Healthy New Year's Party Foods from Natural News

If your New Year's resolution is to start eating healthy, then there's no better time than starting on New Year's Eve. It's a great way to ring in the New Year and start fresh. At least you'll be just a tad ahead of yourself.

There's a misconception that eating healthy is time consuming. That's not true at all and many healthy meals can be prepared in 30 minutes.

Natural News have some really great and easy recipes for your New Year's party. Don't forget, everything is consumed in moderation especially alcohol.

Drive safe. Drink responsibly - Don't drink and drive!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

It's that time of year again where I wish you and yours a very joyous Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Where did the time go? Pretty soon it will be summer and the cycle starts again. It must be an age thing because I don't remember it ever going this fast when I was a kid.

I hope you accomplished what you wanted to do this year and you have made new goals for 2010.

From my family to yours, I hope you enjoy every moment and savour the time you spend with family and friends. I hope as always your New Year bring greater joys. Here's to your health, happiness, love and prosperity!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

10 Healthy Alternatives To Reduce Stress

It's hard to believe the end of the year is almost upon us. December seems to be one the most hectic months of the year and rightfully so, but I want to share with you what you can do to alleviate some of the stresses you have.

1. Walking
Fresh air does amazing things to our senses and well-being. Walking for just 30 minutes a day increases our mental sharpness.

2. Write
Bring out a journal or notepad and start writing. Writing is very therapeutic. It's a way for many people to deal with their thoughts and feelings. It brings clarity for the mind and it's a good tool for problem solving.

3. Exercise
Working out is a proven method to calm the mind and relax the body during stressful times. Hormones are release during exercise that helps us focus better on things and it brings us more balance. People who exercise daily also sleep better and have a stronger immune system.

4. Deep Breathing
Deep breathing frees your mind of negativity and provides a sense of inner peace and tranquility. It will quiet and clear the mind of distractions. You will feel much more content and relaxed. The best part is you can do this anytime, anywhere as it only takes a few minutes.

5. Laughter
Whoever said laughter is the best medicine is so right. I would always feel better after a good laugh. Naturally, you would feel more lighthearted and positive.

6. Yoga
Not only does yoga reduce stress, there are multiple benefits like sleeping better, increase strength and endurance, lowers blood pressure and heart rate and much more.

7. Eat Well
Processed foods are way too accessible and target people who have hectic lives, but you can create healthy meals in 30 minutes if your kitchen is stocked properly. Take the time each week to have planned, home cooked meals. Over the weekend, make bigger batches, proportion them and freeze it.

8. Music
Listening to music is just one of those things that get you up and moving. You can enjoy different types of music to help you relax, meditate or exercise.

9. Aromatherapy
A few drops of essential oils in a bath, on a tissue or cotton ball to smell or in some boiled water to scent the room can lift your spirits, soothe your nerves, combat fatigue and tension.

10. Tea
There are a variety of herbal teas you can enjoy drinking to bring relaxation and calmness to your life. Chai tea has a combination of ingredients that offers a lot of health benefits. There are spices that lower blood pressure and regulate blood sugar, remove toxins from the liver, aids in digestion, and contain antioxidants. Limit your tea intake as it contains caffeine.

These are all sound alternatives to fight stress on a daily basis. Even if the world is moving at a fast pace, take the time to slow down, breathe and take it one day at a time.

De-Clutter Your Home To De-Stress Your Mind

Out of sight, out of mind usually works for a lot of things. Sure, you can move clutter from one space to another, but what's the point if you have to see it in another place?

It's a known fact that the clutter we keep can wreak havoc on our health and well-being. Remember the time when you reorganized your closet and you got rid of all the clothes that were outdated? Didn't it feel good to have space?

Before we took down our makeshift, partially enclosed solarium we had so much junk and when we finally got rid of it all, it was such a relief. I didn't have to look through the french doors everyday to be reminded of the mess I had to deal with.

Here are some de-cluttering tips.

De-cluttering is not a one day deal thing. If you keep up with it, the task won't be so daunting the next time you need to de-clutter. Tackle one area at a time. Lets say it's the kitchen. Sort into piles and get rid of anything you don't need. This is not the time to be a pack rat. Don't get in the mind frame that you will need it tomorrow because you won't.

If there are things you can donate, get a box and put all the items in there as you are sorting. You may also want to label your boxes so it will help the collection people know what's in there. Once it's all complete, get on the phone and call the pick-up people to come get your "treasures".

Obviously there will be things you want to keep, but make a note to yourself that if you want to keep it, it must have a spot and that spot can't be in the basement hidden in the spare room.

Learn to comfortably say no to freebies. Aunt Gertie has worn out old jewelry that she thinks your daughter would love to have as keepsakes and she thinks you would love her faded, slightly yellow and chipped china place settings. Just say, "NO" and be firm.

Keep on top of your clutter. The less mess you see, the better you will feel.