a LITTLE nip of nog...

As soon as Thanksgiving dinner is over, the Christmas eggnog comes out. Christmas only comes once a year, so what's the harm, right? Well, 580 calories and 19 grams of fat per cup is what!! Eggnog is a luxurious drink - it's made up of quality ingredients (eggs, cream and sugar); it is often a toast to health and well-being for a happy holiday season, and it's one of many traditions to celebrate this special time of year. For this reason, and the added fact that the colder the weather, the higher the consumption of heavier drinks (mulled wine, hot chocolate, special coffees), you have a high chance of gaining a pound a week if you have one of these every day and don't exercise. Even a caramel brulee latte from Starbucks is 580 calories and 20 grams of fat! If you have one of these lattes in the morning, a glass of wine with dinner, and an eggnog that night, you're screwed come New Year's Eve - you'll still be wearing your Santa suit. So, a few tips: 1)mix whole eggnog with nonfat eggnog - I'll be honest with you, the fat free just feels like it is, so you won't be happy with just the fat-free; 2) mix 1/3 eggnog with 1/3 fat free eggnog and fill rest of glass with fat free whipped cream (leave a little room for the bourbon and sprinkle of nutmeg - that sprinkle of nutmeg takes more room than you think...); 3) have a dish of lowfat eggnog ice cream instead; 4) make it in a shotglass - there won't be much room for the eggnog! and 5) don't buy it - that way you're not tempted every time you open the fridge; it's the one thing you can look forward to at the neighbor's Christmas party. Virtually all eggnog sales are between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so when it's gone, it's eleven months til you see it again - it's not that you shouldn't have it, but go crazy on the nutmeg and easy on the nog! Melissa