LITTLE STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR HOLIDAY HEALTH
Once upon a Christmas, all thru the house, were sinful smells lingering about,
from homemade goodies to roasted turkeys, hope our thighs won't find out!
Here are some helpful steps that will keep you on track over the holidays.
Step One: Eating a healthy breakfast first thing will help you maintain good eating habits throughout the Christmas Holidays. Remember to drink plenty of water.
Step Two: Take time for yourself and go for a walk either half hour or an hour. There is nothing like breathing in fresh air and it's also a great stress reliever over the holidays.
Step Three: Remember don't nibble while preparing your feast. These are extra calories and extra fats that you don't need over the holidays.
Tip #1: Cut up apples into slices and have them ready for you while you're cooking. Apples are known for aiding in digestion and promote weight loss.
Step Four: By eating a salad before your holiday feast will help in the aiding in digestion your Christmas meals.
Step Five: When your feast is ready, remember to take a small portion. This way you've tasted everything and you won't be tempted to over eat.
Tip# 2: go easy on the stuffing and gravy; eat more vegetables instead.
Step Six: We can't forget those yummy sinful deserts.
Tip# 3: Take quarter or half-sized portions of your favorite deserts. This way you're not depriving yourself.
Remember to eat in moderation. Over-indulging adds more calories and fats that mean extra pounds and tighter jeans.
Once you introduce Little Steps into your daily routine they will help you feel and live a better, healthier life.
Little Steps to Improve your Health continues...
Note: If you have health concerns always consult your doctor first.
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AND MEMORIES
Over time, Christmas traditions have evolved to become as diverse and individual as the people who practice them. Certainly, there are the stories of how and why some of these came to be but standard are the tree, decorating, exchanging gifts, sharing a festive meal with loved ones, hanging the stockings, milk & cookies for Santa and perhaps, attending a church service to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus.
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PARTIES TO REMEMBER:
As a child, my mother worked outside of the home. Not news today by any means, but 40 something years ago, most of my friends had the stay-at-home kind of Mom and my life was odd to them.
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WERE YOU A CHRISTMAS SNOOP?
One year, I don’t know what came over me but at fourteen I became the most devious Christmas sneak ever. There wasn’t one gift that I hadn’t found or knew about. I read packing slips from deliveries, looked at receipts, and knew every hiding spot in the house. I even carefully opened every wrapped gift I found then rewrapped it. No one could put one over on me.
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How You Can Reduce Christmas Stress:
December is a busy month. All the usual things--work, home, responsibilities, the stress of everyday activities, AND the added celebrations of Christmas, Hanukah and feasts of other religions. One of the most important aspects of all of this is looking after yourself !!!
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TIPS ON AVOIDING HOLIDAY STRESS
1. Creating Balance
Juggling your schedule to "fit more in" is not the same thing as creating balance. Balance is an inside job. It's when you feel centered and calm. This lets you face demanding situations while maintaining an inner sense of peace. Taking time to stop and breathe will help you restore your inner balance.
2. Managing Choices
The holidays are a time when there is an abundance of choices. Be aware that the choices you make today will either increase or decrease the holiday stress and/or holiday depression you feel in the future. Think through what you say "yes" to and make frequent use of the word "no." Choices can be about what you eat, how much you drink, what social events you attend, and what you spend, just to name a few.
3. Avoid Sleep Deprivation
Most Americans suffer from a lack of sleep. Do you try to get more done by staying up later? At the holidays this is especially common. As a long term strategy this will result in more stress and a lower ability to respond to the demands of the season. Take care of your body and your physical needs so you have more reserves to respond the emotional and physical demands of the season.
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Hosting A Safe Yet Enjoyable Holiday Party:
Christmas is one of the most celebrated occasions of the year but a few people can turn festivities into a nightmare. Here are some ways to make your holiday occasions safe and enjoyable for everyone:
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Recipes for some neat holiday drinks:
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Great Holiday Treats:
- Crunchy Party Mix
- Pumpkin Pie Squares
- Elves Candy
- Santa's Snack
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
- Pecan Toffee Squares
- Honey Oat Fruit Chews
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Crafty Creations - Gel Candles
Making gel candles is so much fun because there are endless possibilities to the finished product. Aside from this, they’re inexpensive as you can get most or all of the items you’ll need at the dollar store and they do make super gifts. My daughter and I have made many as gifts for teachers, friends and family members, not to mention they’re all around our home. I’m especially proud of the fish tank that I created using a rectangular container with coloured glass fish and shells because it really does resemble a fish tank without the work. My good friend, Mar, offered these candles as a fundraising idea for a youth group we’re both involved in and I’ve been creating them ever since…so a special thanks to a special lady for a special idea.
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