Tips for a Healthy Holiday

My son Jon is over in Afghanistan so he and his new wife won't be with us for Christmas this year. It is the first time our family will not be together. I'm feeling sad about this but trying not to dwell on it. I don't want it to overshadow the fun times I'll have with the family members that will be here.


Mix the blues with the stress of finding the right gift and a tendency to overindulge just a little and we've got the right ingredients for a health meltdown. I really don't want to be sick over the holidays. So how can we enjoy the holiday season and stay healthy? Here are some tips to help you out.


*Moderation Try not to overschedule you or your family. Don't be afraid to say no. Set a budget and stick to it. Delegate tasks to other members of your family. (I had my grandchildren help with decorating my tree. We all had a blast.)


*Take supplements to ward off illness. Immune boosting supplements like Vitamin D and C are great ways to avoid getting sick during the holidays.


*Relaxtion Many of us aren't sleeping well which can cause us to become shall we say, "cranky". This can lead to overeating,overimbibe-ing( is that a word?)and sometimes taking out our "crankiness" on others. Time to pamper yourself with a mani or pedi. How about settling in with a night of your favorite holiday movies? A nice cup of herbal tea can be so relaxing.So can a warm soak in the tub. Rescue Remedy can help relax you and even your pet!*
*Exercise Regular exercise will boost your good mood, relieve tension and help you sleep. Enjoy the holiday decorations as you walk or run through your neighborhood. Can you help out a neighbor by shoveling their sidewalk? It will also help keep the pounds from creeping up over the holidays.

*Hydration Drink plenty of water.If you are going to be drinking some party cocktails be sure to drink some water before and after. Water isn't just for drinking though. Remember to wash your hands often to avoid getting sick over the holidays.

*Generosity It's what the season truly is about. There are so many charitable organizations that can use your help. Your local food shelves, the Salvation Army,the Fistula Foundation (my personal favorite) are just a few that need our help. These gifts will keep on giving long after the holidays are over.
I'm planning on following my own advice to enjoy a happy and healthy holidays. Can you follow these 6 tips too?

Wordless Wednesday

Reindeer...? You mean Santa doesn't use horses to pull his sleigh?

Gorgeous Nails for the Holidays

I might be a little obsessed with nails/manicures. Maybe it's because my nails are always short and breaking. One can only dream...here are some really cute nails and the tutorial. Perfect for the holidays! I think these would look great with some red polish instead of the pink too.

Gift Giving--Joy or Stress?

My family usually draws names on Thanksgiving to exchange gifts at Christmas. Our family has grown quite large with nieces and nephews getting married and bringing special friends along to our holiday gathering. This year, one of my sisters suggested not doing a gift exchange or doing something else instead. She said it's too hard to figure out what gift to get especially when she only sees the grown kids a few times a year.

I think the "joy" her holiday is being over-shadowed by her stress in finding the right gift. Maybe she's right. It might be time for us to simplify our gift giving but still keep the fun. Here are some ideas I'll be suggesting to our family.

The Dice Game
Participants shake dice to get doubles. This entitles them to pick a gift from a pile of gifts or to steal one from other people playing the game. Usually these are rather inexpensive or recycled items. Everybody goes home with something and no one has to buy a gift for a particular person.

Themes
One idea is a 3-item combo. Each person gives and receives a combination of gifts. One is practical, one is a food item and one is a recycled gift. (Everyone's interpretation of "recycled" will probably be quite different so it will be fun to see what's in the gift!

Another idea is the gift of time. Plan an activity with the recipient. Tickets to a ball game, help with chores, going to a special restaurant or concert.

Charitable gifts. Instead of giving each other gifts, each person or family pools their money and gives it to a mutually chosen charity. Or each guest could bring a baby gift for an anonymous needy mother. You'll find more ideas if you check with area churches, schools or charities.

Recipe Exchange. Gather the ingredients for your favorite recipe in a basket. Include the recipe. Add a gift card if some items need to be refrigerated or have a short shelf-life. (You might consider your favorite meal or cocktail.)

I really like this "no-gift" idea. Everyone brings an item from a past Christmas. Photos, a letter to Santa, a favorite ornament, a special toy or maybe just a great story to share. This would be a wonderful way to connect the old and the young.

This site has lots more ideas on gift exchanges. How does your family deal with gift-exchanging?

Thanksgiving Wishes

I hope you enjoy your holiday with lots of friends, family & food. I am  so grateful to all of you for reading my blog. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Cuteness

I've seen so many cute ideas for Thanksgiving. Lots of food crafts, cupcakes, cake pops,etc. But this seemed so quick and easy and definitely cute! Go here to find the printable.

Talking Turkey and Healthy Fixings for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a special day with family and the traditional big turkey dinner. Are there any redeeming qualities to this calorie packed meal? Experts say yes if you take away the rich gravies and whipped cream. Here are the health benefits of some of our Thanksgiving dishes.

*Turkey--a good source of protein and a very lean meat. (especially the white meat)

*Potatoes--rich in vitamin c, has fiber and the skin contains potassium. Go easy on the butter.

*Cranberries--Lots of vitamin C and antioxidants which are effective in helping to prevent cancer, heart disease and stroke.

*Sweet Potatoes--rich in beta-carotene and vitamins including A,B,C and E. Lots of calcium and potassium.

*Dressing--Can be high in fat and sodium. Beef up the fiber by making it with whole grain bread. Go easy on the butter. Up the vitamin and mineral content by adding veggies such as peppers, onions, carrots and even frest fruit. Herbs like sage and rosemary contain anti-oxidants.

*Pumpkin Pie--usually lower in fat than other kinds of pie. Pumpkin contains vitamin A.

*Vegetables--ok to load your plate with these. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene. Spinach and Brussel Sprouts are rich in vitamin C and other anti-oxidants. Broccoli has vitamins A and B6, riboflavin and folic acid, calcium and iron.

*Red wine--contains anti-oxidants.


So go ahead and enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner. Give thanks for all the good food on your table and don't forget to thank the cook!