Tis the season! Oh, what a joyous time of year filled with family, friends, music- and, yes-lots of food.

It's tradition in our family for everyone to make a favorite dish and bring it to dinner. Well, we all know what that means: The competition is fierce with mouthwatering, butter-drenched holiday breads, yams with melted toasted marshmallows on top, butter-basted crowned rib of roast . . . and the cookies, need I say more?

I used to always feel compelled, or better yet, obligated to try a little bit of every dish on the table-after all, healthy or not, someone went to a lot of trouble to prepare it.

That was before-before I tested my lipids and realized that with each passing year my cardiac risk was steadily increasing. Not to mention how awful I would feel for weeks after the virtually non-stop holiday smorgasbord. So here are a few tips and healthy recipes to help you stay on track and still be able to enjoy the taste of the holidays without the crash.

First and foremost, remember you are the one in control of what you eat. If that sounds cliché, I'm sorry but that really is the bottom line.

• Make a commitment to make healthy choices. Stay away from the pop-in-the-oven appetizers and high-carb foods, such as breads, cookies, pies, etc. If your inner voice is telling you to stay away from it, then stay away- you already know the answer.
• Experiment. Take your favorite recipes and alter them to make them healthier. Eliminate the oils, fats and excess salt. Use lemons, oranges and seasonings instead. Steam and broil, never fry foods.
• Choose only very lean cuts of meat and introduce more fish and seafood and fresh vegetables into your diet.
• Intelligently limit your food. Just because it's on the buffet doesn't mean you have to eat it.
• Start bringing healthy dishes to holiday dinners and soon others will follow suit.

Remember, holidays are about family, not food. Put your focus on why you're all together. My family has become quite health conscious, so our recipes have changed over the years. I'm happy to say those incredibly delicious holiday dinners are still just as incredibly delicious... only healthier!

I would like to wish all of you a Joyous Holiday and a Very Prosperous New Year.

A very Happy 80th Birthday to my mom, who is the spunkiest woman I know.

And special birthday wishes to my husband, Dr. Jeffry Life . . . Happy 71st Birthday on Christmas Day!