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November/December 2008 Issue | Posted by Danielle Bean in Home Front

NUTRITION by Danielle

8 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Party Plan

Attending a Christmas party doesn’t have to blow your goal of healthy eating. Here’s a plan:

• Eat first. To avoid overeating, have a high-protein, low-sugar snack like nuts, whole grain crackers, or low fat yogurt to satisfy your hunger before attending a holiday party.

• Alternate. For every alcoholic drink you consume, drink at least one large glass of water.

• Bring your own. Offer to help the hostess by bringing along some food you prepare — a health-conscious alternative like hummus with pita chips or a veggie platter with low fat dip. Other guests will be grateful for the option!

• Just say No. Will Great Aunt Gertie really die if you don’t ingest a dozen of her traditional Honey Choco Rum Balls? Have just one, savor the flavor, and shower her with compliments.

Burn'em

Make up for those inevitable extra holiday calories by also indulging in some fun ways to keep moving.

• Hit the mall. The old advice of parking as far away from the store as possible and power walking your way to the entrance is a good idea. For even more exercise, though, try shopping early in the morning so that crowds won’t inhibit your keeping a brisk pace inside the mall.

• Get outdoors. Outdoor activities are a great stress-reducer — something most moms need this time of year. Go for a walk with the dog or the kids, build a snowman, or gather friends for an evening of caroling.

• Clean house. Company coming? Now is the perfect time ­ to scrub the shower, sweep the floors, vacuum the carpets, and race from room to room in a wild calorie-burning fit of de-cluttering.

Sweet Treat

Try this quick and easy dip with an assortment of fruit dippers for a sweet treat that’s low fat and nutritious:

Festive Fruit Dip

8 ounces low fat cream cheese, softened
8 ounces jarred marshmallow cream (Fluff)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Beat all ingredients together until well blended. Serve with strawberries, pineapple chunks, and apple slices for dipping.

SELF

Gift of Style by Mary

Blue makes your mother’s eyes sparkle, but you can’t remember if she still wears a size 14. Your sister loves those baby doll tops, but you’re not sure if she’s into Pucci prints, fluid florals, or subtle solids. A gift is surely an expression of love, but a fashion gift can spark an unwanted series of quandaries.

Resist buying garments as Christmas gifts for the women you love. Rather, give them the gift of style by finding for them the perfect version of any one of the suggestions below. After all, Christmas is about giving and loving and not about the stress that comes with guessing a wo­ man’s size, body type, or taste. Consider:

• a glorious winter scarf in her best colors. Look for it in a boutique or department store she loves but can’t normally afford.

• a breathtaking shawl in her best colors. Inquiries for silk and wool versions (imported from India) can be made at SilknMore.net.

• a well-made pair of winter gloves. Try off-price stores such as T.J. Maxx or Marshalls. Cabelas.com is also a great source for more hardworking winter gloves.

• a monogrammed small bag — for cosmetics or travel. A traditional luggage store like Kaehler will monogram for free.

• a coordinated set of combs and brushes from Sally Beauty Supply (SallyBeauty.com).

• a metal business card holder embellished with something that might be special to her (like a purse or a golf club). Off-price stores such as Steinmart, Marshalls, or T.J. Maxx carry delightful versions.

• a gift certificate to an eating establishment in a shopping district or mall. Then, tell her that it is only to be used on a day the two of you go shopping together.

• a book on style or a history of fashion. (My book, It’s So You! Fitting Fashion to Your Life just happens to fit the bill!) Sign and date it for her.

— Visit Mary at MarySheehanWarren.com

HOME

Make Your Table Tops

Dressing up your holiday table need not be expensive or complicated. These easy ideas make merry for less.

Tablecloth A tablecloth adds instant drama to your table setting. You can gussy up an older tablecloth by sewing large jingle bells to its corners. Make it sparkle by throwing on some holiday glitter before setting out the plates.
Centerpiece For a last-minute way to dress up your holiday table without resorting to buying expensive flowers, look no further than the classic candy cane. A handful of candy canes displayed in a large glass jar or vase and adorned with a piece of greenery or wrapped with a matching ribbon makes a lovely centerpiece or table accent.

Napkins Tie napkins with pretty Christmas fabric scraps or ribbons and tuck in a miniature candy cane. Or use floral wire to secure a sprig of greenery or holly to each folded napkin.
Favors For a unique personal touch, set a miniature frame featuring Christmas photos or printed quotations at each place. Try the 1.5-inch mini frames from ForeverWedStore.com ($9 for 12).

MONEY

Never Miss a Deal

Before you shop online or at the mall, log on to The Bargainist (Bargainist.com) to find the latest special deals, offers, coupons, and freebies from hundreds of retailers. You can browse deals by stores or by category. Named one of Time magazine’s top websites of 2006, The Bargainist also features practical articles on controlling debt, saving money, and handy gift guides. You can even have the latest deals sent to your email account — a busy shopper’s best friend!

Year-end Tax Tips

With the end of the year fast approaching, now is the time to consider making some smart moves to save you money in 2009.
• Be generous. Christmas is a natural time of year for charitable giving. If you itemize your taxes, last-minute donations of cash or items to qualified charities can also add up to a hefty tax deduction. If you give cash, use your credit card instead of a check to ensure the payment goes through before the end of the year. If you donate items, be sure to ask the recipient for a letter stating the estimated value of the donated goods.
• Prepay. Paying your January mortgage payment in December will give you one more month of interest to deduct from your 2008 taxes. If you have large, regular medical bills, you can pay these ahead too and deduct the cost.
• Buy big. If you deduct your state sales tax instead of state income tax, buying a big-ticket item at the end of the year can yield a large deduction. If you are planning to buy a new car anyway, buying it in December will allow you to benefit from its purchase on your 2008 tax return.