Eating properly is really difficult any time of the year, but especially over the holidays. The key is not to overeat at special parties, and to exercise restraint throughout the rest of the week.

With that in mind, I’ve put together a few ideas and tips that I hope will help you to make it through the holidays without overdoing it.

Win the Holiday Battle of the Bulge

The holidays are some of the most festive times of the year – and the most fattening. Just thinking about traditional holiday meals can put your appetite in high gear. The temptation to overeat is lurking at every holiday table. By New Year’s Day, many of us are avoiding the scales, wearing elastic-waist pants and thinking about joining a health club to undo the damage to our waistlines. In fact, the average American gains at least five pounds during the winter holiday period. Weight gained during the six-week holiday period accounts for most of a person’s total weight gain over a year’s time.

Thankfully, there is a happy medium between starving yourself from now until New Year’s and stuffing yourself silly. You can enjoy the best the season has to offer without sacrificing your waistline. The following tips will help you master the art of sensible eating over the holidays and beyond.

Holidays – No Time to Start a New Diet

Why spoil the festivities by feeling guilty about indulging in special foods for special times? You will likely feel frustrated and deprived when you force yourself to say “no,” or guilty when you decide to indulge. Rather than trying to lose weight, try to prevent weight gain.

Allot your calories wisely. Pick seasonal favorites you don’t normally eat, and enjoy them thoroughly. For example, have the egg nog instead of the cookies in moderation, and exercise. Although this is often easier said than done, a person can make it through the holidays with their waistlines intact! Balance the calories you consume with the calories you burn.

Tips for Sensible Eating

The same sensible eating habits that apply throughout the year can be followed during the holidays when you’re putting the final touches on your own menus, or as you head out to grandma’s house or the office social.

• Keep to a regular eating schedule as much as possible. Skipping a meal makes you hungrier later in the day when you’re more likely to go for the holiday snacks and goodies.
• Keep fruits and vegetables on hand for healthy snacking.
• Be sure to drink plenty of water.

When planning your menu, cut back on butter or margarine. Eat fewer foods that contain “hydrogenated” or partially hydrogenated oils. Switch to vegetable oils and trans fat-free (or soft) margarines. Season dishes with onion, celery, or herbs instead of extra salt. Trade the stuffing for wild rice pilaf (or at least offer this as an alternative). For cakes, casseroles and baked macaroni, use egg whites or an egg substitute instead of whole eggs, skim milk instead of whole milk, and choose low-fat cheeses.

Navigating the Buffet Table

Social calendars fill up quickly with holiday gatherings this time of year.ngs this time of year. Though you may not be in control of the festivities’ menu, here are some tips for navigating the temptation-filled buffet table:

Eat Before You Leave
An empty stomach is an invitation to binge at a holiday gathering. Keep yourself from filling up on fatty party foods by eating a small meal or a low-fat snack before you head out to the festivities.

Fill Up on Healthy Fare First
You may not have had a say in the menu but you do have control over what you put in your mouth. Fresh fruits and vegetables are abundant in fiber, which makes you feel full. They are also low in calories and fat-free, which means you can eat as much as you want – as long as you don’t smother them with creamy or cheesy dips.

Go Low and Lean
Shave calories and fat from your dinner plate with a few simple changes. Keep the traditional turkey on your menu, but remove the skin and don’t drown it in gravy.

Note: One tablespoon of gravy made from turkey drippings can contain up to 70 calories; one ladle as much as 800! The same goes for creamy dips, salad dressings and cheese sauces. Use these high-calorie items sparingly or substitute them with lower-calorie items like yogurt or cottage cheese dips, tomato salsa or vinaigrette dressings. Use lemon juice to flavor vegetables instead of cheese sauces.

Enjoy Smaller Portions
Be sure to watch your portion size. Fried foods, sweets and other high-calorie treats don’t have to be off limits, just eat them in smaller portions. You may find that a taste is all you need to satisfy a craving.

Don’t Drink Your Calories
Alcoholic beverages are heavy on calories and light on nutrients. Alcohol stimulates your appetite and reduces your self-control, so if you enjoy a few cocktails you may end up eating more than you planned.

Step Away From the Buffet
Hanging out by the party platter sets you up for grazing. Don’t hover over the buffet – take a plate and move away.

Pace your eating and spend time visiting. You’ll eat less and feel good about what you have eaten.

Stay Active

Physical activity is one of the best gifts you can give yourself during the holiday season. Over the busy holidays, sneak in exercise by:

• Walking before or after your holiday meal.
• Picking up your walking pace while shopping in the mall.
• Parking at a distance from the mall entrance to take advantage of a little exercise.
• Use the stairs instead of the escalator.
• Limit time in front of the television – remember, it is a time to visit with family and friends.

Regardless of the amount of snacks and sweets you eat during the holidays, if you try to include some exercise during your daily routine you’ll be much better off. The trick is to keep your metabolism going. Staying active will also help you keep that extra holiday stress in check.

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The Beginning:
Joseph Ray Watkins started the J.R. Watkins Medical Company in 1868 and the company has been a pioneer in natural personal care every since. Since the beginning, Watkins has specialized in home remedies using natural botanicals, such as camphor, menthol and herbs, to help people feel better and live healthy lives.

The Spice Company:
J.R. traveled the world searching for the finest natural herbs and extracts to formulate his remedies. During his travels, he realized the pure and rich spices from far away lands should be shared with his customers to use in their pantry, thus beginning Watkins long history as the spice company.

The High Quality Products
Commitment to quality has always been a source of pride for Watkins. Customers benefit from and depend on this consistent attention to detail. Watkins offers products for everyone-from everyday necessities to special indulgences.

• Distinctive gourmet and organic food products serve a wide range of tastes and cooking styles.

• Natural-based apothecary personal care products blend the best of nature with today’s modern science.

• Timeless remedies like our original Red Liniment and our amazing Petro Carbo Salve stand side-by side with today’s most advanced dietary supplements.

• Environmentally friendly home-care products ensure a clean home and a clean world.

Watkins adheres strictly to the same quality standards set forth by the founder, J.R. Watkins. They continue to provide products that are good for the earth, good for others and good for you. All Watkins products are backed by J.R.’s original 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee so you can use them with confidence. If someone is not completely delighted, they receive a full refund. That’s why so many people insist on Watkins products for every area of their lives.

Award-Winning Products Made with the World’s Finest Ingredients:
Just as when J.R. Watkins founded the company, Watkins is committed to offering outstanding natural products of superior quality and value.

To achieve these high standards, Watkins has always used only the finest ingredients—herbs and botanicals from the world’s best growing regions.

Because they have our own manufacturing facility, research and development lab, quality assurance, and many years of experience, they are able to maintain the most stringent quality standard—the Watkins standard.

As a testament to that quality, Watkins Vanilla, Cinnamon and Pepper received the Gold Medal of Honor at the 1928 World Expo in Paris, France. Nearly 80 years later, they’re still winning awards.

The All-Natural Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and USDA Certified 100% Organic Black Pepper both recently received the Cooking Club of America Member Tested and Recommended Seal of Approval.

So why Watkins? Quality products at a fair price from a company that cares about more than just the bottom line. That’s why Watkins.

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1) Disinfect it – Wipe it with a solution of 1 cup chlorine bleach to 2 quarts of water to eliminate mold and bacteria that cause decay.

2) Oil it – Rub cut surfaces with vegetable oil to keep moisture in.

3) Scent it – Sprinkle Watkins cinnamon – a natural antiseptic – inside to prevent mold.

4) Spice it – Shake in some Watkins hot pepper flakes to keep critters from feasting on your decor.

5) Shade it – Shield your pumpkin from direct sun to delay decay.

6) Soak it – Plump it up if it shrivels by immersing in a pot of cold water for an hour.

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