White Christmas and Frosty the Snowman exist for me only in songs and movies, not in real life. The probability is much greater that my children will be playing basketball outside in shorts on Christmas Eve than building a snowman. Where I live in South Texas, the last time we had snow stick on the ground was in the winter of '84-'85 when I was pregnant with my son.

After breakfast this morning I went to take the dog for a walk and saw white flakes in the air. The flakes came faster. We were in a real snow flurry. It wasn't cold enough for the snow to stick, but it was delightful to really see snow on Christmas Eve.

The dog wanted to walk and sniff. I wanted to run. We compromised. We walked a block, and then ran a block, alternating for about 45 minutes. We were both happy. He got his sniffing; I got my running. His feet and my fingers were quite cold when we came in.

I have enjoyed delicious food today. For lunch a bunless hamburger and a sweet potato. For dinner seafood: shrimp and oysters. My two avoids for the day were cornmeal on the oysters and a glass of eggnog.

……………………

After they had heard the king, they went on their way and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:9-10

Dr. D'Adamo wrote this in one of his columns. "If you are healthy…generally 70-80% total compliance works well in most people (out of 10 food choices, 7-9 being neutral or beneficial choices)"

Normally I do a lot better than this rule. Over a period of a week, my food choices are probably closer to 93-97% neutral or beneficial foods. However, at Christmas I am glad for the 20% rule.

Wednesday we were visiting with friends. They have a tradition of peppermint ice cream at Christmas time. I enjoyed my half scoop and was still well within the 20% rule.

Thursday my Mom had pizza for lunch. She said sheepishly, "I keep forgetting you don't eat wheat." I had a lot of salad and two small pieces of pizza. I also had a small piece of pecan pie for dessert. I was probably over the 20% rule for lunch, but all my foods for dinner were beneficial, and for breakfast I had 3 beneficials and 3 neutrals. So for the day I was still BTD compliant.

While I intend to enjoy traditional foods for the rest of this holiday, I do not intent to be a glutton. Notice I ate a half scoop of ice cream and a small piece of pie. I know my Type O system, and it would be easy to yield to the addictive effects of wheat and sugar. When the holiday is over, I don't want to have to undo the effects of too many avoids.

I will enjoy a treat or two each day, but I will keep the 20% rule in mind.

……………………..

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." Matthew 2:7-8