5 Essentials of Losing Weight

found these tips in an old *ediets* newsletter:
A weightloss buddy posted these elsewhere and I thought they might benefit some of you.

Strategy #1: Awareness is the key to catching the extra calories you eat and drink each day before they show up on the scale. Are you dining at the drive-thru, slurping sugary sodas or cleaning your kids' plates? It's time to take a look at your actions and make smarter choices that won't take your thighs by surprise.

Strategy #2: Education helps you know what's healthy and what's headed straight to your hips. Take the time to read labels and choose real foods instead of processed pretenders. Once you know about healthy eating, you can find delicious foods that will leave you slim and satisfied.

Strategy #3: Determination is the desire to make a long-term change, rather than relying on a quick-fix fad. You must be ready to makeover your life...before you can makeover your look. Once you're fed up enough to get fired up, then nothing can stand in your way.

Strategy #4: Action is the moment you make the changes that will make a difference. Be sure to take action every day...whether it's choosing a salad instead of a sundae, taking the stairs instead of the elevator or relaxing with a good book instead of a gooey candy bar.

Strategy #5: Motivation means staying strong even when life and lasagna get in the way. Prepare for those tough times by planning rewards to keep you going. Buy a new outfit when you drop 10 pounds or take a cruise when you lose 20. Think of them as well-deserved splurges that won't leave you feeling guilty.

5 Ways to Boost your Metabolism

from ediets.com

Strategy #1: Begin with Breakfast
Your body has gone without food for at least 8 hours - and it's starving. Skipping breakfast keeps your body in "starvation mode" and slows down your metabolism so you don't burn any needed calories. A morning meal revs up your metabolism and keeps your body burning fat all day.

Strategy #2: Stop Starving
Skipping meals and eating too little actually lowers your metabolism. Cutting too many calories puts you in a fasting state, which causes your body to hold on to fat and calories to survive. This drastically decreases your metabolism and makes it much harder for you to lose weight

Strategy #3: Small Meals for a Big Boost
Eating smaller, more frequent meals provides a steady source of energy to your body, which boosts your metabolism and increases your energy throughout the day. By eating five to six small meals instead of three large ones, your body burns calories as you go, rather than storing the extra as fat

Strategy #4: Burn Calories with Cardio
Cardiovascular exercise raises your metabolism and helps your body burn fat. Any exercise that gets your heart pumping, from aerobics to walking to vacuuming, gives you calorie-burning benefits that last all day

Strategy #5: Muscle Matters
Muscle burns more calories than fat. The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism gets and the more calories you burn, even at rest! Try to strength train two to three times a week. This is as easy as lifting light weights or even carrying groceries!

Candy Cane Cookies 2 Versions

Version 1
(this one Mom made me as a child! Brings back memories just thinking about it!)
Mix 1 cup shortening
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Sift and stir 2 1/2 cups flour (This recipe does not do well with whole wheat!)
1 tsp. salt
 Divide dough 1/2 and color one 1/2 red.

 Shape into canes.
Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 9 minutes. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies on top if desired. (Mom never did this!)

Version 2 a peppermint flavored variety
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. Peppermint extract
1 egg
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (This recipe does NOT work well with Whole wheat, even the white hard)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. Salt

Mix dough. And divide evenly. Make one batch red with food coloring. Take one ball of red, one of white and roll into snakes, then twist into candy cane shapes. Put on greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for 9 to 12 minutes.

Cool Nativity Find!

I was thrift store shopping and found this awesome Nativity!!! And for $.75.

Toddler Slippers

I have been looking for slippers for my ds 3 and just couldn't find anything that wasn't cartoon related. So I decided to try to convert the baby bootie pattern to a toddler. They fit perfectly with some adding. The pattern is soooo easy,it's all one piece,  It will definetely be baby presents in the future!  Plus I'm using up all  that extra 100% cotton yarn!

My Baby Blanket is Finished!

I choose to trim it in Purple my favorite color~

And with the extra yarn I have made a matching  hat and 2 pairs of booties.
I plan to make 1 more pair in green like the yellow pair.

The Blanket Pattern I adapted from a Scarf pattern in this book.
Crochet Scarves

The other patterns were on the skeins of yarn. And I don't remember the brand sorry!

Hippos and Donkeys for Christmas

My children adore the Hippo Christmas song. I was looking online to see who did it and found you can hear it online!!! 

Hippo Christmas song online    



Found this information interesting! Had no idea it was this old! 1953
"I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas," Gayla Peevey (Columbia)

And another Family Favorite!

Dominic the Italian Donkey 

It's Beginning to look alot like Christmas

 

Quilting Project

This picture doesn't show it at all but I hand quilted around the people, stars, animals, and border. It is hanging over the couch in the living room and this years addition to our christmas decorations.

Healthy Holiday Eating Tips

• Don't go to a party hungry: we often eat
  faster and more when we are hungry - therefore eat a wholesome
  breakfast and lunch on the day to avoid overeating at the party.
  
  
  
  
• Watch your portion:
  treat yourself a nice drink, dessert, chocolate or sweets without
  guilt, but always watch your portion.  Go for small portions. This way
  you can sample all the different foods. Moderation is always the key.
  
  
  
  
• Make a conscious choice to limit high fat items:
  high fat food items can be found in fried food, cream-based soup,
  cheese-filled casseroles, pies, processed meats such as salami and
  sausages, some pastries and baked goods.
  
  
  
  
• Try different versions of egg nog:
  traditional egg nog is usually made with egg yolk and thick cream.
  Google "low fat egg nog" and you will find lots of low fat egg nog
  recipes. If you buy commercial egg nog, you will be delighted to find
  low-fat or fat-free egg nog out there - we can even find soy nog!
  
  
  
  
  
• Drink plenty of water: Pop and coffee can dehydrate your body.
  
  
  
  
• Physical activity: take nice brisk walks with your
  loved ones and enjoy their company in the
  holiday season.