Getting Back In the Saddle (Without the Saddlebags)

About author / Rebecca Michaels

Queen of the desserts and pastry chef extraordinaire; graduate French Culinary Institute; Golden Scoop Award winner; Flying Monkey Bakery founder

All right, it's a new year and all. Time to get back on the Stairmaster, eat better, forego dessert--wait! Hold the phone! My friend Lucy recently lamented how she's sick of hearing about how "weight loss and fruit are uppermost in people's minds" right now. How dull! How ho-hum! Many of us are trying to lose a few extra pounds after the Holiday Eatfest. But we need not be ascetic about it. One can still enjoy the sweet side of life without having to go all beans and sprouts 24/7 (no offense, Beans and Sprouts Board!)

First off, it goes without saying that moderation is the key. Trust me on this. I work with butter and sugar and all that good stuff all day long and if I didn't keep myself in check, it wouldn't be a pretty sight--not to mention the fact that I would surely be physically ill. But I believe that you can still enjoy the good stuff and maintain eating habits that will make those extra pounds disappear.

Here are a few little common sense rules I've made for myself over the years about eating desserts and still enjoying life:

Don't Deprive Yourself
I know that if I'm trying to eat healthier, it isn't a good idea to simply swear off anything that's not healthy. Instead, I try to enjoy a little bit here and there so I don't end up feeling sorry for myself and pigging out like I'd never seen a cookie before. Forbidden pleasures are dangerous!

Tiny Bites
Enjoy a cupcake from the bakery, not a whole slice of cake. That way you're limited to just that one delicious portion-controlled bit of chocolate heaven. Don't buy a whole slice of cake and then tell yourself you're going to eat just half of it. It will not work.

Fruit's Not All That Bad I Suppose
Instead of simply slicing up an apple, tossing it on a paper towel, and munching while you surf the Internet, take a wee bit of time to prepare it in a still-good-for-you way and enjoy it thoroughly. Core your apple, sprinkle it with a little bit of brown sugar and cinnamon and put it in the oven for 30 minutes or so on 350. You'll have a lovely baked apple, a special dessert that's only a few more calories than a boring, plain old apple that you ate "because you had to."

Another good fruit idea is fruit salad. No, not that scary in-the-can "cocktail" variety (Why do they call it that anyway? It certainly doesn't remind me of any cocktail party I've ever been to!). Instead, go and find some pretty fruit, take a little extra time to slice and dice it. Toss it with a little Grand Marnier and just the tiniest bit of sugar. Let it sit in the fridge for an hour or so and you'll have a special treat waiting for you that is heads and shoulders above that (very sugary) canned stuff.

Splenda-licious
I am a huge fan of Splenda. It truly is the best sugar substitute out there. I haven't had much luck baking with it straight, but if you blend it with sugar, you can cut a serious number of calories without sacrificing too much flavor. It also works great in puddings and crème brulee--although use regular sugar to sprinkle on the top and torch.

So, I hope some of my tips can give you a bit of consolation. Know that you're certainly not alone in your New Year's Quest. But also just remember that there are another 330 plus days to go in 2006! Make it as fun and interesting as you possibly can. Happy New Year!