Food

DEHYDRATION
I am looking for advice on dehydration......please don't say "drink plenty of fluids"! I am actually talking about the other kind as in dehydrating food. I am looking for good tips on dehydrating fruit, vegetables or meat. I have a dehydrator that I got last year for Christmas (thanks Travis!) and it came with a little guide to dehydrating food but it seems with most things that you learn better ways to do things via experimenting (especially in the kitchen). So I welcome any advice that you have.

HOLIDAYS

Today it is just two days past Thanksgiving, one of the most notorious holidays for over-indulgence.  I went into the holiday with a good strategy - as soon as I woke up start drinking a lot of water so by the time mealtime came I would already be semi-full and not eat too much.  It was an awesome strategy however that is how it remained....a strategy only.  I did not actually follow through with it.  Still, I did pretty well overall as far as restraint.  I was not happy when I pulled my chocolate pecan pie bars out of the oven and found that they were overdone, but at the end of the day I was grateful there was one less thing in which to be tempted.

Now the long 30 days of Christmas/holiday baked goods and candy is upon us.  There are so many parties and festivities to attend that a good strategy is a MUST!  Here are some tips you can use:

1. Drinking lots of water everyday is always important but be sure to drink a big glass of water about 30 minutes before you are going to eat. 
2. If you're asked to bring something to a party you can still do something festive with colorful vegetables and fruit instead of holiday themed cookies or sweets (see photo below which is just fruit/veggies on skewers and poked into a base.  A whole pineapple makes a great base to put skewers into)..
3. If you're hosting the party, make it easier on everyone and only put out small appetizer plates to help the urge to "load up".
4. In addition to egg nog, sodas, etc. have a festively decorated tub of bottled waters on hand.
5.  Instead of handing out tins of cookies for friends, co-workers, etc. give special homemade ornaments or cards instead.  It'll save you from "sampling" as you bake, save them from over-consumption, and it'll be a gift that they can keep and cherish.

I'll continue to post more tips to help you during the next month....stay strong and remember you will emerge into the new year much more happier with yourself!