Recently we asked readers who they would run with if they could run with anyone at all. Our hearts melted and then swelled with pride with Margaret Wallach’s story about her 81 year old mom, Harriet. We’re sure yours will, too.

Name: Margaret Wallach

Stats: 5 kiddos, completed Run Like A Mother Hinsdale, IL last year with the ages of all my runner family members listed on my back.

If you could run with anyone, who would it be?

Wallach Family Race Finish

How do you find the time to run with 5 kiddos?

When running with them, jogging strollers & bikes! When running from them, I consider it my medicine and can’t miss a dose.

My favorite piece of gear is…small, palm sized radio that has been my running partner for 17 years!

On my holiday wish list this year is…a new palm sized radio!

If I didn’t run…I’d be crabbier and less motivated for other challenges.

Are you dreaming of a “light” Christmas?  Here are some sure fire tips to maintain your weight throughout the holiday season.  Rule number one, set a goal: A realistic one…

Since most people gain on average between 3 and 5 pounds during the holidays, a realistic, healthy goal would be to weigh the same weight on January 2^nd as you did on Thanksgiving eve.

 Planning is key:

• Either keep or pack healthy snacks, such as fruit, nuts, cheese sticks, trail mix bars, plenty of water for those long shopping days. Food court is a killer.
• Always eat healthy breakfast or lunch.. whether you are shopping, planning a big meal or going to a party, if you fast all day your are more likely to overeat later in the day.
• Give yourself options, offer to bring a healthy dish to the party.

 Just as in running.. Pace yourself:

• Take at least 20 minutes to eat your meal by taking small bites and chewing your food at least 6-8 times before swallowing. Put your fork down in between bites.
• Adhere to the Chinese proverb:  Eat until you eight-tenths full.
• Portion size counts! Keep it small, especially if your hostess insists on seconds for everyone.
• Wait 20 minutes before taking seconds… you may find you are satisfied after all!

 Get Plenty of Rest:

• When we are fatigued we make poor food choices.

 Watch the Alcohol:

• Two things happen: your appetite is stimulated and lose your reserve. This combination leads to overeating.
• Calories add up fast – about 150 calories per drink.  Three drinks equals an entire meal worth of calories. Alternate drinks with glasses of water

Avoid Temptation:

• Step away from the buffet table, desert table, etc.
• Carry a clutch bag in one hand drink in the other. Men can keep one hand in their pocket.  This way it is also difficult to hold a plate of food, sit down at cocktail parties to eat.
• Play games with yourself: ie: eat off every 3^rd tray being passed, or select only the appetizers you would truly like to try. We all know what pigs in the blanket taste like – and they are called that for a reason!

 Don’t Deny Yourself:

• Identify and be true to your cravings.  If it is grandma’s famous cookies you want and it you can ONLY get them this time of year, well then go ahead, savor the tradition in a small amount.

 Don’t forget to move:

• Schedule in exercise.
• Dance at the party
• Walk around the mall 3 times before you begin your shopping
• After each store, head to your car to deposit your bag(s), then head back in to shop in the next store.

  Most Importantly..

Rejoice in the holiday spirit….try not to make the holiday season mainly centered around food.. focus on your family, friends, helping others, spiritual pursuits, loving, giving, and taking care of ourselves.

 This article was written by:

 Lisa V. Bunce, MS, RD
Dietitian, Nutritionist, Writer, Speaker, App developer
Helping People Make Positive Changes in their Lives

Lisa Bunce, MS RD

The Holiday Slippery Slope-

If  there was a graph with the calendar year and our calorie intake/exercise as variables, it is likely that we start off in January at the bottom of the graph as we stick to New Year’s Resolutions, then climb to reality, plateauing at a comfortable intake during the summer.  As Fall arrives, our intake may stay the  same but our activity drops off, causing a calorie excess.  If we are able to correct this immediately, then  coasting into the holidays can be a breeze.  For most of us however, the points on the graph climb  to a crescendo as the Holiday season finishes the year; as if we lost control of those variables and the point soars off the chart.

Is this acceptable?  Why do we accept and relinquish control of our carefully planned year to end deep in chocolate, and gluttony, only to crash then deprave ourselves come January 1^st?  It is possible to counter the common think of holiday overeating and control without depriving yourself a merry time!  Don’t cave to  accepted year end calorie blow out by re-framing your mind with these simple tips:

• Between holiday parties, “eat the perimeter”-  Sticking to the perimeter of the grocery store buying fruits and vegetables, lean meats and proteins  will keep you in check between social gatherings.
• Then “eat the perimeter” first at parties- take the thought a step further and seek out the health at the party, indulge in the veggie platter leaving little room for the sugar and fat.
• Stand tall and proud- Keep cheery peer pressure to overindulge an arm’s length away.  Don’t denounce the nay-sayers or succumb to their ways, simply smile and stand tall, your core will love you more tomorrow than the bon-bons do today
• Schedule in the exercise as you are making the holiday schedule.  Remind yourself you don’t have time NOT to exercise.
• Run with a strong mind and your body will follow.  Positive self-talk will help you go the distance.

Need a delicious cookie recipe for your holiday exchange?  Run Like a Mother’s own Mother Lode Bar is a scrumptious healthy alternative that can be made, wrapped and ready to share with minimal effort. According to Wikipedia, “The term ‘Mother Lode’ is also used metaphorically to refer to the origin of something valuable or in great abundance.”

A great description for the Bar! The Mother Lode  is as valuable in nutrition as you want it to be without sacrificing taste ot texture.  Below is the recipe.  Whip some up for a girlfriend run on Christmas Eve.  Start the day right!

Run Like a Mother®  The Mother Lode Bar

  Created By Megan Searfoss

Servings: 36

This is a healthy, antioxidant rich snack. Careful, your kids might like them too! Run Like a Mother Bars are flexible, the ingredients can change to suit your taste. Try coconut and mini chocolate chips or raisins and walnuts.

For added antioxidant value use light brown sugar and add one tablespoon of molasses otherwise dark brown sugar is preferred.

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar, *see Note above
•  1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1/2 cup flour
• 4 cups quick cooking oats
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 2 large cookie sheet with parchment paper In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until light. Mix in the honey, sugar, oil, orange juice concentrate and zest until combined.

Add the remaining ingredients and stir until flour is absorbed. Let rest in the bowl for one hour, stirring occasionally to let the oats absorb the liquid and soften. Scoop the dough out and form into rectangle so that the dough is about 1/2 inch thick.

Let rest for an hour before cutting evenly into 2×2 inch squares or bars of similar dimension. Can be formed into whatever size you like or to fit in a specific container. Place each bar 3/4 inch apart on cookie sheet. At this point, let the bars rest for another hour. Bake the bars for 8 minutes or until golden. Bars can be stored in airtight container for a week.

Yield: 36 each

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 127 Calories; 6g Fat (40.9% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 17g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 12mg Cholesterol; 36mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates. Copyright: Run Like a Mother, LLC