Healthy Holidays to You!

Well, the holidays are upon us and in addition to the lights, gifts and music comes rich, decadent foods and dessert.  Should we just put our health aside for one month and indulge in all of the temptations that surround us?  Sounds like a good idea right now, but will it be worth it in the long run?  Why not challenge ourselves this year to eat healthy and stay active throughout the holidays.
Holiday Survival Tips

• Eat a light, healthy snack such as fruit, almonds, or yogurt before parties.  This will help you curb your hunger and make better choices.
• Make sure vegetables take up half the room on your plate.
• Substitute whole wheat flour for half of the all-purpose flour in baked goods.  Whole grains provide nutrients such as fiber, B vitamins, and minerals like iron , magnesium, and selenium.
• Moderation is the key. Selecting small portions allows you to control your calorie intake yet enjoy all the different items offered. If you really crave a high-calorie item, go ahead and treat yourself to a small serving.
• When you arrive at celebrations, check out all the food options and develop a plan which will enable you to sample foods you enjoy without abandoning the good habits you’ve formed.
• Take time and enjoy the taste of your meal. Pace yourself and try to be the last person to finish each course. Take small bites, and chew slowly.
• Finally, celebrate and focus on what the holidays are really about – spending time with family and friends. Find creative activities or ways to get your family and friends to play a game or be active instead of eating.

Holiday Food Choices
Choose More Often:
•Turkey breast •Tossed salad •Chicken breast •Steamed vegetables •Mineral water •Fresh fruit
Choose Less Often:
•Beef prime rib •Gravy •Pie •Bread pudding •Cake •Candy •Stuffing •Eggnog •Sugar-sweetened beverages
We tend to focus so much on providing gifts for everyone else, that we often forget to give ourselves the most important gift of all…the gift of health.  Take this holiday quiz to see how ready you are for this holiday season.
Holiday Fun Quiz:
1. Three ounces of meat is about the size of a _____. (Hint: You can use this to play rummy!)
______________________
2. Serve this for dessert to add color (and fiber) to your holiday table.
______________________
3. This activity can be fun for the whole family and is a good way to burn extra calories!
______________________
4. These little holiday treats can really add up in calories (about 2,000 calories per pound!) so try to bake fewer and make them smaller.
______________________
5. Always buy ____ milk so you avoid the saturated fat of its whole counterpart.
______________________
6. Remove this from your turkey before eating, since it is high in fat.
______________________
Answers: 1. deck of cards, 2. fruit, 3. walk or exercise, 4. cookies, 5. skim or fatfree, 6. skin
Have a fun and safe holiday season!

Michelle Obama’s latest victory against childhood

The first lady herself, Michelle Obama, has made it her mission to fight childhood obesity.  Here is a quick read about how she has most recently helped passed a bill to ban junk food sales on school grounds.

http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2010/12/03/school-lunches-get-better-junk-food-cut-out-michelle-obama-happy/

We need to get the word out to her about how SOSMentor is fighting right along side her!

ZUMBA Fundraiser!

One of our All-Star Teachers/Fitness Instructor Extraordinaire, Aimee Nicotera from Santee Education Complex, will be hosting a fun and calorie burning way to support SOSMentor.
What: Zumba Jam – Fitness Class
When: Saturday, December 11th @ 1:30pm – 3:30 pm
Where: 220 Fitness
3002 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 314-0220
Why: 1) It helps you stay fit in a new and fun way.
2) Participating in this class will help raise funds for our programs!
Who: You, your friends and lots of other people who love to have fun and be active.
How: RSVP here http://220fitness.com/zumbajam/

Newsweek – “Divided We Eat”

There are many factors that influence whether or not we eat healthy.  Newsweek has a very provocative article showing different perspectives on why people eat the way they do and whether or not they have a choice.

Here is a sneak peek:
“Corpulence used to signify the prosperity of a few but has now become a marker of poverty. Obesity has risen as the income gap has widened: more than a third of U.S. adults and 17 percent of children are obese, and the problem is acute among the poor.”

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/11/22/what-food-says-about-class-in-america.html