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When I think about the Holidays and their challenges to healthy eating, I am reminded of the opening lines of the novel "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens. Of course, this classic novel was not about the healthy eating around the holidays, but because his words depict a world of contrasts and extremes, they aptly describe the challenges we face each holiday season. Just for fun and because they are among the most eloquent words ever written in the English language, I have included them below: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way... My apologies to Mr. Dickens for borrowing his beautiful words to describe the extremes we face each holiday season; but, his words apply so well to the holidays since they truly are the very "best of times." However, when it comes to what we eat, they can also be the very "worst of times." For Muriel and me, the challenges start around Halloween and continue through the seemingly endless "food-centered" Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, events and parties. It isn't until sometime after the New Year that we can all take stock of the holiday fallout and, once again, somehow manage to find the inspiration necessary to undertake our New Year's Resolutions. Muriel and I hope that this book's recipes provide an easy, delicious and healthier way to enjoy the Holidays. We recognize that the holidays are meant to be enjoyed, so this book's recipes are not about bland deprivation, but are all about making holiday eating healthier and with fewer calories without sacrificing deliciousness. Our ultimate goal is that we all reach January even healthier than we were before the holidays. This book contains the tools that Muriel and I use to achieve that every year. Since we started this Foreword with Charles Dickens' opening lines to "A Tale of Two Cities, ' it is only fair that we finish with his inspiring closing words: It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known. My sincere apologies if we got a bit too literary here, but I am often amazed at the power and wisdom of words written so long ago. Happy Healthy Holidays - and Every Day! Bon appétit! Andrew and Muriel