RESOLVE TO BE A HEALTHIER YOU

(Family Features) While traveling more, losing weight and quitting bad habits are annually among some of the most popular New Year’s resolutions, the turn of the calendar does represent a perfect opportunity to better yourself in multiple ways.

The impact of taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle – from committing to eating well, sleeping better, drinking cleaner water or boosting your nutrient intake – can be far-reaching, but also overwhelming. Gradually incorporating the health-focused habits you hope to make permanent fixtures in your life can help ensure the process isn’t overly taxing, and some products can help ease the transition as well.

Find more tips to help keep you on the right path toward reaching your wellness goals at eLivingtoday.com.

New Year, Cleaner Water

When adopting health-focused resolutions like staying hydrated, it’s also an opportunity to commit to drinking cleaner water. The easy-to-install PUR Advanced Faucet Filtration System makes it simple to wash fruits and vegetables, fill reusable water bottles before work or a fitness class and meal-prep with healthier and great-tasting water. The filtration system is certified to reduce more than 70 contaminants, including 99% of lead – more than any other brand, according to NSF. Learn more at PUR.com.

A Healthy Snacking Resolution

Strive to snack better in the new year with an option like Stryve Sliced Beef Biltong, which is a tasty meat snack with zero sugar and no artificial ingredients. Packed with protein, it is made with only air-dried beef and spices, meaning you don’t have to give up goodness to stick to your clean eating resolutions. Paleo and keto-friendly, the beef biltong is available in seven flavors and comes in resealable packs so you can satisfy cravings wherever they strike. Learn more at Styrve.com.

Download Wellness this Year

To help achieve your health goals in the new year, consider downloading the free Nature’s Pharmacy app. It cross-tabulates 57 health priorities, such as increasing good cholesterol, preventing cardiovascular disease and easing insomnia, along with desired outcomes like improving energy levels or reducing wrinkles with 74 fruits and vegetables. By selecting a concern or desired outcome, the app, which is available on iOS and Android devices, generates a selection of produce that can aid in reaching those goals. For more information, visit limoneira.com.

A Simple Vitamin Solution

If you’re tired of swallowing multivitamins, consider an option like Vitamin Booster+ to help make your morning ritual more enjoyable. Simply dissolve one drink stick in water to get 100% of your daily essential vitamins along with 610 mg of electrolytes. Containing real fruit juice and only 15 calories per serving, this vitamin-dense drink is ideal for the whole family and is available in single-serve lemon-lime flavor sticks for an on-the-go boost. Find more information at drinknutrient.com.

A Sleep Apnea Solution

For those who suffer from sleep apnea, one of the best ways to get the sleep you need is the DreamPort Sleep Solution, which is small, lightweight, headgear-free and easy-to-use. You can say goodbye to bulky headgear and uncomfortable straps as nothing constricts your movement or gets in the way. Plus, it fits the shape of your nose for zero leaks to provide a better night’s sleep and more energetic days. Visit bleepsleep.com for more details.

SOURCE:
Stryve Biltong Snacks
PUR
Limoneira
Dreamport
Nutrient Foods
 

5 TIPS TO REFRESH YOUR HOME IN THE NEW YEAR

(Family Features) Each new year gives you the chance to reset and start new routines. When you’re considering new approaches to healthy living – whether eliminating or adding habits to improve your daily life – beginning with your home is an optimal choice.

Your living environment has a strong influence on your life, and it’s worth evaluating how you can make updates that create a positive space for you and all that the new year will bring. Consider these ideas to refresh your home and simplify your housecleaning routine so you can spend more time focusing on your goals this year.

Start by Decluttering

It’s practically impossible to get excited about a fresh start when you’re surrounding by last year’s junk. Make decluttering and purging unnecessary items a top priority for your refresh. Clear counters and tables to create more inviting surfaces and force yourself to assess which items are worth keeping. Get rid of items you don’t need by donating, selling or disposing them. Tackle piles of things you’ve carelessly tossed aside and find (or create) purposeful places for them to belong.

Simplify Your Laundry Routine
Whether it’s the frustration of having no clean laundry or never-ending baskets filled with clothes that need folding, laundry is an area where nearly every home can use a refresh. Start with the basics to make laundry easy and quick. A streamlined laundry system starts with the right tools for the job, such as all Mighty Pacs, which are available in several varieties with different benefits and contain single doses of detergent that release while inside your machine, so you can simply toss one in and start the load. If you have sensitive skin, try all Free Clear, the No. 1 recommended detergent brand by dermatologists, allergists and pediatricians for sensitive skin. It’s gentle and works through tough stains fast.

Create a Fitness Space
One way to stay committed to a new workout regimen is to create a place where you enjoy spending time. Even if you don’t have a room to dedicate to fitness, you can make a fitness corner feel more intentional and less like an afterthought with some simple changes. If possible, locate your fitness area near a window so you can soak up the energy of natural light. Clear away unnecessary items and make room for the equipment or floor space you need. Add inspiring posters or make frames to hold your current workout guide. Add storage for hand weights, resistance bands and other small equipment to create your own home gym.

Reconfigure Your Furniture
A full-fledged renovation may not be in the cards (or budget), but you can give your living space a quick facelift by simply rearranging the furniture. Beyond simple aesthetic changes, think about how you can make better use of natural light and improve traffic patterns. You might also eliminate extra pieces if the space feels overcrowded or consider borrowing functional items that add storage or seating from other rooms in the house.

Add Greenery
The middle of winter may not seem like an ideal time to hone your green thumb, but adding a few plants can make your home feel more inviting and chase away the cold weather blues. Plants can also help serve as a natural air purifying system; they absorb carbon dioxide to help stimulate their growth and are believed to absorb a host of other airborne pollutants.

For more ideas to simplify your routine this year, visit all-laundry.com.

Content courtesy of ‘all
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:
all

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

May the Christmas season fill your home with joy, your heart with love and your life with laughter. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2020.

Sincerely,

Valerie McConville

EASY GRAVY HACKS FOR IRRESISTIBLE HOLIDAY COOKING

(BPT) - Planning and food prep for the holidays are underway so you're probably creating grocery store lists and considering which favorite family recipes to cook this year. No matter what you're serving, there's one thing that can elevate foods from good to great: a delicious gravy.

Making gravy doesn't have to be complicated and time-consuming. You can get the best turkey gravy in 5 minutes using two simple steps. The trick is to use a gravy mix because it provides a fool-proof, deliciously smooth gravy without worry. Here's how to do it:

Perfect turkey gravy

Makes 15 servings

Ingredients:

2 packages McCormick® Turkey Gravy Mix1/4 cup flour3 cups water1 cup turkey pan drippings or turkey broth1 cup chopped cooked turkey giblets (optional)Instructions:

Step 1: Mix Gravy Mix and flour in large saucepan. Gradually stir in water and turkey drippings or turkey broth with wire whisk until smooth. Stir in chopped turkey giblets, if desired.

Step 2: Stirring frequently, cook on medium-high heat until gravy comes to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. (Gravy will continue to thicken upon standing.)

Craving a flavor twist? Try this to elevate your flavor profile. Prepare gravy as directed, reducing water to 2 1/4 cups. Then, stir in 3 tablespoons white wine and 3/4 teaspoons McCormick Rubbed Sage.

More than just turkey

While this savory gravy is excellent for classic holiday turkey, using a recipe mix is a quick way to dress other dishes as well. Use McCormick Pork Gravy to add flavor to pork and side dishes, without adding fat; and serve McCormick Brown Gravy over beef, hot meat sandwiches, or mashed potatoes.

Want to customize the flavor of your gravy? Try this simple hack: Add pan drippings from any roast to make the gravy taste more like homemade varieties. You can't go wrong when your gravy tastes like Mom's but with much less effort!

Additional tips and tricks

After you make your gravy, you can save it for future use. Beyond family meals, leftovers are good for lunches as well. Simply pack into individual servings and top with gravy for a warm and wonderful lunch that will satisfy on even the busiest workdays.

Visit www.mccormick.com for tips and tricks for easy holiday cooking, including free recipes and videos.

4 FESTIVE TRICKS TO MAKE A HOLIDAY MEAL WORK FOR EVERYONE

(BPT) - The holidays are full of family, friends - and lots and lots of food. And while we love getting together with all our loved ones, the thought of coming up with a meal that pleases everyone can be a bit frightful. But with a little prep work, planning, and new healthy takes on cooking and baking staples, making meals that satisfy everyone is now joyfully easier.

Make Everyone Happy

The not-so-secret ingredient that brings a rich, creamy taste to any dish - is butter, of course. But when your not-eating-dairy-this-week cousin and more-butter-the-better sister are both coming to dinner, you need to come up with the one dish that makes them both happy. Give yourself a gift by swapping out dairy butter for Country Crock® Plant Butter. It tastes like butter, but is dairy-free, plant-based and has less saturated fat than dairy butter. Now everyone's happy - including you!

Twist-up A Classic

Mashed potatoes without heaps of butter? Never! Here's to holiday indulgence all your dinner guests can enjoy by adding an extra dollop (or two) of dairy-free Plant Butter. To sneak in some extra veggies, try this delicious twist on the holiday classic, garlic mashed cauliflower and potatoes.

Veggies Not Just for Vegans

Giving your grandmother's timeless (but let's be honest - sometimes tasteless) green bean casserole a dairy-free edge for your vegan guests is great, but who says veggies are for vegans only? Add more holiday shine to your table with a veggie side dish such as roasted Brussels sprouts with a maple balsamic glaze. It's made with Plant Butter that features oils from olives, avocados and almonds so everyone gets to enjoy flavorful, rich, and nutritious veggies.

Dairy-free Dessert

Face it, desserts are the true stars of the holidays, and where there is a traditional cake, cookie, or pie recipe, there's butter. Sticks of Country Crock® Plant Butter taste, cook and bake like butter, meaning holiday baking just got easier because you can swap it one-to-one for dairy butter in any recipe! Now you don't need to give up that time-tested, family favorite recipe in search of a dairy-free dessert! This dairy-free apple cranberry crostata is great for everyone to enjoy after a delicious holiday meal.

Holidays are a wonderful time of the year to make everyone at the table happy. Whip up these delicious, dishes to make meals that all your loved ones can enjoy. Whether keeping up time honored traditions or starting new ones, with a little planning and preparation, it's easy to manage the dietary needs and desires of everyone - and that's the best gift of all.

3 DIY DECOR PROJECTS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

(BPT) - Are you looking for fun ways to spend time with loved ones this holiday season? Crafting DIY decorations is a perfect way to do so, providing an opportunity for you to get creative and make cheerful and festive pieces you'll cherish all season long.

Another perk of making delightful holiday creations is making memories - which is what the season is really about. So, fill your mugs with cider or hot cocoa and get ready for some holiday happiness with these three easy DIY decor projects the whole family will enjoy!

Project 1: PEEPS® Marshmallow Trees Centerpiece

Pro DIY tip: PEEPS® Marshmallow candies aren't only a tasty treat, but they're also an adorable addition to crafts and recipes! With seasonal marshmallow shapes such as Snowmen, Trees, Reindeer and Gingerbread Men, the opportunities to craft are endless. 

This fun and festive centerpiece will adorn your table and be enjoyed by all of your guests this holiday season.

Items needed:

* 6x6" glass square vase

* Foam insert

* Faux or fresh greenery of your choice (evergreens, eucalyptus, etc.)

* Pine cones and berries

* Three 9ct packages of PEEPS® Marshmallow Trees

Instructions:

1. Stack PEEPS® Marshmallow Trees around the inside of the vase to fill up the sides.

2. Cut the foam insert so it fits nicely at the bottom of the vase.

3. Add your greenery into the foam and arrange to your taste.

4. Add pine cones and berries as accent pieces to complete your centerpiece.

Project 2: Creative Globe Ornaments

These colorful baubles can be customized exactly as you desire. Have fun being creative with your family and hanging them on the tree or on garland. These also make a great gift!

Items needed:

* Clear plastic ornaments with a metal top found at any craft store

* Paint, confetti, candy and other interesting extras for inside

* Ribbon

Instructions:

1. Spread out newspaper or other covering to protect work surface

2. Add in creative mixtures in the top hole. For example, add paint and swirl around, add your favorite mixture of confetti or even sand and small shells from a recent trip.

3. Replace metal top with a dab of glue to adhere and add a bow with ribbon.

4. Use ribbon to hang ornament and enjoy!

Project 3: No-Sew Sock Snowman

This simple yet adorable doorstopper only requires a few items to bring holiday cheer to your home! This craft is a great way to bond with your kids over a festive, yet functional item that can live in the kids' bedrooms or in a common space for everyone to enjoy. This doorstopper will help bring your beloved outdoor snowman, indoors!

Items needed:

* 1 white sock

* 1 colored sock for the hat

* Rice

* Rubber bands (or thread)

* Colorful buttons

* Ribbons

* Hot glue gun - please use extreme caution when operating a hot glue gun

* Markers or paint

* Orange pom poms

Instructions:

* Start by filling your white sock with rice. You will need a hefty amount.

* Once you are happy with the amount (and size) of your sock snowman tie the top with the rubber band.

* Take another rubber band and place in the middle - more to the upper side - of the rice filled sock to form the head shape.

* Now glue the buttons to the bottom side by using a glue gun.

* Add a ribbon for the scarf.

* Cut the colored sock (the foot without the heel) and fold it to appear as a snow hat for the head of your snowman. You can leave it as it is or you can secure it with some glue.

* Use markers or paint with colors of your choice to draw eyes and a mouth on the face of the snowman.

* Glue a singular orange pom pom to the face of the snowman to represent a carrot nose.

The holidays are a time to deck the halls and spend quality time with friends and family. With these three projects, you can to do both at the same time! For more craft ideas for the whole family, visit www.peepsbrand.com/recipes-crafts or follow the PEEPS® brand on Pinterest.

5 TIPS TO KEEP YOUR PACKAGES SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

(BPT) - According to the National Retail Federation, 41.4 million people shopped exclusively online from Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday in 2018. As the holidays approach, online shopping will continue to grow in popularity, helping families spend more time celebrating the season and less time struggling through long disorganized lines, fighting massive crowds of frantic shoppers, and worrying about whether that must-have gift will still be on shelves at the mall.

While online shopping offers up a convenient way to purchase holiday gifts, many consumers are concerned about their delivered packages going missing. Ensuring your online holiday purchases are securely delivered can make your cyber shopping experience even more rewarding and stress free. Here are five tips that will keep your packages safe and your holidays happy.

1. Get deliveries straight to your garage with Key by Amazon

Online retailers such as Amazon serve as a popular holiday shopping destination. This season you can get your Prime packages delivered safely and securely right in your garage with Key by Amazon in-garage delivery. Amazon recently launched the new service to provide Prime members in 50 cities and surrounding areas with the option to select in-garage delivery at checkout. To provide peace of mind that your holiday purchases won't go missing or get damaged by weather, all you need is a myQ-connected garage door opener linked to the Key App to have packages delivered directly into your garage for no extra charge. myQ technology can be added to all leading brands of garage door openers in minutes via a Chamberlain myQ smart garage hub, which is being offered at a low cost this holiday season.

2. Give specific delivery instructions

Most delivery services allow customers to set instructions. Ask your mail carrier to knock or ring the doorbell so that you are immediately alerted when a package arrives at your door. If snow, rain or any other weather issue is a concern, consider requesting that you mail carrier drop off packages in an out-of-sight dry spot. Get creative with these drop-off locations and use other delivery points such as back porches, patios and exterior basement stairs.

3. Sign up for delivery alerts

Major mail carriers and delivery services have systems for tracking packages. You can use tracking numbers to determine where an item is, and when it should be delivered. Check with your delivery provider to see if you can sign up for alerts via email or text message for when your package is shipped, out for delivery and delivered.

4. Team up with a neighbor

Work with a trustworthy neighbor to mutually look after each other's packages. If a neighbor is home during an anticipated delivery, ask permission to have packages sent to their address or have them hold deliveries that come to your front door. Return the favor whenever possible, and bake a holiday treat or give a small thank-you gift to show your appreciation.

5. Request a signature

If you are ordering expensive items online, it is a smart idea to require a signature for delivery. By requesting a signature before a package is released, you can ensure that your online purchases are never left unattended. If you are not home at the time of delivery, the mail carrier will typically leave a note with options for rescheduling the delivery for a more convenient time or picking the package up in-person.

Holiday shopping is already stressful. Give yourself the gift of peace by trying out some of these package delivery tips, and spend more time enjoying the moments that matter.

To learn more about in-garage delivery, visit https://www.myq.com/key-by-amazon.

7 BUDGET-FRIENDLY TIPS FOR SMART HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING

(BPT) - The holiday season is full of celebration, social activities and spreading good cheer by exchanging gifts. The problem is gift giving can get expensive if you're not making a plan and monitoring your spending. A happy holiday doesn't have to mean stressing about finances or going into debt. You can enjoy the holidays and save money with some smart strategies for gift giving on a budget.

Create a gift list: Are you feeling pressure to get gifts for everyone? Thoughtfully consider who's on your list this year. While a gift may be appropriate for some people, others might simply prefer to spend some time together rather than exchanging gifts. Perhaps invite someone over for lunch or plan a cookie exchange with friends.

Make a budget early: Deciding on budget limits for your holiday gifts will help guide your spending. You might have an overall holiday budget and then a specific budget to target for each person on your list. Then, with your gift list in hand and budget in mind, you can shop for appropriate and affordable gifts. What's more, by starting early, you can take advantage of sales and other promotions that can help you save even more.

Stop worrying about perfect presents: Worried about finding the ideal gift? Coinstar's recent holiday survey found about one-third of people don't recall what gift they received last year, so stop feeling pressure to get the perfect present. Ultimately, it's the thought that counts. Whether it's a card or small, reasonably priced gift, the recipient will be glad you took the time to show you care.

Use change to stretch your budget: You probably don't think much about coins, but the holiday survey found that people believe they have about $71 in spare change in and around their home! Collect and cash in that spare change at a supermarket Coinstar kiosk to boost your holiday budget. This can also be a fun activity for kids who can gather coins or dip into the family coin jar for spending money and then buy gifts for family members. Visit www.coinstar.com/findakiosk to find a location near you.

Create a group gift exchange: If you have a large, extended family or a group of friends that you typically buy for, consider a gift exchange. It's fun and budget-friendly because you're not buying a separate gift for each person. Smart tip: Set a price limit per gift to keep everyone in the same ballpark for presents and prevent any competition of one person outdoing another.

Opt for services as gifts: Rather than giving a physical present, is there something you could do that the recipient would appreciate? Consider an act of kindness like cleaning a family member's home or watching their children. If you have a particular talent, consider how that can be incorporated into your gift. Know how to play the piano? Offer to give children lessons. Do you have a snowblower? Offer to help clear a neighbor's driveway after a snowstorm.

Consider charitable donations: Giving to charity on behalf of someone else can be a nice holiday gesture. Whether it's animal welfare, disaster relief, a children's charity or something else, think about what the person is passionate about and select an appropriate charity.

The Coinstar holiday survey revealed that if there were no obligations or expectations around gift giving, about 10% of people would give to charity. Keep in mind, Coinstar kiosks in supermarkets allow you to donate your change to certain charities, making it easy to put your change to good use and give a meaningful gift.

No matter what you choose, gift giving can be meaningful and affordable. Let these ideas inspire you to stay on budget and shop wisely this holiday season.

6 WAYS TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY THIS HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON

(BPT) - No matter what holiday shoppers are looking for this season, there are two things on everyone’s list: saving time and saving money. Whether you’re making memories with friends and family, or enjoying some JOMO (joy of missing out) cozied up with a holiday flick and treat, we all wish we had more time over the holidays.

Picking out the perfect gift for everyone on your list can also be a drain on your free time — and your wallet — with The National Retail Federation predicting that holiday spending will increase approximately 4% this year. This holiday season, simplify your shopping with these six easy tips so you can save both time and money and get back to enjoying “the most wonderful time of the year” with family and friends. 

1. Set a budget — and stick to it. With shoppers expected to spend more this year, setting a budget will be as important as ever, and a great first step in managing holiday spending. Sticking to your budget can be difficult, but there are plenty of ways to save. For many, purchasing in cash adds a level of accountability and is a key way to keep holiday spending on track. Try paying with cash even when shopping online, with helpful resources like Amazon Cash and Amazon PayCode.
  
2. Shop online — but know where to shop to get the best prices. This year, according to PwC’s 2019 Holiday Outlook, more than half of customers (54%) will shop online. Save time and money by shopping with a one-stop location. A recent report by Profitero stated that Amazon is set to beat U.S. online retailers on pricing throughout the holiday season by 20% on average across key consumer shopping categories.

3. Shop with Prime. ‘Tis the season of busy schedules and eleventh-hour needs. Whether you’re looking for last-minute ingredients or the best playlist for a holiday gathering, Prime can help you save time and get everything you need this holiday season. In addition to getting the best of shopping and entertainment, Prime members have access to exclusive perks to help navigate the holiday season — from free ultrafast grocery delivery when you need something in a pinch, to early access on the hottest holiday deals.

4. Look out for deals. Everyone wants to score deals on products they love — but comparing prices during the holidays can feel like an extra job. Luckily, you can track the best deals without spending much time or energy this season. Customize your gift search, or, simply sign up for “Watch a Deal” alerts and receive alerts when items you’ve had an eye on drop in price. Also, thrifty shoppers can check out Bargains to find savings on a vast selection all in one place.

5. Don’t stress over gifting. Finding the perfect gift can be overwhelming! Eliminate the stress by starting with curated gift guides on top categories like Toys, Electronics, Books and Luxury Beauty. They’re a great way to see what’s popular this season and get gift ideas for anyone on your list. Plus, you can even sort by price, making it easy to stay on budget by finding gifts at the right price point. Still can’t find the perfect gift? A gift card will allow you to set the budget you want, and everyone can find something they love from a wide selection of products.

6. Delivery your way. Once lists are checked twice and shopping is complete, select convenient shipping and delivery options that work best for your holiday schedule. Amazon Day gives Prime members peace of mind knowing that their purchases will conveniently arrive on the day of their choice, and are consolidated into fewer boxes whenever possible. In addition to other flexible delivery options like Amazon Key, shoppers can make use of secure pickup options as well. Eliminate the worry of ruining a surprise or transporting packages by using self-service Amazon Lockers, staffed Amazon Locker+ pickup and return locations or visiting a staffed Counter location.

This holiday season, give yourself the gift of saving time and money so you can spend the holidays doing more of what you love with the people you love most.