Keep Active: Physical Activities For The Holidays

The Holidays are right around the corner! Thanksgiving is on the 22nd and most of you all are probably worried about making the dreaded Thanksgiving Meal. Do not stress yourself out and slave in the kitchen! This is the time that family gets together and celebrates thanks, love, & harmony. Bring your family members into the kitchen and have them assist you in making this year's meal. Make sure everyone has a job and they keep busy. This will cut your cooking by half and make it a family orientated experience! This will open up a lot of free time for the rest of the day to get active with your relatives.

Once the meal is done, take the fun outside or in an indoor play room for all to participate. Here are some ideas to stay physical during the Holidays:

• Take a 30 minute - 1 hour group walk
• Take the dog for a walk
• Wash the car
• Work on the garden
• Rake up leaves or shovel snow
• Go for a bike ride
• Roller skates and skateboards for the youngsters
• Indoor swimming
• Play physical games
• Horseshoe
• Kickball
• Dodgeball
• Flag football
• Soccer
• Golf
• Baseball
• Tennis
• Badminton
• Ping Pong
• Video Games (that make you dance or move instead of sit)
• Snow Ball Fight
• Skiing 
• Snow Boarding

Whole Wheat Banana Bread Recipe For Your Bread Machine

I really enjoy being to substitute unhealthy ingredients for healthy ones. I did the same thing to this banana bread recipe I got online. The original recipe called for all-purpose flour, white sugar, & vegetable. This is how I changed it up.

Whole Wheat Banana Bread

• Ingredients:
• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2/4 cup of organic sugar
• 3 tablespoons of organic applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 2 bananas, very ripe
• Directions:

1. Place wet ingredients in the machine first and mix well. Add the dry ingredients on top.
2. Select the Dough setting and press Start. Mix the bread for 6 minutes or until thoroughly combined. When necessary, use a rubber spatula or spoon to push the dough from the sides of the bread pan. Once the 6 minutes are up, press Stop. Then, smooth out the top of the loaf.
3. Select the Bake setting and press Start. Cook for 1 hour or until the center of bread is fully baked. Allow the bread to cool off for 10 minutes and remove the bread out of the pan. Place bread on a wire rack and continue to cool completely. 

Healthy Tips To Keep You On Track For The Thanksgiving Holiday!

Healthy Tips For Thanksgiving!

1. Avoid cooking DEEP FRIED Turkey. Stay with baking, roasting or smoking your turkey this year.
2. Enjoy vegetable-based soups, fresh squeezed juices. Avoid cheesy and/or creamy appetizers
3. Try to chose whole-grain or rye breads. Limit the amount of butter and have one serving.
4. Alcohol has calories too! For example: 8 oz of a Margarita has 400 calories!
5. Stay with low-fat cooking: steamed, broiled, baked, wine sauce, boiled, poached, & stir-fried.
6. Stay away from fried, sauteed, batter dipped, cream sauce, special sauce, marinated in oil, & crispy foods.
7. Have light dressing with salads. Beware of high fat extras: cheese, cold cuts, mayonnaise-based salads, & bacon
8. Cut you meats to 6 oz. portion size of less. Fish and poultry have fewer calories than red meats. Half of you plate with green veggies, & one carbohydrate.
9. Dessert: Try eating fresh fruit or sorbet. If this isn't an option then, have some coffee or herbal tea.
10. You don't have to clean the plate. What ever you can't eat, pack it to go.
11. Take you time when eating your food. It takes 20 minutes for you brain to register that your body is full.