Whew! December is a busy time for everyone, so here’s some good stuff for surviving and thriving this holiday season.
For many people, the holiday season is one of the most challenging times to be gluten-free. I’ve highlighted some of my favorite tips for staying SANE and gluten-free here from Simply Gluten-Free Magazine. And along the lines of sanity, I host a December Sanity Virtual Retreat every year with the help of other g-free bloggers with fun prizes. This year, I’m joined by Kate of Eat, Recycle, Repeat, Carrie of Ginger Lemon Girl and Valerie of City Life Eats. 
Of course, this time of year is pretty much about desserts, yes? Some of us aren’t all about mixing 5 different gluten-free flours and whipping out the xantham gum. I’ve collected a list of NATURALLY gluten-free desserts over the years—foolproof recipes that aren’t specialty cooking, but just happen to be marvelously gluten-free.
My personal favorites? My Bittersweet Chestnut Fudge and my Vegan Pralines.
Oh, right, and there’s food, too. Got a gluten-free meal? I’ve got a G-Free Turkey and Ham list for 2013.
It’s also a season of overdoing, so here are my top 5 holiday mindless eating tips:
- Surround yourself with what you want to see. Remember all that talk about a see-food and eat it diet? Make sure you’re seeing the foods you want to be eating. Put seasonal fruits such as grapefruits, pomegranates,and mangos on the counter or in your refrigerator where they are easy to grab. Bonus points for putting them at eye level!
- Survey your options: Research shows that people at a normal weight are more likely to survey all of their options, then hone in on what they’ll most enjoy. Otherwise, we have much more of a tendency to keep going back. Standing further from the buffet, facing away and engaging in something else fun (conversation, dancing, photography) also can be a help.
- Choose the special foods: If you can’t live without gluten-free brownies, then plan them in! Skip on the “filler” foods you can have every day, like chips and dip or even booze.
- Limit alcohol! Not only is alcohol empty calories that slow your metabolism, but it can be harder to make good choices after you’ve had a few. It can help to set a target before you go, and to consider which you’d enjoy more, that piece of g-free pie or that 2nd glass of wine. WaPo included some of my tips for reducing excess last year.
- Keep the evidence: Out of sight, out of mind, right? If you don’t keep the wrappers or plate, it’s easier to conveniently forget how many mini plates you’ve already nibbled through.
More recipes from around the web:
- The Dec issue of Simply Gluten-Free is online and has many beautiful recipes
- Just saw a roundup of 50 gluten-free & grain free holiday desserts from Gormande
- Jules Shepard is again hosting a g-free cookie swap, where you can get ideas and prizes
- Iris of the Daily Dietribe has a list of 30 g-free cookies
- G-Free Kid has a PDF of holiday favorites
- Gluten Free Girl and the Chef has a great selection of cookies
- A gargantuan Home for the Holidays from GFE and many others
- The delicious Ms. Shirley Braden of GFE has an all desserts blog, All Gluten-Free Desserts with many options perfect for the holidays
- Simply Sugar and Gluten Free Christmas recipes
- 25 days of Christmas from Gluten Free Easily 2010
- Celiac Family’s Favorites
- Gluten Free Merry Christmas from the Whole Gang
- Gluten and Dairy free Holiday tips from Gluten Free Goddess
- Christmas Cookie Roundup (from my cookie exchange)
- Christmas cookie roundup from Ginger Lemon Girl & I’d also recommend her GF 101 Cooking e-book!
- A roundup from Elana’s Pantry
Local Events:
DC Area Metro Celiac Organization
- Meeting Date: Saturday, December 7, 2013
- Topic: Navigating through the holiday season gluten-free.Location: Bethesda Regional Library – 7400 Arlington Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814Vendors:Gator Ron’s Zesty Sauces and Mixes; Triple Oak Bakery *; Honest Tea; Amore di Mona Couverture Chocolat Speciale
- They’re also having a Gluten-Free Holiday Cookie exchange.
Harris Whole Health offers individual sessions, family sessions and group classes to help people eat healthier and feel better! Cheryl works with people to feel and look their best with a range of specialties, including Celiac Disease, food allergies, pregnancy, breastfeeding, vegetarian and vegan diets, preventing diseases and “whole foods” eating. Let’s get you on your way to achieving your goals. For an appointment with Cheryl Harris, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist, please click here, email or call 571-271-8742.