Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Key Strategies to Help Avoid Weight Gain over the Holidays

Are you one of the average Americans that experiences a holiday weight gain of 7 pounds between the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays, and then goes on to attempt to lose as much of the excess as possible over the next several weeks? Usually, the weight is not all lost and then the cycle is repeated the next year and so on until a significant overall weight gain has occurred. It is certainly better during the holidays to not put the weight on in the first place, rather than fight an uphill battle to repair damage done during such a short period of time year after year.

It is absolutely possible to avoid weight gain during the holidays, but it definitely takes a focused approach and some discipline. This includes both holiday exercise and food intake plans, and the need for exercise during the holidays is critical to keeping the weight off. Here are some basic strategies to keeping excess weight off the body during those festive holiday months.

Let's combine some initial ideas here into some food intake strategies that can help you feel full and avoid the temptation to overeat. They include, getting plenty of water intake and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Water is the most important nutrient in the body, and being well hydrated year round is certainly important, as the body burns more fat when it is well hydrated. Water also helps keep the stomach felling full and naturally suppresses the appetite as a result. Cold water requires the body to warm it up, which naturally raises the metabolism slightly.

The same benefits apply to taking in a lot of fruits and veggies, which usually are a part of the party scene on a tray somewhere along with dips and a lot of other tempting finger foods nearby. Fruits and veggies have a lot of fiber and are naturally low in calories, especially vegetables, so the feeling of being full is so effective at curbing the appetite away from the really potentially damaging foods that can easily be overeaten if care is not taken.

The next very important thing that is a strategy is to make sure that you eat 5 small meals a day during the holidays. This keep you from going to a party starving and eaeting far too much of rich foods until you are full. If less than 5 small meals a day are eaten, the metabolism tends to slow, and the appetite once you get to a party tends to be at its highest. This is a recipe for an overeating disaster. Low metabolism from skipping meals plus overeating rich foods because you are hungry from not eating equals a lot of weight gain. If you eat frequently during the day, your appetite will be lower and easier to control and your metabolism will be at its highest, the perfect solution for not gaining weight. This also allows you to feel more satisfied on only one dessert serving, instead of the huge variety that usually populate the trays of holiday parties and tables everywhere.

Alcohol consumption is a huge potential contributor to weight gain because of the large number of calories present in alcoholic drinks. These calories are stored immediately as fat and need to be burned off later by the body, so it is vital to drink alcohol in moderation.

And finally, the exercise component: getting regular cardio and strength training in provides the benefit it always has: keeping our metabolism active and burning fat like a well oiled machine.

All these things add up to keeping your body at its leanest during the holidays, and are strategies that would be effective no matter the fitness level or age. Have fun and stay lean this holiday season.


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Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Start a New Holiday Tradition

It can be very challenging to organize a group picture. Getting family coordinated for a photo to use on Christmas Cards can be frustrating and a hassle. Avoid the trouble of getting family organized by taking photos when your family is already gathering at Thanksgiving!

What better time for a photo session than when your family is already dressed up and in great spirits after a delicious meal. For great holiday card photos you can capture candid shots or have a neighbor take a large group photo. If you are planning on using a picture of just your immediate family on your holiday photo card you can still take advantage of the situation and have another family member take the picture. This is your perfect opportunity to not be the one behind the camera!

Christmas is a great time to celebrate and start new traditions. Why not start the fun early with the tradition of coming up with a creative holiday card photo? Here are some fun ideas to get you started.

Baby playing with lights

Put your child on a dark blanket and give them a lighted string of Christmas lights to play with. Make sure all lights are off and utilize only natural light. Snap away while your baby inspects the lights. (Disclaimer- Christmas lights contain some lead so do not let your child put them in their mouth and wash your child's hands thoroughly after you take your photo). What can this look like?

Stealing Santa's Cookies

Place an empty plate of crumbs near your child dressed in holiday attire. A guilty look on their face is perfect if you can capture it. The goal if to make the photo look like your child is "stealing" Santa's cookies. You can caption your holiday photo card to say "I'm sorry Santa". Or a similar phrase.

Naughty and Nice

Combine a photo of your child looking sweet and angelic with a picture of your child mad and upset (Moms, you know we all have one!).

Christmas wreath

Hold a wreath and let your child pear through the opening. This makes for a classic stunning photo.

Our Christmas Gift came early

This idea is perfect for a new baby holiday birth announcement. Place your baby on some wrapping paper with a bow and caption your card "Our gift arrived early this year".

Ho Ho Ho

Let your baby play in the bath with a Santa hat on. Make a beard with bubbles and snap away!

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Have fun capturing that perfect moment!


Choose from a large selection of holiday cards and Christmas photo cards.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Tips for a Great Halloween Photo Card

Halloween photo cards are the perfect way to show of your growing children to family and friends. Here are some ways to capture the perfect Halloween photo.

1. Costume Photo

A snapshot of your child in their Halloween costume is a very popular choice for a Halloween photo card. What could be cuter than dressed up babies? To capture a great shot of a small immobile baby lay them on a solid colored blanket as a backdrop. This will ensure there are not distraction objects in the photo. For older babies and children shots taken outdoors work great.

2. Pumpkin Patch

Colorful pumpkins make a festive backdrop for Halloween photo cards. Make sure to snap lots of pictures as your child picks out the perfect pumpkin. This is also a great setting for family photos to be used on fall cards or a holiday photo card.

3. Face Paint

A unique idea for a Halloween photo card is to feature a photo after your child has had their face painted at a fall festival event. Close ups work best for this type of photo.

4. Fall leaves

If you live in a cooler climate rake up those leaves and let your child have a blast playing in them. These shots are great for both Halloween and Seasons Greetings photo cards.

Focus on the photo - Photo cards are becoming a popular choice for girl birth announcements, boy birth announcements, birthday invitations and other events. Holiday cards will be included in this trend this year. We are predicting that consumers will seek out collage photo christmas cards or cards that focus on one unique photo. We will be seeing more families choose a creative or artistic photo rather than a traditional family portrait.

Custom Cards - Stylish families will seek out a unique custom card vendor such as Addie Kate Creations to tailor their holiday card in their own unique vision. Cookie cutter designs offered by large realtors will be passed over in favor of a more unique look. Discerning customers are looking for a more personal experience and are seeking out vendors that create a custom holiday card to suit their taste.

Simple Messages - Long verses and text will be forgone in favor of short and simple phrasing. This year’s designs feature simple greeting such as “Peace, Hope and Love”.

Simplicity is key this year when it comes to the message on your holiday card.

Retro Design - You will find many cards that feature traditional elements with retro color schemes as well as modern characteristics on this years holiday card offerings.

Elegant and Simple - Elegance is always in style. This year there will be many consumers that opt for simple clean lines and an upscale elegant look.

Whatever idea you choose to incorporate, remember to take lots of shots and have fun!


See the high quality Halloween photo cards from Addie Kate.