Stop Being the Cookie Lady

Several years ago I had a serious conversation with my mother.  I told her that although I appreciated the sentiment, I no longer wanted to receive cookies from her for Christmas.  I know, I'm a cookie hating asshole.  Actually I just don't like to have super tempting foods at my house and I don' t need a reason to have a chocolate chip brownie for breakfast.  I try to make it as easy as possible to make good food decisions at home, it's a "safe" zone from temptation, minus the wine of course.  This did not initially go over well with Mary Weiss, obviously if I didn't want her cookies it meant I didn't love her, maybe even hated her.  And if she couldn't express her love for me through delicious baked goods, how would I know that she loved me?  Being the resourceful woman that she is, my mom has found other ways to show she cares. Now my stocking (yes I'm 39 and I still get a Christmas stocking) is full of dark chocolate, spice rubs and Justin's Almond Butter.  My mom is still the Cookie Lady for other family members, friends and co-workers but she doesn't have to be the Cookie Lady for me.  There are two lessons here: it's okay to have a tough conversation with your loved ones about food and your goals AND you don't have to share your love through butter and sugar.  Here are a few ways to change your holiday giving identity from Cookie Lady or Cookie Guy to Healthy Gift Giving Genius

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Spice Up Your Gifts
I totally understand that baking treats is less expensive and possibly less time consuming than shopping for individual gifts for everyone.  Try visiting the spice section of your local health food store and putting together spice rubs for your friends and family. You can purchase some small mason jars and even get crafty with labels.   A few years ago, I bought some unique chili powders for my brother, I didn't even combine them in rubs and he told me he loved the Korean Chili Powder I gave him.

Bring Protein to the Holiday Potluck
Inevitably there will be many social obligations between now and New Year's.  You may even be required to bring food to said festivities.  Vegetables and protein will be hard to find at these gatherings and you may find yourself wondering how you're going to keep up with your healthy habits with so many temptations.  Be part of the solution instead of part of the problem; bring a satiating protein dish.  This week I'm going to the holiday party at the pub where I work part time.  We have a sign-up sheet for the potluck and it's full of cheesy dips and sweets.  I'm sure I'll hit up the buffalo chicken dip and have a cookie or two but I'm going to make damn sure there are some protein and veggies available. I've braised chicken thighs and made a batch of homemade coleslaw for tacos.  I'll enjoy some tacos and fill myself up a little in order to keep from over-indulging on the rest of the buffet. PS - the buffalo chicken dip didn't disappoint.

Share Your Recipes
This idea actually comes from my Cookie Lady Mom. She put together a binder of family favorites for my brothers and I.  It's a project you could slowly add to throughout the year. My mom put hers in a binder but you could even have a book made or go paperless and send it as a PDF.

You're In Charge
It may seem like you're going to let everyone down if you don't bake 6 million cookies for Christmas but the truth is, you can become the Healthy Gift Giving Genius, you don't HAVE to be the Cookie Lady.  There are other ways to share your love of food with friends and family.  Hopefully this post will inspire you to step out of your traditional role and try a new one where you're the healthy role model that everyone strives to be.  Who knows, maybe you'll inspire others in your gift giving circles to do the same.

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