Tag: holidays

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5 Healthy Treats to Give Out This Halloween

Many parents would prefer opting for healthier alternatives for their children this Halloween season. Below is a list of healthy and fun treats to give to those trick-or-treaters on Halloween night that are bound to satisfy their sweet tooth.

  1. Try swapping out gummy worm packets with applesauce packs. Give those trick-or-treaters a quick and on-the-go treat to gulp down while they are on their way to the next house.
  2. Next, swap those Pixy Stix out for cheese sticks. Loaded with 20 percent of your daily recommended calcium intake and loads of cheese to string, this is a healthy go-to option for every trick-or-treater.
  3. Avoid giving out Swedish Fish and instead opt for organic fruit snacks. Swedish Fish are loaded with 23 grams of sugar, which is bound to give your little one cavities.
  4. Say no to candy bars this season and say yes to granola bars. Candy bars can be loaded with lots of sugars and fats that can lead to weight gain. Try choosing granola bars as an alternative.
  5. Skip the candy corn this Halloween season and instead give out pumpkin seeds. Candy corn contains artificial ingredients and sugars. Instead, try giving out pumpkin seeds this year and putting them into little decorative candy bags with other treats.
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Stay Healthy This Holiday Season

January 1 rolls around, and suddenly we all regret the unhealthy habits we picked up over the holidays.

While this time of year is meant to be filled with friends, family, and food (and lots of it), it doesn’t mean that your health has to take the back burner. With these tips from the University of Maryland’s Baltimore Washington Medical Center, you can stay healthy this holiday season:

·         Exercise anywhere and anytime you can – The holidays are the busiest time of the year, which means many of us really start to slack off on our normal exercise regime. Between parties and preparations, it’s important to sneak in exercise whenever you get the chance. It’s not too difficult to fit in a 10 minute mini workout throughout your day!

·         Plan family activities – Take a walk or bike ride together to look at all of the beautiful holiday lights around your neighborhood or town. You could also plan some sports-related activities if you want to heat up the holidays with some friendly competition!

·         Eat something healthy before you arrive at holiday parties – This will keep you from stuffing yourself at the buffet.

·         Choose your favorite foods to indulge on – Since many holiday foods are only enjoyed once a year, it is important that you allow yourself to enjoy them. However, you need to enjoy them in a reasonable amount. Fill your plate (just one!) with a sample of all of your favorite holiday dishes so that you don’t feel deprived. Also, listen to your body when it says it’s full – try your hardest not to go back for seconds!

·         Don’t try to “prepare” for your holiday meal by skipping other meals – If you show up to the party starving, chances are you are going to make poor food choices. Eat small portions throughout the day to avoid binge-eating.

Just think – if you maintain your healthy habits during the holidays, you won’t have to make the dreaded “get healthy” New Year’s resolution that’s become a tradition in most households. You’ll be ahead of the game!

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Six Travel Tips for the Holiday Season

It’s that time again!

No, I am not referring to the time of year for exciting family get-togethers and never-ending food. (Though it’s that time, too.) I am referring to that stressful time of year when anxiety takes over as you watch your bank account after shopping expenses and holiday travel costs have taken their toll.

Fortunately for all of us, it doesn’t have to be this way. Thanks to Harper’s Bazaar, we can all learn the best traveling tricks to help out our wallets.

These six travel hacks will be sure to save you money this holiday season:

  1. Book your trip 30 days out (or less). Hotels and airlines usually offer better prices closer to the dates in an effort to fill unsold rooms and seats. If you book too far ahead of time, you may overpay.
  2. Travel during the week. Plane tickets tend to be cheaper since many opt to travel on weekends.
  3. Book hotels and flights on Tuesday. Tuesday is reportedly the day to snag the lowest prices.
  4. Plan a city getaway for the holidays. Holidays are a slow time for bigger cities since many people are leaving. This could mean cheaper hotel rooms for you!
  5. Try out the unconventional tourist attractions. Exploring the smaller, less-crowded areas of cities could help you to save on your trip. Get to know the locals and their favorite hangs around the city!
  6. Book a Sunday night during your trip. While Friday and Saturday nights tend to be the busiest hotel nights for travelers, Sunday nights usually offer more availability and lower-priced rooms.

Simply follow these guidelines to travel smarter this year without having to dig too deep into your pockets. Holidays are meant to be a relaxing time spent with family and friends. Don’t let the cost of traveling bring down your holiday cheer!