Jerry the Blogger

We're approaching the final days of the holiday season (doesn't it feel like it all went by in a blur?) and that means the goodies are everywhere. At the office, at home, at parties, given as gifts from friends and coworkers ... oh dear! High in both calories and sentiment, these treats may seem like innocent little nibbles -- but they sure add up, don't they?

I'll just share with you a little advice I try to follow during the "home stretch" of the holidays. If you're like most people (including me) and plan to get back to healthier habits in the new year, do yourself a favor now and try to at least not gain weight.

You're probably not going to lose pounds at this time of year. But by saying no to some of the snacks and second helpings, you'll be making your new year's resolution a little bit easier to achieve. Be picky about what you indulge in. You don't have to try every item on the buffet or in the giant canister of cookies. Just go for your absolute favorites, because you know they'll be worth the extra calories.

Another thing I'll be doing over the next week or so: taking long winter walks with friends and family members that I don't get to see very often. Whether I'm visiting them or they're at our house, I'll invite one or two people for a stroll. It's a great way to catch up and burn some of those extra calories.

Have a very happy holiday season and good luck!

Are you planning on attending any holiday parties this year? If so, beware the calorie minefield!

In previous years, I would go to holiday office or neighborhood gatherings with the intent to stuff myself. Cookies, candy, appetizers, punch -- they all looked good to me and I dug in without a second thought. But come Christmas Eve, my dress pants didn't fit so well. Uh oh! Then I was sorry I had indulged so carelessly.

Now that I'm on a mission to eat better, I walk into holiday parties with a plan in mind. That's the only way I can be sure my pants will fit by the end of the holidays!

Here are some strategies I use to keep myself in check during all those festive social occasions:

• Don't go to a party on an empty stomach. You know you'll overeat if you're famished as you peruse the buffet table. Make sure you've had a decent meal or snack an hour or two before the party starts.
• Drink a glass of water between alcoholic drinks. If you do choose to imbibe (responsibly, of course), it's easy to consume more drinks and food as the alcohol reduces your inhibitions. By switching to water, you'll stay hydrated, and hopefully you'll drink and eat less.
• Load up on the veggie/fruit tray. This is obvious, but worth mentioning. I know those greasy hot wings and baked brie look awfully tempting, but if you fill your plate with mostly nutritious snacks, you can enjoy just a bite or two of the high-calorie treats.
• Mingle and talk to people. Have you ever been at a really great party and realized you hardly ate or drank anything? When you're engaged with new or old friends in conversation, you won't be able to stuff your face with food. Plus, you'll have fun catching up or meeting some interesting people.
• Offer to help the host. When you're washing dishes or taking out the trash, you burn calories and give your host a break. And again -- you're not eating!

Good luck with all those seasonal soirees and happy carrot crunching.

We're approaching the shortest day of the year (Dec. 21, the Winter Solstice). For a lot of us, that means we leave for work in the dark and get home after the sun sets.

I like to pull out the slow cooker for these cold, short fall days. It's so nice to know as I trudge through rush-hour traffic that I'll be coming home to a hot, delicious and healthy stew, chili or casserole. And that I don't have to wait for a hearty meal while my stomach growls. It's all ready and waiting for me!

The key to slow cooker meals is prepping the ingredients the night before. That way, in the morning, you can just dump everything in the slow cooker, turn it on, and let the magic begin! If I'm really trying to cut down my prep time, I'll even use a food processor to do a lot of the chopping for me.

Need some inspiration to plan your own slow cooker meals? Look no farther than the Start Making Choices recipe database, where you'll find plenty of great options to choose from. (Note: Some of these recipes will need to be adapted for slow cooking -- consult your slow cooker's instruction manual for details.)

Slow Cooker Carnitas
Flour tortillas filled with south-of-the-border seasoned 'slow cooker pulled pork', then topped with salsa verde, cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

Beefy Cowboy Chili
Chunks of tender beef and beans in a spicy and hearty tomato-based chili.

Chunky Butternut 'Stew' with Couscous
A hearty, colorful blend of butternut squash, tomatoes, garbanzo beans and plump raisins simmered in an aromatic broth served over nutty couscous.

Moroccan Turkey Stew
A rich and flavorful turkey and vegetable stew served over warm couscous.

Slow-Cooked Pot Roast
Tender pot roast with red potatoes and carrots in a savory tomato sauce.