Who Is Your Reason For The Season?

Oh what a beautiful time of year, the Christmas Holiday. The snow outside on the ground and on the trees. There's nothing like a white Christmas. (As long as I don't have to drive in it.) Looking at the houses beautifully decorated with lights, lights and more lights can sometimes take your breath away.

Oh what delicious aromas coming from the kitchen. The sound of pots and pans clanging together as they are being pulled from the cabinets, ready for use on top of the stove, as well as in the oven.

With all the hustle and bustle, rushing here and there, I still love this time of the year.

Look at the beautiful Christmas trees, some green, some gold, some white with all the decorations of bows, ornaments, tinsel and lights.

Look at all the presents under the Christmas tree. My, oh my will someone be very surprised!

But wait a minute, with all the beautiful decorated trees, homes, and the delicious aromas coming from the kitchen, even with all the presents under the tree, that isn't the reason why I love this time of year so much.

It's because of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season, that's why I love this holiday season so much. We may not know the exact date of Jesus' birth, but we celebrate His birth Dec. 25th. The Christmas holiday brings more people together than any other time of the year. Black, white, yellow or green, why can't we show each other the same kind of respect and love throughout the year?

Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas!!!

Holiday Foods on the Naughty List

Naughty: Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potatoes are one of the most nutritious vegetables out there. They’ve got vitamins A and C, plus a dose of calcium and potassium. But they’re often served in a decidedly unhealthy fashion – casseroles made with marshmallows, butter, and loads of sugar.

Nice: How’s this for a compromise? Leave out the butter and cut the sugar in half, and keep the marshmallows. This will shave calories and fat, not taste.

Naughty: Turkey Skin

The skin of turkey and chicken is loaded with saturated fat. Per gram, saturated fats are higher in calories than protein or carbs, and they contribute to high cholesterol. Another no-no is the dark meat, which has more fat per bite than white meat.

Nice: Serve yourself turkey breast or other white meat without the skin.

Naughty: Pecan Pie

Although pecans are packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, pecan pie is a minefield of sugar and calories. A typical slice of pecan pie has 500 to 800 calories. That’s because it’s usually made with oodles of corn syrup, butter, and sugar.

Nice: Nibble on a bowl of mixed nuts instead. If you can’t resist the pie, opt for a very small slice and don’t eat the crust.

Remember there's always a substitute for the different foods we would love to have, we just need to compromise.