Healthy Holidays
Halloween seems to start the holiday season with a turbo thrust. We have control over our exercise, menus and all the temptations of the season.  

For trick or treat goodies, I used to pop some organic corn kernels, label the bags with my address and if giving out candy, I tried to give out plenty so there would be none left over.  

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah and New Year
Usually I find out what everyone has in mind for their ideal sides and main course.  Working on the menu with the entire family helps everyone feel included. Everyone gets a "say-so".  For some holidays, I've created a printed menu for the occasion.  I was delighted to see on Chef Jaques Pepin's podcasts that he has been drawing his menus for years. 

WeightWatcher's Advice From Years Back
The facilitator of the group I was in mentioned it's unhelpful to deprive ourselves of favorites around the holidays. They can usually be made a bit healthier. Either way, she said to have a tablespoon of everything and if there was one item we liked a lot, have two.  Not serving spoon size though, heaping tablespoon.  Nice to have a taste of the goodies we enjoy.

Planning Helps Alleviate Some Holiday Stress
It's a nice feeling to decide how we will exercise during the season. Taking care of ourselves first with exercise helps our circulation and also gets our hormones in gear.  There's no better natural antidepressant than doing some forms of exercise, taking a walk and even a short walk after a meal is helpful.  Lately, with my intermittent fasting, exercising before a meal helps a increase the metabolism too.  Making a point to start the new year with healthier habits is always a great plan. New goals to either accomplish, like a few pounds prior to the end of the year or, taking up something that builds the body and brain power is always good.  It's high time for me to start painting again and crafting.  What do you enjoy?  

What's on Your Mind This of Year?
Is there something that you do that helps create more joy during the holidays?   

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Remember the (4) S's for weighing:   
♦ Same TIME of day   (on the)  
♦ Same DAY each week (wearing the) 
♦ Same CLOTHING (and using the) 
♦ Same SCALE to Measure Yourself - Remember, sometimes the scale doesn't budge, but the waistline will.   
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I hope this is a great weekend for everyone stopping by.