December 2007
Volume 2, Issue 11

In This Issue

Look and Feel Great in 2008!
Beat the Holiday Overindulgence Blues
Download Your Free Recording for Tips to Avoid Holiday Overindulgence!
Food Focus: Sweet Potatoes
Recipe of the Month: Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Holiday First Aid Kit

Quick Links

Don’t Worry, Get Healthy 12-Week Program
Sign up for Dec 12 & 13 Free Information Call on 12-Week Program
Sign up for Free Audio Download: Outwit Holiday Overindulgence
Sweet Potato Recipes from realsimple.com
Healthy Endeavors

Dear Wendy, 
 
It’s hard to believe the holidays are upon us. Between Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwaanza and New Year’s there’s a bevy of activity, celebrations and time spent with family and friends. While the holidays can be joyous and fun, it’s often an invitation for many of us to overindulge and then feel guilty once the new year rolls around.

I hope you’ll take some time this holiday season to break from your usual routine and have a little fun in a way that’s right for you. Why not start off the new year feeling your best? By taking some small steps, like enjoying yourself in moderation (how about one glass of wine instead of two, or a small instead of large slice of cake), spending time doing favorite holiday activities that bring people together, and getting some regular exercise, you can outwit overindulgence and get optimal enjoyment from the holidays.

In great health,
Wendy

Look and Feel Great in 2008!
 
The new year is only weeks away and it’s the perfect time to refocus on your most important goals, including your health. Join me for the Don’t Worry, Get Healthy 12-Week Program.

Starting early February 2008, this class will meet virtually – by conference call – so you can attend from your home, office, or wherever you are. If you are feeling less healthy than you’d like, 2008 is your year to finally claim the healthy life you desire! Optimal health is doable and within reach.

For more information, click the link below and read on!

And don’t forget to sign up for one of my free information calls this week (December 12 and 13) where you can learn more about the program and ask me all your questions. Register simply by going to the “Sign up for Dec 12 & 13″ Quick Link.

Hope to talk to you this week!

P.S. When you register for the program by Saturday, December 15, you save 20%.
Beat the Holiday Overindulgence Blues
 
With the holidays upon us, it’s hard not to overindulge in the bounty of the season. Starting with Halloween and an overabundance of candy around the house until about New Year’s, it can be exceptionally easy to fall into the trap of holiday overeating despite our best efforts.

What makes the holidays so tempting? There are a myriad of reasons we tend to overindulge – a plethora of holiday parties, last minute get-togethers with friends and family gatherings, just to name a few. And when you factor in the stress of the holidays, it’s often a recipe to eat. And eat and eat.

Despite the joy the holidays can bring, for some they can be less than pleasurable. A study by the National Women’s Health Resource Center found that as many as two-thirds of respondents in a study said they suffered from depression during the holidays. For some, loneliness, anger or disappointment can lead to overeating.

Weight gain can also be attributed to less exercise during the holidays. With a full schedule, it’s often hard to fit in one’s usual gym routine. Traveling and being away from home or even just away from the office can leave you feeling lethargic and less then at your best when you regular routine dips. In addition, during the holidays, it’s not unusual to enjoy cocktails more then you usually might. While often delicious, they tend to be filled with empty calories that add up quickly.

But all is not lost. Despite the challenges of too much food, not enough exercise and a good dose of stress, it’s possible to navigate the holidays in a way that leaves you feeling energized, upbeat and with your waistline intact.

What can you do to navigate the holidays more effectively? Here are just a few ideas:

Learn to graciously say no to events you don’t want to attend
Build in quiet time to rest and relax at home
Go to holiday parties having eaten something in advance so you don’t overindulge
Plan ahead and keep the kitchen stocked with delicious, low fat options
 
Download Your Free Recording for Tips to Avoid Holiday Overindulgence!
 
Did you miss last week’s teleclass on outwitting holiday overindulgence?

No worries, you can still take a listen!

Want to know all my secrets for avoiding holiday weight gain and overeating? They’re simple and easy to implement, and if I can do it, you can too! You can receive this free recording simply by going to the following link to register. Take a listen and see what great ideas you can implement this holiday season to keep you feeling trim, relaxed and on top of your game.

Sign up for your free recording of healthy, holiday tips
 

Food Focus: Sweet Potatoes
 
When fall and winter roll around, hardly a week goes by that I don’t eat sweet potatoes in some form or fashion. Whether sweet potato fries or mashed sweet potatoes, I just can’t get enough of the delicious flavor and ample amounts of energy they provide.

Sweet potatoes are chock full of important vitamins and minerals that we need to keep us healthy. They have abundant amounts of Vitamins A and C , antioxidants that can help reverse free radical damage. In addition, they contain potassium, iron, fiber, and other nutrients.

Because they are complex carbohydrates, they slowly release in our system, giving us long lasting energy. Some studies show that sweet potatoes are an important ingredient in managing blood sugar levels. In fact, sweet potatoes are a great way to tame a sugar craving. As with all root vegetables, when you roast them, they naturally become sweeter. So instead of reaching for a sugary snack, a serving of sweet potato fries is a great alternative when you have an afternoon hankering.
 
Recipe of the Month: Roasted Sweet Potatoes
 
This is a family recipe I’ve been making for years that is incredibly easy and simply delicious.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1 Hour

Ingredients:
4 pounds sweet potatoes, scrubbed
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tbsp. pure maple syrup (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prick the sweet potatoes with a fork, place on a baking sheet and roast for approximately 1 hour, or until tender. Remove and let cool.
2. Scoop sweet potatoes from skin and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the orange juice, cinnamon and nutmeg.
3. Either mash by hand, put in a food processor or use an immersion blender to mix, removing lumps until a smooth consistency.
4. For sweeter potatoes, add the maple syrup.
5. Warm up in the oven or microwave and enjoy.
 
Holiday First Aid Kit
 
Last week I had the pleasure of presenting “Outwit Holiday Overeating and Overspending” with my colleague, Deb Cronin, a financial planner with Waddell and Reed. Held at the New Haven Public Library, we had a great discussion about what not to do during the holiday season. Check out the article about it in the New Haven Register. Enjoy!
Holiday First Aid Kit – New Haven Register Article
 

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