You simply have to be creative with it. I know many women that cook for their families do not want to cook twice, so these recipes are not only fat burning, but your whole family can enjoy.

Turkey Meatloaf

1 package of lean ground turkey meat

pinch of sea salt

1/2 cup spinach

6 chopped walnuts

1 cup chopped spinach

1 bunch of chopped scallions

1/4 cup golden raisins

1/2 packet of buttermilk hidden valley mix

1 tbl. of organic ketchup

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until meat is thoroughly combined with ingredients, except ketchup. Place in baking pan and pat down, then spread ketchup on top.

Place in oven at 375 for 15-20 min.

The last few minutes switch to broil so the top gets a nice golden brown.

The perfect fat burning meal, high in protein and perfect balance of carbs and fats.

Turkey Burgers

4oz low fat ground lean turkey meat

pinch of salt

1/4 cup spinach

5 almonds (chopped)

2 mushrooms (chopped)

1 tbl. of organic ketup

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until the meat is thoroughly combined with ingredients

Place in pan on medium heat and spray with non-stick spray. Cook each side until lightly brown on medium heat.

Serve with a salad, and/or rice.

Seared Tuna Salad

5 Spice (look in your spice isle)

Salt

Pepper

Tuna (I like Ahi) 4oz.

Olive Oil 2 tsp.

Mesculin Greens

Red Onions

Balsamic Vinegar 1 tbl.

Mix all ingredients in a bowl then coat tuna on both sides. Place one tsp. of olive oil in pan and sear each side on medium heat. In bowl put lettuce, onions, balsamic, and olive oil then toss together.

Cut tuna in thin slices and place on salad.

Crust-Less Quiche Fat-Burning Breakfast

6 egg whites

1 tsp baking powder

pinch of garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup broccoli

1 tsp olive oil

Optional ingredients:

1 yolk

non-fat cheese or low fat

onions

peppers

non-fat or low fat cottage cheese

Try any or all of these for variety

Wisk eggs in bowl with dry ingredients until blended

bake in over at 350 degrees for about 30-40min

broil for the last 5 minutes if you want it golden brown on top

WOW ME! FAVORITES:

1.  A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. by James Melvin Washington The list author says: “The father of modern inspiration.  He moved mountains, and encouraged us to do the same, with words alone.” $16.31   Used & New from: $7.62 (20 customer reviews) Create your own Listmania! with this product

2.  The Secret by Rhonda Byrne The list author says: “If you are not familiar with the “laws of attraction”, you better ask somebody!  The concept will transform your life.” $16.04   Used & New from: $0.81 (2,740 customer reviews) | 124 customer discussions Create your own Listmania! with this product

3.  Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom The list author says: “At once, very accessible and very profound.” $10.98   Used & New from: $0.45 (2,288 customer reviews) | 3 customer discussions Create your own Listmania! with this product

4.  The Real Bling: How to Get the Only Thing You Need by Brian Mcclellan The list author says: “I wrote this book as if I was speaking to a friend on my couch.  Welcome, friend!” Used & New from: $29.75 (4 customer reviews) Create your own Listmania! with this product

5.  The One Thing You Need to Know: … About Great Managing, Great Leading, and Sustained Individual Success by Marcus Buckingham The list author says: “This author encourages you to do “your thing” rather than trying to fit your square talents into a round hole.  Tremendous advice.” $23.74   Used & New from: $0.01 (53 customer reviews) Create your own Listmania! with this product

6.  A Hand to Guide Me by Daniel Paisner The list author says: “Great read!  This book allows the reader to sample dozens of stories of accomplished folks and the mentors that touched their lives.” Used & New from: $0.01 (28 customer reviews) Create your own Listmania! with this product

7.  Better Than Good: Creating a Life You Can’t Wait to Live by Zig Ziglar The list author says: “Zig is the King of Motivation.  At 80 years of age, he can still move you to action.  But only if you have a pulse!” $21.99   Used & New from: $0.01 (33 customer reviews) Create your own Listmania! with this product

8.  Days of Grace by Arnold Rampersad The list author says: “Arthur Ashe’s story of triumph over struggle is an inspiration to all who know it.  Get to know it!” $7.99   Used & New from: $0.01 (29 customer reviews) Create your own Listmania! with this product

9.  Developing the Leader Within You by John C. Maxwell The list author says: “Maxwell belongs in the library of any and every would-be leader.” $10.98   Used & New from: $4.00 (108 customer reviews) | 1 customer discussion Create your own Listmania! with this product

10.  The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey The list author says: “Simply put…a classic.” $9.57   Used & New from: $2.77 (1,062 customer reviews) | 8 customer discussions

HAPPY READING!

Here are some WOW ME! favorite healthy detox books:

1.

The Detox Diet Cookbook (Healthy Eating Library) by Nicola Graines (Apr 1, 2000)

(1 customer review)

Formats		Buy new		New from	Used from
Paperback					$0.03

2.

The Raw Food Detox Diet: The Five-Step Plan for Vibrant Health and Maximum Weight Loss by Natalia Rose (Dec 26, 2006)

(198 customer reviews)

Formats		Buy new		New from	Used from	Collectible from
Paperback Order in the next 2 hours to get it by Monday, Oct 10.	$15.99	$10.87		$7.35	$5.90	$7.95
Kindle Edition Auto-delivered wirelessly		$10.99

Other Formats: Hardcover

Some formats eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping.

Excerpt – Page 201: “… of enzymes run dangerously low in adulthood (after years of eating enzyme-less foods), a sudden influx of live enzymes can enable …” Surprise me! See a random page in this book.

Sell this back for an Amazon.com Gift Card

3.

Detox Dieting: healthy and delicious recipes to cleanse your system (Eating for Health) by Nicola Graimes (Mar 2002)

(1 customer review)

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Paperback				$53.75	$0.95
Paperback				$8.25	$0.01

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4.

Anjum’s Eat Right for Your Body Type: The Super-Healthy Detox Diet Inspired by Ayurveda by Anjum Anand (Mar 22, 2011)

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Paperback Order in the next 2 hours to get it by Monday, Oct 10.  Only 10 left in stock – order soon.	$24.95	$16.47		$7.15	$7.05
Unknown Binding				$28.50

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5.

The Fast Track Detox Diet: Boost metabolism, get rid of fattening toxins, jump-start weight loss and keep the pounds off for good by Ann Louise Gittleman (Dec 26, 2006)

(131 customer reviews)

Formats		Buy new		New from	Used from
Paperback Order in the next 2 hours to get it by Monday, Oct 10.	$13.99	$11.19		$6.48	$0.90
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Excerpt – Page 142: “… her Fast Track experience totally jazzed about organic food, regular detox, and healthy eating. …” Surprise me! See a random page in this book.

6.

Back Pain Survival Guide with Healthy Aging, Eating, and Detox Diet Bonus by Ebook Reader Archive (Jun 15, 2010) - Kindle eBook

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7.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Raw by Mark Reinfeld, Bo Rinaldi and Jennifer Murray (Jul 1, 2008)

(71 customer reviews)

Formats		Buy new		New from	Used from
Paperback Order in the next 1 hour to get it by Monday, Oct 10.	$16.95	$11.53		$7.53	$7.53
Kindle Edition Auto-delivered wirelessly		$13.99

Other Formats: Unknown Binding

Some formats eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping.

Excerpt – Page 9: “… when you replace expensive processed foods with natural raw alternatives. Eating healthy foods lower on the food chain—fruits and …” Surprise me! See a random page in this book.

Sell this back for an Amazon.com Gift Card

8.

Green Smoothie Revolution: The Radical Leap Towards Natural Health by Victoria Boutenko (Aug 4, 2009)

(77 customer reviews)

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Paperback Order in the next 2 hours to get it by Monday, Oct 10.	$14.95	$9.75		$8.35	$7.49
Kindle Edition Auto-delivered wirelessly		$8.10

Other Formats: Unknown Binding

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Excerpt – Page 6: “… people consumed almost exclusively wholesome natural products grown in rich, healthy soil. …” Surprise me! See a random page in this book.

Sell this back for an Amazon.com Gift Card

9.

Crazy Sexy Diet: Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark, and Live Like You Mean It! by Kris Carr, Rory Freedman and Dean Ornish M.D. (Jan 17, 2011)

(141 customer reviews)

Formats		Buy new		New from	Used from	Collectible from
Hardcover Order in the next 2 hours to get it by Monday, Oct 10.	$24.95	$14.62		$13.95	$13.95	$30.98
Kindle Edition Auto-delivered wirelessly		$8.64

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Excerpt – Page 64: “… A HEALTHY HEART Heart disease is extremely common. And it often starts …” Surprise me! See a random page in this book.

Sell this back for an Amazon.com Gift Card

10.

Eating in the Raw: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Slimmer, Feeling Healthier, and Looking Younger the Raw-Food Way by Carol Alt (Dec 21, 2004)

(68 customer reviews)

Formats		Buy new		New from	Used from	Collectible from
Paperback Order in the next 2 hours to get it by Monday, Oct 10.  Only 12 left in stock – order soon.	$16.99	$12.40		$4.95	$2.19	$9.95
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Excerpt – Page 51: “… it’s important to make sure that you are eating a healthy mix of different types of raw foods. including proteins. carbohydrates, …” Surprise me! See a random page in this book.

Holiday Trivia

Holiday Trivia is a game in which questions based on holiday themes are featured. Type up a list of questions based on the holiday you are celebrating and print the sheet out. Cut up the questions and place them in a bowl. Take turns drawing questions and ask the person to your left to answer it. Correct answers garner a point. Base questions on movies, songs and characters of the holiday.

Holiday Name That Tune

This game is played with a holiday music CD. Play a few bars of a song and have the players guess which song it is. A variant is to write down a line or two of the lyrics on a piece of paper and have people guess the name of the song.

Holiday Who Am I?

This game is played using name stickers. Each person gets a random holiday-themed name or object written on the name tag and placed on his back. The player is not allowed to see what is on his own tag, although he can look at the other players’ tags. The goal is to determine what name is on your tag by asking “yes” and “no” questions of other players. The first person to guess who he is without looking at his tag gets a prize.

Holiday Hunt Game

The Holiday Hunt Game is played with cut-out holiday-themed shapes. The players must find the cutouts that have been hidden around the play area. Give each player 3 to 5 cutouts. Color 1 or 2 of the shapes a different color than the majority to signify “special” shapes. These special cutouts signify a bonus prize. The player who finds the most of the hidden cutouts is considered the winner and receives a prize.

Guess What Is In the Box

This game is played with a box large enough to hold a mystery item and to have a hole cut out of it for arm/hand insertion into the box. Each player has a set time limit to insert her hand into the box and guess what is inside the box by touch alone. Set the time limit at 30 seconds to 1 minute. The guesses are written down on a piece of paper and not shared with the other players until the round is done. After each player has had a chance to guess, the guesses are revealed. The person who guesses the most items correctly is the winner.

HAVE A BLAST!

INGREDIENTS

ONE NUTTY DATE

• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces pitted dates, chopped
• 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped

DRIZZLE

• 8 ounces white chocolate chips, (see Tip)
• 1 tablespoon canola oil

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Beat brown sugar, butter, peanut butter and cinnamon in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed. Add egg and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed. Reduce speed to low. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; beat until well mixed, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Stir in dates and walnuts. Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour before baking.
3. Use a small scoop (1 3/8- to 1 1/2-inch) and drop balls of dough 2 inches apart onto an ungreased baking sheet. (If you do not have a scoop, shape the dough by hand into 1- to 1 1/4-inch balls.) Gently press each ball to flatten slightly.
4. Bake the cookies until the edges are lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. To decorate: Place white chocolate and oil in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave on Medium, stirring every 30 seconds, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. To drizzle, dip a fork in the chocolate then wave it over a cookie to create a lacy finish (see Variations). Let the chocolate set for at least 1 hour. Variations: Instead of drizzling, dip the top side of the cooled cookies in melted white or dark chocolate and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

TIPS & NOTES

• Make Ahead Tip: Prepare the dough (Step 2), cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

• Tip: Most brands of white chocolate chips are actually not white chocolate at all; they’re called “white morsels” and contain no chocolate. We like Sunspire (made without partially hydrogenated oil), found in natural-foods stores or online at sunspire.com, and the Albertsons/ Shaw’s store brand, Essensia. Eight ounces chopped pure white chocolate can be used in place of the chips.

NUTRITION

Per cookie: 114 calories; 5 g fat ( 2 g sat , 0 g mono ); 9 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 1 g fiber; 55 mg sodium; 56 mg potassium.

Lusciously Nutty Holiday Logs

INGREDIENTS

LUSCIOUSLY NUTTY HOLIDAY LOGS

• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup plus 5 teaspoons sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 8 sheets phyllo dough, (9-by-14-inch), thawed
• Canola oil cooking spray

TOPPING

• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.
2. To prepare logs: Combine nuts, 1/3 cup sugar, orange zest, cinnamon and cloves in a small bowl.
3. Place one sheet of phyllo dough on a clean, dry surface. Coat thoroughly with cooking spray. Top with another sheet of phyllo and coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle one-quarter of the walnut mixture (about 1/3 cup) evenly over the phyllo.
4. Using a sharp knife, cut the large phyllo rectangle lengthwise into 3 strips then in half crosswise to form 6 smaller rectangular strips.
5. Beginning at the short ends, loosely roll each strip into a neat log. Repeat with the remaining phyllo and walnut mixture.
6. Place the logs about 1/2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Spray tops lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with the remaining 5 teaspoons sugar.
7. Bake the logs, in batches, until golden, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely.
8. To prepare topping: Place chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe dish. Microwave on High for 30 seconds. Stir. Continue to microwave for 20-second intervals until melted, stirring after each interval. Transfer the chocolate to a plastic sandwich bag. Snip off one corner, being careful not to make the opening too large. Squeeze the melted chocolate decoratively across the top of each cooled log. Let stand at room temperature until the chocolate is completely set.

TIPS & NOTES

• Make Ahead Tip: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze without the chocolate drizzle (Step for up to 1 month. Defrost at room temperature before decorating with the chocolate drizzle.

NUTRITION

Per cookie: 76 calories; 4 g fat ( 1 g sat , 1 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 1 gfiber; 31 mg sodium; 36 mg potassium.

Apricot-Almond Sandwich Cookies

INGREDIENTS

COOKIES

• 3/4 cup whole almonds
• 1 1/4 cups white whole-wheat flour, (see Note)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

FILLING & GLAZE

• 1/3 cup apricot preserves
• 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips, or 3 1/4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon low-fat milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup

PREPARATION

1. To prepare cookies: Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat (see Tip).
2. Process almonds in a blender in 2 batches until finely ground. Transfer to a large bowl and add flour, 1/2 cup butter, sugar and salt. Knead the mixture with your hands until well blended. (The dough will be dry.) Gather the dough into a ball; divide it into 2 portions.
3. Working with one portion at a time, roll the dough between 2 sheets of parchment or wax paper until 1/8 inch thick. Cut out cookies using a 2-inch circular cookie cutter. Using a metal spatula, place them 1/2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. (If you like, cut out the centers of half the cookies using a 1-inch cutter.) Gather the scraps, reroll and continue cutting out cookies until the dough is gone. Repeat with the second portion of dough.
4. Bake the cookies, one batch at a time, until puffed and beginning to color, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on the pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. To fill & glaze cookies: Spread preserves on half the cookies; top with the remaining cookies to make sandwiches.
6. Melt chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter in a double boiler over hot water. Remove from the heat; stir in milk and corn syrup until smooth. Line 2 baking sheets with wax paper. Dip each sandwich cookie halfway into the chocolate, then place on the wax paper. When all the cookies are dipped, refrigerate until the chocolate has set, 20 to 30 minutes.

TIPS & NOTES

• Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 4 up to 2 days ahead.

• Note: White whole-wheat flour, made from a special variety of white wheat, is light in color and flavor but has the same nutritional properties as regular whole-wheat flour.

NUTRITION

Per cookie: 125 calories; 7 g fat ( 4 g sat , 1 g mono ); 11 mg cholesterol; 14 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 1 g fiber; 26 mg sodium; 19 mg potassium.

1. Get moving

One of the most effective ways to maintain or lose body weight is to engage in regular, sustained aerobic activity (*).To burn off those extra calories, kick up your exercise. If you exercise for 30 minutes a day, increase it to 45 minutes. If you exercise three times a week, move it up to five times a week.

Exercise is a great way to burn those extra calories you may be taking in this time of year (remember those iced reindeer cookies you had with lunch?). Here are some ideas to get you moving:

• If you have a stationery bicycle or treadmill at home, dust it off and put it in front of the television or radio for some background entertainment while you’re exercising. Why not watch your favorite television show and exercise at the same time?
• Go to the library and get a book on tape or CD, listen to it and read (so-to-speak) as you exercise.
• Haven’t used your gym-pass in awhile? Hire a personal trainer to teach you effective calorie-burning techniques, or join that kick boxing class you’ve always wanted to try.
• Go for a morning or evening walk alone or with a friend.
• Put a little kick in your cleaning technique. Fire up some music and dance while you clean. Who ever knew cleaning could be so fun?
• Have bad knees or other joints? Don’t worry – water aerobics or swimming is your answer! The water prevents your weight bearing down on the joints and is an effective way to burn calories.

2. Aim for seven-a-day

Making sure you eat seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day is a great way to help fill-up your stomach but not your calorie level. When compared to other snack foods like chips, crackers and cookies, gram for gram, fruits and vegetables contain fewer calories and tons more nutrients. What’s more – the fiber in fruits and vegetables fill you up faster than traditional snack foods. Pack your refrigerator with bags of cut-up vegetables and whole or cut-up fruits. Grab a bag while on the go or at work. Make a pact with yourself that you’ll eat your five-a-day before you snack on any cookies or other holiday treats. You’re sure to take in fewer calories overall.

3. Control the risk for temptation

Controlling even the slightest chance of coming in contact with ‘tempting’ foods is one way to effectively reduce your intake. While you won’t be able to control all situations, focus on the many ones you can. For example, do you keep candy or cookies at your desk or workspace? Do you frequent the dining room table or pantry where you store all your holiday goodies? Make a mental note of tempting places and try to control them. For example, make a pact with co-workers that goodies will be kept solely in the break room, not at the front desk or in various offices. Mentally plan out how you will avoid tempting situations. If you can’t avoid them entirely, see number 4.

4. Limit to one-a-day

While you can’t control every situation, you can control how much food goes into your mouth. If you are constantly bombarded with holiday parties and displays of desserts or candies you can still effectively help prevent overeating and weight gain. One way is the one-a-day method. Allow yourself one small serving of a cookie or piece of candy each day during the holiday season. Remember that you may have to compensate for it later in the day by reducing your total caloric intake or by burning a few extra calories while exercising. If you aren’t confronted with holiday foods that day, just skip your one-a-day – but don’t compensate and double-up on your serving the next day.

5. Always plan ahead – Never go to a party hungry

Before you go to a holiday party, eat a healthy snack such as a serving of your favorite fruit, fat-free yogurt or a low-fat, whole grain granola bar. When you arrive at the party, you won’t be craving hors d’oeuvres.

“If you’re going to a potluck dinner, bring a healthy dish to share such as a salad, veggie or fruit tray, or a low-fat pudding, Jell-O or fruit dessert,” says Zumpano. “That way, you’ll know you have at least one healthy item on the table spread.”

6. Be in charge of your party choices:

• Small plate, please
  Be wise when choosing appetizers – a small portion of some appetizers may help you from overeating at dinner.
  “Pick up a small plate, and stick with vegetables, but limit or avoid the creamy dips,” advises Zumpano. “Restrict your intake of butter crackers, chips, cheese and meats. If you must have a deep-fried appetizer, eat only one small serving. Never go back for seconds. For dinner, fill half of your plate with salad and vegetables, one quarter with meat, and the final quarter with starch,” Zumpano says.
• Avoid the sauce
  Avoid sauces made from cream, half-and-half or meat drippings. For salads, use oil and vinegar, vinaigrette or low-fat dressings. Broth -based or vegetable sauces are fine.
• What about desserts?
  The best low-calorie choices are fruit, Jell-O, pudding, an unfrosted mini muffin, shortbread cookies, ginger snaps or angel food cake. If you must have a dessert with frosting, butter cream, cream cheese, or chocolate chips, limit yourself to one small cookie or one thin slice of cake.
• Watch the drinks
  “Besides restricting your alcohol to one or two servings, you also need to restrict the type of alcohol,” says Zumpano. “For example, instead of high-fat eggnog, have a light beer or wine. After that, stick with calorie-free drinks such as water, unsweetened ice tea, hot tea or coffee.”

7. Say No Politely

Many times you feel forced to eat foods because people keep putting it in front of you. Learn to say no politely, such as “No thank you, I’ve had enough. Everything was delicious”, or “I couldn’t eat another bite. Everything tasted wonderful”. You’ll find saying no isn’t so hard to do after all.

8. Focus on socializing

Don’t stand around the food table when you are at a party – focus your energies on making conversation with others instead of focusing on foods. Conversation is calorie-free.

SAFETY TIPS AROUND THE HOUSE

Before traveling, contact your local law enforcement agency and ask to have your home placed on “vacation watch.” Most municipalities offer this service.  The nearest patrol officer will ride by your home for a safety check once during their shift.  Be sure to notify authorities when you have returned.  Note, please do not call 911 to discuss this service.  A non-emergency number should be listed in your phone book.

Try to make your house look lived in while you are away.  Consider picking up some inexpensive timers for lights and radios, and have them come on at times when you are normally home.  I even suggest staggering the timers so that living room lights come on and off early in the evening and bedroom lights come on later.  This is consistent with most schedules, but adapt it to fit your family’s routine.

Do not broadcast your plans to everyone.  You may be proud that you are taking your family on a week-long cruise over the holidays, but don’t brag too much.  You never know who might be taking note of your travel plans.

Leave a spare key and emergency telephone number with a trusted neighbor or friend.  In an emergency it may be necessary for someone to enter your home (water heater busted, etc.), so it is a good idea to leave a key with someone local.

Pay someone to rake up leaves and/or blow off your drive way.  Tall grass in the summer and down leaves in the winter are a sure sign of an unoccupied house.

Silence the ringer on your home telephone.  One trick of the criminal trade is to stake out a house and call the phone number.  If the phone rings and rings with no answer it is a safe bet no one is home. If the phone doesn’t ring at all, crooks may suspect they are dialing the wrong number, or someone is home and using the phone.  Do not mention your travel plans on voicemail or answering machines.

Remove garage door openers from cars parked in the driveway.  It is a good idea to leave a second car parked in the driveway, but be sure to remove the garage door opener.  Burglars can easily bust out a window and open your garage with the click of a button.

Lock garage entry doors.  If you live in a home with an attached garage, lock the door from the garage to the home when leaving for Christmas vacation.  Garage doors have been known to malfunction, or be manually forced up, allowing access to your home.

Trim shrubbery and trees close to your home.  Overgrown shrubs provide the perfect cover for a burglar working to pry open a window.

Do not leave remnants of Christmas morning by the curb.  Large appliance boxes and containers are a sign Santa was really good to someone in the neighborhood!  They are also a sign to theives that the house just got a new plasma television for Christmas.  Break down boxes and put them in cans or black garbage bags to conceal the products that were inside them.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING SAFETY TIPS

Use the buddy system.  It is always a good idea to shop in pairs as theives are less likely to target two or more individuals.

Lock your gifts in the trunk.  An electronics store bag filled with goodies sitting on the back seat in plain view is tempting for a smash-and-grab burglar.

If shopping at an outdoor mall or outlet stores, consider moving your car when you drop off presents.  No one likes to lug around too many items from store to store, so most people return to their cars several times to drop off purchases and resume shopping.  When you do this, consider moving your car a few lanes away.  Thieves like to stake out parking lots for people leaving purchases in their car and returning to stores.  If they see you get in and drive away they will likely assume your shopping trip is over and look for another target.

Ask for a security guard escort.  If you approach your car and see an unsavory character staked out nearby, return to the store and ask for someone to walk you to your car.  Most store security personnel are used to this, so there is no need to feel embarrassed.  Besides, better to be safe than sorry!

Have keys ready, and don’t take your time getting in your car.  There is nothing I hate to see more than a single woman approaching her car while digging through a purse for her keys.  With her head down and her attention diverted she is such an easy target.  Find your keys before you leave the store and have them in hand.  Walk quickly and confidently to your vehicle, and unlock, enter and lock the doors in quick fashion.  Once safely inside you can verify receipts, store away purses, etc.

Park in well-lit areas.  If you know you will be shopping for a long time, anticipate coming out into a dark parking lot and look for light poles to park under.  Besides providing light, light poles also serve as a reference point in a crowded parking lot to remind you where you parked your car.

Parents, park next to the shopping cart return area.  When you are finished shopping it is nice to put Junior in the car seat and return the shopping cart one lane away, rather than walking fifty feet away with Junior alone in the car, or you toting him and three bags of groceries.

These are just a few things to keep in mind while out and about this holiday shopping season.  Actually, they are good tips for any time of the year, but especially during times when criminal activity is high.

Here are WOW ME!’s Best Hiking Trails in California:

Muir Woods Muir Woods is an area north of San Francisco that draws in numerous tourists who want to see the redwoods of Northern California. Although these aren’t quite the towering trees that you’ll see further north up the coast, they’re certainly impressive enough to warrant some pictures. Lazy hikers and even people in wheelchairs can enjoy these trails, many of which are paved with wooden walkways. Hikers with a higher skill level can follow the several loops up the mountain here to get in a good workout.

Mount Tam. People who are interested in a more difficult climb north of San Francisco will want to choose one of the trails of Mount Tam. Get all the way up there and then look out at the Pacific Ocean below.

Cuyamaca Peak. This is one of the highest peaks in the San Diego area and it takes some skill to climb it but the view is worth the walk. Those people who are less skilled can take other trails in the Cuyamaca Ranch State Park.

Cleveland National Forest. There are several areas to this forest some of which are well-maintained and others that run wild. Go where your heart takes you!

Mount Whitney. Located in Sequoia National Park is situated between San Francisco and Yosemite Park, this is not only the highest mountain you can climb in California but also offers the highest peak in the whole contiguous United States.

Pacific Crest Trail. There are some people who are interested in serious long-distance hikes that take months to complete. Most of them are highly familiar with the Appalachian Trail but there’s a similar trail on the West Coast that offers a more challenging opportunity to prove yourself as a hiker. You can get all the way through the length of California on this trail if you try although you’ll be challenged with various levels of difficulty and a constantly changing elevation. Most people do just a piece of this trail and every piece is stunning.

HAPPY HIKING!

A true hiker can point out the tourists who will be limping home because of a twisted ankle or blisters. It’s easy: they’re the ones wearing sandals, flip-flops, crocs, Birkenstocks etc. And they’re the ones who will have an entire trip ruined because of ignorance, the desire to be stylish, or whatever other foolish reason they’ve contrived. Hiking is not about being stylish on the trails: it’s about enjoying nature in a safe and secure manner.

Even on the most leisurely of trails such as Avalanche Lake, this is not a stroll through your suburban neighborhood.

There are rocks to climb over, scree to slip on, snow to trudge through, and fallen trees to pass.

Although these conditions don’t require one of the best hiking boots on the market , you still need:

• A boot with good traction
• A boot provides ankle support
• A boot that is water proof with gore-tex material
• A boot well broken in to, to prevent blisters

Why Can’t I Just Hike In My Tennis Shoes?

They have good traction; my feet are comfortable and breathe easily. Why should I plop down a few hundred of my hard-earned dollars for a pair of heavy boots?

Traction

First off, tennis and running shoes are designed for running around a court or on concrete. The material on the base of their shoes provides traction on these materials–not dirt, rocks or bark.

As a result, you can easily slip while hiking on a trail and on some precarious trails such as the High Line Trail or Ptarmigan Tunnel, a slip’s life threatening.

Ankle Support

Also, how high do these shoes go? Your ankle, right? The best hiking boots go higher, so when you ‘roll’ your ankle going downhill or on a large rock you didn’t notice, your ankle’s supported and won’t fracture or twist.

It certainly is unpleasant to be a few miles into the wilderness and have to limp all the way to the trailhead (not to mention embarrassing!)

Pack Weight

Day hikes in Glacier National Park also require packs to carry food, water, and clothing to adapt to the changing weather. As such, you’re going to carry a pack weighing upwards of twenty pounds.

Think the ankle support from tennis shoes is going to help you out? Not one bit! The best hiking boots are designed to aid your ankles in dealing with extra weight from packs. CombineGlacier National Park hiking trails, a day-pack and tennis shoes, and you have a recipe for ankle rolls.

Gore-tex

The best hiking boots these days come waterproofed straight from the manufacturer. Advancements in technology have created a wonderful material called Gore-tex.

Gore-tex is a breathable material that’s also waterproof and windproof. As a result, your feet stay dry when crossing streams, sweat evaporates easier and blisters are infrequent.

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Asolo Hiking Boots have great hiking boots.

Imagine hiking 500 miles and not getting a single blister.

Check out Asolo hiking boots.

Determining the Best Hiking Boots For You

Purchasing hiking boots a daunting task. With so many options, how do you find the best hiking boots for you?

Some are heavy and clunky but provide better ankle support. Others are lightweight, breathable but there’s little ankle support.

Here are some things to keep in mind while shopping for a hiking boot:

The Hiking Shoe

The hiking shoe is a shoe with materials on its base meant to provide good traction on hiking trails. They also have very breathable material for your feet, allowing for adequate ventilation.

However, keep in mind that this is a shoe masquerading as a boot. They provide NO ankle support.

And ankle support is the most important factor when purchasing a hiking boot. Poor ankle support is how injuries such as twisted ankles and broken legs occur.

Also, notice that mesh material that allows your feet to breathe? It also allows your feet to become damp and soggy, as this is not Gore-tex.

Bottom-line: Hiking shoes provide no ankle support nor are they waterproof. Avoid them like the plague.

Socks

Hiking boots are designed for pairing with wool socks. So when shopping for your boot, bring or purchase a pair of wool socks to test your hiking boots out with.

Cotton socks are thinner than wool are, so the boot might feel perfectly snug with cotton socks but tight and uncomfortable when wearing your wool, hiking socks.

Why can’t I wear cotton, you ask? First off, the slogan when hiking is that ‘cotton kills’. And although you won’t die from wearing a pair of cotton socks, the benefit of wool socks are priceless:

• Quick drying, thus helping to prevent blisters
• The material’s more breatheable
• Wool hiking socks are cushions for your feet. After ten miles on the trail, having every step slightly more cushioned adds up.

Test Walk Your Boots

There’s nothing wrong with taking five minutes to walk around the store or block with your boots. After all, you’ll be walking miles in them so don’t be shy or embarrassed to stretch, stomp, trudge and kick in these potential new boots.

And don’t try walking on level ground as Glacier National Park is in Montana, which is Spanish for Mountain. Walk up stairs, down an incline, up a hill. All the while, consider the following:

• Are your toes bashing the front of your boot?
• Is any part of your foot rubbing the boot?
• Do you notice a slight burning sensation anywhere on your foot?
• Is your foot tight, snug and secure? Your foot should not be moving in the slightest

If any of the above is occurring, these are not the best hiking boots for you.

Waterproof

Comfort

Don’t forget this aspect! Most importantly, the best hiking boots are ones that are comfortable. If your feet aren’t happy, you won’t be happy.

Spoil your dinner! We’ve probably heard this phrase time and again while growing up. Don’t eat that, you’ll spoil your dinner! But in actuality eating a healthy snack when you first start to feel hungry makes you less likely to overeat when you sit down for a full meal. Waiting until you’re starving actually shuts down your metabolism and causes your body to try to hold on to the fat you’re trying so hard to lose. Eating just enough so that you no longer feel hungry tells your body not hold on to excess fat.

Tips:

• If you’re going to eat a big meal, it’s healthiest to make that large meal breakfast.
• A large breakfast and 4 other small meals throughout the day is a key to healthy weight loss.
• Many restaurants serve over-sized portions. Don’t hesitate to ask your waiter to box half for later.
• Remember the fist rule: each portion should be no larger than your fist.
• If you are dining out, avoid main entrées and order off of the appetizer menu or split the entrée with someone else.

Check out WedMD’s portion slideshow:

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/nutrition-labels-10/serving-sizes-slideshow