healthy holiday recipes.

Crunchy Pear & Celery Salad

Crisp pears are tossed with Cheddar cheese and pecans in this delicious salad. For an Italian twist, try a good Parmesan with some toasted pine nuts or to go British use crumbled Stilton and toasted walnuts.

» Crunchy Pear & Celery Salad

 

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*below are tips for getting through the season in a healthy way....to see more click here.

Top 10 Tips for Surviving Christmas.

1. Set Realistic Expectations.
Choose a positive frame of mind, set some achievable goals and stay on-track. Don’t be too hard on yourself either, factor in some rest time and a few indulgences here and there. Remember, this is also your chance to recharge for the following year. So enjoy the time off with family and friends.

2. Bump Up the Exercise.
Exercise is a privilege and during the year it can so frequently get put on the back burner. Now is the time to maximize your free time by treating yourself with the opportunity to get out there are get fitter. We have beautiful long summer days so we can squeeze in an extra 30mins in the morning when we first wake up or of an evening when we get home.

3. Taper Your Meals.
If a feast is on the horizon, compensate in the day or two leading up to the food fest by actively reducing your treats and be careful with your food choices, make them as healthy as possible. Hold out on any indulgences and save them for the big day. Make the day after a big meal or event also a low food volume day.

4. Look Good, Feel Good.
Look your best when you go out and let it reflect all the hard work you have been putting in all year. This way, you will be less likely to overdo it with food and alcohol. You won’t want all that hard work going to waste.

5. Be Prepared to Say ‘No’.
Feel comfortable in declining food or not joining in with rounds of drinks. Opt for a water every second drink and skip a round of nibbles if they are being offered. Keep your distance from the buffet or food table. Turn your back on the passing food/drinks waiter – it will stop mindless eating and drinking whilst socializing.

6. Top Up Before You Go Out!
Eat something light and healthy such as a wholegrain sandwich with lean xmas turkey or ham, cranberry and alfalfa sprouts before you head out the door. It will take the edge off your hunger and may help stop you from overeating.

7. Portion Control.
Enjoy your food but don’t overdo the serving sizes. Be aware of what you are eating and much you are eating. Maintaining a level of awareness is all you need to keep your food intake in check.

8. Beware the Alcohol Factor.
Remember, alcohol is second to fat for high calories. Just think of alcohol as liquid fat and the message will stick. Alcohol stimulates your appetite and lowers your resolve.

9. Don’t Deny Yourself.
Allow some indulgences, relax a little and have some treats. Factor them in so that you don’t resent the situation and you will be far more likely to last the distance and stay in control.

10. Join Springday.
Springday can hold your hand day-by-day over the Silly Season and into the New Year. We can be your own online personal trainer and wellness program to ensure you are reaching your goals and earning your points each day in our "My Day" Tracking tool.
Most of all enjoy the holiday season, keep your goals in the back of your mind, but don’t feel stressed or guilty if you take a step back this year. Remember the New Year is a time for a New You.



...except it's Tuesday...

(where have I been?  recovering from my super fun weekend with my sister and her family...)

Today is a double day.  It's the first week of the month and I need to announce the winner of November's contest and announce our last contest of the year!!

November's winner is:

Laura Cottril! 

Laura wins a set of Thinnerware.  Wohoo!

We started out the year just trying to get in our 20 minutes of true exercise, eating less, and eat more healthy foods...I think that's a good place to end the year...

DECEMBER CONTEST:

Our contest this month is to get in 20 minutes of real exercise at least 5 days a week, eat less (smaller portions), and eat more healthy foods.

Come to the Move it Monday post for the week, each day of that week, and post what you did that day to meet the contest guidelines for the day in the comments.

DECEMBER PRIZE:

Since this is the month of giving we're doing something we've never done for Move it Monday....

The winner will be working this month for the charity of their choice.  At the end of December the winner will have $100 donated to the charity of their choice.  Make sure to put in the comments of this post the charity that you're going to win for this month. (each day that you comment is worth 1 point)

**BONUS:**  Because I love the laughter post from a few weeks ago, I'm going to give you a bonus chance to win!!  Laughter is great medicine, especially, at this time of year and with the year many people have had.  So...if you know a great joke (even if it's a laffy taffy joke---we love the laffy taffy jokes) put it in the comments.  For each joke or funny story you put in the comments we'll give you a 1/4 point toward your winning score.  So find your 8 year son, 10 year old nephew, or 12 year neighborhood boy scout...they all know all the crazy, silly, ridiculous jokes...and they'll be glad to help.

To see more about the BIG CONTEST...click here.

meaningful. LIFE.

*I can't help it...I love this girl.*

attitude and your health.

"Does your attitude affect your health? Does a positive, happy one keep you healthier? Or a negative, unhappy, even angry, one hurt you? The answer to all these questions is yes. The mind and body are snugly interwoven, and this connection affects you in more ways than you might be aware of.

It used to be thought that the mind and the immune system existed independently of each other. But research now shows that they may act as a single unit. Feeling stressed, for example, can make you more susceptible to whatever virus is going around. On the other hand, when you feel joyous and lighthearted, your immune system has a better chance of protecting you from it"...see more here....

Thomas R Blakeslee, author of The Attitude Factor, believes that attitude can change how long a person lives.  He has two tests that he asks visitors to his website to take to determine what type of attitude they are carrying around in their life.  His theory is that people can change their attitude with attitude training spread out over a year...and that the training will prolong their lives.

Here are some tips to help develop a more positive attitude: (these are from here)
 

postive. LIFE.

The top 10 worst foods.

Check out this video for some good info on your fave foods.  This reminds me of how much I really don't need a hamburger for lunch, I can leave those awesome Little Debbie snacks at the grocery store, and I really can pass up the hot light at Krispy Kreme.

If you're wondering why high fat foods are so addicting...see this article:  High Fat Foods Make You Hungrier

healthy. LIFE.