The most wonderful time of the year! It's a time of celebration; celebrating family, friends, the joy of the holiday season, and the best part-great food! There are lots of parties, snacking, desserts and cocktails. YUM! That means it's that time of year again-you know what I mean. When the dryers and scales start going haywire; in fact they stop working entirely. See the January 2011 newsletter.

That doesn't mean this month shouldn't be fun! Enjoy it!

Here are a few tips that might help you to eat, drink, and be merry-with the least amount of regret.

Don't pick! When you keep picking a piece here, or a piece there, you eat way more than you realize. Make yourself a plate and walk away.  In fact a smaller plate is always the best option.

Buffet-style! When you are eating at home, put all the bowls and platters on the counter, or a separate table. When left on the center of the table, you are more likely to keep spooning food on your plate, even when you are not really hungry for it. When you eat buffet-style, you will eat what is on your plate, and rethink about the second helping. This will help you monitor your portion control!

Cookies and Desserts! Remember Less Bad! If you are baking yourself, swap a little whole wheat flour for the white flour. Add a little bit less sugar, really! Add oats and peanuts...they are actually good for you. Again, think Less Bad.

Wine &Cocktails! This is where those extra calories really sneak up on you. The AHA recommendation of wine and cocktails is one/day for women, and men get two/day. (I know it doesn't sound fair to me either!) A good friend of mine once asked me, "if I save them up all week, and have them all on the weekend, does that count?!?!?" Actually no, that is detrimental to your heart...so I do not recommend that! Serving size is key here too-what is actually a serving size is often when we "top off" our glass. So just beware and be aware of your portion sizes.