Low-Carb Christmas

Holidays make us crazy. Everyone has somewhere to go, something to do. Hectic schedules, big family dinners, last minute party details - even small distractions could throw us completely off course. So why is it that we let the holiday season itself keep us from sticking to our eating plans? Many people can make the conscious decision to indulge in this or that and then jump right back on track. But making that decision, and actually doing it, are two different things. We can have the best intentions in the world, but if we don't follow up on them, they can be our undoing. I, for one, used to be guilty of putting off my healthy eating or exercise plan until after the holidays. I knew it would be difficult with all the tempting foods around. It was much easier to just wait until the feasting was over. But think about it. Are the holidays truly ever over? No, not really.

Christmas is drawing close and many people are still trying to figure out what to get that special someone who is hard to buy for. You know the one I'm talking about - those that either have everything (which is certainly not me!) or those who are particular in their likes and dislikes. And let's just face the reality that low-carbers are picky. We have to be, at least where food is concerned. One of the great things about us is that we are passionate about our lifestyle and we aren't afraid to share that passion and help others. So this Christmas, give some of that love back to the low-carber in your life. Below I've listed what I believe to be some of the best gifts a low-carber could ask for.

I have had very low carb stuffing that was remarkably like cornbread stuffing, made from - of all things - crushed pork rinds. The recipe comes from my erstwhile friend Trish Z. who very kindly let me use it in 500 More! Low-Carb Recipes. Here it is!

It's Halloween weekend, and you know what that means: the holidays are straight ahead, and with them piles and piles of carby junk, and worse, people nagging you to eat the stuff. Why so many people think that saying things like "But you have to eat it! It's traditional!" and "I worked all afternoon making it just for you" constitutes an expression of holiday goodwill, I have no idea, but sadly this behavior is all too common. You need to think ahead about how to respond to this sort of thing.

This Low-Carb, Keto, & Gluten-Free Molded Waldorf Salad is both beautiful on the holiday table as well as delicious and healthy. It will make your holiday meals more attractive and more delicious than ever before.

OK, here we go. In the last article I wrote entitled "The Twelve Days of Christmas," I detailed my plan to avoid gaining those dreaded "10 holiday pounds" that everyone gains. Well, needless to say, IT DIDN'T WORK! You know when those low carb "gurus" warned us about the one bite being the "kiss of death" on this way of life? Well, they were right! It is so hard to control the cravings and binge eating that the "one bite" produces.

Denise explains how to stay on her Low-Carb lifestyle during Christmas and other holidays with this comprehensive guide. Ready for Low-Carb success?

All of these Low-Carb Holiday Dessert recipes are simple, and yet they will add the final touch to your holiday meal that most of us crave. They can all be made ahead of time, and several of them can be made in individual portions. If you are the lone low carber and are traveling to a family dinner, you can take just one portion of your dessert and won't have to lug the entire dessert along with you.

The holidays are nearly upon us, my friends, and that means it's time to gather with your loved ones and eat high-carb meals while visions of non-Atkins-friendly sugarplums dance in our heads. Okay, let's face it, the holidays are the most difficult part of choosing a low carb lifestyle.

So there I am, in the pig pen, with little piglets running to and fro under my feet, squealing. I'm lurching back and forth, holding a roasting pan upside-down over my head, swooping down with it at intervals, and all the while seriously wondering why I ever agreed to this scheme in the first place!