SPOILER ALERT: Read to the end and you will know who won!!!

Wow. The end to a very interesting season of the Biggest Loser.

This is the second finale I’ve ever seen and I really liked how they brought them out in groups for their weigh-ins based on when they went home on the show.

In the first group, I was most impressed with Julio. Antoine (sp?) looked great too, but watching the clips, I remember how lazy Julio was when he was on the show. Julio, in my opinion, looked like a completely different person.

In the next set, I think we all would agree the most astounding transformation was Tracey’s. Personally, I think she might have gone a little too far. She looks almost unhealthy-whereas many contestants appeared to have some extra skin (this happens when you lose a dramatic amount of weight quickly), Tracey didn’t seem to have any extra skin at all.

Now, I will say that Rebecca also didn’t have much extra skin, but I don’t know. Something about Tracey’s face and shoulders made me think she had lost too much weight. Do you guys agree?

Obviously in the next group, Rebecca’s weight loss was most impressive. Her hair color, in my opinion, was not. Rebecca has lost a ton of weight, but she seems to have this attitude like, “I’m hot and I know it.” The faces she was making throughout her weigh-in, and others’, reaffirmed that.

I was also left wondering if her and Daniel are still dating?

But she did look good. Really good.

I skipped over Abby, who was one of my favorites all the way through. I also thought she looked amazing.

The Antoine/Alexandra proposal was HIGHLY predictable.

Now for my thoughts on the top 3. WOW.

First Rudy looked phenomenal. I knew him and Danny would both lose a lot but I didn’t think they would both lose that much.

Danny looked like he dropped 15 years in his face and looked absolutely amazing.

Amanda looked like a superstar!

The end happened kind of quick, but it was clear that Danny would end up the winner after realizing he had to be down more than 237.

I was happy to see Danny win. I think he really put forth a strong effort to lose the weight, and I can only hope that he will keep it off, because that would truly be worth it more than the money.

So those are my thoughts on the Biggest Loser finale. I’m looking forward to the new season on January 5. What did YOU think?

ALSO: Shout out to Amanda who commented on my last post, and was the only Buddy to guess who would win!

Now, I know the holidays are a few weeks away-well Hanukkah is next week. Either way, holiday parties are beginning to creep up, as well as gift-giving to friends.

So, I thought maybe it wouldn't be too early to share some holiday recipes I found and encourage you guys to share your own recipes.

Here are some I found:

Hanukkah

LOW-FAT POTATO LATKES

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet Potatoes
• 1 medium onion
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 egg whites
• Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Peel, cut and shred potatoes and onion, using either a grater or a food processor.

Place a large cookie sheet in hot oven.

Empty shredded potatoes and onion into a colander and squeeze out as much excess moisture as you can.

Transfer potato and onion mixture to a large bowl. Add flour, egg whites and black pepper, and combine well with a fork.

Remove cookie sheet from oven. Coat with nonstick cooking spray

Form 2-2 1/2-inch flattened rounds with the potato mixture and place on hot cookie sheet.

Return cookie sheet to oven and cook for 7-8 minutes each side, until crisp and golden.

Makes 12-15 latkes.

Serves 4-5

Per Serving: Calories 192, Calories from Fat 2, Total Fat 0.5g (sat 0g), Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 39mg, Carbohydrate 41.1g, Fiber 3.8g, Protein 6.6g

Christmas

SUGAR COOKIES

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 5 tbsp butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Preparation:

Using a mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually stir flour mixture into butter and sugar until dough forms. Don't worry if the dough seems a little crumbly at first; it will come together. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for two hours in the refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 1/4-inch or 1/8-inch thickness. Use holiday cookie cutters dipped in flour to make cutouts. Gather scraps and re-roll until all the dough is used.

Place cookies 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Transfer to wire rack after 1 minute to cool.

Makes 30 cookies, depending on size of cookie cutters used.

Per serving: Calories 65, Calories from Fat 20, Total Fat 2.2g (sat 1.3g), Cholesterol 12mg, Sodium 38mg, Carbohydrate 10.3g, Fiber 0.2g, Protein 1g