Holiday Advice

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. I know today will be filled with temptation! I hope some of these pointers below will help make the day a little easier.

• Make Yourself a Treat. The Nutty Coconut Delights and the Chewy Coconut Almond Cookies are very sweet and satisfying because they are high in fat which keeps you full longer. Fill yourself up more than usual at lunch and dinner.
   
• Online Menu Review. If you are going out for dinner tonight review the menus of several restaurants online and choose one that has a meal that fits within your dietary restrictions. Fancy restaurants cook from scratch and more often than not have a fish option that you can get with double the vegetables. Restaurants now days are very accommodating too so don't be afraid to ask for minor modifications to make a meal work for you (i.e. hold the butter on the salmon).
  
  My mom and dad are going out tonight and she wrote to me: "I found a restaurant that has salmon with wild rice and a salad that is fine. They even have berries for dessert. It goes to show you that you can go out to dinner even in phase 1 if you check the menus carefully."
   
• If You Must Cheat, Do it Right. You may be thinking: “But it's Valentine's Day and I’ve been so good all week!” I don't suggest cheating but if you are really struggling make a dessert recipe from a later phase (Phase 2 would be ideal since you're just days away). Or buy a treat that is made with only allowable foods at a health food store. This is much better than the alternative which most likely would mean goodies packed with sugar and artificial ingredients – like those little colored hearts with words on them. Yikes!
   
• Reward without Abandonment. If you're going to indulge yourself choose just one of your favorites and enjoy it – without the guilt. Rewarding yourself with a treat is a much better method than falling completely off the wagon in all your food choices for the day. Your body will thank you for the restraint you show and your taste buds will thank you for the treat!

NEW: Facebook Group

If you haven't already check out our new "Recipes for Repair 60 Day Challenge" group. Check it out and join us if you'd like to interact with me and others in the program. It's a great way to get new ideas, more support, ask questions, share your experience and more.