Blog Posts by Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance

Holiday season is in full gear. As beautiful and magical as the holiday season ought to be, however, it is often tainted with, none other than, stress. We are shopping…we are wrapping…we are entertaining…we are getting entertained…we are dealing with increased traffic…we are mingling with family…we are traveling…we are braving the elements…phew…and I've just scratched the surface! Talk about stressful!

Most of us, at this time of the year, tend to prioritize everything EXCEPT ourselves. This, ultimately, mounts on the stress and can do a doozy on our ability to really enjoy. But the holidays are MEANT to be enjoyed! To keep the stress levels to a low roar, here are a few tips:

1. Build in You-Time: Probably a no-brainer, but build in alone-time. Giving yourself time away from the craziness and time to decompress…will give your mind and body the rest it needs to go full-steam ahead the rest of the time. At least once a week, do one of the following (or anything else that gives you

Trying to purchase bottled water can leave you feeling more confused than ever. With the myriad of choices out there, how do you pick one that provides you with hydration, MINUS the hype? Water companies make fancy claims, but think about it: These companies are competing for your attention in a market where there is really no need for additives. Devise a game plan for water that makes waves!

1. Choose water without artificial sweeteners or added . Terms like Aspartame (brand name Nutrasweet), Sucralose (brand name Splenda), are artificial and have no place lurking in your water! Add lemon, lime, a slice of orange or even cucumber to your beverage for refreshment. Or, choose a bottled water like Metromint (www.metromint.com) that uses mint essence and natural flavorings. Create a splash of flavor by freezing blueberries and raspberries in ice cube trays. Add the frozen berries to sparkling water and serve in fancy glasses for a special occasion.
2. Become Ingredient Savvy.

I've never been a huge fan of eggnog, but I've definitely enjoyed some other festive drinks during the holiday season. They warm you up when the temperatures are low and give you a bit of a twinkle in your eye.

But, how much of an impact do these holiday delights have on our waistlines? Some not so much, and others, well, a lot. Holiday drinks can be full of sugar and, many, high in fat. Although the below chart isn't an exhaustive list of cocktails, it gives you an idea of those that are healthier and those that are less so. Those made with cream, half-and-half, or sugary ingredients are the worst offenders. Those that are more basic tend to be the lesser of evils.

Drinks rated 5 stars are the healthiest options, when looking at calories, fat, and carbohydrate intake (sugars). Those that are rated with 1 star are the worst for you. As you can see, unfortunately, most of the season's yummiest drinks are naughty.

Over the last several years, I have come to do more and more of my shopping online. There are several benefits that make it much more palatable than shopping in stores. Here's my top 10 reasons why your computer is your best friend for holiday shopping:

1. Bargain Hunting: You can look for the best price for what you are buying at many different outlets. You can also get up-to-the-minute discounts notifications, which makes it especially "bargainy."
2. Time Saving: No need to commit to a few hours, you can commit to ten minutes. Breaking-up the work into shorter, more manageable time chunks is much nicer. Further, you won't be wasting time traveling to the stores, looking for parking, walking around, yada yada.
3. Avoiding the Crowds: Shopping online allows you to avoid the mobs and the pushing and shoving that inevitably happens in retail stores.
4. Easy Parking: During this season, getting a parking spot at a mall or retail outlet can be like trying to find

Breakfast provides much needed energy to start your day on a positive note. Basically, breakfast is "BREAKing the FAST" from the night before. Your body has been without fuel for up to 12 hours (sometimes more) and it requires a combination of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fat to supply energy to your brain and muscles.

Often, people skip breakfast, citing lack of time or for fear that it will promote hunger and lead to overeating and weight gain. First, a good breakfast does not have to take more than five to ten minutes to prepare, at most. Second, studies confirm that those who skip breakfast are MORE likely to be overweight than those who make breakfast a daily habit!

The National Weight Control Registry participants, who have successfully kept off 30 or more pounds for over a year say that daily breakfast is a key to their continued success. If you have children, you can also incorporate their favorite foods into more adult breakfast fare, suitable for both your palate

As much as we love them, appetizers can be some of the biggest saboteurs when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet: 1) They are small and seem "harmless," causing us to not pay great attention to what and how much we eat. 2) many of them are unbalanced, containing mostly refined carbohydrates and fats, and 3) we tend to fill ourselves up on them, leaving little room for the more healthy part of the party…the meal.

Saying no to all appetizers isn't the answer, but being aware and smart about the choices you make when the plate of Swedish meatballs walk by is. These guidelines are good whether you, yourself are entertaining or if you are going to someone else's party.

THOSE TO FORGET:

1. Frozen: Appetizers made from scratch tend to be better options than frozen or packaged. If it looks like an appetizer was whipped up in a microwave or oven. Often, they are highly processed, contain lots of saturated fats and are filled with preservatives. Examples to Avoid: Meatballs,

Many of us like to think the best of people. We like to think that they shoot straight and are forthright in their intentions. We also like to believe that they will ask for what they want and not resort to crazy tactics to get it. Unfortunately, however, there are times when we come across those who will do whatever it takes to get what they want...including manipulation. Being manipulated never feels good, but the worst part of manipulation is that often, we don't even realize that it is happening. Here are a few ways to know if someone is trying to manipulate you:

1. Buttering You Up: To get their way, manipulators will often make you feel good so that they can then ask you to do something that they want. The person may first compliment you or tell you what a wonderful job you did on something. Making you feel good will, in their mind, make it difficult for you to say no…after all, you wouldn't want to disappoint them or give them reason to think you didn't deserve the compliment

Healthy eating starts with healthy grocery shopping. When we arrive at the grocery store, however, and our kids (or we) are yammering for the newest sugared cereals, cookies or ice cream, it's easy to get distracted and pulled off-course from even the best of intentions to keep your cart full of the good-stuff and devoid of the bad. The solution? It's easy. Follow these rules and you'll be ready to fight off the unhealthy expenditures.

1. Make a List. There are times when I run to the store without a list, and when I get there, I "add" things I might not necessarily need…like ice cream. Make your list and categorize your foods by the aisles they are in. When you get to the store, make sure you stick with the list.
2. Eat a Pre-Shopping Snack. Studies have shown that people who grocery shop on an empty stomach are more likely to buy more food and foods that are less healthy than if they go shopping on a full or half-full stomach.
3. Leave the Kids at Home. If possible,