"Stress" we have all felt it, we may have even uttered those exact words… but now learn how to "escape it" this holiday season.

Where to begin--

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Now that we have some ideas of how to pamper ourselves, let’s get down to the rest of it!

• Adapt your recipes to a lower fat version; fix your holiday favorites using the tips below to cut back on fat. Chances are your family won’t even notice these changes!
• Write a plan for each day, just as you would for a family trip, or a business venture, start thinking ahead this holiday season and write your "holiday plan" down.

• Start a shopping list --what will you shop for, how much will you designate to spend on each person, what will you want to fix for holiday meals, and what ingredients will you need… shop early this year! Look for sales--

• Decide on a menu for your holiday dinner, shop and begin preparing all items possible ahead of time. For example: If you’re fixing holiday cookies, cookie dough can be prepared ahead of time and the dough frozen. Cookies you cut-out could be prepared and shaped, place them on a pan in your freezer-- once frozen pop them in a storage bag or freezer container, seal and store in your freezer until ready to bake. When ready to bake, take out, thaw and place on your cookie pan and bake. It's that easy. If you have unexpected guests, take a bakers dozen out of the freezer and bake... this is a great idea for a quick dessert no matter what time of the year it is!

• Prepare salads ahead of time such as Chef’s salad, wash and cut lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers,  and shred carrots. Fruit salads—wash all fruit thoroughly, grapes can be taken off the stem, walnuts chopped ahead of time and placed in a sealed container or bag, pineapple could be cut and chunked, cherries diced, etc.

• Use your microwave for cooking and heating up your vegetables such as potatoes, corn, and green beans. Prepare a day or two before your holiday meal and then just pop in the microwave to re-heat. Vegetables will be just as tasty! However, I personally prefer meats re-heated on the stove-top or oven.

• Stuffing is another item that can be prepared a day or two before, especially now with all the talk about bacteria from stuffing a turkey and having an undercooked turkey, etc. You could make up your stuffing ahead of time and refrigerate. Just bake in a separate container when you bake your turkey or ham for your holiday dinner.

• Turkey or Ham could be baked a day or two before, sliced and re-heated.

• Don’t wait until the last minute to shop and wrap gifts. There are summer and fall sales you should take advantage of, and shop the Internet many web sites now have secure servers and drop ship services available. This is when you place the order and they send it directly to the person that you want to send the gift to, generally they will add a gift card or note on the packing receipt letting the receiver know who sent it. Ask if they have delivery verification, or delivery tracking.

• Forget New Year Resolutions… instead make a healthy, nutritious, lower fat, lower cholesterol way of life,      ( incorporating exercise and adapting recipes to a lower fat version) a plan for life! ™ Not a fad...

Trans Fat, also known as Trans Fatty Acids may raise cholesterol levels... Yes, High cholesterol levels in the blood may just lead to clogged arteries, however Trans Fat does not tend to raise the Total Cholesterol as much as Saturated fat in foods will. Trans Fat is now listed on only a few food labels, and is made when hydrogen is added to liquid oils and will read as stated below:

No Trans Fats or 0 grams Trans Fatty Acids.

Trans fats are a health threat and need to be included in the total fat count according to The American Heart Association.

After looking at the Height and weight charts and the BMI Table, use these tools as a general guideline to determine the best weight for your height.  Seek advice of your physician to find a realistic weight loss goal that is best for you should you have any further questions.  Don’t starve yourself to lose weight—Did you know? -- that breaking a fast each morning is important for our metabolism and for receiving nutrients we need. Therefore, eat breakfast each morning during the holiday season and every day. Exercise to help increase your metabolism.

• Take time out during the holiday season this year to relax and enjoy family and guests.
• If this is one other subject I can't stress enough-- it is to take time to appreciate those around us, noticing the little things that one may do for another, less it may somehow all get taken for granted.  Many of us are so wrapped up in our every day lives, sometimes we forget to look at the beautiful aspects of life which surround us and forget to count our many blessings!

• My thanks and great gratitude go out to all Military Members serving in the United States Military this holiday season, for if it were not for you... we would not be able to celebrate this holiday season in "Freedoms Name"... you and your families are in my thoughts and prayers!

From our Family at Lowfat Weekly to Yours…