I just made Christmas cookies with all the women in my family (my idea). Everyone was just as annoying as usual except that we we're all in close proximity. I got stressed and started popping cookies in my mouth. Now I am miserable. I'm so full and I'm mad at myself for falling into my old coping mechanism.

Well live and learn. Don't do it again next year. OK? You don't have to put yourself through that. You don't have to ever make another cookie in your life if it's not good for you.

Dont feel too bad. We have given up a lot to have these bands, and it hard at this time of year. We are giving up food and sometimes our favorite past times and traditions.

My favorite tradition is this:

For me baking during the holidays is a tresured-time-honoured-tradition. I have a whole shelf in my large pantry devoted to baking. I have every cookie cook book I can get my hands on. I love my Kitchen-aid mixer. I love the cold December weekend that my husband, daughter, and I sit around and pick out our favorite Cookies to bake for our neighbors and friends. I love the smells in the kitchen. I love puting the cookies in the tin, and then artfully wrapping the colorful tissue around the cookies. My daughter makes the tags. My husband writes the Christmas cards. I feel all Martha Stewart like. I love going door-to-door at night with all the Christmas lights twinkling and delivering our treasures. My daughter buys gifts with her own money for the new babies in the neighborhood. It is such a special weekend. We are teaching our daughter the importance of giving homemade gifts, and giving without expecting anything back in return. We come together as a family. Am I going to give this up? Nope. I hope we do this tradition until my dying day. I will do this with my grandchildern.

Now back to you...I understand your need to get together with your family. I can understand why it was stressful. If you do it next year allow yourself one of each cookie you bake. Even if you have to take them home, because by that time I am betting you won't be able to eat them or really want to. Make yourself a special package just for yourself and know you can eat them whenever you want! Right out of the oven, or later that night, freeze them and have them in May, or you can get home and give them to your family. They are yours to do whatever you please. Just remember you are always in control.

Heck, take my advice now and this year will be managable. If you go to a party. Tell yourself you can have anything, but take most of it to go. Save it for later.

We will get through this holiday. I promise.

That sounds very wise Amy. Thats kind of what I did at Thanksgiving. I told myself I could have anything but that I was going to be picky and only have the best.

anne