Oh the Holidays....

Well folks the holiday season is in full swing and every other day there is a new holiday treat to be eaten. There is shopping to be done, houses to clean before parties, work parties, and dinner with friends and loved ones.  Last year at Christmas we left on a cruise and while I cried while driving to the airport leaving my parents house Christmas morning, we had an amazing time. I missed my family, but the wife and I spent some much needed quality time together.

This year we are home for the holidays (this years cruise was over Thanksgiving!) so I am faced with all those yummy foods in my past life I would have eaten more than my fair share of.  This year I am determined to attend parties, eat delicious food and desserts, and tackle the holiday "my way". Over this past year I have found AMAZING blogs that I love that have provided me the tools I need to make yummy goodies that I can actually eat.

Mary Beth (the psychologist at the WLS center I go to) says there is nothing I can't eat. Everything in moderation and if you slip up, move on. There is always another day.

This year I still did my annual cookie box for the office filled with 3-4 kinds of cookies, homemade chocolate lollipop trees and candy canes. Next week I think I will bring cupcakes. I bought these super cute cupcake toppers I want to use :)  The guys and gals in our shop work so hard to make what we sell and I am grateful for that. We produce some amazing things. Check it out at http://www.lightblocks.com/ . 

Every Christmas Eve we attend my parents neighbors (I say that but they are more like family...Hi Jurewicz family!) holiday party. It's the same people every year for the most part and we sit around and eat and chat. It's nice. It's annual. I look forward to it every year. This year instead of showing up with my usual super unhealthy baked goods, I will be bringing some healthy super delicious baked goods so I can eat some as well.

This year I am making: (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dessert)

Chocolate Covered Katie's Deep Dish Cookie PIe
as well as her Pumpkin Bars
I also might make my own Sugar Free Chocolate Peanut Butter (or Almond Butter) Cups

The Deep Dish Cookie Pie above is so delicious. If you didn't know what the ingredients were, you would never guess it was made with chickpeas. I think I am mostly excited to make this because I am getting the Ninja System for Christmas and I am getting it early so I can make my desserts! So Excited! Healthy desserts can be just as delicious as regular flour filled and sugar filled ones if they are made with high quality, good ingredients.

On Liberty of the Seas- heading to Mexico!

I am kicking myself for not buying Vanilla when I was in Mexico two weeks ago.







Tonight after work I am finally going to try and tackle some shopping for presents. This year I am so unorganized. Holidays cards went out yesterday which is way late in my world! I also must pick up supplies for red velvet cupcakes. I think that is what I shall bring to work on Monday :)

I also made some Peppermint Hot Chocolate Jars for gifts this year. So cute and so easy! Let me know if you want the recipe :)

What you are making for holiday desserts if you are a baker?

Happy Holidays All!