I’m not giving anyone a news flash when I say shopping is essential during the holiday season, right? So while spending your hard earned money and getting pushed and shoved by the holiday crowds you can also burn some extra calories. Now have I peeked your curiosity? Here’s some suggestions on how to do it.
Before starting your shopping quest eat a healthy, hearty breakfast such as oatmeal with fruit or yogurt. An egg white omelet with low fat cheese and mushrooms is always delicious, accompanied by seven grain toast. Now you are properly fueled for gathering the perfect gifts for friends and family.
When you arrive at your shopping destination, park far away (not that you’ll have much of a choice) from the front door so you have to do a little extra walking. If you go to a mall to shop walk around the stores and plan your shopping strategy before you “hit the floor running.” Walk at a good clip, a little faster than usual.
Window shopping can be exhilarating, give you great gift ideas and get some extra walking in, thus burn some extra calories.
Here are two recipes from my former client and good friend, Amy Berwald. One of Amy’s hobbies is cooking and making up new and delicious recipes. She wanted to share these scrumptious yet easy holiday dishes with Beauty News Readers. Happy Holidays!
Chanukah Sweet Potato Latkes
Preparation Time: 30-40 minutes
Potato Latkes are a traditional Chanukah treat. These treats make an excellent side dish to a holiday meal or you can serve them with a salad for a light dinner. Serve Apple Sauce on the side.
1 Pound Sweet Potatoes (3-4 med sized) peeled and grated coarsely
2 Green Onions or 1 leek (depending on your preference) cleaned and small diced
2 Large Organic Eggs, lightly beat
1 ½ teaspoons Salt
Black pepper to your taste
Vegetable Oil
Create a mixture using sweet potatoes, green onions/leeks, eggs, salt and pepper. Mix together and allow to sit together for 30 minutes in refrigerator.
In a large frying pan, heat ¼ inch of oil on medium heat until the oil is hot but not smoking. Using an ice cream scooper, scoop the mixture and then flatten it in your hands. Add the flattened latkes to the oil and cook 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Do this in batches so you do not overcrowd the pan. Add more oil as necessary between batches and allow the temperature to rise before adding latkes. Drain on paper towels and enjoy!
*** For a sweet change on this recipe, omit the leeks/green onions and replace with 1 tsp cinnamon and ¼ cup brown sugar. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar after they cool***
Easy Shrimp Oreganata
Italians traditionally eat a 7 course fish dinner on Christmas Eve. This is a very easy dish that you can make ahead of time and bring it to a party to bake when you arrive. Your friends and family will not be disappointed. The trick is to use a pretty baking dish that you can serve in as well.
1 Cup Bread Crumbs (pre-packed are fine but toasted and crumbled from a loaf of crusty Italian bread is best!)
3 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 Tbsp Dried Oregano leaves
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Lemons; grate 1 rind finely and juice, cut 1 in pieces for serving
½ Stick Butter, room temperature
¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated (optional)
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 Pounds Medium Shrimp, cleaned and de-veined
In a mixing bowl combine bread crumbs, minced garlic, oregano, lemon rind, ½ of the lemon juice, olive oil (you want the mixture to be damp, not wet, add more or less depending on the bread crumbs) and salt and pepper to taste. Using ½ of the butter, coat the bottom of a large and presentable baking dish. Arrange the cleaned shrimp so that they are all touching each other, they will shrink in the cooking process. Cover the shrimp with the mixture; pack it down tightly into the baking pan. If you opt to add parmesan cheese, sprinkle before baking. Dab the rest of the butter evenly around the baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Serve with Lemon Wedges.
These days the buzz words, in the fitness realm, are “core stability, core muscles, core exercises” and just plain “CORE”, but what the heck is our core? Our body’s core is the region around our trunk and pelvis which includes the back and abdominal muscles. Our center of gravity is located in the “core” area.
Controlling our movements, protecting our backs, obtaining better balance and more stability for activities, greatly depends on having a strong core. When there is core stability, the muscles in our lower back, pelvis, hips and abdomen work together. Strong core muscles help with good posture and aid in the prevention of pain and injuries in the lower back and muscles. Core exercises are an important part of overall fitness training.
The holidays can be a very difficult time for some people. While some bask in the excitement of the festivities others are depressed and overwhelmed by the season. Some people are all alone and at the holidays the loneliness often times intensifies.
Though it is wonderful to give, the holidays have become very commercial and all about the newest, latest and greatest gadget or toy. Gift giving can be very expensive causing anxiety and tension. The true meaning of giving is often lost.
If the holiday season is extremely difficult to get through you might need some help to manage the emotions you are experiencing.
Ricki Grater-Levine Psychotherapist gives stress-management classes to help individuals cope with issues that can arise from the season of “joy” or anytime during the year. Through deep breathing, mediation and relaxation exercises, one can put everything in perspective and deal with pain and anxiety.
After learning how to manage your stress through these methods, you can devote time everyday to your new found practice. Done consistently this will change your outlook and attitude. You’ll be amazed how calm and hopeful it can make you feel.
Contact Ricki at www.Shantispace.com or call her at 917-748-0288
