This is the almond milk egg nog I referred to in an earlier post. Realized I'd shared it on my FB page, but not here.

I have two 70's references here, so a shout out to anyone old enough to remember them!
Who loves egg nog? I do, and it's one of the first things I remember making in my 7th grade Home Ec class. There's 70's reference #1 -- also took sewing, and that was painful, but anyway.

Over the past year or so, I've replaced cow's milk with almond milk. We use it for cereal and hot cocoa, and I'd stopped drinking egg nog. Partly because of the dairy, but also because most versions are loaded with sugar, fat, and some highly questionable artificial ingredients.

So, how excited was I when I discovered there's an almond milk version!

My review of it -- very tasty! Make sure you shake it well. It's not as thick as regular nog, and has 8g of sugar to a serving. That's still about 1 teaspoon of sugar, but much less than traditional versions, and it's much lower in fat.

Give it a try! It's an easy way to enjoy a holiday favorite without having to go to a lot of work to make it healthier.

While holding the carton, I felt like the hostess gals on Bob Barker's The Price is Right -- there were two who were on the show with him for years and as a kid I was always amused with how they would motion their hands around the items on display. 70's reference #2 : )

What's a memory from Home Ec. or a holiday treat you've transformed into a healthier version?


 

Healthier Holiday Makeover

What do they say about the best-laid plans?

After discovering the almond milk egg nog, I wanted to find another healthier version of a holiday favorite. Over the course of the week, I meant to check out some different ideas. 

Hasn’t happened yet. But something else occurred to me -- being a better version of myself.

We all know the holidays are hectic, often stressful. We’re out of our normal routines with holiday gatherings, family visiting or traveling ourselves.

And at a time of year when every commercial and song says we should be feeling joyful, the reality is sometimes very different.

I’ve been listening to the late Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book, There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, and two quotes he shares have been very helpful to me when I remember to apply them in moments when I find myself less than joyful.

From A Course in Miracles, “I can choose peace instead of this.”

And from Richard Carlson, “Choose to be kind over being right and you’ll be right every time.”

If I consistently applied those two statements whenever I felt like doing or saying something quite the opposite, I’d be the healthy holiday makeover.

Wishing me, and you if you need it, the strength of character to be my own healthier version.

 

Today isn't a good example since I'm not exercising till my gums feel better (had some gum grafts last week), but in the larger picture, the way my clothes fit, the muscle tone I now have in my arms, and am starting to see in my legs, and the strength I've gained, is a result of continued effort.

Sadly, that wasn't a concept I'd embraced much in life. I don't know why because I'm from a family of hard workers. Can-do people who pick themselves up and keep going.

My grandfather is a self-made man. He scrapped and scraped for everything, and didn't quit. Somehow I missed the memo, or missed out on those genes.

I'm looking back on a pattern in my life -- not pushing myself, not always doing my very best, not sticking with something when it got hard. It isn't pretty, and I'm not proud. And, I know I can do things differently.

Doing Focus T25, 21-Day Fix, and PiYo have gradually changed my physical appearance. More importantly, they've changed my mental attitude. I'm seeing the negative patterns I've had for far too long, and working on reprogramming with positive energy and direction.

I feel like I have a lot more work to do internally, but I like the progress I've made.
When I look back over the past year, I'm hopeful about where I'll be this time next year based on the changes I've experienced in the last 12 months.

Thank you Beachbody!