Maybe it is the lemon juice that I am tasting. I bit tart for some stange reason. Do you mix it all at home or do you mix it before you are about to eat it. The onions I got at the store are sooooo strong. You can smell it outside of the container. WOW!!!! Our company fridge is going to be mighty powerfull when everyone opens to get their lunch!

THIS IS FROM AN EMAIL I RECEIVED, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS CUTE AND THE WAY WE ALL FEEL.

CHRISTMAS EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate and wine in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Have a great and Merry Christmas!!

The Christmas Eating Tips are so appropriate for this board....I thought to myself this is why I am following plan, to avoid doing all of those things listed, beacuse trust me I would have done all of those if it wasn't for this program and my focus!

Stay strong through the holidays and we can avoid temptations!

My neighbor brought a plate of cookies over last night! I thanked her whole heartedly when she left and handed them to my husband and ordered he and my step son to "take care of them". I assume they'll be demolished before I get home tonight. Or at least should be hidden somewhere. lol.

LaRee, yes, I think maybe the lemon juice might be causing the zesty taste. I think the lemon juice just might be for keeping the apples from browning...not sure. I mix it all at home so it will have more taste by lunch time. The green onions are rather strong, and do smell up my office, but that's part of why it is so yummy. Just chew some sugarless gum when you are done...

I need your help! I just found out that I am hosting a brunch at my house this coming Sunday! (My husband set it up with his family) I have only been on plan for a week and have been doing stellar, I obviously don't want to mess up. What on plan items might you suggest for me to make? I do have the cook book but I haven't tried much yet. I'm on the Meta Slim Plus Beige Menu. Would I treat brunch like my lunch for the day instead of as breakfast? Any opinions would be great!

If this is too tart for anyone, mix the lemon juice with some cold water, just enough to cover the apples, let them sit for a few minutes, then you can add the apples to the mixture without getting all the tartness from the lemon juice. I'm with you FL, I would bet the lemon juice is just to keep the apples from turning brown. I use gala apples when I make it, they are my fave.

I've been trying to keep up with reading the posts, but haven't had enough spare time to actually post anything. Classes are over for the semester, YEAH, and now it's on to get everything finished and ready for Christmas. I currently have 5 quilting projects that I'm trying to finish by this weekend. I have to say though being so busy has made it easier to skip all the goodies that seem to be around. The chocolate mint bars at the front desk, the boxes of chocolate stuff in the break room, being busy at home there isn't time to be bored.

I too am missing past posters. I hope they are all doing ok.

Welcome to everyone who has joined and congrats to all for losses and nsv's. I finally had to break down and do some clothes shopping, I was down to three pairs of pants that fit. The jeans I bought were a size 10. When I tried them on I had to do a double take because I didn't realize my legs looked that slim. Not sure what I was expecting to see, but it was a very nice surprise to see that reflection.

Kaliyat - what time is your brunch? That'll help with the breakfast/lunch question...I'm sure we can come up with something you can eat...fear not. There is a world of possiblilities.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Christmas Eating Tips...I will be sending that to a friend

Good Evening my friends. Just came back from weighing in and my cooking class. First, I'm so close to signing that 40 pound board now, that I can almost taste it..(pun intended). Yummy!!!!

Ok, I think I told you a couple of weeks ago that I called to see what the special they were running for current members, and was told $79 for 17 weeks and $99 for 24 weeks and it ran through the beginning of the year. So, silly me, thinking since my contract was up last week, I would go ahead and sign up for the 24 weeks....well....I was given a different story and was told the special was $79 for 10 weeks and $99 for 17 weeks and $129 for 24 weeks.....so I must say, I'm a bit confused, plus it ends Dec. 25th. So I told her I would give it another week to think about it before I decide what to do...I really hate putting another $100 into this plan, but I really have no choice since I am far from goal, and I want to continue losing. I just don't like the mix messages I was given at my center!!!!! I think I will call in a couple of days and ask again and see what I am told. Just frustrated....plus now I have brought to their attention that my contract is up....which I doubt anyone would have noticed without me volunteering it. Shucks...to say it "kindly"!!!

Anyway, the cooking class was good. We sampled some "Breadless Pudding" and some Egg Nog that was so good. Makes you think you are not being cheated out of some of the Holiday goodies. If anyone wants the recipes, I can scan them and email them to you.

Thanks for letting me vent...I did have a 2.5 pound loss, so that cheered me up. But still......I don't like being told different things about their specials.

We'll probably be eating around 10. I'm thinking I'll do the brunch as my "lunch" for the day. Eat something sensible at breakfast (not eggs) and get some fruit in during the brunch. But any suggestions would be wonderful since I'm new to creating recipes on plan. I hear the egg casserole in the cook book is good. Is it?

FL - that's exactly what I had to do the other day when I had this salad for lunch...sugarless gum. Sure is a tasty salad!!

FL - that stinks about them changing the special! I wonder if they will forget again if you don't bring it up for awhile??? Then again, I think they record everything we say.... The great news is that your almost at the 40 pound mark and that is simply fantastic! I hope to be there one day, it seems so far away!! Step by step.

I just started mrc today!!! I hope my weight comes off as quick as most of yours has

Welcome aboard!! Like your name...I could also use it as: 2old2bfat!!!