If I say celebration, you most probably start thinking about food.
Cake for example.
But it doesn't have to be that way.
It is possible to have a perfectly nice celebration while keeping on a healthy diet.
I will provide an example here of a Mothers Day celebration where the star is not the food.
I was asked about alternatives to celebrate Mothers Day for a mother that is following a strict diet, trying to get to a healthy weight.
How could we make her happy and provide a special day without tempting her to step out of her diet? This is the plan I came up with, which adapts to her needs and which we (her family and I) think she (and the rest of the family too, of course) will enjoy.
First decision: the environment.
I suggested spending the day out, under the sun, breathing fresh air.
Since she works in the city during the week, she will love to spend a day away from the noise and pollution.
The family agreed, and looked for a nice place where they will go.
But what if it rains? In that case we need a plan B.
This wasn't easy to find.
Finally the family decided they would spend the day out even if it rained, they would take some tent or something.
It would be fun.
And if weather got really bad, they could convince Mom to postpone the big day one week.
Second decision: the menu.
We opted for several bowls with food that anyone could combine as they pleased.
Like an outdoors buffet.
This would provide a way to make everyday food feel special.
Some possibilities are:
The third decision: what to do.
This was easy.
Lots of alternatives for possible activities popped out during the conversation: long walks, games of cards, some improvised soccer or volleyball.
They said they would even rent bikes if it was available and do some riding.
After a two hour conversation, the family had decided on how they would spend the day, and they were all happy about it.
It was something healthy not only for their mother but for all of them as well.
So you see, celebrating can be different and still be fun.
Cake for example.
But it doesn't have to be that way.
It is possible to have a perfectly nice celebration while keeping on a healthy diet.
I will provide an example here of a Mothers Day celebration where the star is not the food.
I was asked about alternatives to celebrate Mothers Day for a mother that is following a strict diet, trying to get to a healthy weight.
How could we make her happy and provide a special day without tempting her to step out of her diet? This is the plan I came up with, which adapts to her needs and which we (her family and I) think she (and the rest of the family too, of course) will enjoy.
First decision: the environment.
I suggested spending the day out, under the sun, breathing fresh air.
Since she works in the city during the week, she will love to spend a day away from the noise and pollution.
The family agreed, and looked for a nice place where they will go.
But what if it rains? In that case we need a plan B.
This wasn't easy to find.
Finally the family decided they would spend the day out even if it rained, they would take some tent or something.
It would be fun.
And if weather got really bad, they could convince Mom to postpone the big day one week.
Second decision: the menu.
We opted for several bowls with food that anyone could combine as they pleased.
Like an outdoors buffet.
This would provide a way to make everyday food feel special.
Some possibilities are:
- stripes of cold roasted chicken breast
- tomato wedges seasoned with some oil and marjoram
- cucumber salad
- mixed greens salad
- dices of cold roasted meat
- tuna salad
- red and white cabbage salad
- tomato and avocado salad
The third decision: what to do.
This was easy.
Lots of alternatives for possible activities popped out during the conversation: long walks, games of cards, some improvised soccer or volleyball.
They said they would even rent bikes if it was available and do some riding.
After a two hour conversation, the family had decided on how they would spend the day, and they were all happy about it.
It was something healthy not only for their mother but for all of them as well.
So you see, celebrating can be different and still be fun.
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