Make it a Gainless Holiday
Christmas gain is New Year's pain! Starting early is the secret to avoiding the typical 10-pound holiday season accumulation of fat. (Come now ? you didn't think it was muscle, did you?) Develop a few good habits before Thanksgiving and you're likely to start 2005 weighing no more than you did before, maybe even less. Here are 5 tips that will help you through the holidays.1. Set a mental limit now on the food items that are your biggest temptation. Cookies? Make 2 your limit at every holiday affair. Chocolate? Two pieces will probably satisfy your sweet tooth, especially if you eat them slowly, not in one bite.
If it will make you feel better, remember that dark chocolate has some beneficial nutrients such as antioxidants and magnesium. If eggnog or other alcoholic drink makes you put on pounds, always ask the host for the smallest glass, and nurse it slowly. It will be easier if you tell yourself that it's only until the holidays are over. (By then it might have become a good habit.) 2. If you really enjoy baking for holiday feasts, make every batch of cookies half as large as usual. Make fewer varieties.
Look for recipes that yield lower calories.3. Don't go out to celebrate on an empty stomach. You're likely to eat more and drink more and indulge in more of those high-calorie appetizers. Eat an apple on the way, or a handful of almonds or walnuts. 4. When you get there don't hang around the buffet table. The closer you are, the more likely that you'll half-consciously keep reaching for food while you're in a pleasant conversation.
If it's an unpleasant conversation, you'll nosh even more.
5. Make room on your body and rev up your metabolism. You probably won't have as much time to exercise when the relatives arrive or you travel to them, so get in a few extra exercise sessions before the feasting begins. You might lose only 3 or 4 pounds in a month or two by exercising a couple more days a week, but if your routine includes resistance exercise (and it should) the added muscle will raise your metabolic rate so that you'll be burning more calories even while you sleep. You only need to make a few minor adjustments in order to avoid gaining weight at any time of the year.
If you can arrive at January 2nd weighing the same, or less, than you did back at Thanksgiving, it will give you a boost of confidence that will spill over into everything that you do.
Philip J. Goscienski, M.D. is the author of Health Secrets of the Stone Age, Better Life Publishers, 2005, available at 1-800-214-8110. $15.00 USD.
Holiday Candy Canes Are Festive and Fun
Candy canes are everyone's favorite holiday treat. Just think about how versatile they are. Not only do candy canes look great hanging from Christmas trees, but their versatility makes them perfect for all kinds of decorative uses.Candy canes can be crushed or used whole in holiday arts and crafts projects. How about adding candy canes to your homemade holiday gift baskets?Peppermint candy canes are usually red and white, but they can also be found in fun colors like red, green and white, and also flavors like orange, cherry, and even chocolate!You can find candy canes sprinkled inside of cookies and other delicious Christmas recipes.Candy canes make great ornaments. You can buy real ones and hang them around the house or the plastic version works fine too.To create a festive mood on the holiday dinner table you can put out a couple of candy cane candles.Got a wreath? Stick a few candy canes inside and watch your guests smile.
Candy canes always seem to make people happy.Mini...
Holiday Candy Canes Are Festive and Fun
Chocolate > Holiday Candy Canes Are Festive and Fun
ScentAir Technologies Integrates Scent Systems with X3D Technologies Offering a New 3D ?Scentsory? Advertising Medium for In-Store Digital Signage Networks
Chicago, IL (ContentDesk) April 29, 2004 -? Follow your nose to ScentAir Technologies booth #3871 at the FMI (Food Marketing Institute) May 2 ? 4 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL.
ScentAir will display new-patented scent systems emitting fabulous food scents as a new medium for brand marketers and retailers to promote category and brands.
ScentAir together with X3D Technologies, a glasses-free 3D digital signage company, will show for the first time, a three-dimensional flat panel screen integrated with scent.
The system will emit the scent of certain brands as consumers watch commercials in a three-dimensional format for products having scent such Dash fabric softener, Meijer Chocolate, Pepsi, and Herbal Essence Shampoo.
This patented scent technology emits scent in a clean, controllable way across a 200 square foot area in front of the 3D advertising display.
"This is a significant inflection for the advertising industry," says Myles Owens,...
ScentAir Technologies Integrates Scent Systems with X3D Technologies Offering a New 3D ?Scentsory? Advertising Medium for In-Store Digital Signage Networks
Chocolate > ScentAir Technologies Integrates Scent Systems with X3D Technologies Offering a New 3D ?Scentsory? Advertising Medium for In-Store Digital Signage Networks
Mother's Day Encouragement
As a young mother, author Louise Bergmann DuMont was disheartened every time she encountered the neighborhood Super-Mom. It was obvious that word ?perfect' in no way described her own life and mothering skills. In Faith-Dipped Chocolate: Rich Encouragement to Sweeten Your Day, Louise exposes the sweet bits of wit and wisdom that grew from her personal foibles and failures. Mothers of every age will laugh, cry and take to heart the victories and disappointments Louise shares."Motherhood is like a wonderful roller coaster ride. Even as you hear the clickety-clack of the chains that are taking you to the top of that first hill, you know you're going to scream all the way down the other side.
You aren't the first or the last to sit on that ride. There are others whose hearts race with the thrill and whose stomachs lurch with the discomfort that comes only with motherhood. Is it worth it?
Absolutely. That's why so many of us come back for more!" ~ Louise Bergmann DuMontFaith-Dipped...
Chocolate > Mother's Day Encouragement
Great Appetizers for Baby Showers and Other Parties
One of the biggest challenges for planning a baby shower or any other party is picking the right food. Appetizers and snacks are great for all types of parties, big and small. Here are some delicious appetizer ideas that you can make yourself or buy for your party:1) Stuffed Mushrooms - Stuffed mushrooms are a tasty treat for any party. Larger mushroom caps of course are better and you can be creative with your stuffing choices. Some popular ingredient choices are cheese, bacon, and breadcrumbs.2) Cheese and Crackers - Cheese and crackers are a simple snack idea for any party.
This snack is also great for health conscious people. For upscale occasions, cheese logs or gourmet cheese balls can be used. 3) Fruit Platter - Another healthy and simple idea is fruit salad or a fruit platter. These platters can contain canned fruits, fresh fruits, or a mix of both. Some popular choices are apples, pears, grapes, and strawberries.
Add in marshmallows or raisins if desired. 4) Chips...
Great Appetizers for Baby Showers and Other Parties
Chocolate > Great Appetizers for Baby Showers and Other Parties
Celebrate That New Home with a Great Housewarming Gift
Whether you have a friend or family member who bought a home, or a new neighbor who just moved in next door, a carefully chosen housewarming gift will be a welcome gesture. Flowers, home-baked goods, and gift baskets filled with delicious foods are all great ways to say "good luck" or "hello".
A bouquet of colorful mums and carnations or spectacular gladiolas is a wonderful way to add a touch of color and life to a new home. Or give the gift of a living rose or azalea bush, a gift the new homeowners can enjoy for years to come.
A loaf of home-baked bread is a wonderful traditional way to welcome someone new to the neighborhood. Combine the loaf with a selection of gourmet preserves, wrap the loaf in colorful cellophane, then slip it into a new loaf pan, for a tasty and useful gift.
A gift basket filled to the brim with delicious gourmet foods is always welcome. Choose from baskets with a breakfast...
Chocolate > Celebrate That New Home with a Great Housewarming Gift
That's the Christmas spirit
Last Christmas, Uncle Albert promised his neighbor, Wilson, to find a way to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year. You know, just like Wilson and everybody else wishes people each year.Yesterday I was checking my calendar. "Holy smokes! It's almost Christmas. I better check to see if Uncle Albert found a way to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year."So I put on my boots and buttoned up my jacket. I dashed out the door.
I came back into the house to put on a scarf. And some gloves. And a hat. And my long-johns. I filled up the thermos with hot chocolate and dug out a pair of ear muffs.
"Yup. That's the Christmas spirit," I thought as I headed out once more, trying to keep my head above the snow.When I reached Uncle Albert's, I could tell something was different. I wasn't sure quite what, but I suspect it had something to do with the large red and gold sleigh parked in his driveway."Say, Uncle Albert. What's with the sleigh?""You like it, Happy Guy? That's part of...
That's the Christmas spirit
Chocolate > That's the Christmas spirit
Company Forevergreen on a Mission Standing in the Drift
(ContentDesk) November 11, 2005 -- What does it mean to be "standing in the drift"? "Standing in the drift" refers to standing for the things you want most for humanity in spite of the direction in which the world may be moving. The drift is all the things that could prevent you from accomplishing what you want. Turn on the television and you see war, murder, drugs, hate. Like all currents, it flows downhill to the darkest capacities of the human spirit. For all companies, this drift is a constant tug towards corruption, fraud and dog-eat-dog ethics.
ForevergreenWe're not kicking and screaming when we find ourselves drifting downward towards spiritual oblivion. It is quite comfortable, for nothing other than the fact that we have so much company drifting along with us. But how irresponsible is that? Safety in numbers is an illusion on this raging river. www.buyfrequensea.comBecause the drift is so encompassing, some may...
Company Forevergreen on a Mission Standing in the Drift
Chocolate > Company Forevergreen on a Mission Standing in the Drift
Wedding Favor Creator
Wedding favors have always been a nice, personal gesture to include in your wedding preparations. Unfortunately, there are too many "cookie-cutter" type favors out there, which portray the couple's lack of interest in providing something unique.Here is a Wedding Favor Creator for you to use for your upcoming wedding or one that you're planning for your best friend. You can mix and match to your heart's content and according to the budget you have.Small containers to use for candies, chocolates, small floating candles, decorative soaps, etc. (many of them can be purchased at your local dollar store)
- tiny wicker baskets or straw hats
- egg cups
- candle holders
- flat shells (scallops)
- small filigree metal boxes
- decorated wooden boxes
- coffee mugs
- wine glasses
- small decorative dish
- tiny flower pots
- little tin watering cans
- small jars
- ceramic spoon rest
- heart-shaped candies or chocolates
- Hershey's...
Chocolate > Wedding Favor Creator