Let’s face, when it’s your birthday [ or a friend/family member's birthday ] it’s natural to want to overeat. That’s entirely acceptable. Just splurge in smart ways. There’s absolutely no reason to have an alcohol hangover and a food hangover the day after a birthday celebration.

How to Not Gain Ten Pounds at Birthday Parties:

+ Pick & choose: personally I like to drink my calories on my birthday, so I prefer the party to be full of semi-healthy foods.

+ When people ask to bring things: request blue corn chips, fresh tomato salsa, homemade guacamole, big salads w/ healthy dressings, and/or a veggie platter.

+ My food choices for my family gathering? Low-carb chips with homemade guac & salsa, my Dad’s famous cilantro salad with jicama [ <<<< we'll talk about jicama in a later post ] & tangerines, homemade cocktails with all fresh ingredients [<<< thanks to Michael ], sparkling water, a strawberry platter, a veggie plate, and pink cupcakes.

+ Water, water, water: I know I always say this: for every cocktail, chug a glass of water! So simple, but people always forget this rule.

+ Balance: just because it’s a birthday doesn’t mean you have to stuff your face! Balance it out like a checkbook. Pick wisely.

+ Last & most important rule? Make your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife do everything for you- it is, of course, your birthday [ !!! ].

Side note: my Grateful Dead tee can be found here, white shorts here [ cheaper version: here ], & the DIY glitter candles can be found here.