MORE TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS SEASON WEIGHT LOSS

In following on the last post ideas, this being the Holiday Season, here are a couple more tips to keep the weight off and stay in good health.
I picked up these ideas from other web sites that I subscibe to, these are not my own, but experience and knowledge lets me highly recommend them.

Seasonings for Your Heart
For years they've been the staples in holiday stuffing. Now it turns out they're pretty fantastic for your heart, too. The savories in question? Celery and thyme.
In a study, a powerful flavonoid found in celery and thyme appeared to hinder the production of compounds that trigger inflammation. Good news for your heart, because high bodywide levels of inflammation can open the door to heart disease.

Wild Rice Stuffing
This classic Wild Rice Stuffing infuses roast chicken or turkey with the flavor and scent of fresh thyme and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 2 can(s) (13 3/4 to 14 1/2 ounces each) chicken broth
• 2/3 cup(s) (1 4-ounce package) wild rice
• 1 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoon(s) vegetable oil
• 4 medium carrots, sliced
• 2 medium celery stalks, sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• Medium-size mushrooms
• 1 1/2 cup(s) regular long-grain rice
• 1/4 cup(s) chopped parsley

Directions

1. In 4-quart saucepan over high heat, heat chicken broth, wild rice, salt, thyme, and 1 1/2 cups water to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 35 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in nonstick 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Add carrots, celery, and onion and cook until tender-crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove carrot mixture to bowl.
3. In same skillet in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, cook mushrooms until golden brown and all liquid evaporates.
4. Stir long-grain rice, carrot mixture, and mushrooms into wild rice; over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 minutes longer or until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Stir in chopped parsley. Use to stuff 12- to 16-pound turkey. Or, spoon into serving bowl; keep warm.       

Health Hazards
Enter luteolin, the antioxidant compound found in celery and thyme. In fact, food is an excellent way to help combat excess inflammation in the body. Other foods that help fight inflammation include fish oil, nuts, pineapple (thanks to the bromelain), leafy greens rich in vitamin K, and herbs like thyme and oregano. Getting proper amounts of good sleep also may help quell cell-damaging inflammation. And controlling stress helps, too.

If you stress during the holidays, here are some scents proved to help reduce anxiety.
Roses -- as well as lavender, basil, orange, grape, mango, and lemon -- all contain a special compound called linalool, the smell of which apparently reduces anxiety.

Loosen Up with Linalool
In animal studies, the vapors of linalool helped induce calm. Blood cells called neutrophils and lymphocytes, which change in response to stress, were brought into equilibrium by the aroma. In fact, the scent of linalool even appeared to favorably affect the way the body is programmed to handle stress on a genetic level.