Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

On that putting on fat for the winter thing... I'm trying to lose weight too, and I've got a crazy idea to try to help it along.

I'm trying to stay slightly uncomfortably cold most of the time. Given that a warm-blooded creature like me uses a substantial percentage of caloric energy on maintaining a constant body temperature, I'm trying to make it so I'm just a wee bit chilly most of the time. This may also put a dent in heating bills. If I feel too cold, I could always hop on the exercise bike or go for a walk to get my blood pumping.

Or maybe it won't make any difference at all. *shrug* And yes, I'm doing other things too.

Anyway, two pounds is not a big deal. You can lose that in a week or two.

Agree with RJ Foodie, the word diet is a 4 letter word to me, just brings up all sorts of bad associations including the word, bad...

Of all the foods, who can blame u for too many C3's........

Go play some squash, drink some water and reset your internal eating barometer....try on some of your old pants and keep Thinner around....

And have a happy T-day!!!!

Report from SE World Headquarters: Ed showed admirable restraint in this week's tasting. :)

Ed - "get right back on the diet horse"....the word diet worries me. I am under the belief that the only way you can master the weight thing is to not think in terms of diet. Diet implies restrictions and bad stuff. I don't like the word "lifestyle change", either, though. I am sure you will be back down those few pounds soon...but you may want to rethink your use of the word diet...just a thought. :-)

I'm having trouble reading this post. I can't take my eyes off the cookie.

I second the hibernation comment - all I've been wanting to do these past two weeks are sleep and eat cheese.

We're entering the hibernation season. You are programmed, with or without the help of chocolate chip cookies, cornbread stuffing and pumpkin pie, to prepare for winter by building up an extra layer of body fat for insulation during the coming months. As long as you don't overdose on high-fat, high-calorie foods devoid of any redeeming nutritional qualities, this body fat will melt off when you shiver.

Let's hope this winter is a frigid one. Go outside--get your internal combustion going and you'll be fine.

@redfish - I exercise between 2 1/2 and 4 hours a day, 3-5 days a week, and have not lost a pound since I started. Actually, I have recently decided to drastically up my calories, because I realized I was under-eating for the amount of activity I get, and thereby lowering my metabolism and inhibiting muscle development.

Anywhoo, exercise alone won't help!

I advocate smaller cookies. And letting others test first so you only eat the best of the bunch. :-)

Spit out the cookies?! WTF.

Can we be rational here? Take one small bite from each cookie. (Or actually, break off one small bite of cookie so you don't have to throw the rest away.)

Mmmmm. Pan roasted brussels sprouts with candied pepitas and cider vinegar!

The Cranberry Relish with Orange and Ginger sounds great! I love cranberries with orange juice/zest. I've tried lots of variations, but never with ginger before.

The Pumpkin Cheesecake with Marshmallow-Sour Cream Topping and Gingersnap Crust from 'Bon Appétit' sounds like something that I'd need to be alone with in the shower..mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Perfect mashed potatoes!