Warning, Binges and Blowouts Make Dieting and Fasting Harder

I'm a Catholic: well not cradle Catholic-- I'm a convert. One thing I love about being Catholic is that we sure know how to celebrate life. Take Fat Tuesday (aka Mardi Gras): it's a huge Catholic lollapalooza before the solemnity of Ash Wednesday and Lent.

All good Catholics, it seems gear up for the penitential season by overdoing it in the party season. I have my doubts about the wisdom of this. And this isn't just for Catholics. It's for everyone trying to lose weight. I have lost 95 pounds and take it from me. Fat Tuesday Feasting Makes Ash Wednesday Fasting Harder That's me now left and int 2010 right. Blowouts and binges make dieting exponentially harder. Just sayin.

Using Al-Anon Slogans to Heal Post Holiday Depression

Depression and I go back a long way. Some of my worst bouts of depression have happened during or after the holidays. If you're coping with depression, particularly post-holiday letdown, here are some tips. I've tried many different techniques to heal or at least just cope with my depression. About 10 years ago, I tried Al-Anon, the companion support group for Alcoholics Anonymous. I discovered that Al-Anon principles were useful for treating a gamut of emotional issues, including depression. Some of the most helpful components of Al-Anon, for me, are the recovery slogans. Addiction A-Z lists a collection of slogans for all different sorts of situations. There are general helpful reality checks and mental health tools, too. Read more

Curb Christmas Cookie Monster Cravings with Low Sugar Switches

Tis' the season to be snacking! The holidays are about sweets. But I will be fa-la-la-fatter, if I'm not careful. I can't abstain from Christmas goodies all season long, but I will make simple food swaps to curb my inner Christmas Cookie (Candy, Cake, Pie) Monster. Here are easy, healthy, low-sugar holiday switcheroos.  Read more

Sweet Tooth Taming Tips for Holiday Dieting

Holiday baked goods and desserts, Christmas cookies and candy, Hanukkah treats--from Thanksgiving to Epiphany, the holidays mean sweets. If you're dieting or watching your weight, holiday goodies can pose real stumbling blocks. Why not try these tips to tame the sweet tooth and curb holiday cravings?  read more

Healthy Snacking Tips for Holiday Dieting

The holiday season wouldn't be the same without cookies, candy, cheese balls, dips, ham, alcohol and calorie-laden goodies, right? From Thanksgiving to Epiphany, the holidays mean overindulgence. If you're dieting or watching your weight, holiday foods can pose real stumbling blocks. And if I stop dieting for the holidays, it seems all the harder to restart in January. Why not try these tips to tame the taste for decadent desserts and delicacies with these healthy alternatives? read more

How to Stay Healthy and Survive the Holidays

How to Stay Healthy and Survive the Holidays
Emotional health help tips for holidays and year-round.

FDA Recalls Cheeses, Eggs, Smoked Salmon and some OTC Medicines

Health and safety are important issues facing parents. Here are FDA food and product recall updates on Rolaids, Tylenol, Benadryl, Motrin, eggs, cheese and others. The FDA has created a free printable Holiday Food Safety Success Kit, too. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA.gov) has put links to several Holiday Food Safety resources, including a free printable Holiday Food Safety Success Kit and two Holiday Food Safety videos, one in English and one in Spanish. These were designed by the wise and helpful people at www.holidayfoodsafety.org and made available to print. Read more...

50+ Holiday Survival Tips

How to Survive the Holidays and Enjoy Them!
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other variation of the winter celebrations, the month of December can be a challenge. As much as we may love the holidays, they can really wear us down. Here are 50+ ways to cope until January 2.
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