mind and body are much happier when I do not eat as many simple carbohydrates and stick with the more complex carbohydrates, a little fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.  I also know that life is just too short - to not eat comfort food once in a while - and by once in a while, I mean about 20% of the time.  In my world, that percentage definitely includes a slice of pumpkin pie with whipped topping after a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner - and some biscuits from a can with homemade sausage gravy for breakfast on Christmas morning!  

Remember this rule of thumb:  The lower the quality of the food (the more acidic), the less of it you should eat.  In other words, eat one slice of pie with a tablespoon of whipped topping.  And have 2 biscuits (that's four when you split them!) - with about 2 tablespoons of gravy. 

If you just follow these simple rules, you'll be fine!  Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your family traditions!  God bless you!

Then on December 26th, we're back on the good lifestyle wagon, right???  Right!

Listen to Brandon Heath singing, "The Night Before Christmas".

http://youtu.be/jCitZPr2oD0