Christmas TrEAT

I can tell it's nearing Christmas.

Myriad varieties of food are showing up around this house hold. Party mix, puppy chow, chicken chowder soup, fudge, cheese cake, and the list goes on. I count this as one of many blessing in my life currently. Those of you who don't know me so well may not realize my adoration for food. I really enjoy the art of eating, and tend to do so frequently rather than infrequently. I'm one of those types that eats about every 2-3 hours on average during the day, or at least ideally so. When I get busy and concentrate hard, sometimes I forget or just don't make time. Yet it is among my favored activities, and I almost always look at the dessert menu when I'm eating out (just to see.)

Don't get me wrong- I highly honor healthy eating and feel it is so important to treat the body as a vessel to be respected. My take on diets is that I don't believe in them. Let me revise that statement... in some cases, a diet program is necessary to lose the needed weight for some individuals, especially for health reasons. However, in general, I don't go for the "I'm going on a diet to lose 5 lbs" concept. I hold strong to the truth that if we eat what will do our bodies good, such as fruits and vegetables, and pair that with appropriate entrees as well as regular exercise, then we can be healthy. It's about sustaining a healthy lifestyle, not temporary starvation or a cutting off of all carbs or an over-strenuous work-out schedule. The goal is to live within the lifestyle that will keep you healthy, and stay there. Otherwise, after a 3-month diet program, once you finish it, what keeps you from falling back into your old ways? If it's not about changing your lifestyle, then it won't be nearly as effective in the long run.

This may be a poor illustration but let me make a spiritual analogy. If we have someone lost in sin and he decides to go on a "diet" from these activities to become "better" for a few months, but then goes off of this "diet," he may be feeling better, looking better, and acting better, but what if he starts introducing some of those "old habits" back into his life? He may be good for a time, but what keeps him from "gaining back the weight?" However, if he instead makes an entire lifestyle change and allows that to shape who he is and become healthy, then it's a commitment. It is a long-lasting covenant to honor his life with good things.

Let me make one thing clear, though: As I stated before, I always check out the dessert menu. Living a healthy lifestyle does not mean restricting everything that tastes good. It just means having a balanced perspective about what you eat and when, and the phrase "everything in moderation" is a great one to keep in mind.

All in all, food was made available to us on this Earth and must be consumed to survive, so it must be important. I truly believe it is something to be enjoyed, and when it is used and not abused, it can be a wonderful thing!

It's interesting how I will come to write a post and end up in these tangents if only because of my opening thought. Anyway, since tonight's writing session has stolen the topic of food, let me ask you a question:

What is your favorite Christmas-time treat?

It can be anything from hot chocolate, candy canes, egg nog, and fudge to chili or chocolate-covered pretzels. You tell me what you crave most around the holidays.

Love you all!

T