The holidays have ended and New Year has arrived, so I asked some of Dallas' most famous faces to reflect back and tell me what they most enjoyed about this holiday season and if they have set a New Year's Resolution for themselves.
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Every Christmas our Merrill Lynch investment banker, Vinnie Zaccardi, sends us a cheesecake from Junior's. The original store is on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn and it is, hand's down, the best cheesecake on the planet. (You can order it on line at juniorscheesecake.com). I dream about this stuff, it's that terrific.
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Heidi Dillon
Upcoming star of Big Rich Texas, Founder of The Fashionistas and local style icon"My love of champagne is widely know. What most people do not know, however, is that I have an almost equal passion for cheesecake. Sadly, because of the deleterious effects it has on my physique, I rarely allow myself the luxury of partaking in this delicacy. Apparently, my brain cells are expendable but my size 27 jeans are not.
Every Christmas our Merrill Lynch investment banker, Vinnie Zaccardi, sends us a cheesecake from Junior's. The original store is on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn and it is, hand's down, the best cheesecake on the planet. (You can order it on line at juniorscheesecake.com). I dream about this stuff, it's that terrific. The week before Christmas I was feeling good about myself. I had resisted all of the usual holiday treats and kept my champagne consumption to a minimum. So far it was looking like I was going to make it to January 1 in pretty good shape. I was even sticking to my grueling 6 days per week exercise program.
Then it happened. I came home from the gym, starving, as usual, from a particularly intense workout, and there it was on my kitchen counter - Junior's Cheesecake. If it had appeared any other time of the day, I could have controlled myself, but post workout I am vulnerable. And, it was the holiday's after all. I could afford a little nibble.
Then it happened. I came home from the gym, starving, as usual, from a particularly intense workout, and there it was on my kitchen counter - Junior's Cheesecake. If it had appeared any other time of the day, I could have controlled myself, but post workout I am vulnerable. And, it was the holiday's after all. I could afford a little nibble.
I called to my maid and insisted that she join me in a piece. Then another piece. I was in such a cheesecake stupor that all I can remember is her saying "bueno". My mind was gone. My only thought was about was when would my stomach settle down enough so that I could have some more. By the time I saw my husband and son that evening, there was only about two pieces left. I begged and pleaded with them to have some, but they each only took one bite. Now what was I supposed to do? I had to get rid of this stuff! There was only one solution. The next morning I got up and had the last two pieces for breakfast.
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| Pamela Martin, LeeAnne Locken & Heidi Dillon |
That was the beginning of a really bad downward spiral. From then on, anything was fair game - cookies, candies, muffins, hot chocolate with real whipped cream. Forget champagne. I was eating my calories. I even gave up working out for an entire week. Getting out of bed became difficult. It was even an effort to get up to the kitchen to see what treats were left.
You know the old saying, "you are what you eat", well, my body started to take on the appearance of a cheesecake. It looked like someone had taken a spatula and slathered the stuff all over me. My friend, Jim Tuley, reported on my facebook wall to all of my 5000 friends, "Your ass as we know it will never be the same".
You know the old saying, "you are what you eat", well, my body started to take on the appearance of a cheesecake. It looked like someone had taken a spatula and slathered the stuff all over me. My friend, Jim Tuley, reported on my facebook wall to all of my 5000 friends, "Your ass as we know it will never be the same".
The Christmas treats are finally gone. I got up and did spin class this morning and have gotten back on my usual healthy diet. It is New Year's Eve, however, so tonight I will be drinking copious amounts of champagne. I will drink a toast to all of the incredible people in my life. I am blessed with wonderful friends and the most loving husband and son imaginable.
And, here's to hopping that in 2012 my stock portfolio grows as quickly as my ass!"
