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NEW HOLIDAY CRAFT
PROJECTS ON CELEBRATING-CHRISTMAS.COM
Christmas Bell Ornament
- A pretty Jingle Bell ornament in the 'Christmas Tree Ornaments'
section.
Christmas
Crafts for Kids - The much requested Kids Crafts section
is finally up!
Christmas Wreath Crafts
- A Whole new section for fresh and dried wreaths and wreath
ornaments.
Christmas
Potpourri Recipes - A new section entirely for potpourri
and pomander crafts.
Hanging Christmas Tree
- Another addition to the 'Christmas Tree Crafts' section. For
more craft, decorating, party and gift ideas, visit
http://www.celebrating-christmas.com
HOLIDAY HEALTH
8 ways to plan a happy, healthy
holiday
It's the same story each year.
You've been working out at least three times a week, eating all
your fruits and veggies, then wham! Somebody shoves that turkey
leg and a hunk of sweet potato pie under your nose and it's all
over. When the holiday plates are cleared, you've put on 5 pounds,
quit exercising and crept another notch closer to high blood
pressure, heart disease, diabetes and numerous other health
problems that come from weighing too much and moving too little.
But this year, your story can have a
happy ending. You can enjoy the season without sacrificing your
waistline or taste buds. These eight tips will help you celebrate a
happy, healthy holiday:
1. Switch it. Cut calories and
fat from your plate with a few simple changes in the kitchen. Keep
the turkey (which is leaner than duck and ham) on your dinner table,
but don't drown it in gravy. Season your dressing with garlic,
onion, celery and other herbs and spices instead of adding extra
salt, and cut back on the butter or margarine. Or save time and
calories by substituting dressing with wild rice.
For baked dishes like cakes and
casseroles, use egg whites or egg substitutes instead of whole eggs,
choose skim milk over whole milk and opt for low-fat cheeses in
casseroles. Season greens and beans with smoked turkey instead of
salt pork. Roast vegetables like onions and bell peppers in the oven
to bring out the flavor instead of pouring on heavy sauces.
2. Serve healthy fare. If
you're the party planner, provide your guests with healthier snacks
like fresh strawberries, cantaloupe, grapes, carrots, cucumbers,
celery, cherry tomatoes, baked chips, rice cakes and low-salt
pretzels. And prepare healthier entrees such as baked chicken,
grilled fish, pasta salads and vegetarian casseroles. If you're the
guest, ask the host or hostess to include healthy menu choices or
ask if you can bring a special healthy dish to share.
3. Eat and run. An empty
stomach is an invitation to binge at a holiday party. Eat a small
meal or a low-fat snack such as fruit or a bagel before you arrive
to avoid overeating. After the party, walk around the block or help
the host clean up to work off those calories.
4. Fill up on good stuff.
Fresh fruit and vegetable platters can be your best options at the
buffet because they're abundant in fiber, which makes you feel full.
And they're low in calories and fat--as long as you don't cover them
in creamy or cheesy dips. Boiled shrimp, crab and scallops with a
bit of lemon or a dab of cocktail sauce also make good party-food
choices.
5. Enjoy small treats. Fried
foods, sweets and high-calorie treats don't have to be off
limits--just eat them in small portions. A taste is usually all you
need to satisfy a craving. If you're at a sit-down dinner, make your
first helping small and put plenty of vegetables on your plate. That
way, if you go for seconds, you won't be overeating.
6. Hold the gravy. One
tablespoon of turkey gravy can contain up to 70 calories; one ladle
as much as 800! The same goes for creamy dips, salad dressings and
cheesy sauces. Use these items sparingly or substitute them with
lower-calorie yogurt dips, tomato salsa, vinaigrette dressings and
lemon juice.
7. Sip responsibly. Champagne,
wine, mixed drinks, spiked egg nog and other alcoholic beverages are
high in calories and light on nutrients. Even non-alcoholic
beverages like soft drinks, hot chocolate and plain egg nog can
supply hundreds of calories per glass. Cut calories by quenching
your thirst with sparkling water and a twist of lemon or lime, which
has zero calories and is good for your health. Drinking water with
your food also helps you eat less.
8. Have a good time. Don't
make eating your pastime for the evening. As soon as you fix your
plate, move to a different part of the room. Work on your people
skills. Strike up a conversation. Start a party game. Create a few
fond holiday memories
Published in Jet Magazine, December
15, 2003
HOLIDAY RECIPES
Onion Casserole
2 big onions sliced and sauted in 1/2 cup of butter
2 cups grated swiss cheese
Mix and heat in small saucepan- 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1/2
cup milk and 1 tsp. soy sauce.
Layer onions and swiss cheese in casserole dish (usually two
layers). Top with buttered bread crumbs. Pour heated soup mixture
over all of this and bake for about 30 mins. at 375 degrees.
Posted by Cindy (lynbro) at the DCW Forums -
http://www.dotcomwomen.com/forums
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ELKE'S WEEKLY BEAUTY TIP
Use a Concealer Pencil or concealer cream on your lips
first, fill in, and then apply an old, dark lipstick. The
concealer pencil lightens up the lipstick by about 3-4 shades....
----------------------------------
'Elke's Weekly Beauty Tip' brought
to you by E. Von Freudenberg, Editor of The Beauty
Newsletter:
http://www.beautynewsletter.gq.nu. For a free subscription,
email
BeautyNewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Ms. Von
Freudenberg is also a top celebrity makeup artist whose work has
been seen in Allure, W, Rolling Stone, Paper, Detour and many
more. Von Freudenberg Ent. ?© All Rights Reserved.
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