Have a Healthy Holiday

Remember that New Years resolution you made last December? Well, if you’re like the rest of America, it probably had something to do with losing weight or being healthy. Just because the year is almost over, there’s no excuse to forget your goals.

The holidays are an easy time to lose sight of the fact that although the delicious food will soon be gone, you’re stuck with the extra calories. Luckily there are multiple ways to enjoy those sweet, seasonal dishes without the guilt that tends to arrive shortly after.

Here are a few tips on how to stay healthy during the holidays:

1. Stuffing is something you do to a turkey, not your face.
Holiday food is delicious; there’s no denying that. Because of this, it is often difficult to stop eating because of the conflict between taste buds and stomach capacity. When you are full, put down the fork. Don’t eat until it hurts.

2. Keep your hands busy, not your mouth.
Holiday activities tend to be centered on food. Instead of decorating cookies or building gingerbread houses, try decorating stockings and ornaments, make red and green construction paper wreaths, put Christmas lights up outside or try making your own season’s greetings cards to give to friends, family and even professors. See if you can make better paper snowflakes than you could ten years ago. Pinterest is full of other great ideas!

Christmas ornaments
Photo credit: Joe Buckingham

3. Eat your calories, don’t drink them.
You might be surprised by how many calories are hidden in holiday drinks. If you really want to make your calories count, go for that slice of cheesecake but skip the Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte. Water isn’t hiding calories, so drink up!

More tips:
• Don’t go for seconds.
• Don’t linger by the appetizer table.
• Instead of driving your car to see Christmas lights, walk through the neighborhood with friends or family.
• Volunteer!
• 25 more ideas!

Enjoy the holidays. It’s okay to indulge in yummy food, but family and friends are a much more rewarding indulgence. Cheers!

Seasoned Trendsetter

When leaves begin falling from the trees and holiday season is around the corner, the weather starts to get colder. My first thought is that I need a new wardrobe immediately to be prepared and ready for the change! I’m sure you all are thinking the same thing right? What do I wear now? How do I look fashionable when all I want to do is stay cuddled in bed with an oversized sweatshirt and baggy sweatpants? Don’t you worry fashion friends, I have got the key to looking good!

To start with the basics, the color of the season is emerald. Other popular colors are shades of blues and greys as well as pastel colors such as soft pinks, purples, blues, greens and yellows for women. According to the latest issue of Glamour Magazine, women have many “must-have” pieces for the upcoming fall and winter season. Having a little bit of everything will always allow your style to have variation. Repeating outfits is definitely breaking the fashion rule. With several different pieces in your closet, you can mix and match everything to spice up your wardrobe!

fall/winter fashion
Photo credit: Kelsey Norris
  1. Winter whites
  2. Knit beanies
  3. Classic patterns: leopard, plaid and pinstripes
  4. Over-the-knee boots
  5. Turtlenecks
  6. Shades of green (hence the emerald)
  7. Slouchy pants
  8. Statement outerwear: coats with fur, embellishments
  9. Folk-inspired pieces: pieces that represent culture
  10. Rounded shoulders

Men, on the other hand, are a little more simple when it comes to fashion. According to Business Insider, there are seven pieces that men should have in their closet. We all may be thinking that Business Insider isn’t a go-to fashion site, however, referring to an outside source for fashion proves that it is an essential part of daily life. Every girl likes a guy with style and the “must haves” listed below will land men that hot date they have been craving!

  1. Statement scarves
  2. Camo print
  3. Burgundy
  4. Black leather
  5. Plaid
  6. Cuffed pants
  7. Backpacks