Maria's Last Diet

by Maria's Last Diet

Yes, Memorial Day in America is a commemorative holiday, an important day to remember those who were lost to us by war. It used to be called Decoration Day, and it was always celebrated, at least in the past, on May 30th. Now it's one of those floating holidays and it was placed on the Sunday before the last Monday in May and then placed again on the last Monday in May. I hope it stays where it is.

Memorial Day is not only a legal holiday. It is not only a day to remember. It is not only a day for parades and ceremonies. It is a day of families and friends being together. And being together always means eating.

What's a person who is dieting to do? Memorial Day is just like Labor Day and Easter and Thanksgiving and Christmas and July 4th. These are days for eating, overeating really, and that's the trouble with holidays.

Well, come to think of it, not all holidays are a danger. Some are on the cusp, like Saint Paddy's Day and Columbus Day if you're Irish American or Italian American. You don't have to eat 'til you drop on these holidays. Or do you?

Then there are the really safer holidays. Presidents' Day, although it used to be two safer non-eating holidays - Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays, is now just one safer non-eating day. Of course, Martin Luther King's birthday, which is no longer actually celebrated on his birthday, is also a day that is safer from overeating and gaining weight. Lent is safer. So is Yum Kipor if you're a Jewish American or if you have a Jewish American friend who invites you to celebrate with her.

Thank goodness there are some safer holidays out there. But what good is that going to do me now. Today is Memorial Day.