HO HO Holiday Waistline
December 18, 2009 — reindeerdreamsA 2007 New York Times blog article suggests that reports of holiday weight gain of 7-10 pounds are exaggerated. Studies suggest that the average weight gain during the winter holidays is actually just a single pound.
This all seems like pretty good news except that most people don’t ever lose the extra pound which can add up to excess weight over the years.
I must admit, I’m not one of those disciplined people able to turn away from the mountains of delicious treats that pop up in stores and pour out of sweet-smelling kitchens every holiday season. Fact is, I can’t imagine the holidays without sampling every sugary treat possible and overloading regularly on carb loaded side dishes.
The good news is you can have your cake and cookies too if you practice eating smart and in moderation. As a fairly disciplined eater, I rarely deprive myself of a few sweet treats here and there.
This holiday season is typical in that my sweets meter went way up and hasn’t started to fall just yet. No fretting over a gingerbread latte, heavenly bliss bar or my favorite, peppermint bark ice cream. Instead I’m counting on balancing healthy eating with holiday treats while drinking plenty of water and sticking to my regular exercise routine. So far progress is good and no regrets!
What The Experts Say
According to WebMD, portion control is the key when it comes to the holidays. These 10 tips will help you avoid overindulging this holiday season:
1. Never arrive hungry; have a nutritious snack beforehand or drink water before filling your plate.
2. Divert your attention; focus on something other than the food at the party, like chatting or dancing.
3. Pace yourself; munch at a leisurely pace.
4. Count your canapes; track how many of those little treats you’re eating.
5. Outsmart the buffet; use the smallest plate and stick to fruits and veggies while watching sauces and dips.
6. Limit alcohol; avoid the calories and stay in control of yourself and what you eat.
7. Be choosy about sweets; stick to small desserts that are worth the calories.
8. Bring your own treats; when it comes to a potluck; make something healthy that works for you.
9. Limit “tastes” while cooking; those extra calories add up.
10. Walk it off; take a family walk and burn calories before or after a meal.
Have a healthy and sweet holiday season!
After Christmas Prices Now
December 17, 2009 — reindeerdreamsWhile picking up last minute gifts, I noticed two things:
1. Retailers are not waiting until after Christmas to have big clearance sales. If you want it, you should probably get it now or very soon. Many retailers have discounted Christmas and seasonal merchandise up to 50% heading in to the last week before the big day. If you can hold out and are flexible, you will likely see merchandise at even bigger discounts a couple of days before Christmas. It could very well be worth the wait.
2. Christmas departments are shrinking super fast and the holiday cleanup has already begun. This speaks to the accuracy of predictions made by analysts a few months ago that retailers would not be carrying much excess inventory. Holiday merchandise is already reduced by half or much more in many cases. Costco’s shelves are practically free of Christmas merchandise and what’s left is deeply discounted. Valentines Day merchandise is not only in stock, but on shelves!
I like to do a little after Christmas shopping and already know where I’ll be picking up deals. After Christmas sales are a great time to buy and store food items with extended expiration dates, wrapping paper, eco-friendly lights and much more. See http://reindeerdreams.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/now-til-christmas-2009/ for a list of items to consider stocking up on at incredible prices after the holiday season.
Happy post-holiday season shopping!
Last Minute Gifts
December 16, 2009 — reindeerdreamsA few nice last minute gift options to consider.
1. Lolita glassware is so much fun and a great collectible item. They make perfect last minute gifts and can be found online and at retailers across the U.S. Many of these dressed up wine glasses, ornaments, martini glasses and more come with a fabulous drink recipe on the bottom. How cool is that!
2. A subscription to Netflix DVDs by mail is a great last-minute gift for an individual or a family. Subscriptions start at $8.99 per month and 1-12 month subscriptions are available at a cost fit for every budget. A great entertainment gift.
3. Gift Cards never fail. It is reported that 35% of Americans bought gift cards in 2008 and over 50% of consumers say they like receiving them. As much as many of us feel like gift cards are a cop-out gift, not so! They’re sure winners that allow recipients to buy whatever they want. No sad faces or disappointments to deal with on Christmas day makes for a very happy holiday.
White House Theme 2009
December 10, 2009 — reindeerdreamsFirst Lady Michelle Obama unveiled the long awaited White House Christmas theme of “Reflect, Rejoice, Renew” today. She said this theme was chosen because her family spends the holidays reflecting on its blessings, rejoicing in the company of friends and family and renewing their commitments to each other and causes they believe in.
This year’s theme is being reflected by the use of recycled ornaments, natural materials and environmentally friendly LED lights. Executive pastry chef Bill Yosses and his staff created the traditional gingerbread replica of the White House covered in white chocolate complete with a shadowbox for viewing inside the State Dining Room, with a lit chandelier and dark chocolate furniture. This year there’s also a replica of First Dog, Bo along with Mrs. Obama’s South Lawn garden complete with marzipan vegetables.
Mrs. Obama chose traditional decorations to reflect the architecture and color scheme of each room of the Georgian -style mansion. Natural materials such as hydrangea, magnolia, honeysuckle vine, pepper berries and dried root from her South Lawn vegetable garden decorate trees and wreaths in rooms on the State Floor.
The official Blue Room tree stands at 18 1/2 -by-13 feet and is lit with environmentally friendly LED lights, decorated with huge gold ribbons and bows and more than 600 ornaments from prior administrations.
The ornaments were sent to over 60 local community groups throughout the country with instructions to decorate them in tribute to a favorite local landmark. Landmarks include some Obama hometown favorites like Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, The Art Institute of Chicago and the DuSable Museum.
Mrs. Obama thanked the more than 90 volunteers from 24 states who worked some 3,400 hours to transform the mansion into a Christmas wonderland.
More than 50,000 people are expected to attend 28 holiday parties and open houses at the White House this month with the first on Tuesday night in the East Room, honoring volunteer decorators.
Billionaire talk show host Oprah Winfrey will present “Christmas at the White House,” a prime-time special airing Sunday, December 13 on ABC.
See the video of First Lady Michelle Obama previewing Holidays at the White House ( http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/first-lady-previews-holidays-white-house)
Check out the White House December, 2009 photo gallery (http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/photogallery/december-2009-photo-day). Photos, podcasts, videos and live streams are also available at www.whitehouse.gov.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_Christmas_tree
The Associated Press
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/first-lady-previews-holidays-white-house
Navigating The Holidays
December 9, 2009 — reindeerdreamsHoliday time can be a chaotically joyful thing. In the midst of the twinkling lights and festivities life is still happening. For many this hasn’t been a banner year and it may come as a surprise to some that not everyone looks forward to the holidays. Yet we cloak ourselves in cheer and dig deep searching for meaning and deep wells of joy and comfort to spread to others.
It has been long rumored that mental conditions spike around the holidays. Many wonderful sources from the web to books and talk shows give tips on how to navigate the holidays without slipping into sadness and depression. Perhaps the best advice is to hold on to the things that make the holidays special for you. It doesn’t have to be an item of monetary value. In fact, memories can transport us back to the most special moments of our lives. It could be the time you spent with family and friends or maybe you’re looking forward to helping and serving others, which is guaranteed to lift the spirit.
Whether to a loved one or perfect stranger, take care to speak kindly for you never know what burdens they shoulder or what blessings they bring. I once read a memorable quote by poet and author Dr. Maya Angelou worth remembering during the holidays and everyday. They are words of unforgettable truth:
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.“
While sifting thorough old emails, I came across this list of lessons said to be written by a woman who had turned 90 years old and wanted to share the wisdom she’d acquired over the years. In truth, the author was turning 50 and this was an update to an earlier list of published lessons. Something about this list by Regina Brett seems perfect to consider as we turn to a new page and a make the bold leap into a brand new year. Here goes:
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
Happy Holidays!
Reindeer Dreams
Berry Berry Sweet
December 8, 2009 — reindeerdreamsI’m a bit of a berry nut and one of the very best seems pop up here and there but only gets an honorable mention during the holiday season. Chestnuts show up in Christmas songs but nobody ever sings about one of the hardest working berries in the food business; the cranberry! Lets face it, a Christmas dinner just wouldn’t be the same without a little cranberry sauce gracing the table. This fabulous little berry shows up as a side dish, in side dishes and in desserts that wouldn’t make sense without them, starting with the madly delicious Starbuck’s cranberry bliss bar but never seems to get the respect it deserves.
I keep plenty of cranberries around year round to put in salads, hot cereal and as a topping for things like sweet potatoes. These great little berries whether dried or fresh bring a special zing to everything they touch. They’re also found to have a long list of amazing positive health benefits including powerful antioxidants and antibacterial effects on the body. Heck, the cranberry is so important there’s even a Cranberry Institute….Who knew!
In addition to all of this, the cranberry is the number one fruit crop for the state of Wisconsin which produces more than half of the entire world’s supply. Why so much love for cranberries? Well, they just seem to make everything taste better. Check out these holiday and everyday recipes and tips and you’ll see what I mean:
1. Cranberry Sauce with Candied Ginger (Whole Foods Market)
Ingredients
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup triple sec or other orange liqueur
1 2/4 cups brown sugar
1 (12-ounce) bag fresh or frozen and thawed cranberries
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 cup crystallized (candied) ginger, finely chopped, divided
1 tablespoon orange zest
Method
Put juice, triple sec and sugar into a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring often, until sugar has dissolved. Add cranberries and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minute.
Add ground ginger and about a third of the crystallized ginger and simmer, stirring often, until cranberries have popped and sauce is thickened to a desired consistency, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat, stir in zest and all but a few pieces of the remaining crystallized ginger. Set aside and let cool to room temperature. Garnish with crystallized ginger and serve.
Note: replace triple sec with more orange juice if desired.
2. Homemade Cranberry Sauce (with a little spice)
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries
5 cloves
pinch of cinnamon
1 tablespoon fresh ginger
Method
Put water, sugar, cloves and ginger into a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until sugar has dissolved. Lower heat and simmer for approximately 10 minutes giving the ginger and cloves time to flavor the mixture.
Skim ginger pieces and cloves from the pan and add cranberries. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop.
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Note: Double cinnamon, clove and ginger amount if stronger flavor is desired.
2. Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies (modified Ocean Spray recipe)
Ingredients
2/3 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 ounces dried cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks
Method
Preheat oven to 375ο
Mix butter and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until creamy. Add eggs and mix well. In a separate bowl combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly add dry ingredients to butter mixture until blended well. Add dried cranberries and chocolate chunks.
Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5-10 minutes before serving.
Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.
3. Simple Cranberry Nut Mix
Ingredients
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup almonds
1 cup pistachios
1/2 cup round dark chocolate pieces (optional)
Method
Combine cranberries, nuts and chocolate pieces and package in a glass jar with a bow. This makes a perfect hostess gift or simply keep around as a healthy treat to nibble on throughout the holidays.
Note: Recipe works great with raw or roasted nuts.
The Birds of Christmas
December 3, 2009 — reindeerdreamsDuring the holiday season it’s hard not to notice how our feathered friends show up in songs, on cards and in the form of some of the most gorgeous ornaments ever made. I spent part of my childhood years in a country setting and have a wonderful and vivid memory or my grandmother pointing out to me a bright red cardinal perched atop a snow covered tree stump in the wintertime. How idyllic. To this day I love cardinals and am fascinated by doves, peacocks and many other birds. Lets not forget about the birds of the Twelve Days of Christmas; seven swans a-swimming, six geese a- laying, five golden rings (were they really rings?), four colly (calling) birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
This got me wondering, how of all birds did these fair feathered fowl become associated with the most celebrated holiday in the world?
The Cardinal
The male northern Cardinal or “redbird” is so well loved that it is the official bird of seven U.S. states. Their bright red color makes this beautiful songbird easily identifiable. Only males have the brilliant red plumage which stands out beautifully against winter scenery.
The cardinal seems to show up almost as often as the dove as symbol of the Christmas season on greeting cards, as ornaments and on many other themed items. It is said that the cardinals scarlet plumage represents the blood of Christ shed for the redemption of mankind.
The Dove
The white dove has been a symbol of peace and hope for thousands of years. Its association with the holiday that celebrates the birth of the Prince of Peace is only fitting.
Doves figure prominently in the Bible in the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, Noah sent forth a dove which returned with an olive branch indicating the end of the great biblical flood and the beginning of God’s covenant with man. In the new testament, in the gospel of John, John testifies: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.” This refers to the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
This bird is considered loyal, honorable and peaceful. Dating back to ancient Egyptians, the dove was seen as a symbol of innocence. To the early Greeks and Romans, doves represented love, devotion and care for family. The dove also symbolized the peaceful soul for many cultures.
The color of the dove represents purity, hope for peace and the forgiveness we obtain from God and each other.
The Birds of the Twelve Days of Christmas
The Twelve Days of Christmas song enumerates a series of increasingly grandiose gifts given on each of the twelve days beginning on December 25th and ending on January 5th, Epiphany. First published in 1780 in England, on seven of the twelve days the singers’ true love gave birds. With the help of 10000birds.com, let’s investigate these mostly gastronomic medieval gifts.
On the first Day of Christmas my true love sent to me: a Partridge in a Pear Tree
1. The partridge is a member of the pheasant family and has been a traditional game bird in England for centuries. It is a plump hen-like bird shown in most drawings atop a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Two Turtle Doves
2. Turtle Doves are common summer visitors to England. It is a dainty dove and smaller and darker than most other pigeons.
On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Three French Hens
3. Per 10000birds.com, exhaustive inquiry turned up nothing about the distinctive qualities of French hens. This gift is thought to be one of fancy domesticated chickens from France, perhaps cooked in a Parisian style.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Four calling Birds
4. Research shows it is widely accepted that the original gift was of four “colly birds,” not “calling birds.” Colly means “black as coal.” This bird is common in he UK but not considered appetizing.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Five Golden Rings
5. Is the writer referring to actual rings or birds? One interpretation is that the golden rings are really ring-necked birds which are a common variety of pheasant. They were introduced to England from China and other parts of Asia during medieval times. Like many other birds, pheasants were another source of sustenance.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Six Geese-a-Laying
6. The geese in the song are likely domesticated and the ancestor of most domesticated geese. The song is likely referring to the bulky Greylag goose which is a native of the UK.
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Seven Swans-a-Swimming
7. The graceful white swan is seemingly meant to thrill the recipient and is probably meant to be ornamental and not edible. This is both a lovely bird and beautiful swimmer and would likely have delighted the recipient.
There you have it, the most famous birds of Christmas!
References:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/cardinal.html
http://www.bronners.com/symbolofthecardinal.html
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art12825.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas_(song)
Christmas Decorating
December 2, 2009 — reindeerdreamsTis the season to be festive and for many this means decking the halls with endless lights and tons of baubles. For others, a simple wreath on the door will do. I love pouring over the pages of catalogs and magazines for holiday decorating tips and tricks, especially the budget friendly kind. I even daydream about Martha Stewart, Candace Olson and the entire HGTV decorating staff making my place over for the holidays…and every other day of the year for that matter.
The great thing is when it comes to holiday decorating there are no rules, so go ahead, be daring. Try new things and use unconventional colors like brown and blue or purple and moss, put a bow on a stack of books and hang an extra ornament from your Charlie Brown tree. Whatever you do don’t stress about it, have fun with it and make it all your own.
Here are a few ways I like to make the season festive at my house. This year is a year of color and celebration, just because I’m feeling extra festive. There will usually be candles, something red, a little whimsy and plenty of sparkle.
Happy Decorating….your way!
Festive Floating Candles
A Wow Tree Topper
A Sparkling Wreath
A Favorite Ornament
- Department 56 Village Houses
- Fun and Decorative Candles
A Bowl of Fragrant Greens
A Seasonal Bouquet
Gift Wrapping Ideas
December 1, 2009 — reindeerdreamsReceiving a beautifully wrapped gift sparks excitement and even more interest and curiosity for the recipient. Many think gift wrapping is overrated and wonder why the big deal? Others wouldn’t dream of giving a gift without it being wrapped in festive paper with an exquisite bow. In my opinion wrapping a gift is like putting icing on a perfectly baked cake. It’s gonna taste good anyway but a little icing adds a certain….something. Think Tiffany, the blue box with the white satin bow lets you know there’s something special inside.
There are no limits to how creative you can be when it comes to wrapping and presenting a gift. You can place a gift in a box and wrap with regular store-bought paper or use the Sunday funnies all tied up with raffia or a colorful satin bow.
Here is a short list of easy and doable gift wrapping and presentation ideas for the holiday season.
1. From marthastewart.com this photo only tells half the story. These gifts are color coded so each family member knows which gifts belong to whom. I love this idea because you can use special ribbon, paper or gifts tags to convey the same message. It’s perfect and doesn’t give away any secrets. Which gift belongs to whom can be your little secret until Christmas day.
2. There’s something really classy about receiving a gift in a clear cello bag with a big bow on top. Cello bags can be used to package a variety of gifts such as food, wine and themed gifts. They’re super easy to put together and look beautiful when finished. Just place wine or food gifts in your cello bag along with items to add interest like cinnamon sticks, pine cones or other fillers and deck with raffia or a bright bow and a gift tag. Voila, perfection!
3. The Sunday paper takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to the holidays. This is one of the most eco-friendly ways to make use of the Sunday funnies and financial section. I especially like the idea of using a pop of color against the black and white print. A black or print grosgrain ribbon would be great too. Keep it 100% eco by using a natural tie like raffia or twine. Simple, useful and a sure conversation starter.
4. Bakers and novices of all ages make cookies, fudge and other sweet and savory treats to give as gifts during the holidays. What a neat and simple way to present them. Dress up a reusable tin with a little green foliage. Try holly or a sprig of pine with a great ornament or pine cone. A guaranteed favorite.
5. One of my favorite gifts to give is a goody bag or mini swag bag. The idea is simple, pick up a few or a lot of really special and useful items. Assemble in a great gift bag lined with awesome paper or fabric and top it off with a bow, ornament or candy cane. For example, a cheerful oven mitt paired with a few great kitchen gadgets like locking tongs, a matching spatula and kitchen towels would be great and useful. Super easy and an idea for kids of all ages.
6. Tape ain’t what it used to be. Jazz up a gift or package with this decorative tape from The Container Store and tapeswell.com.
7. Wrap bottles of wine, gourmet vinegars, olive oils and other food items using a festive holiday towel, fancy dinner napkin or a gorgeous swatch of fabric. This idea works beautifully with homemade gifts in jars like cookie mixes, jams and relishes. Simply position the item to be wrapped in the center of the fabric and gather snugly at the neck of the bottle or jar with a lush ribbon, raffia or twine. Add a creative accessory to the bow like a wine stopper, jam spoon or even tiny colorful bells. Make the fabric and accessories as fancy or simple as you desire. A great presentation idea for a hostess gift.
8. I love the idea of turning a simple container into a holiday masterpiece. Cover the container with beautiful paper and attach gold and silver pine cones or holiday themed artificial flowers to the top for an elegant and unexpected look. Simply leaving the container as is and lining with fun and elegant paper works great too. Go wild with lots of style or keep it simple. Use the finished product for themed gifts or all kinds. Simple, easy and unexpected.
9. From a distance you’d think by looking at these beautifully wrapped gifts that they are just more packages in pretty ribbons and bright colors. Upon closer inspection you’ll notice a few simple and well placed eyes, furry noses and even faux fur wrapping. An incredibly fun way to present a child’s gift. This idea could easily work for adults with a little ingenuity. These gifts are part of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry’s Christmas Around the World Exhibit for 2010 featuring a Muppet-like theme. So easy, creative and fun!
References:
Check out these links, references and resources for fantastic gift wrapping and presentation ideas.
http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/wrap-it-up
http://www.eastshorefoods.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19
http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/creative-gift-wrap-ideas-1209
http://www.containerstore.com/search/result.htm?viewAll=true&query=gift wrap
http://www.tapeswell.com/decorative_tape/holiday-tapes-c-7.html
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/holiday-ideas/diy-holiday-gift-wrap
