Christmas PLans

[pkafka]

Who has interesting Christmas plans? We all get at least some time off from the real world... Does this extra time lead to more cooking/working out? Traveling?

Please share.

I know that I will be cooking more, working out more, and reading more!

Been reading "The Happiness Hypothesis" by Jonathan Haidt... Quite insightful, I recommend it.

best,

-pk

[SassaFrass88]

I am going to LA tomorrow for the rest of the month and my mother in law is somewhat aware of how we eat, but she's really carb-heavy, so we'll see how I do on an extremely limited budget (hmmmm, food OR Christmas presents?).

I will probably just be fasting a lot and eating mainly meat and veggies. I can't be fussing over where the meat comes from and/ or what is in it :-(

My children, on the otherhand, well, I fear for their health, as I know grandma will bombard them with 'cruddy' food.

At least I have my 100% Primal Hunky Husband to stand by me!

[pkafka]

I am going to LA tomorrow for the rest of the month and my mother in law is somewhat aware of how we eat, but she's really carb-heavy, so we'll see how I do on an extremely limited budget (hmmmm, food OR Christmas presents?).

I will probably just be fasting a lot and eating mainly meat and veggies. I can't be fussing over where the meat comes from and/ or what is in it :-(

My children, on the otherhand, well, I fear for their health, as I know grandma will bombard them with 'cruddy' food.

At least I have my 100% Primal Hunky Husband to stand by me!

Well, that is part of living, I'd say. Weve gotta adapt. Sometimes, how we feel and look are not the most important things. I think it is also important to be aware of how we make our hosts, and others, in general, feel. Sometimes, not being primal is the right way to be... but this is circumstantial, and fair I think. I would be quite offended if someone came to my home, I cooked them a nice steak, and then they asked for pasta!

So, you are right not to fuss....

In terms of your children... they are kids! let them enjoy it while their metabolism demolishes it! - thoughts on this?

-pk

[BarbeyGirl]

My family is headed to Arizona for Christmas, but I can't take that much time off work. So, I'm delighted to have been invited back to Ironman's family place in the mountains. (My Thanksgiving visit must have been okay for them, too! ;) ) They're an active family that likes good food (not primal though) so we'll do our share of playing in the snow, cooking, and working out. I hope to get some extra reading done, too.

Regarding making exceptions when you're a guest: I think it depends on the nature of the relationship (will the host be offended, and how much do you care?), your goals (weight loss? maintenance? strength building?), quality of life (will you still enjoy your holiday fully if you remain strict, or if you choose not to do so?) It all depends. :)

[BMcD]

"In terms of your children... they are kids! let them enjoy it while their metabolism demolishes it! - thoughts on this?

-pk"

That's kinda my theory. I didn't get primal until a year and a half ago so they were already down a bad path. We've reversed it but I fear that being too strict would actually turn them off of it forever. So now we limit sugar, limit grains, limit bad oils, educate them but don't push too hard. And my ten year old is already coming around on his own.

As for the Holiday plans, hanging with the families and doing a gig with old friends. Seriously contemplating a Polar Bear Club New Years dip, if I can work out the timing.

[Micke77023]

Oh god... let kids be kids. Show them smart choices and healthy eating, but kids should eat plenty of cookies, oatmeal, rices, grains, and fruit roll-ups. They shouldn't have a stress in the world when it comes to food!

[pkafka]

Oh god... let kids be kids. Show them smart choices and healthy eating, but kids should eat plenty of cookies, oatmeal, rices, grains, and fruit roll-ups. They shouldn't have a stress in the world when it comes to food!

Mick! - You forgot Pancakes and French Toast... With lots of syrup! come onnnnn. haha.


Mickey and I are best friends from back in the day btw... haha.

Polar Bears Club! crazy - where do you do it? They had one in Chicago in Lak Michigan when I was in school, I dipped in during March a few times, but never in Jan! ahhhh.

"Regarding making exceptions when you're a guest: I think it depends on the nature of the relationship (will the host be offended, and how much do you care?), your goals (weight loss? maintenance? strength building?), quality of life (will you still enjoy your holiday fully if you remain strict, or if you choose not to do so?) It all depends. "

I agree with this - priorities should be respected as long as they do not directly affect others. Honestly, I think that being primal around non-primals does affect them though - it makes them feel guilty, and they do not enjoy their indulgences as much...haha... But that is not our problem!

-pk

[BMcD]

Oh god... let kids be kids. Show them smart choices and healthy eating, but kids should eat plenty of cookies, oatmeal, rices, grains, and fruit roll-ups. They shouldn't have a stress in the world when it comes to food!

We've noticed considerable improvement in some issues my daughter was having since cutting down on the sugar and grains. The anecdotal evidence on making simple paleo/primal type dietary changes for children with adhd and other emotional and learning disabilities is quite compelling, in many cases life changing. Mick, how old are your kids?

[Posy]

We’re staying home Christmas week and I think I’ll cook up a turkey so there‘s plenty of leftovers for awhile.
The guys (husband and his brother) walked in with a floor sander a few nights ago *gasp* so the kitchen floor is now stripped but needs a finish on it. Guess I might be doing that at some point next week if I get another burst of energy.

In terms of the kids…I’m not sure how I’d handle it if I had it to do over. I thought I was feeding my kids well at home when they were growing up (nope), but I also knew they ate plenty of crap outside the house…at their friends, school etc and I didn’t panic about it.

I don’t have a problem sharing a holiday meal with non primal people depending on if it’s an item that won’t make me seriously ill. So I’ll try a spoon full of what ever it is on special occasions. I don’t say anything out loud but I’m guilty of evaluating the food…oh they like marshmallows on their yams…oh, hmm, cranberry salad with MORE marshmallows, wow. Eek is this the meal or dessert? I just can’t help myself but even at that, I don’t let it ruin the spirit of getting together with people I rarely get to see. That part is always nice :)

[BarbeyGirl]

Oh god... let kids be kids. Show them smart choices and healthy eating, but kids should eat plenty of cookies, oatmeal, rices, grains, and fruit roll-ups. They shouldn't have a stress in the world when it comes to food!

I agree that kids shouldn't be stressed about food, but I disagree that they should "eat plenty of cookies, oatmeal, rices, grains, and fruit roll-ups."

To say it must be one or the other is to create a false dichotomy. Kids can eat well most of the time AND enjoy the occasional indulgence, thereby acquiring both healthful habits and healthful attitudes about food. Why shouldn't kids live in the same balance as adults who handle their diets responsibly?

To me, saying kids should eat plenty of grains and sugary treats is like saying they should eat a little mercury. Don't worry about it, they're kids, they're resiliant, it won't hurt them! What?? We know that sugar/carb addictions are formed early. Damage from grains is cumulative. Insulin spikes in childhood, though well handled by young bodies, pave the road for insulin resistence in the future. Saying "to hell with it, they're kids" does them no favors.

JMHO. Take with all the grains of salt you like -- after all, I'm not a parent. :)

[klcarbaugh]

This season I am going to be reading a lot also... I picked up Freakonomics and Primal Body Primal Mind at the library (I was shocked that the library had a copy of the latter).

I also picked up a girly fiction book.

As for the kids... I think if I ever have kids (I am too young to decide now) I would be pretty strict with them. They could have more fruit and primal treats then me but certainly not grains and vegetable oils.

[Posy]

What did santa bring you for Christmas?

The most primal thing I got was a large container of raw mixed nuts, yum. I didn’t go totally crazy with dinner chow, just made a turkey and had that with salad but also baked some potatoes for others. I’ve pretty much been living on turkey since x-mas but did make up another big batch of soup/stew a couple days later. I like to keep a stash in the freezer in case I don’t feel like cooking…which is often!
A couple of the grand kids got us rock band for xmas. Hmm, I figure they either think we’re cool or ha, they think we need to be! (I must admit it’s fun although I suck on the drums).
I ordered myself a nice spice rack…man I’m so tired of having some here, some there, having to unload half the cabinet to find what I want grrr lol! This thing holds like 48 bottles woohoo!:D I’m still waiting for it to show up though, it’s on back order so it could be while yet.

Got anything fun and exciting planned for tonight?
My husbands brother and family are coming over tonight so we’re going to party at home. Not sure what that’s going to consist of yet…youngest is 16, oldest is 84, so hmm, this could be interesting! Tomorrow we’re having ribs for new years dinner, yum!

Happy New Year All!