It’s Christmas party season again! Debra and I are looking forward to having a great time without packing on the extra pounds. Debra has come up with some healthy eating tips so that you can escape the weight gain and still enjoy the holiday treats. 

Our first Christmas party was held last Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama at the magnificent home of Lewis and Debbie Burks. We had so much fun. We are still talking about it. The food was out of this world. Debbie was looking as beautiful as ever and Lewis was Mr. Host with his Mink Santa hat. When we left the party I knew Debra was impressed when the first question out of her mouth was “How much do you think they spent on that party?” I smiled and replied, “You don’t want to know!” It was wonderful! I hope to be invited again next year. 

Our next Christmas parties will be held on Friday, We will party with Governor and Mrs. Bob Riley at the mansion and later with Dr. and Mrs. Jefferson Underwood III. Don’t feel bad if you weren’t invited, you can’t invite everybody to everything every time you have something. I no longer get offended when I realize that I wasn’t invited to an event given by someone that I knew. I have yet to be invited to a Thomas Means and Gillis Christmas Party. I am still waiting for Greg and Verlyn Calhoun to invite me to one of their events.  

Our last Christmas party will be held at the Capital City Club hosted by Attorney General Troy King. I am so looking forward to it! 

Debra’s tips are: 1.) “Don’t go to the party hungry like a hog!” Eat before you go to the party. 

                              2.) “Think moderation! You can sample several things if you keep the portions small!” 

                               3.) “Watch the fat!” 

                               4.) “Drink only wine!” 

                               5.) “Drink plenty of water! 

                               6.) “Exercise! Exercise! Exercise! 

In my father, Dr. Melvin J. Griffin Sr.'s words: “It’s what you do for others that really matter!”

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com or write to him at P.O. Box 250194 Montgomery, Alabama 36125-0194.