Although traditional eggnog made with eggs, cream, sugar and milk can pack in the calories, there are lower sugar alternatives. One cup of eggnog has more than 1/3 of your daily needs for potassium, calcium, vitamins B12 and B2 (riboflavin), and vitamin A.
Pumpkin is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which boosts your immune system, protects eyesight, lowers the risk of certain cancers and promotes heart and skin health. It’s also low in calories, making it friendly for dieters.
One of the hazards of the holidays is theft. Robberies increase by 20% in December most years, and with the uptick in crime nationwide in the past 2 years, it may be higher this year.
To protect yourself, make certain you lock doors and windows in your car and your home. Check the doors and windows that aren’t used very often–garage side doors, back doors, basement windows.
Never leave your car running and return to the house even for a few minutes. A running car is a perfect crime of opportunity.
Home fires are common during the holidays, many the result of holiday lighting.
Test your smoke detectors to make sure they’re working properly and replace any that have stopped working.
Keep live trees adequately watered. If you can pull needles from a tree with little effort, the tree needs more water.
If you’re using an artificial tree make certain that it is fire rated.
Look carefully at all strings of lights before you hang them. Replace any with frayed wiring. Covering frayed wires with electrical tape isn’t worth the risk to your home.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 160 decorating-related injuries happen every day during the holiday season, with more than half involving falls.
When installing decorations, use the right ladder for the job, and make sure the ladder is secure before climbing.
Before hosting guests, make certain that walkways are well-lighted and that they are clear of ice, snow or leaf debris that can become slippery when wet.
If you have decorations that require power, make certain that you use weighted strips that will both conceal and hold steady any electrical cords that can be a tripping hazard.
Turkey is a great source of protein. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals, and low in fat if you don’t eat the skin.
Cartilage contains up to 80% water, so dehydration can affect the lubrication of the joints. Cartilage is the cushion in the joint so good hydration will help maintain smooth joint movement.
Calcium and Vitamin D are crucial to bone and joint health. Dairy, leafy greens, salmon, and foods fortified with extra Vitamin C and D are good bone-boosting nutrients.
Proper posture in the shoulders, back, knees and legs can prevent pressure on the knees supporting the muscles used for posture. If you slouch or stoop, there is extra pressure on the hips and knees, so standing up straight will help your knees.
Range of motion exercises help the knee to produce synovial fluid the natural lubrication to maintain smooth movement. Stretching will help strengthen and restore the motion of the knee.
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