Tip of the Day

Hope your holiday is filled with peace, love, joy, and a few quiet moments for yourself.

In the midsts of all the getting ready, running, or whatever you have to do today, take a few moments close your eyes and breathe. Create a calm warm felling for yourself and those around you. 

Merry Christmas

It’s been another busy weekend! I had to fit in extra time to do holiday prep and still manage to get it done and go out and have a good time. It’s amazing how much extra you can get done when you have to. It also doesn’t hurt when you know you have a few days off.

I started Friday night; the kids had a birthday party so I took the opportunity to wrap their gifts. So now that’s out of the way. Saturday morning, Gymnastics 8-11 AM, food shopping in-between and pick up the last of the gifts at the liquor store. Run home put it away and somehow ended up with a couple of minutes to catch my breath, not even sure how I managed that. 11 AM picked up the kids and headed home for lunch.

Next I got to do something I rarely get time to do these days; I got to take a much needed nap. My husband took over the running around for a few hours and I got to rest. I’m glad I did, next I headed over to a friends to help her out with her hair, Came out nice if I do say so myself. Next feed the kids, total cheat, ordered out, but some days ya just gotta do it. Done with all the days’ responsibilities, time for me to go out and have some fun.

Saturday night out with the hubby and a bunch of friends for a Birthday Party and some Christmas Karaoke. Everyone had a blast we closed the place; it’s been awhile since I’ve done that, loads of fun.

Sunday I stayed in bed till 8 which is late for me so that was a plus, got to relax on the couch with some coffee and watch Miracle on 34^th Street. Next we all went to the movies to see the Hobbit; everyone enjoyed it, a real rarity but definitely nice, then back home and back to getting ready for the next two days, cooking cleaning laundry and a few other things including the post. I feel like I’m off to a good start, everything is prepped and tomorrow should go pretty smoothly, and once Tuesday hits it all got to be done.

Well I’m looking forward to the next couple of days and the next week, I have some time off from work so I can recoup and get back to normal. Here’s to a happy holiday and a healthy productive New Year! I have some exciting new things to put in place for 2013 and some should be ready to go next week, can’t wait to share them with you.

Merry Christmas!

Tip of the Day

Tip of the Day

Pot Luck Party!
Want to have it all for your holiday dinner, but don’t have the time?
Why not do pot luck, have everyone bring something to the party.
Less stress , more time for you ,more choices for everyone.



Tip of the Day

Tip of the Day

Reasonably, Healthy Eating During the Holidays

 

For me and my family the holidays are all about the food, Getting together with family and friends and eating, that’s how it’s always been. So as much as I like to keep healthy eating habits, this time of year is rough. Luckily I have a few tricks to keep the junk to a minimum without denying myself a few treats. Here they are.

Going out later in the day? Eat healthy all day before you go out and have something just before you leave. Load up on fresh fruit and veggies, have some salad something fresh and homemade, so when you go out food is not the only thing on your mind. Also if you are having cocktails your tummy is ready for them.

Got a pot luck? Bring your favorite healthy dish, if it’s something you love to eat ,you are more likely to eat that instead of something you might regret later. Eat it before you have anything else to take the edge off your appetite and just sample whatever else you may want..

 The picture on the left is Quinoa -Stuffed Peppers ( recipe from Vegetarian Times) We took this to a family party, everyone loved it.

Having people over for dinner or a party? Plan a healthy meal and find the less sugar lower fat recipes, serve salad and vegetables with your meal. Cut up fresh fruit and veggies and serve lower fat dips like hummus for the veggies and yogurt dip for the fruit. I saw a recipe for a peanut butter yogurt dip on pinterest, I think I may make. Fresh Salsa or guacamole you find in the produce isle or make from scratch are healthy and taste great. Carrot chips, fresh raw carrots ,crinkle cut like potato chips go well with dip.Put these out instead of chips,it's the perfect healthy replacment.

I find it helpful to add in healthy food instead of taking away less healthy food. It keeps you from feeling deprived and can help to avoid binging, which is what seems to happen to me when I try not to have anything. I avoid eating it all day then I break, and look out cause I’m not stopping, no good.

Well that’s my strategy for reasonably healthy holiday eating. Having my food and eating it too.

Happy Holiday Eating to All !

 

Tip of the Day

Tip of the Day

Don’t forget to make time to relax and unwind. When you have finished all the running around for the day, grab your favorite beverage. Kick back, relax and unwind.

Tip of the Day

Get out there and have a good time spreading holiday cheer, and while you are shopping for everybody else maybe sneak in one or two gifts for yourself, you know for all your hard work. Happy shopping to all.

Tip of the Day

Make a list of everyone you need to buy for, then when you shop fill in what you got for them and even how much it was. This will make it much easier to keep track of what you still need to shop for.

Tip of the Day

 It’s Cyber Monday people ,get over to your computer, today is the day to look for online deals. Don’t want to go out and shop stay home and shop online, and don’t forget to look for free shipping.

On your mark, get set, shop

 

Thanksgiving is over, and that means one thing it’s time to get shopping. Black Friday is over and now it’s Cyber Monday, time to look for online deals. I do prefer to do the bulk of my shopping on line, no crowds, and no lines no trolling for a parking spot. I can sit at home any time of the day shop at my convenience, love that.

Amazon is my favorite site every year I make a wish list, I add everything I want, no matter how crazy or pricey. I have the kids make lists and hubby too. So when people start to ask what you want you can simply direct them to your list.

 As much as I love online holiday shopping the one thing I cannot tolerate is paying for shipping. If it doesn’t ship free I don’t order it. I’ll shop around at different sites and look for free shipping and if that doesn’t work, then I’ll suck it up and head to the store.

My favorite way to shop for gifts is by myself, especially if I have a lot to get. I get into power shopping mode and I don’t need anyone slowing me down, having to wait politely while they look at stuff. Sorry, I got to move. Don’t get me wrong shopping with a friend can be a fun day out, I just prefer to do that when I can go at a relaxed pace, once all the major shopping is done. You can walk around look at different stores you normally wouldn’t go into and find something unexpected.

Well however you like to shop it’s time to get started. So get out there and have a good time spreading holiday cheer, and maybe sneak in one or two gifts for yourself, you know for all your hard work. Happy shopping to all.

 

Happy Thanksgivinng

 

There are so many things in life to be thankful for, and it is important to take some time to reflect on all the wonderful things and people in our lives. It doesn’t matter how much or how little you may have, we all have something or someone to be thankful for.

Think back over the past year, all that has happened, everything you have accomplished, all the people in your life. How do you feel? Throughout your life, what have you accomplished, worked for, learned from? What are the things that make you smile the people and things that bring a smile to your face as soon as you bring them to mind? If you have these things, be thankful. Whatever it is you are grateful for, take the time to notice it, enjoy it, and feel good about it.

Sometimes when I’m feeling like things are not going my way, I stop for a moment and think of everything I do have, the people I love and remember all the things that worked out for the best. No matter how upset I am this always makes me smile.

So today or any day you may need it, take some time and be thankful.

 

 

Tip of the Day

Relax and let go of expectations, if you have to travel be ready to hit traffic or get delayed, if everything goes according to plan feel lucky, and if it doesn’t don’t let it ruin your good time.

Tip of the Day

Don’t over complicate things, keep it simple and enjoyable. The more you try to have everything just so, the easier it is to get disappointed.

Tip of the Day

Make your holiday celebration your own. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate. So why not change things up and start your own traditions. To each his own, Happy Turkey (or not) Day!

Here Come the Holidays

Well it’s that time of year again, are you ready? I never feel like I am but somehow it all seems to get done. Cooking, eating, shopping, spending, driving, visiting, parties, families and friends, whether you are doing all or none of these things, the holidays can be a crazy time. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. So how do you keep the happy in the holidays? What can you do to keep it all in perspective and enjoy yourself?

Here are a few things to keep in mind. Don’t over complicate things, keep it simple and enjoyable. The more you try to have everything just so, the easier it is to get disappointed. Don’t plan everything down to the last detail, have a plan by all means but don’t lock yourself in, be ready to enjoy things as they happen. Sometimes the more you go with the flow the more fun it is for everyone involved. Do things that you enjoy, while you are out there running around for everyone else, schedule time for yourself. Shop for you or schedule time to hit the gym get a massage take yourself to lunch, something to make it fun.

Relax and let go of expectations, if you have to travel be ready to hit traffic or get delayed, if everything goes according to plan feel lucky, and if it doesn’t don’t let it ruin your good time. Hosting a get-together at your place , keep yourself in mind, set things up in such a way that you have time to enjoy it all and aren’t working at your own party.

If it’s all too much for you keep it low key. Do something simple at home or if you want to, get away for a while. Spend your holiday the way you want to. Do what makes you happy and makes you feel good. It’s not about the perfect meal or getting the right toy. The day will not be made or broke by the details, keep a positive attitude and above all find a way to have fun whatever you decide to do.

Happy Thanksgiving, and happy holiday season, whatever you celebrate, remember it’s just that, a celebration meant for enjoyment and fun.