The Big Binge Begins

Yes, it's here! It's the time of year when I ditch the portion-controlling and carb-watching, and once again, with great joy and abandon, allow myself to eat. And eat.  And eat and eat and eat. 

For a whole 3 months.

This Big Binge usually starts on Thanksgiving weekend in early October.  I make a stuffed bird and a brown-sugar/pineapple/7Up-glazed ham.  The menu also usually includes corn, steamed vegetables, and baked potato with a huge dollop of sour cream.  Of course, it's not Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie... with whipped cream on top!

On what seems like the next day, Halloween arrives with its myriad of sweet chocolates, gummie candies, and lollipops all wrapped in those little deceptive packages that say "We're small. It's okay. Have another."  So, I usually have about 10.  Okay, 20.

November brings my husband's birthday, then my birthday, back-to-back.  It would be rude to not share his birthday cake, right?  And I believe it's bad luck to not have a piece of your own cake.  Yeah, I think I read that on the Internet.  So, of course, it's true.

By this time, I'm also making heavy stews and "stick to your ribs" casseroles that feel so good and warm in the tummy that when December rolls around, I'm already sporting an extra 5 pounds.  Thank heavens for big, thick sweaters!  It's okay -- it's getting cold up here in the Great White North.  Don't I need the "insulation" anyway?

The Holiday festivities are up next with party-after-party of cheesecakes, cookies, chocolates, and EGG NOG!  I also do my fair share of baking with rumballs, banana bread, white/dark chocolate peppermint bark, and Christmas pudding as regular products of my kitchen.  Can I mention that I make Christmas pudding with croissants and condensed milk?  I know, heart attack in a pretty holiday dress!

And one has to sample while baking.  For quality control.  Of course. 

Despite the yumminess of this annual ritual, I know I'm not doing my body any favours by going high-cal, high-fat, high-carb, high-EVERYTHING a quarter of the year, every year. 

I do try to tell myself, "I won't be as bad this time around." 

But when I'm knee-deep in turkey gravy, popping another rumball, or reaching for my second (or is that third?) helping of mocha almond cheesecake, dismissing the extra weight as my upcoming New Year's Resolution project just seems so much more palatable.

This is an original Canada Moms Blog post by NenetteAM who also writes about her favourite people, places, and things at Life Candy, tweets at @NenetteAM, and is continuing her workouts in order to minimize the damage brought on by this year's Big Binge.  Please wish her luck.  She'll need it!