Welcome to Small Steps to Health where we do not take orders from a cookie!
We have a group of friends that have an annual Super Bowl party that rotates among our homes. So by hosting one Super Bowl party, we snag an invite to at least 3 subsequent Super Bowl parties. Since embarking on my healthy lifestyle path, my husband and I have been supplying the veggies tray for the last two Super Bowl parties, the annual camping trip, and the annual Christmas party.
The Super Bowl Party is for a Bunch of Meatheads!
Among the buffalo wings, tri-tip, and meat chili, my veggie tray always came home mostly untouched with the ranch dip completely emptied. Yes – my meathead friends wanted the ranch dressing, but not my celery or carrot sticks. It has gotten to the point where I would spend a few days thinking and discussing with my husband about whether I should bring the veggie tray.
My husband is all for bringing protein or fat. ‘Everyone is probably giving us a mental boo every time we show up with the veggie tray. If you want to fit in, you have to eat like the locals.’
Fitting in at a Super Bowl Party?
I am starting to believe that the older we get, the more we revert back to our childhood. Maybe my husband is right. All the kids gravitate over other couples’ food, but ignore ours like the plague. It would be nice to have my friend’s 9 year old come up to me and ask for the leftovers to bring home. It would also be nice to show off my improved cooking skills.
So this year we are bringing an Oreo Cheesecake to the Super Bowl Party. To shut my nagging conscience, I made the Oreo cheesecake with low fat cream cheese, low fat sour cream, low fat Oreos, and organic eggs. What is 5,000 calories split among friends? Besides I am a little tired of eating 100 celery sticks, 100 baby carrots, 100 mini cauliflower, etc after a party.
Exercise before the Super Bowl party
It is midnight. I am still up because I just finished my one hour exercise routine before sitting down to write this post. I will probably be up for another couple hours since I exercise too late in the evening. I need the exercise since I am going to eat my super rich Oreo cheesecake tomorrow. . . and buffalo wings. . . and tri-tip. But before heading over to my friend’s house, I am going to squeeze in another one hour cardio session.
My friends and I bond over food. They are not going to give up their Super Bowl indulgence to save a few hundred calories. Like my husband said, if I want to “eat like the locals” I need to exercise both before and after if I believe in living a healthy lifestyle.
I can’t change them, but I can change me. By constantly bringing my veggie trays, I am trying to change them when they are not ready to be change. However, I do not give up easily. I am going to mention how sore I am from my exercise at the Super Bowl party as I savor my sliver of Oreo cheesecake.
Until next time and thanks for stopping by.
Photo by: zingyyellow.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I think that’s key- knowing that you can’t change them by shoving veggies at them. Sometimes we need to try different tactics to encourage people to be healthier.
By the way, your cheesecake really does sound delicious!
.-= Sagan´s last blog ..Poll: Do you approve of competitive sports? =-.
Sagan – I am in retreat mode right. Since I only see these friends occasionally, I rather spend what little time I have with them bonding over food than trying to change their sedentary lifestyle. Sorry to say, but it is not worth the effort for me. I can only talk about what is working for me and if they are interested, they will ask. And the Oreo cheesecake was a big hit! Thanks for the comment.