How to Beat the Holiday Hangover

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and got to spend time with family and friends.

Mine was fun and I am pretty sure I have eaten my weight in turkey, stuffing and various goodies over the last few days.

Do I feel guilty about it?  Not at all. 

This is the time of year when we really need to cut ourselves a little slack.  Life is all about balance.  A few days of making merry with food and drink is not going to make or break your otherwise healthy lifestyle. 

However, after a few days, you might find that the body is starting to feel a bit sluggish as it is not used to such copious amounts of comfort food.

Here are a few tips to help keep you feeling your best and we approach even more celebrations for the new year.

 


































Ditch the guilt.  As I mentioned above, you need to give yourself permission to indulge.  It is only once a year, so enjoy. ;)

Drink lots of water.  I think this one is pretty self explanatory.

Do short bursts of activity throughout the day.  When you are feeling tired and full, it is very easy to be content with laying on the couch.   Get up and go for a walk with your family.  Do a quick HIIT workout.  I guarantee you will feel better.

Start your Inspiration Board for 2012.  I will be working on mine this week.  It is a great way to get motivated to make postive changes.

Do you indulge guilt-free over the holidays?  What do you do to beat a holiday hangover?

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Last-Minute Holiday Baking Ideas

I did a whole lot of baking yesterday.

I love baking for the holidays.  It really puts me in the Christmas spirit.  (A little dusting of snow would also do the trick, but it doesn't look like we are going to get any this year.) :(

If you are looking for some last-minute holiday treats to bring to your family gathering or to work next week, here are some fantastic and easy ones to try!

(I promise to borrow a camera to show you some of the ones I made!)

Friday Favourites: Gift Ideas for Kids

I know I am a day late, but "Friday Favourites" has such a nice ring to it. ;)

Last week, I shared some of my picks for adult gifts.  This week, I wanted to share some ideas for the little munchkins out there.

I still have quite a bit of shopping left to do and I have to admit that creating these lists has given me a lot of great ideas. :)  I hope you find it helpful too!

For Boys

Recipe Repeat: Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

I miss my camera.  There, I said it.

I really didn't realize how much I rely on my camera since I started blogging regularly.  Photography has always been something I have been interested it and I have really missed practicing and honing my skills. 

Perhaps Santa will bring me one this year. ;)

But, I digress. 

I am planning on a big bake-a-thon this weekend to try out some new holiday recipes I have encountered on a few of my favourite blogs and will be sharing them with you next week.  In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this recipe from blogs past.

I am afraid that the picture does not do it justice.  This was the most fantastic gingerbread cake I have ever tasted and I hope you try it out for yourself!

Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (Makes 20 slices)

1 1/4 cups white flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup wheat bran

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ginger

1 tsp cloves

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup low fat butter milk*
1/2 cup applesauce

1 cup molasses

2 flax eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9x13 pan,

Combine flour, bran, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and baking powder.  In a separate bowl, mix milk, applesauce and molasses until smooth.  Add flax eggs.

Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until incorporated.

Pour batter into greased pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.  Allow to cool and top with icing.

Cream Cheese Icing

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup light cream cheese

Nutritional Information (Approx)

181 calories

7 g fat

28 g carbs

2 g protein

1 g fibre

*No buttermilk, no problem!  Add 1 tbsp of vinegar to 1 cup of skim milk and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
  
Which camera do you recommend and why?  Any recipes you have for the holidays that are worth repeating?

Stay Healthy, 

Tracy

Friday Favourites: Holiday Gift Ideas

It's my birthday today and I have the entire day off!!!

I'm going to do a little (birthday cake) baking, some yoga and put up the Christmas tree (maybe have a glass of wine to two ;).

I thought today would be a perfect day to share some of my favourite ideas for gift giving this year.  Whether you are trying to figure out what to get the person who has everything or need to add to your own wish list, there is something here for everyone!


For Him