Too Much Holiday Can Mean Too Much Me
December 16, 2008 | Holidays
Hi Everyone, I’m Ginger Simpson. Traditionally, the holidays are a joyous time for me. Although I’ve managed to marry two men in my lifetime who could substitute for the grinch, I still manage to keep the magic of Christmas alive.
The way to a man’s heart and holiday spirit definitely comes through food and sex. Since I’ve reached the age where there are more tantalizing dishes than me, I stick to the kitchen rather than the bedroom. *lol*
I’ve always struggled with my weight, so this time of year is deadly on diets. I’m posting two rarely seen pictures of me.
The one in red is from in the late 80s and the other (I lost my glasses and had to resort to sunglasses for the day) was taken in 1996 at my bridal shower. You can clearly see why I fear anything that has to do with excessive food. Actually, I believe you shouldn’t be able to utter diet and holiday in the same sentence, so I always remind myself I can undo the damage as part of my New Year resolution. It never works, but it assuages my guilty conscience.
And this is me today!
Since I’m not the only woman in the world with this problem, I wrote FOREVER FAITH, a book that explains what some of us go through and how we learn to find the real beauty in ourselves.
FOREVER FAITH
EternalPress
BLURB:
Faith Oliver suffers from a weight problem and has no real beaus in her life. In fact, she’s never been with a man. Maybe that’s why she’s surprised when a delectably handsome male invades her dreams and commands her body. Driven to diet to find a boyfriend to replace her hunky dream lover, Faith undergoes hypnotherapy to determine the meaning of her night visions. Her sessions draw her back to another life, to an era far removed…and a strange name she’s heard before.
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I tend to stick to the traditional menu as I’m not much of a cook. What I prepare is tasty, but don’t expect anything out of the ordinary. Since I do turkey on Thanksgiving, I usually migrate to ham on Christmas. This year we’re actually considering prime rib since the number of people at the table has declined. Sadly, we live too far from most relatives and don’t speak to some of them. Can you say dysfuctional? *lol*
Anyhow, I’m so happy Sloane invited me to blog because it gives me an opportunity to get into the spirit by sharing one of my favorite, EASY, Christmas recipes with you. It’s colorful (your choice), tasty, fast, and people always assume it was much more work than it actually was. It’s my Cottage Cheese/Cool Whip Fruit Salad:
1 small container of Cool Whip
1 small container Small Curd Cottage Cheese
1 small box of regular Jello (red, orange, green)
1 can of fruit (your choice). I like mandarin oranges or pineapple.
Stir together the cottage cheese and cool whip. Add the jello powder directly to the mix and stir until throughly dissolved. Drain the fruit, add it to the colored mixture, blend and refrigerate overnight. You can decorate the top for the occasion. I often use more cool whip and dollop it on top or display more slices of mandarin oranges. You can be creative or not. It’s good regardless. And I did say, easy, didn’t I? This is a low-fat, low calorie treat you can enjoy without too much guilt.
Always an early decorator, my house is usually holiday ready the day after Thanksgiving. I love my tree and all the little knack knacks I’ve collected through the years. Unfortunately, during my previous divorce, I lost some of the most precious–the decorations my children made when they were small. That’s a blog for another day. 🙂
Thanks again, Sloane, for allowing me space on your blog. I’ll enjoy getting recipes from your other guests and giving them a try, but only the ones that won’t pack back on the pounds. I’m having a hard time just gaining through inhaling. 🙂 I wish everyone a joyous holiday and share the hope that the New Year will be much more prosperous for us all.
Ginger Simpson
2009 EPPIE Finalist
http://www.gingersimpson.com/
Hi Ginger,
Thanks for coming out today and the yummy recipe. I can’t wait to try it!
Everyone, if you want to add spice to your life be sure to get your own copy of any Ginger Simpson book. You’ll be glad you did!
On December 16th, 2008 at 10:07 amGinger, love the recipe and your blog. Like you, I am trying not to pack in on this holiday season, so “moderation in all things” is my mantra.
Happy Holidays,
On December 16th, 2008 at 10:47 amMaryann
Hey Miz Ginger,
On December 16th, 2008 at 12:49 pmLoved the pics of you and girl, don’t be so hard on yourself, you look lovely in all three pics…and folks, you can’t ask for better reading than one of Ginger’s delightful books or Sloane’s…both ladies are great authors….Tabs
Hey, Ginger, when I got my second divorce I somehow managed to leave many of my kids’ photos at the house I was leaving. I went over there a short time later when I realized they were missing. My ex refused to give them to me, even though he knew I had his income tax refund, which the post office had forwarded on to me, in my angry, not to mention hot, little hand.
So okay, I took the refund with me and stopped at the first mailbox I saw, pulled out my pen and wrote ADDRESSEE DECEASED, RETURN TO SENDER, on front of it. I never got my photos back and I heard a couple of years later it took my ex over a year to recover his refund.
Now you see one of the reasons why I write about murder instead of romance, LOL!
Your book sounds intrigueing and I’m definitely going to buy it. Also, your recipe sounds luscious and your photo is adorable–don’t change a hair.
Happy Holidays to you, Beth (Who doesn’t really recommend her method because the IRS audited her the next year.) (But who would nevertheless do it again anyhow, just for the sheer joy of it.)
On December 16th, 2008 at 2:49 pmNice post, Ginger. The recipe sounds good, too. I don’t nibble much as a rule, so the holidays put me in areas where finger foods are handy. 🙁
Also, congrats on your EPPIE finalist status!
Happy holidays–
On December 16th, 2008 at 4:53 pmDee
Thanks to all of you for coming. I appreciate the comments and friendship. What would we ever do without each others support?
I got a real chuckle over the refund check fiasco. Payback is a bitch and so is a woman who’s angry. 🙂
Ginger
On December 16th, 2008 at 5:16 pmLove the humour and verity of your post, Ginger! Bravo!
Must admit, I’m rather stumped over the North American enjoyment of fruit salads blended with jelly and/or whipped topping. I’ve tried them and had to irreverently, but quietly, hork my mouthful into my napkin 🙁
On December 19th, 2008 at 3:52 pm