Here are some tips to help get you through the holiday season:

Heart Healthy Holiday Eating Tips:
1) Do not go to holiday parties hungry to avoid overeating at the party. Eat regular meals before the party and do not skip meals. Drink plenty of water before you go.
2) Avoid talking and socializing around the buffet or in the kitchen.
3) Watch your portion sizes. Moderation is key.
4) Eat slowly! Put your fork down between bites. Eating slower allows you to feel full when you have eaten enough.
5) Avoid high fat items. Fill your plate with healthy choices like fruits and vegetables.
6) Bring a healthy meal or snack to a potluck dinner.
7) Take healthy snacks with you when you go food shopping. NEVER go food shopping when you are hungry.
8) If you are the cook, select healthy dishes prepared in a healthy manner.
a. Try to bake, broil or grill food. Avoid fried foods.
b. Use low fat sour cream and sauces. Avoid cream sauces.
c. When baking, try to use fat free sprays or lower fat ingredients.
d. Try to add beans to salads, casseroles and appetizers. Beans add fiber to the meal and helps you feel fuller.
e. Select whole wheat and whole grain products like crackers, bread and pasta. Avoid white flour.
f. Serve fresh fruit and vegetables. Include fresh fruit in dessert options with low fat cool whip or dark chocolate.
g. Offer bite-sized desserts that are low fat.
h. User smaller plates to encourage people to take smaller portions.
i. Serve fruit and vegetables as the main dish and meat as a side dish.

Heart Healthy Drinking Tips:
1) Limit alcoholic beverages to one or two servings per day.
2) Drink a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages.
3) Eat food prior to and while drinking alcoholic beverages.
4) Do not drink and drive.
5) Choose lighter options to cut back on extra calories. Try spritzers, lite beer or low calorie mixers. Avoid drinks mixed with cream and frozen drinks.)

Heart Healthy Activity Tips:
1) Participate in outings that involve physical activity like skiing, sleigh riding, ice skating and walking.
2) At the shopping malls park in the furthest spot from the store to increase your walking.
3) Go window shopping and enjoy the holiday decorations. Take your pedometer with you and count your steps. Aim for 10,000 steps per day!
4) Dance at holiday parties.
5) Schedule exercise/physical activity into you routine. Exercise increases your energy level.
6) Take the dog for a walk and enjoy the holiday decorations in the neighborhood.
7) Go Christmas caroling.
8) Cut down your own Christmas tree.
9) Take the stairs whenever possible instead of elevators and escalators.

Tips for Managing Holiday Stress:
1) Schedule some down time for yourself to relax and de-stress
2) Learn some relaxation techniques and use them throughout your stressful days. Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can be very relaxing.
3) Include a chair massage for yourself during holiday shopping trips.
4) Remember to have fun each and every day. Find some humor in every day life. Laughter is a great way to relieve stress.
5) Try to always keep a positive attitude and surround yourself with happy people.
6) Try not to focus on money issues every day. If you have made financial mistakes in the past, use it as a learning experience and avoid similar mistakes in the future.

Heart Healthy Holiday Gifts Ideas:
1) Exercise items like pedometers; resistance bands; exercise mats; exercise balls; jump ropes; heart rate monitors; exercise tapes, videos and DVDs; sneakers, exercise outfits and hand weights, all make great gift ideas.
2) Heart healthy cookbooks, juicers, and popcorn machines.
3) Healthy foods: fruit baskets, fruit of the month clubs, assorted unsalted nuts, flavor-infused olive oils, red wines, herbal or green teas, dark chocolates and high fiber baked goods.
4) Stress relievers: gift certificates for massage or health clubs, aromatherapy candles, pillows, bath salts, Yoga or Tai Chi videos, tapes and books.
5) Give the gift of your time. Spend time with an elderly relative, neighbor or friend. Offer a ride to the store, pharmacy or doctor’s office to those needing assistance.
6) Offer to be an exercise buddy to someone starting a new exercise program. It is more fun to work out with a friend and it will benefit both of you!

For additional heart healthy information visit us at
www.heart-strong.com.

HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!!

Here are some tips to help get you through the holiday season:

Heart Healthy Holiday Eating Tips:
1) Do not go to holiday parties hungry to avoid overeating at the party. Eat regular meals before the party and do not skip meals. Drink plenty of water before you go.
2) Avoid talking and socializing around the buffet or in the kitchen.
3) Watch your portion sizes. Moderation is key.
4) Eat slowly! Put your fork down between bites. Eating slower allows you to feel full when you have eaten enough.
5) Avoid high fat items. Fill your plate with healthy choices like fruits and vegetables.
6) Bring a healthy meal or snack to a potluck dinner.
7) Take healthy snacks with you when you go food shopping. NEVER go food shopping when you are hungry.
8) If you are the cook, select healthy dishes prepared in a healthy manner.
a. Try to bake, broil or grill food. Avoid fried foods.
b. Use low fat sour cream and sauces. Avoid cream sauces.
c. When baking, try to use fat free sprays or lower fat ingredients.
d. Try to add beans to salads, casseroles and appetizers. Beans add fiber to the meal and helps you feel fuller.
e. Select whole wheat and whole grain products like crackers, bread and pasta. Avoid white flour.
f. Serve fresh fruit and vegetables. Include fresh fruit in dessert options with low fat cool whip or dark chocolate.
g. Offer bite-sized desserts that are low fat.
h. User smaller plates to encourage people to take smaller portions.
i. Serve fruit and vegetables as the main dish and meat as a side dish.

Heart Healthy Drinking Tips:
1) Limit alcoholic beverages to one or two servings per day.
2) Drink a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages.
3) Eat food prior to and while drinking alcoholic beverages.
4) Do not drink and drive.
5) Choose lighter options to cut back on extra calories. Try spritzers, lite beer or low calorie mixers. Avoid drinks mixed with cream and frozen drinks.)

Heart Healthy Activity Tips:
1) Participate in outings that involve physical activity like skiing, sleigh riding, ice skating and walking.
2) At the shopping malls park in the furthest spot from the store to increase your walking.
3) Go window shopping and enjoy the holiday decorations. Take your pedometer with you and count your steps. Aim for 10,000 steps per day!
4) Dance at holiday parties.
5) Schedule exercise/physical activity into you routine. Exercise increases your energy level.
6) Take the dog for a walk and enjoy the holiday decorations in the neighborhood.
7) Go Christmas caroling.
8) Cut down your own Christmas tree.
9) Take the stairs whenever possible instead of elevators and escalators.

Tips for Managing Holiday Stress:
1) Schedule some down time for yourself to relax and de-stress
2) Learn some relaxation techniques and use them throughout your stressful days. Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can be very relaxing.
3) Include a chair massage for yourself during holiday shopping trips.
4) Remember to have fun each and every day. Find some humor in every day life. Laughter is a great way to relieve stress.
5) Try to always keep a positive attitude and surround yourself with happy people.
6) Try not to focus on money issues every day. If you have made financial mistakes in the past, use it as a learning experience and avoid similar mistakes in the future.

Heart Healthy Holiday Gifts Ideas:
1) Exercise items like pedometers; resistance bands; exercise mats; exercise balls; jump ropes; heart rate monitors; exercise tapes, videos and DVDs; sneakers, exercise outfits and hand weights, all make great gift ideas.
2) Heart healthy cookbooks, juicers, and popcorn machines.
3) Healthy foods: fruit baskets, fruit of the month clubs, assorted unsalted nuts, flavor-infused olive oils, red wines, herbal or green teas, dark chocolates and high fiber baked goods.
4) Stress relievers: gift certificates for massage or health clubs, aromatherapy candles, pillows, bath salts, Yoga or Tai Chi videos, tapes and books.
5) Give the gift of your time. Spend time with an elderly relative, neighbor or friend. Offer a ride to the store, pharmacy or doctor’s office to those needing assistance.
6) Offer to be an exercise buddy to someone starting a new exercise program. It is more fun to work out with a friend and it will benefit both of you!

For additional heart healthy information visit us at www.heart-strong.com.

HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!!

Have an unconventional christmas.

*The lack of posts the whole week was due to bad mood and stress, I’m trying to let go a bit so hopefully I can snap out of it! I’m doing a bit better now.

Just a quick recap of the Oakley Rev Tour ‘09 Event at the Red Bull Space I went to last Thursday, November 13th. I was debating to go or not because I was tired from the COMME des GARCONS for H&M release but I decided to check out the party and relieve some stress. Met up with Eva and YM (Freshness/Sneaker News) for the event, it was def a different crowd from the usual events I attended which is not a bad thing. When I got there I met with Pete and Vanessa from Rawthentix/Sauce (thanks for the invitation) and chatted for a bit, good peoples. Then it was time to hit up the goggle bar to create a pair of custom goggles! My googles turned out pretty hot, kinda makes me want to go snowboarding now- may be I’ll try this year…

More pics after the jump…

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Saving money is priority especially during the gift-giving season. FabulousSavings.com helps relieve spending stress by offering thousands of free, retailer-approved online coupons. By shopping online, consumers can find savings on clothes, electronics, toys, gifts and more.

The site provides free coupon discounts you can use for hundreds of online merchants with brand-name products. Many of the coupons are exclusive offers that can’t be found anywhere else.

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Check it out here.

I was thrilled to find Cosmosis shoes because several styles hit all my points. The chic silver Nice loafers ($150) are a lovely break from your typical slip-on athletic shoes, and they feature the patented Reflex Zone Bed - five cushy pads of massaging delight that help improve circulation and relieve foot stress.

And for winter, I'm liking the Alaska tall boots ($250). They're a nice departure from the ever-present Uggs, but cozy shearling-lined nonetheless.

The founder of Cosmosis started her own shoe line so she could find wearable shoes to fit her size 12 feet. Since she knows the plight of the large and small-footed women out there, all the shoes in her online boutique are available in sizes 5 through 14.

Get Yours: ShoeSizes5to14.com

ALTernatives takes styling to an all new level with the launch of Str8AwaySufle`. Never before has a styling aid delivered such unbelievable results. Str8AwaySufle` relaxes any texture of natural hair into a glossy, bouncy, silky finish. This brand new technology gives instant results with effortless transition, allowing hair to maintain its integrity and achieve desired looks without the damaging results of harsh chemicals. Alternatives will relieve all frustration with taming naturally curly hair, giving you the safest desired results.

There are 44 photos in this album.

Kanye West was partying it up in Liverpool and he had to go, so instead of walking to the bathroom he just stood and peed all over the carpet according to  The Sun.

He stunned fellow artists by not bothering to find a toilet backstage, choosing to relieve himself on the floor of a dressing room shared with the TING TINGS.

Speaking at the MTV Awards, drummer JULES DE MARTINO said: “We ask for a lot of unusual things on our backstage rider but that ain’t one of them!”

Why is Kanye West still famous? There is no excuse for that. He is a grown man, he knows how to use the bathroom. Sad.

(source)

Jada Pinkett Smithhas had numerous challenges in her life, but the hardest one she's faced is balancing her career with parenthood to Trey, 16, Jaden Christopher Syre, 10, and Willow Camille Reign, 8. Even though she knows that "there's no formula for how to raise a child and have a career," she has learned that "anyone can give you ideas about how to balance the two, but you have to do it your own way. And I do everything my way."

As busy as life keeps her, Jada knows "I need help raising my kids" and feels that every mom does. "When I travel to third world countries -- certain places in India or Africa -- I meet mothers who know they can't do it by themselves. You see groups of women raising their kids together in a village, helping one another relieve stress," shared Jada with Working Mother , adding that "in this country, people tend to say, 'Mind your business!' I think part of the problem is that most women think they don't deserve time for themselves." The actress and singer is a firm believer that women "need each other for support" and that "We need to develop relationships with people so that we have help. Everyone needs to figure out a way to create a support system -- no one should do it alone." That is why she and her husband, actor Will Smith, rely on her mother Adrienne Banfield-Jones.

"That's why my mother travels with us when I'm on tour with my band, Wicked Wisdom, or if I'm on location for a movie. If she can't make it, a friend comes along, or I bring Will. But if Will's with me, I still usually have my mother or Will's mother there ... I need someone who will make sure the kids aren't eating chocolate cake!"

Even though she and Will receive help, Jada points out that the family treasures quality time together and "our kids want so much time with us that sometimes Willow still sleeps in our bed." The kids want to be with their parents so much that "it's hard for Will and me to go on a date or have time alone," and Jada has to "keep reminding him, 'Eventually Jaden and Willow will be doing their own thing. So let's enjoy this time.'" The couple "give them all we have right now, knowing there'll be a day when it'll be just the two of us again."

Click 'More' to learn how Jada adjusted to being a stepparent and her opinion on the kids acting.

Prior to Jaden and Willow's birth, Jada became stepmom to Will's son Trey from his previous marriage to Sheree Zampino, an experience she considers her toughest. "As a kid, I'd been through such excruciating experiences with my parents' divorce and having our family split up that I wanted to do anything in my power to make sure Trey didn't go through that," Jada explains. " I had to learn to get out of my ego and remember that it wasn't about me." It wasn't just becoming a parent that took some adjustment on Jada's part, it was having "to understand that Will was going to have a relationship with Trey's mom because they share a child. I had to support him in doing what was right even though it wasn't easy."

"But greatness doesn't come from ease. You want to do great things and you want it to be easy? These don't go hand in hand ... But the fact that now we enjoy holidays all together with Trey's mom and her new husband makes the tough part worth it. Trey knows we all get along, and that creates stability for him."

After Jada gave birth to Jaden she took almost three years off, much to the chagrin of her support people in the industry. "Once again, I had to leave my ego out of it. I had people saying I should really audition for this or that, but there was nothing more important than the baby I held in my arms," notes Jada. Now while she works, she makes sure that her kids are with her and she believes that is one reason that both of them have their own acting careersnow. "They've grown up on movie backlots, so it didn't surprise me at all when they wanted to get into acting. It's in their blood." While some people may question Jada and Will's decision to let their children act, the 37-year-old knows that it is the right decision.

"You prepare your kids for challenges. You don't teach them to back down because things are hard ...I teach my kids to keep their integrity, to remember that being a good person comes first and to stay true to who they are. If they know that, I can put them in any circumstance without worrying."

Source: Working Mother