Happy Halloween!

Halloween: the start of the seemingly never ending holiday season full of candy, sugar, and other baked goods.

Why do we give sugar so much power during the holidays? Why do we seem to lose all sense of balance and control when it comes to sugary sweets this time of the year?

What if, this holiday season, you took a real food approach?

What if you let the true meaning of the holidays shine through, like spending time with your family, instead of focusing only on the baked goods that coincide with the season?

What if you emerged from the holiday season feeling happy and healthy?

The great news is that you can, and it all starts today, on Halloween. Make a commitment to yourself and your health today that you will make this holiday season your best yet. Vow to focus on the true meaning of the season: family, friends, and quality time.

However, I understand that food will be a major part of most celebrations, but why can’t we transform it into a real food celebration? Bring a huge tossed salad (with a homemade olive oil and lemon dressing), fruit and vegetable tray (sans mayo or caramel dips – you really don’t need them!), or homemade guacamole to your holiday parties. Need main dish ideas? Any roasted meat (that isn’t covered in a sugary sauce) will do the trick. Potatoes? Roast and mash sweet potatoes or roast and smash whole white potatoes with garlic. The ideas are endless.

The take home message? Don’t let the candy, sugar, and sweets derail you. They are available year round, and really, they aren’t that special (unless you consider being eight times more addictive than cocaine “special!”).

This holiday season, don’t give sugar the power. Your body, mind, and health will thank you!

P.S. The Husker football team lost to Purdue. (Yes – PURDUE.) I’m really hoping to wake up tomorrow and realize this season was all a dream…What an awful trick from Halloween. I would’ve much preferred the treat of a W!