Holiday Slim Down

It’s that time of year again when you are feeling plain BLAHHH from an overdose of sugar cookies, fudge, and a few too many cocktails.  Instead of waiting until New Year’s to get back on track start TODAY.  Over the years I have picked up various slim-down tips and techniques from numerous health related magazines and Websites but after trying anything and everything (seriously) I found that there are really only three ways to get REAL results fast and here they are.

DRINK WATER!  Drinking water helps beat bloat and flattens your midsection by flushing away the excess sodium, especially from alcohol.  Add a little bit of fresh lemon for flavor and to kick-start your metabolism. 

AVOID BARCODES.  In other words, eat more fruits and veggies and less processed and packaged foods.

WALK.  Take a few extra mini-walks throughout the day; try to get outdoors if you can.  Even if it’s only a 10 minute walk you are engaging in physical activity and nothing beats the clarity you experience when walking outdoors.

Now let’s be clear, I am not promising that you will lose 15 pounds in a week or anything crazy.  However, if you do follow these tips without consuming mass amounts of leftover holiday goodies you will lose a puffy tummy and regain your lost energy.  So if you want to look and feel healthier today without starving to death or yo-yo dieting then these tips are for you!

Last-Minute Christmas Gifts

For those of you that thought Black Friday was the busiest shopping day of the year, you are WRONG.  The busiest shopping day of the year is actually the Saturday before Christmas!

Usually I have all of my Christmas shopping and wrapping done before December but this year I am WAY behind.  With that said if anyone else is finding themselves in a bit of a pickle this post is for you!  I have come up with a list of last-minute gifts that won't look like you threw this all together 30 minutes before the party started and they will surely leave smiles on everyone's face :)

I am a HUGE fan of making gift baskets, so all you need to do is take the items throw them in a basket, bucket, gift box, stocking, or whatever and you are giving the best gift under the tree.

Gifts for Guys

• A six-pack of hand-crafted beer, a can of mixed nuts, & beef Jerky
• A fifth of Jager, a pack of RedBull, & two rocks glasses
• A set of barbecue utensils & a few bottles of seasoning or marinade
• A box of fine cigars & a cigar cutter

Gifts for Girls

• A bottle of bath salts, a scented candle, & a box of chocolates
• Three boxes of flavored teas, a box of wafer cookies, a to-go mug, & a $5-$10 giftcard to a coffee shop (this gift idea can work for both tea lovers & coffee lovers)
• Fuzzy socks, nail polish, an emery board, & foot lotion
• A flower pot, seed packets, & gardening utensils

Gifts for Guys & Girls

• A plastic popcorn bucket or bowl, instant popcorn packages, candy, & a giftcard to a local video rental store
• A bottle of red & white wine, a decorative wine stopper, & two festive wine glasses
• Fill a basket with their favorite candy, soda, & chips
• Purchase a wide-mouthed re-sealable water bottle & fill it with power bars, & a giftcard to a sporting store

Happy Shopping!

 

 

Santa's Super Skinny Cocktails

Tis' the season to over indulge in Christmas goodies and alcohol!  As our long weekend of Christmas festivities begins I thought it would be appropriate to share Dr. Oz's 'Santa's Super Skinny Cocktails.' Enjoy!

Seasonal Sangria

Ingredients
1/2 oz pomegranate liqueur
1/2 oz cognac
1/2 oz spiced rum
4 oz apple cider
2 oz shiraz – to float on top
Assorted fruits
Orange garnish

Directions
Mix the pomegranate liqueur, cognac, spiced rum and apple cider together. Pour the shiraz on top of the mixture, and add in your desired fruits and the orange garnish. 

Merry Martini

Ingredients
1.5 oz vodka
1/2 oz ginger liqueur
1/2 can lychee juice
8 mint leaves
Lychee & mint leaves garnish

Directions
Mix the vodka, ginger liqueur, lychees and mint leaves together in a shaker. Add the garnish to desired taste.

Credit:  http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/santa-super-skinny-cocktails