It's easy to be tempted to overindulge during the family dinners, parties and various celebrations that fill the holiday season. But consider that an extra 500 calories a day translates into one pound of body weight per week. With a little advance planning, some great advice and steely resolve, the season can be celebrated without any movement on the scale. Consider these tips from Weight Watchers®:
Don’t starve
Arriving at any party famished can lead to overdoing it, so eat a healthy meal or snack beforehand, leaving just enough room (and POINTS® values) for a few small treats.
Drink!
But make it water or other low-calorie beverage—you’ll slow down your eating and help fill yourself up. And limit your alcohol intake—it’s not only a major source of calories and POINTS values, it can weaken your ability to stick to your eating plan.
Know what you eat
Just because it’s the holidays, don’t forget all the weight management skills you’ve already acquired. When you choose to indulge, keep journaling. By writing down what you’re eating, you’re less apt to eat mindlessly.
Don’t deprive yourself
But do limit your portions. By eating small portions of only things you really want you’ll enjoy the specialties while staying on track.
Set priorities
Rate each dish on the buffet from 1 to 10, with “10” being the best choices for you and “1” being foods you know you should limit or avoid. Fill your plate with the high numbers and only try a minimal amount (or none!) of the others.
Move!
Reduce sedentary behavior like surfing the net and gradually work up to 60 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. It will help in your weight-loss efforts or allow you to eat a bit more without guilt.
Be realistic
Perhaps losing weight during the holiday season might not be the most practical objective for you right now. Allow your weight goal during the holidays to be to stay right where you are, not necessarily to lose weight. Then, once the holidays are over you can get right back to losing.
“Lighten Up”
With a few smart, common-sense changes in food preparation and eating habits, you will save calories and POINTS values without sacrificing flavor. Here are some suggestions to keep your holiday recipes healthy:
•Replace dark meat turkey with white meat plus remove the skin.
•Make stuffing with a fat-free broth instead of turkey drippings.
•Skip the butter for broth and prepare mashed potatoes using fat-free or 1% milk.
•Modify the traditional green bean casserole by using low-fat soup and breadcrumbs.
•Try baked sweet potatoes with light butter instead of candied potatoes.
•Top fish dishes with a fresh fruit salsa instead of a hollandaise sauce.
•Get on the gravy train using fat-free broth or bouillon instead of turkey pan drippings.
•Serve a one-crust pumpkin pie instead of a double-crusted fruit pie.
Celebrating 42 years in Arizona and 48 years nationwide, Weight Watchers is America’s trusted name in weight loss and the global leader in weight-loss services, with approximately 50,000 weekly meetings held worldwide. For information about pricing, programs and services call 1-800-651-6000 or click WeightWatchers.com/Arizona.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Arizona Wineries Produce Record Harvest
Wineries and vineyards in Arizona? Absolutely! The Verde Valley (Arizona wine country in the Sedona, Cottonwood red rock region) is not only one of the most beautiful regions of Arizona, it is an exceptional place to grow grapes and make delicious Arizona wine. This year the local vineyards produced a record harvest. Eric Gomski, Page Springs Cellars Owner & Winemaker says, "2009 is one of those rare vintages where everything was perfect: no rain, perfect temperatures and no late season frost. The harvest was not only bountiful, but the character of the young wines indicates this year's grapes will produce one of the finest vintages ever."
Page Springs Cellars is one of four wineries with tasting rooms looking out on vineyards that are on the Verde Valley Wine Trail. The wine trail connects the dots between the communities of Cottonwood, Sedona, Camp Verde, and Jerome. The surroundings are rich red rock formations, desert foliage, lush canyon greenery and the flowing water of the Verde River, Oak Creek and Page Springs. Nestled here are four wineries: Alcantara Vineyards, Page Springs Cellars, Oak Creek Vineyards and Javelina Leap Vineyards and two tasting rooms: Caduceus Cellars and the Jerome Winery. The wineries and area activities can be found at www.vvWineTrail.com
"We have visitors who love to come to the winery at this time of year to enjoy the fall weather, have a picnic on our lawn overlooking the vineyards, and sample the wine tastings" says Barbara Predmore, Owner of Alcantara Vineyards. "Alcantara, like the other Verde Valley wineries, are family farms in the best tradition of American agriculture. Our wineries connect consumers directly with winemakers and their staff who share a very personal passion for their unique jobs of hand-crafting wine...what could be more fun?"
The Wine Trail vineyards and wineries have matured over the past 9 years. Rod Snapp, Javelina Leap Winemaker, says "Surprisingly, Arizona's sunshine, heat and the unique rocky soils of the Verde Valley are an excellent environment for growing grapes. The soils and stressful growing conditions force the vines to struggle to survive which causes the vines to put their energy into developing less abundant but higher quality, more intensely flavored fruit--just the characteristics the winemaker wants to craft great wine."
The Verde Valley, Arizona's wine country, is under-discovered but the people who have been to the region and tasted the wine it produces attest to its excellence--quite a few wines have won national awards for their quality. The wineries' offerings include Syrah, Petite Sirah, Viognier, Rousanne, Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, just to name a few. Every winery has its own unique personality and distinct wines for visitors to discover at each stop along the Wine Trail. Every Tasting Room has a sampling menu that changes throughout the year as wines reach the proper age after maturing in barrels in the wineries' aging rooms. All of the Tasting Room menus can be viewed on the Wine Trail website.
For details on Arizona's Verde Valley Wine Trail visit www.vvwinetrail.com
Page Springs Cellars is one of four wineries with tasting rooms looking out on vineyards that are on the Verde Valley Wine Trail. The wine trail connects the dots between the communities of Cottonwood, Sedona, Camp Verde, and Jerome. The surroundings are rich red rock formations, desert foliage, lush canyon greenery and the flowing water of the Verde River, Oak Creek and Page Springs. Nestled here are four wineries: Alcantara Vineyards, Page Springs Cellars, Oak Creek Vineyards and Javelina Leap Vineyards and two tasting rooms: Caduceus Cellars and the Jerome Winery. The wineries and area activities can be found at www.vvWineTrail.com
"We have visitors who love to come to the winery at this time of year to enjoy the fall weather, have a picnic on our lawn overlooking the vineyards, and sample the wine tastings" says Barbara Predmore, Owner of Alcantara Vineyards. "Alcantara, like the other Verde Valley wineries, are family farms in the best tradition of American agriculture. Our wineries connect consumers directly with winemakers and their staff who share a very personal passion for their unique jobs of hand-crafting wine...what could be more fun?"
The Wine Trail vineyards and wineries have matured over the past 9 years. Rod Snapp, Javelina Leap Winemaker, says "Surprisingly, Arizona's sunshine, heat and the unique rocky soils of the Verde Valley are an excellent environment for growing grapes. The soils and stressful growing conditions force the vines to struggle to survive which causes the vines to put their energy into developing less abundant but higher quality, more intensely flavored fruit--just the characteristics the winemaker wants to craft great wine."
The Verde Valley, Arizona's wine country, is under-discovered but the people who have been to the region and tasted the wine it produces attest to its excellence--quite a few wines have won national awards for their quality. The wineries' offerings include Syrah, Petite Sirah, Viognier, Rousanne, Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, just to name a few. Every winery has its own unique personality and distinct wines for visitors to discover at each stop along the Wine Trail. Every Tasting Room has a sampling menu that changes throughout the year as wines reach the proper age after maturing in barrels in the wineries' aging rooms. All of the Tasting Room menus can be viewed on the Wine Trail website.
For details on Arizona's Verde Valley Wine Trail visit www.vvwinetrail.com
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Give Your Pet a Reason to Be Thankful
Friends of Animal Care & Control Urges Pet Owners to Take Thanksgiving Precautions
While the holiday signals a time to give thanks, neither you nor your pet will be grateful if you have to spend Thanksgiving Day at your local Emergency Animal Clinic. Friends of Animal Care & Control urges pet owners to keep these simple safety tips in mind.
Don’t feed your dog or cat poultry bones! Cooked turkey, duck, geese and other bird bones are brittle and can easily snap or splinter and become lodged in your pet’s throat. Additionally, sharp bone fragments can tear or block your pet’s intestines.
Vegetarian households beware! There are many non-meat items that can be harmful to pets. Sage and many other herbs contain essential oils, which are especially hazardous for cats. Onions, raw bread dough and chocolate are a few other popular holiday items that can be dangerous for pets.
Watch the table! Unsupervised food is tempting to curious cats and dogs. Not only can animals find food on the dinner table, they are also adept at seeking it out on kitchen counters. Ask your guests to keep dishes and alcoholic beverages off of low-lying tables and away from pets.
Keep leftovers and trash out of paws reach! The smell of table scraps could prove too much of a temptation for pets, so it’s best to remove garbage as soon as you are finished. Make sure all trash cans are secure and difficult to open.
Give pets a quiet retreat during busy festivities. The constant hustle and bustle of a Thanksgiving dinner may be too much stress for your pet to handle. Give your companion animal a retreat where he can escape the noise--a spare bedroom with a radio tuned to soft music and a comfy bed is a perfect spot for your dog or cat.
If you and your family are looking for a meaningful way to enjoy the holiday season, consider making a donation to Animal Care & Control’s Spay/Neuter Assistance Program. The program provides no-cost spay and neuter services to companion animals of Maricopa County residents in need of financial assistance. Last year the program received more than $1 million in funding from Friends of Animal Care & Control; however the demand for assistance remains high and more funding is needed to keep the program alive. Tax deductible donations can be made online at www.azfaccs.org.
Don’t feed your dog or cat poultry bones! Cooked turkey, duck, geese and other bird bones are brittle and can easily snap or splinter and become lodged in your pet’s throat. Additionally, sharp bone fragments can tear or block your pet’s intestines.
Vegetarian households beware! There are many non-meat items that can be harmful to pets. Sage and many other herbs contain essential oils, which are especially hazardous for cats. Onions, raw bread dough and chocolate are a few other popular holiday items that can be dangerous for pets.
Watch the table! Unsupervised food is tempting to curious cats and dogs. Not only can animals find food on the dinner table, they are also adept at seeking it out on kitchen counters. Ask your guests to keep dishes and alcoholic beverages off of low-lying tables and away from pets.
Keep leftovers and trash out of paws reach! The smell of table scraps could prove too much of a temptation for pets, so it’s best to remove garbage as soon as you are finished. Make sure all trash cans are secure and difficult to open.
Give pets a quiet retreat during busy festivities. The constant hustle and bustle of a Thanksgiving dinner may be too much stress for your pet to handle. Give your companion animal a retreat where he can escape the noise--a spare bedroom with a radio tuned to soft music and a comfy bed is a perfect spot for your dog or cat.
If you and your family are looking for a meaningful way to enjoy the holiday season, consider making a donation to Animal Care & Control’s Spay/Neuter Assistance Program. The program provides no-cost spay and neuter services to companion animals of Maricopa County residents in need of financial assistance. Last year the program received more than $1 million in funding from Friends of Animal Care & Control; however the demand for assistance remains high and more funding is needed to keep the program alive. Tax deductible donations can be made online at www.azfaccs.org.
Weight Watchers® “Great Eight” Tips to Lose Weight, Maintain Healthy Lifestyle
As the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31 and 2010 rolls in, many of the 60 percent of U.S. adults who are overweight will make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight. But this year, instead of hopping on the diet bandwagon, why not stop dieting and start living a healthy lifestyle that could last for years to come?
Weight Watchers, in an ongoing effort to help real people transform themselves and achieve weight loss goals in a safe sustainable manner, has created the “Great Eight” tips to start the New Year off right:
Tip #1: One Step at a Time:
Prepare for success by setting a realistic weight loss goal. Losing just 10% of your starting weight can help you lower blood pressure and reduce risk for having a stroke; reduce the risk of developing diabetes; or for those already affected, losing weight helps to improve insulin function and lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol count.
Tip #2: Move for You:
Get active in small ways that pay off with big rewards. Exercise, in addition to helping shed unwanted weight, offers health and mobility benefits that last a lifetime. Activity can reduce the risk of heart diseases, promotes better sleep, strengthens your lungs and even improves mood. Plus it is a critical part of long-term weight loss success. Research shows that active people are much more likely to maintain their weight loss. Start small and make a commitment—even if it is taking the stairs instead of the elevator—to get up and move!
Tip #3: Don’t Diet:
A sensible weight-loss plan should not deprive or prevent you from eating certain foods or even eating out; it should teach how to eat the right foods and right portions. Experiment and have fun with food by making over recipes you’ve enjoyed in the past by using different ingredients to create a healthier version of the dish. When eating out, don’t be afraid to ask for a weight-conscious menu. Navigate large portion sizes by asking the server to bring only half the dish and immediately pack the other half to go. Instead of going without or being bored, make eating an adventure!
Tip #4: Get By With a Little Help from Your Friends:
Whether it is a husband, wife, mother, sister or friends, losing weight together can positively contribute to weight loss success. Those who go to Weight Watchers meetings lose three times more weight than those that go it alone. Plus, research shows that people who attend a weight-loss program with friends lose more weight and keep it off better than those who join by themselves.
Tip #5: Forgive but Don’t Forget:
There are 21 total meals in a week—if two nights didn’t turn out as planned there are still 19 chances to recoup! Learn from mistakes made in the past and make better decisions in the present. Remember every experience is valuable and don’t let little lapses spoil success.
Tip #6: Shop till You Drop:
It is fun to pick out new pieces of clothing and accessories as weight loss progresses. Use those holiday gift cards to celebrate small successes and keep motivation high.
Tip #7: Lay the Foundation:
A healthy lifestyle program educates people that weight-loss success is about behavior modification—doing things differently—not perfectly. Learn to make better food and activity choices to set the groundwork for overcoming future challenges.
Tip #8: New Year, New You
Believing it can be done, setting an achievable goal and then “going for it” is the roadmap to overhauling a regular lifestyle and making long term weight loss and health a priority. With regular advice, and the assistance of Weight Watchers Momentum™ plan, you’ll learn to “Stop Dieting, and Start Living.”
Celebrating 42 years in Arizona, Weight Watchers is America’s trusted name in weight loss and the global leader in weight-loss services, with approximately 50,000 weekly meetings held worldwide. For information about pricing, programs and services call 1-800-651-6000 or click WeightWatchers.com/Arizona.
Weight Watchers, in an ongoing effort to help real people transform themselves and achieve weight loss goals in a safe sustainable manner, has created the “Great Eight” tips to start the New Year off right:
Tip #1: One Step at a Time:
Prepare for success by setting a realistic weight loss goal. Losing just 10% of your starting weight can help you lower blood pressure and reduce risk for having a stroke; reduce the risk of developing diabetes; or for those already affected, losing weight helps to improve insulin function and lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol count.
Tip #2: Move for You:
Get active in small ways that pay off with big rewards. Exercise, in addition to helping shed unwanted weight, offers health and mobility benefits that last a lifetime. Activity can reduce the risk of heart diseases, promotes better sleep, strengthens your lungs and even improves mood. Plus it is a critical part of long-term weight loss success. Research shows that active people are much more likely to maintain their weight loss. Start small and make a commitment—even if it is taking the stairs instead of the elevator—to get up and move!
Tip #3: Don’t Diet:
A sensible weight-loss plan should not deprive or prevent you from eating certain foods or even eating out; it should teach how to eat the right foods and right portions. Experiment and have fun with food by making over recipes you’ve enjoyed in the past by using different ingredients to create a healthier version of the dish. When eating out, don’t be afraid to ask for a weight-conscious menu. Navigate large portion sizes by asking the server to bring only half the dish and immediately pack the other half to go. Instead of going without or being bored, make eating an adventure!
Tip #4: Get By With a Little Help from Your Friends:
Whether it is a husband, wife, mother, sister or friends, losing weight together can positively contribute to weight loss success. Those who go to Weight Watchers meetings lose three times more weight than those that go it alone. Plus, research shows that people who attend a weight-loss program with friends lose more weight and keep it off better than those who join by themselves.
Tip #5: Forgive but Don’t Forget:
There are 21 total meals in a week—if two nights didn’t turn out as planned there are still 19 chances to recoup! Learn from mistakes made in the past and make better decisions in the present. Remember every experience is valuable and don’t let little lapses spoil success.
Tip #6: Shop till You Drop:
It is fun to pick out new pieces of clothing and accessories as weight loss progresses. Use those holiday gift cards to celebrate small successes and keep motivation high.
Tip #7: Lay the Foundation:
A healthy lifestyle program educates people that weight-loss success is about behavior modification—doing things differently—not perfectly. Learn to make better food and activity choices to set the groundwork for overcoming future challenges.
Tip #8: New Year, New You
Believing it can be done, setting an achievable goal and then “going for it” is the roadmap to overhauling a regular lifestyle and making long term weight loss and health a priority. With regular advice, and the assistance of Weight Watchers Momentum™ plan, you’ll learn to “Stop Dieting, and Start Living.”
Celebrating 42 years in Arizona, Weight Watchers is America’s trusted name in weight loss and the global leader in weight-loss services, with approximately 50,000 weekly meetings held worldwide. For information about pricing, programs and services call 1-800-651-6000 or click WeightWatchers.com/Arizona.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Aquafresh Celebrates Amazing Moms in Phoenix
In celebration of mothers and the special role they play within their families, the makers of Aquafresh® announced the “Amazing Mom” Celebration contest for moms in the Phoenix area. The Aquafresh “Amazing Mom” Celebration invites children 6 years of age and older to write in and tell Aquafresh what makes their mom special. If selected, Aquafresh will treat her and 49 other moms to a day of relaxation and pampering at Spa Avania at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort.“As a mother to seven children, I understand the hard work that mothers put in around the clock for their families. I am thrilled to be part of this exceptional contest that recognizes and rewards amazing moms in Phoenix,” says Brenda Warner, wife of Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner. “What better time than the busy holiday season to give 50 moms a well-deserved break?”
Aquafresh “Amazing Mom” Celebration contest entries are being accepted now through Nov. 2 at www.aquafresh.com/amazingmom. Fifty moms will be selected to enjoy a day of relaxation and pampering at Spa Avania at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort on Dec. 5, complete with breakfast, a facial treatment, massage, manicure or pedicure, and lunch, hosted by Brenda Warner.
“We spend a great deal of time making amazing Aquafresh products that help mom with her family’s oral care needs,” says Patrick Seiffert, senior brand manager of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. “Moms spend so much time and energy taking care of their children. This is our chance to recognize and pamper them in return.”
For contest rules and information, visit www.aquafresh.com/amazingmom.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Halloween Doesn't Have To Be Scary For Pets
By Melissa K. Gable
While Halloween is often fun for children, it can be a nightmare for pets. Friends of Animal Care & Control has advice for pet owners to make this year’s holiday safe for furry family members.
Make sure your animals are safely indoors for Halloween. There are many stories of pranksters teasing, scaring or harming dogs and cats that are kept in front yards or wandering the streets on Halloween.
If possible, keep animals safely tucked away in a spare bedroom for the evening. Dogs and cats can quickly dart out the front door unnoticed during the festivities. Even the calmest dog may be scared by costumed visitors – which could result in a bite.
Keep pets away from Halloween candy. Chocolate can be toxic and cellophane or tin foil wrappings could get caught in your pet’s digestive tract – causing illness or possibly death.
Watch your pet around jack o’ lanterns! Curious kitties may try to play with the flickering flame and a rambunctious pup could accidentally knock over the festive pumpkin.
Don’t force your pet to wear a costume. If your dog or cat enjoys dressing up, make sure the costume isn’t constricting or interferes with your pet’s vision. Always supervise your pet while he is in costume.
Easley’s Fun Shop to Help Pets in Need This Howl-o-ween
This Halloween will be anything but scary for Valley pets; that’s because Easley’s Fun Shop has designated Friends of Animal Care & Control and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control to be one of their charities for the upcoming holiday. Easley’s will donate 10% from every sale/costume rental to anyone who mentions Friends of Animal Care & Control (FACCs) or Maricopa County Animal Care & Control. The promotion runs through Oct. 31. Easley’s Fun Shop is located at 509 West McDowell, just east of 7th Avenue in downtown Phoenix.
Money raised through the Easley’s promotion will fund Maricopa County Animal Care & Control’s Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP). Through SNAP, Valley residents in need of financial assistance can have their companion animals spayed or neutered at no cost.
Melissa K. Gable is the Executive Director of Friends of Animal Care and Control.
www.azfaccs.org
Monday, September 21, 2009
Not Just a Gown, a Walking Story
Creative ingenuity with cultural expressions and artistic ploy, designer Danell Lynn brings new life to fashion and human nature. Her company, Dl-couture, is as unique in the fashion world as they are based in humanitarian endeavors. Each year they create a gown where 100 percent of the proceeds go to charity. This year, the gown is made of Arizona Cardinal game jerseys and is signed by the NFC championship team. It is up for silent auction until Oct. 31 and can be seen on www.dl-couture.com. Fifty percent of the proceeds go to Partners in Malawi, 30 percent to Kurt Warner's First Things First Foundation, 10 percent to Threading Hope and 10 percent to Highwire.
Creating a gown each year for charity is a great gesture in itself, but more so because they only make 13 custom gowns a year. Therefore, the exclusivity makes each dress seem almost more like a limited edition work of art than a clothing item. This is because Dl-couture provides beautiful fabrics from all over the world for clients, even flying to pick up the perfect fabric for a specific gown. Lynn also travels the world and hand selects the fabric used in her gowns and buys directly from the merchants, supporting global economy.
"How does it feel to create something that has never been done before?" asks Gillian Ferris-Kohl of NPR, regarding the Cardinal’s gown. As many question, where did the idea even come from to make a gown from NFL jerseys? The answer is simple. "The abstract side of my mind is overly active in creativity and an exact location can not be pin-pointed. It is a blend of my love for art and athletics, and I hope for many more ventures with professional sports," says Lynn.
Dl-couture is considered a rarity in the world of high fashion, not just because of the innovative designs but because of their true mission for blending clothing and compassion. Lynn received her start when she trained at Miami International University of Art and Design, and earned awards such as Advant-Garde Designer of the Year. She was also one of five in the nation winning a spot to present wearable jewelry design in the Lourve Museum in Paris. Situated in Florida’s fashion market, she worked as an assistant designer to a couture house on South Beach before following the road less traveled, embracing her imagination and creating Dl-couture. Lynn took the parts of the industry she loved and left behind that which she didn’t, blending artistic details, sustainability and creativity of fabrics from unique communities throughout the globe, and the seeds began to sprout.
She is building a name for Dl-couture with her graceful ability to carry out even difficult creations, from dresses made of playing cards, to elegant gowns of Chinese silk, to green friendly recycled creations of old jerseys that have hit the NFL playing fields time and again. She has dressed Mrs. World and Miss America and enjoys the variety and excitement that making a pattern only once entails. Clients have playfully mocked her mind's ability to create and expertly execute garments. "What’s next, an engineering degree?" asks a client who commissioned a dress of playing cards for their educational playing cards company.
Dl-couture is a custom clothing line that believes looking beautiful can also be meaningful. It specializes in Haute Couture, and they donate 15 percent of all their custom gown sales to aid those in need. "Every time our clients wear the handmade garments, they are reminded of their commitment to helping children and families less fortunate," says Lynn. "It is not just a gown, but a walking story."
The company is also heavily rooted in humanitarian work. As a global ambassador, Lynn travels the world for aid work and has also developed Threading Hope, a humanitarian entity of Dl-couture that creates and accepts donations from quilters around the globe to bring warmth to a child in need. "We are always looking for those with large hearts willing to create a quilt for us to take to foreign countries,” says Lynn. “Next year we are off to Malawi to deliver quilts to the sickest of the sick in the In Patient ward for Partners in Malawi hospital."
If you are interested in helping to donate go to www.dl-couture.com and click on the Threading Hope page for more information. For more information on Dl-couture or to contact Danell Lynn please visit www.dl-couture.com or email info@dl-couture.com.
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