Just because you haven't yet reached your weight loss goals, doesn't mean you need to look frumpy! Here are some fixes to hide problem areas in the meantime.
Fashion solutions for your body type
by Cynthia Nellis for about.com
Every woman has something about her body she'd like to hide, whether it's heavy thighs, a pudgy tummy or a too-round bottom. With just a few visual tricks, your problem areas will disappear and let your true beauty shine through!
Bottom-heavy
If your hips are wider than your shoulders and your thighs are round, you have a classic pear-shaped body. Dressing is a snap if you remember to accentuate the positives: a shapely waist, delicate upper body and attractive shoulders and arms.
Bottoms
Avoid anything too tight.
A-line skirts that hit around the knee area are ideal because they draw attention away from problem areas. Miniskirts are generally a bad idea because they accentuate heavy thighs.
Pant waists should fall somewhere below the natural waistline for a better fit.
A straight or slightly bootcut leg is the most flattering. Avoid patterned or light-colored pants. Skip fussy details like big cargo pockets, rouching or excessive zippers around the hip area.
Shorts can be tricky, but for workouts and casual wear choose lightweight, loose-fitting shorts (no bike shorts). Slimming side stripes on shorts can give the illusion of sleekness.
Tops
Avoid too-baggy tops or too-tight tops: the looser tops will make you look large all over, the tight tops will make you look out of proportion to your hips. Look for fitted -- not skintight -- T-shirts (something with some stretch) and button-front tops. V-necks, turtlenecks and open collars all call attention to the face, which is always a good thing.
Jackets and blazers should hit anywhere but the widest point of your hips. That could mean right below the waist to mid-thigh, depending on your height. Wear jackets and blazers open for the best vertical lines.
Dresses
Look for dresses that nip in at the waist and slightly flare out over hips and thighs.
You can pull off a full-skirted ballgown because it will hide heavy hips and thighs.
Try sleeveless and strapless dresses to play up pretty shoulders and arms.
An empire, or raised waist dress brings the eye up away from problem areas. Careful, though. Sometimes this gets mistaken for a maternity look with fuller figures.
Top-heavy
The apple-shaped body is usually softer around the middle and has heavier breasts, with narrower hips and slimmer legs. Make the most of your womanly figure by showing off your legs and great cleavage.
Tops
Avoid too tight (plays up large breasts too much) and too baggy (just makes you look heavier). Opt for fabrics that skim the body, preferably knits and wovens with stretch for a better fit.
V-neck, boatneck, turtle and mock necks and shirt collars are your most flattering necklines.
Play up nice cleavage with a peek, not a Dolly Parton-sized slice. Especially appealing: a pretty lace-trimmed cami showing under a jacket or top.
Avoid full sleeves or puffy sleeves.
Bottoms
Balance out a top-heavy figure with an A-line skirt that will give you the look of a waist and more of an hourglass look.
Choose flat-front, never pleated, pants that have a lower rise than the natural waist.
Five-pocket jeans are your friend! Front pockets on jeans help disguise a tummy problem, while back pockets can help define a flatter rear common to top-heavy women.
Avoid anything too tight -- from pencil skirts to skintight jeans -- because it will only accentuate top heaviness.
Play up nice legs with shorter (an inch above the knee) skirts.
Dresses
One-piece dressing is tricky for you. Best bets: A sleeveless black sheath, a soft princess seamed dress, a strapless dress with corseted top.
Resist the urge to cover up head-to-toe: showing a little skin, whether it's bare arms or shoulders, is much more flattering.
Body basics for every figure
Wear colors that look great on you. Not sure what those are? Grab a trusted friend and head to the mall. Hold up tons of colors next to your face and get feedback from your friend. Hues that compliment most complexions: pink, blue, white (you'll just need to change the intensity of these colors to suit your coloring, i.e. hot pink for darker skins, carnation for fairer, ivory for olive tones, etc.)
Nobody looks good in high-waisted, pleated pants with narrow ankle openings, but manufacturers still turn these out in droves. Avoid!
Don't worry about being trendy when you look at what suits your figure: concentrate on what flatters, and add up-to-date shoes, handbags and accessories later.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
superfood recipe: pumpkin pasta
Recipe adapted from "Penne-wise Pumkin Pasta" Every Day with Rachel Ray magazine.
Ingredients:
Salt
1 pound whole wheat penne rigate
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 shallots, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
One 15-ounce can pure pumpkin puree
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 generous pinch of chile powder
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper
1 pinch nutmeg
Pepper
7 leaves fresh sage, thinly sliced
Grated parmesan cheese
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain.
2. While the pasta is working, in a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the chicken broth, pumpkin and cream. Add the chile powder, cayenne and nutmeg; season with salt and pepper. Lower the heat and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sage and about 1/4 of a cup of parmesan cheese.
3. Toss the pasta with the sauce and pass the parmesan around the table. Top with extra sage for garnish.
Pumpkin is a Superfood for your eyes because just one cup is a top source of vitamin A (providing over 170% of the Daily Value) and supplies a significant quantity of lutein and zeaxanthin (1.7mg), carotenoids that help maintain eye health. Studies show vitamin A helps the eye to adapt from bright light to darkness, while inadequate intake can lead to night blindness and poor vision in dim light. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids believed to filter high-energy light waves which may cause free radical damage to the eyes. Several studies have reported that carotenoids seem to lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). One study found a 43% lower risk of AMD in people whose intake of carotenoids was highest versus lowest. When lutein and zeaxanthin were considered specifically, the reduction in risk was 60%.
Bonus: Pumpkin provides one of the best sources of alpha-carotene, a carotenoid linked to lower lung cancer risk in several studies. According to a recent analysis of data by the Harvard School of Public Health, beta-cryptoxanthin, another carotenoid present in pumpkin, was found to have potentially protective benefits against lung cancer as well.
From the Dole Superfood website.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Healthy Snack: Pickles
Pickles: a Healthy Snack With Snap
Copyright 2006 Jonathan Heusman
(FYI there is a giant jar of pickles in the breakroom fridge for your enjoyment, compliments of Amber!)
Pickles are a popular snack, side dish, and condiment. But did you know that pickles are also a healthy part of your diet? There are many different pickle recipes out there, but each version has its own healthy benefits depending on the ingredients that went into the pickle and the method used for pickling, whether fermented or packed with vinegar. Pickles are great for most diets because not only are they low in calories, and low in fat or fat-free, many versions are also low in sugar.
Pickles are also a healthy edition to your diet for other reasons. Pickles, being made from cucumbers or other vegetables, are high in fiber which is necessary for digestive health and fighting cancer. The cucumbers and other vegetables also contain antioxidants, which fight free-radicals, and depending on the veggie, can be a good source of calcium, magnesium, and iron. The recommendation by most health professionals is to eat five servings of vegetables and fruit each day. Eating pickles is a great way to get a daily serving or two of your five-a-day!
The spices with which pickles are made are also healthy. For example, dill and garlic, both of which are popular in pickles, both have the ability to regulate bacterial growth. Dill and other spices also contain flavonoids, which is a healing addition to your diet. Mustard seeds are known to be good for digesting foods and even turmeric powder has medicinal properties and is believed to lower rates of Alzheimer's disease.
Fermented pickles also have good bacteria that can control harmful intestinal microbes. When pickles are fermented, lactic acid is created. This acid helps to lower fat in the bloodstream, improve circulation, and lower high blood pressure. It also helps to support a healthy digestive system, reintroduces good bacteria into the intestines, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, and is beneficial for diabetics. In fact, one study even found that eating fermented products regularly contributed to lower rates of skin problems, asthma, and auto-immune disorders.
Many pickles are made with vinegars. This healthy liquid has several positive properties in addition to its tangy taste. Vinegar is known to boost the immune system, ease digestive disorders, and can break down calcium deposits in a person's joints. In addition, vinegar is known to decrease high blood pressure, and help treat urinary infections. It is even said to re-mineralize your bones, balance your blood pH, and fight infection. Vinegar is also anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. It inhibits the growth of the E.coli bacteria, and when used in conjunction with salt, which is common in pickling, the anti-bacterial properties are amplified.
Another common item used for pickling is apple cider vinegar. It has several additional health benefits as well. Not only does it contain several minerals, thirty-plus nutrients, and pectin, which is good for your heart, it also contains several essential amino acids, all of which are a great addition to your diet.
Pickles can be a tasty snack eaten with the confidence that you're having something healthy at the same time – what could be better? Hey, even Aristotle, Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon, and Cleopatra believed in the health benefits of the pickle, and Hippocrates utilized it for one of the first medicines! So if you ever needed a reason to eat more pickles, now you have it.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Handy websites for calorie counting
Ever wonder exactly how many calories you need to maintian or lose weight? How do you record the nutritional information of something like a pear, that didn't come out of a box? Here are a couple of really handy websites about calorie counting and nutritional information.
http://www.calorie-count.com
Here you can see exactly how many calories, fat, and various vitamins and minerals what you eat contains. Its format is just like the FDA required nutritional label on the side of all packages in the supermarket. It's handy, because for each item, there is a drop down to choose what kind of serving you ate. (Ie, a 1/2 cup sliced pears, or 1 whole medium pear. If you register on the site, you can create a food diary, and easily add each item to your log with a click of a button. This is the food journalist's best friend!
http://yourselffitness.com/commitment/eat-right.aspx
Here you can take a quick assesment of body statistics to figure out how many calories you need to maintain your current weight, or if you want to lose weight, subtract 500 calories from that number. After you get your caloric needs number, you download your personal cookbook. In each cookbook, there are many different mix and match menus to choose from to ensure that the meals you prepare fall into the correct calorie range. The recipe cards are easy to print out from the PDF file, for quick reference at the grocery store!
http://www.calorie-count.com
Here you can see exactly how many calories, fat, and various vitamins and minerals what you eat contains. Its format is just like the FDA required nutritional label on the side of all packages in the supermarket. It's handy, because for each item, there is a drop down to choose what kind of serving you ate. (Ie, a 1/2 cup sliced pears, or 1 whole medium pear. If you register on the site, you can create a food diary, and easily add each item to your log with a click of a button. This is the food journalist's best friend!
http://yourselffitness.com/commitment/eat-right.aspx
Here you can take a quick assesment of body statistics to figure out how many calories you need to maintain your current weight, or if you want to lose weight, subtract 500 calories from that number. After you get your caloric needs number, you download your personal cookbook. In each cookbook, there are many different mix and match menus to choose from to ensure that the meals you prepare fall into the correct calorie range. The recipe cards are easy to print out from the PDF file, for quick reference at the grocery store!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Report: Excess body fat linked to cancer
Losing weight isn't just about looks...
Staying slim, avoiding processed meats and alcohol lowers risk, study finds
from msnbc.com
LONDON - Keeping slim is one of the best ways of preventing cancer, as is avoiding excessive amounts of red meat and wine, a landmark study has revealed.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) said the link between body fat and cancer is closer than generally realized.
It found convincing evidence of a link to six types of cancer, five more than in its last report, 10 years ago.
Story continues below ↓advertisement
Among the new types are colorectal (bowel) and post-menopausal breast cancer.
Professor Michael Marmot, chair of the panel of 21 eminent scientists who compiled the report, said: “We are recommending that people aim to be as lean as possible within the healthy range, and that they avoid weight gain throughout adulthood.”
The report, which selected 7,000 studies from a worldwide pool of 500,000 written since records began in the 1960s, includes five key findings.
Processed meats, alcohol
They are that processed meats, such as ham and bacon, increase the risk of colorectal cancer, and should be eaten sparingly.
Another is the link between red meat and colorectal cancer, for which the evidence is stronger than ever. People should not eat more than 500g (17 ounces) of cooked red meat a week.
A further finding was the strongest evidence yet that alcohol is a cause of cancer. If people must drink, the report said, they should limit their intake to two units a day for a man or one for a woman. A unit is a half pint of beer or a small glass of wine.
The report recommended mothers breast-feed exclusively for the first six months after birth followed by complementary breast-feeding, after evidence showed breast-feeding protects the mother against breast cancer.
It did not recommend dietary supplements as prevention.
“This report is a real milestone in the fight against cancer, because its recommendations represent the most definitive advice on preventing cancer that has ever been available anywhere in the world,” said Professor Martin Wiseman, project director of the report.
Reducing risk
Scientists believe there are several reasons for the link between body fat and cancer.
One is the relationship between excess fat and the hormonal balance in the body.
Research has shown that fat cells release hormones such as estrogen, which increases the risk of breast cancer, while fat around the waist encourages the body to produce growth hormones, which can increase levels of risk.
Evidence of a link is most convincing for cancer of the esophagus, pancreas, colorectum, endometrium (womb), kidney and post-menopausal breast cancer.
The report makes 10 recommendations including 30 minutes of moderate activity a day, rising to 60 minutes; drinking water rather than sugary drinks; eating fruit, vegetables and fiber and limiting salt consumption.
The WCRF report can be found at: Dietandcanerreport.org.
10 RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT CANCER:
BODY FATNESS
Be as lean as possible within the
normal range of body weight
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Be physically active as part of everyday life
FOODS AND DRINKS THAT PROMOTE WEIGHT GAIN
Limit consumption of energy-dense foods
Avoid sugary drinks
PLANT FOODS
Eat mostly foods of plant origin
ANIMAL FOODS
Limit intake of red meat and avoid processed meat
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Limit alcoholic drinks
PRESERVATION, PROCESSING, PREPARATION
Limit consumption of salt
Avoid mouldy cereals (grains) or pulses (legumes)
DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone
BREASTFEEDING
Mothers to breastfeed; children to be breastfed
CANCER SURVIVORS
Follow the recommendations for cancer prevention
Staying slim, avoiding processed meats and alcohol lowers risk, study finds
from msnbc.com
LONDON - Keeping slim is one of the best ways of preventing cancer, as is avoiding excessive amounts of red meat and wine, a landmark study has revealed.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) said the link between body fat and cancer is closer than generally realized.
It found convincing evidence of a link to six types of cancer, five more than in its last report, 10 years ago.
Story continues below ↓advertisement
Among the new types are colorectal (bowel) and post-menopausal breast cancer.
Professor Michael Marmot, chair of the panel of 21 eminent scientists who compiled the report, said: “We are recommending that people aim to be as lean as possible within the healthy range, and that they avoid weight gain throughout adulthood.”
The report, which selected 7,000 studies from a worldwide pool of 500,000 written since records began in the 1960s, includes five key findings.
Processed meats, alcohol
They are that processed meats, such as ham and bacon, increase the risk of colorectal cancer, and should be eaten sparingly.
Another is the link between red meat and colorectal cancer, for which the evidence is stronger than ever. People should not eat more than 500g (17 ounces) of cooked red meat a week.
A further finding was the strongest evidence yet that alcohol is a cause of cancer. If people must drink, the report said, they should limit their intake to two units a day for a man or one for a woman. A unit is a half pint of beer or a small glass of wine.
The report recommended mothers breast-feed exclusively for the first six months after birth followed by complementary breast-feeding, after evidence showed breast-feeding protects the mother against breast cancer.
It did not recommend dietary supplements as prevention.
“This report is a real milestone in the fight against cancer, because its recommendations represent the most definitive advice on preventing cancer that has ever been available anywhere in the world,” said Professor Martin Wiseman, project director of the report.
Reducing risk
Scientists believe there are several reasons for the link between body fat and cancer.
One is the relationship between excess fat and the hormonal balance in the body.
Research has shown that fat cells release hormones such as estrogen, which increases the risk of breast cancer, while fat around the waist encourages the body to produce growth hormones, which can increase levels of risk.
Evidence of a link is most convincing for cancer of the esophagus, pancreas, colorectum, endometrium (womb), kidney and post-menopausal breast cancer.
The report makes 10 recommendations including 30 minutes of moderate activity a day, rising to 60 minutes; drinking water rather than sugary drinks; eating fruit, vegetables and fiber and limiting salt consumption.
The WCRF report can be found at: Dietandcanerreport.org.
10 RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT CANCER:
BODY FATNESS
Be as lean as possible within the
normal range of body weight
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Be physically active as part of everyday life
FOODS AND DRINKS THAT PROMOTE WEIGHT GAIN
Limit consumption of energy-dense foods
Avoid sugary drinks
PLANT FOODS
Eat mostly foods of plant origin
ANIMAL FOODS
Limit intake of red meat and avoid processed meat
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Limit alcoholic drinks
PRESERVATION, PROCESSING, PREPARATION
Limit consumption of salt
Avoid mouldy cereals (grains) or pulses (legumes)
DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone
BREASTFEEDING
Mothers to breastfeed; children to be breastfed
CANCER SURVIVORS
Follow the recommendations for cancer prevention
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Baby, it's cold outside!
It's getting chilly out...here's some tips for maintaining an excercise routine when you'd much rather stay inside and be cozy! -emily
Exercise and cold weather: Stay motivated, fit and safe
from mayoclinic.com
You don't have to abandon your exercise routine in cold weather. Get creative! Explore indoor and outdoor options. Keep cold-weather safety tips in mind, too.
Cold weather might make you feel like hibernating, but you don't have to give up your exercise and fitness goals. You can exercise indoors. And by dressing properly and heeding cold-weather safety tips, you can exercise outdoors, too.
Maintain your motivation
Focus on how you'll benefit if you keep up your exercise routine throughout the cold-weather season. Exercise can help you shake those winter blues. Exercise improves your mood, increases your energy level and helps you sleep better. And you'll be in better shape when the weather warms up.
Try to set aside 30 minutes or more on most days of the week for physical activity. It doesn't have to be all in one stretch. You can work it in a little here or there. And it doesn't have to be strenuous. Make a workout of household cleaning. Take the stairs. Go sledding. For extra motivation, work out with your spouse or a friend.
Exercise indoors — Choose activities that won't leave you in the cold
Don't let cold weather sidetrack your exercise routine. Get creative!
Walk at the mall.
The hardest part about mall or indoor-track walking is getting there. Once you get started, you may be amazed at how quickly you finish your workout.
Join a health club.
Choose one that's convenient and geared toward your fitness level. Ask the staff to show you how to use the equipment.
Make a splash at an indoor pool.
Working out in water is easy on your joints. Try lap swimming or a water aerobics class.
Invest in home exercise equipment.
Choose something that's practical, enjoyable and easy to use. To stretch your exercise dollars, consider buying used equipment.
Exercise outdoors — Dress right and play it safe
Want to take it outside? Stay safe as you brave the elements.
Get your doctor's OK.
For some people, cold air can trigger chest pain or asthma attacks. If you have any medical conditions or concerns about exercising outdoors, check with your doctor first.
Dress in layers.
Start with a thin layer of synthetic material such as polypropylene, which draws sweat away from your body. Next try fleece for insulation. Top this with a waterproof, breathable outer layer. To warm the air you breathe, wear a face mask or a scarf over your mouth. Remember to wear a hat and gloves, too.
Choose appropriate gear.
If you'll be outdoors when natural light is poor, wear reflective clothing. To stay steady on your feet, choose footwear with enough traction to prevent falls. Wear a helmet for skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling.
Remember sunscreen.
Snow reflects the sun's rays, so sunburn is possible even if you're cold. You might want to wear lip balm, too.
Head into the wind.
You'll be less likely to get chilled on the way back if you end your workout — when you may be sweaty — with the wind at your back.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Drink water or sports drinks before, during and after your workout — even if you're not thirsty.
Pay attention to wind chill.
The wind can penetrate your clothes and remove the insulating layer of warm air that surrounds your body. Fast motion — such as skiing, running, cycling or skating — also creates wind chill because it increases air movement past your body. When the temperature is 10 F and the air is calm, skiing at 20 miles an hour creates a wind chill of minus 9. If the temperature dips well below zero or the wind chill is below minus 20, choose an indoor activity instead.
Know when to call it quits.
If you notice a patch of hard, pale, cold skin, you may have frostbite. Get out of the cold and slowly warm the affected area. If numbness continues, seek emergency care. If you suspect hypothermia — characterized by intense shivering, slurred speech, loss of coordination and fatigue — seek emergency care.
When it's cold outdoors, there's no need to give up and hit the couch. With a little planning and creativity, you can step up to the challenges of winter exercise.
Exercise and cold weather: Stay motivated, fit and safe
from mayoclinic.com
You don't have to abandon your exercise routine in cold weather. Get creative! Explore indoor and outdoor options. Keep cold-weather safety tips in mind, too.
Cold weather might make you feel like hibernating, but you don't have to give up your exercise and fitness goals. You can exercise indoors. And by dressing properly and heeding cold-weather safety tips, you can exercise outdoors, too.
Maintain your motivation
Focus on how you'll benefit if you keep up your exercise routine throughout the cold-weather season. Exercise can help you shake those winter blues. Exercise improves your mood, increases your energy level and helps you sleep better. And you'll be in better shape when the weather warms up.
Try to set aside 30 minutes or more on most days of the week for physical activity. It doesn't have to be all in one stretch. You can work it in a little here or there. And it doesn't have to be strenuous. Make a workout of household cleaning. Take the stairs. Go sledding. For extra motivation, work out with your spouse or a friend.
Exercise indoors — Choose activities that won't leave you in the cold
Don't let cold weather sidetrack your exercise routine. Get creative!
Walk at the mall.
The hardest part about mall or indoor-track walking is getting there. Once you get started, you may be amazed at how quickly you finish your workout.
Join a health club.
Choose one that's convenient and geared toward your fitness level. Ask the staff to show you how to use the equipment.
Make a splash at an indoor pool.
Working out in water is easy on your joints. Try lap swimming or a water aerobics class.
Invest in home exercise equipment.
Choose something that's practical, enjoyable and easy to use. To stretch your exercise dollars, consider buying used equipment.
Exercise outdoors — Dress right and play it safe
Want to take it outside? Stay safe as you brave the elements.
Get your doctor's OK.
For some people, cold air can trigger chest pain or asthma attacks. If you have any medical conditions or concerns about exercising outdoors, check with your doctor first.
Dress in layers.
Start with a thin layer of synthetic material such as polypropylene, which draws sweat away from your body. Next try fleece for insulation. Top this with a waterproof, breathable outer layer. To warm the air you breathe, wear a face mask or a scarf over your mouth. Remember to wear a hat and gloves, too.
Choose appropriate gear.
If you'll be outdoors when natural light is poor, wear reflective clothing. To stay steady on your feet, choose footwear with enough traction to prevent falls. Wear a helmet for skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling.
Remember sunscreen.
Snow reflects the sun's rays, so sunburn is possible even if you're cold. You might want to wear lip balm, too.
Head into the wind.
You'll be less likely to get chilled on the way back if you end your workout — when you may be sweaty — with the wind at your back.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Drink water or sports drinks before, during and after your workout — even if you're not thirsty.
Pay attention to wind chill.
The wind can penetrate your clothes and remove the insulating layer of warm air that surrounds your body. Fast motion — such as skiing, running, cycling or skating — also creates wind chill because it increases air movement past your body. When the temperature is 10 F and the air is calm, skiing at 20 miles an hour creates a wind chill of minus 9. If the temperature dips well below zero or the wind chill is below minus 20, choose an indoor activity instead.
Know when to call it quits.
If you notice a patch of hard, pale, cold skin, you may have frostbite. Get out of the cold and slowly warm the affected area. If numbness continues, seek emergency care. If you suspect hypothermia — characterized by intense shivering, slurred speech, loss of coordination and fatigue — seek emergency care.
When it's cold outdoors, there's no need to give up and hit the couch. With a little planning and creativity, you can step up to the challenges of winter exercise.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
10 Healthy, Frugal Halloween Treats
If we use these alternate suggestions for Halloween treats, the less temptation there will be when it comes to leftovers!
10 Healthy, Frugal Halloween Treats
By Sheyna Steiner • Bankrate.com
Halloween enjoys an unrivaled reputation for decadence among the society of children. As such, adults often feel compelled to step in and moderate the fun by injecting a touch of healthfulness and frugality into the little ones' bags of treats.
With reports every year on the declining number of trick-or-treaters, one of the most venerable traditions in the culture risks extinction. This may be due, in small part, to the overzealous application of health to the holiday -- specifically, in the form of bad Halloween treats. Not the arsenic-laced-cookie kind of bad treat, but the kind that bores kids into never wanting to go trick or treating ... ever again.
Disappointing treats run the gamut from toothpaste and dental floss to nuts and raisins. With expectations running high, making your house a good stop on the trick-or-treating circuit can be a tough job -- especially if you're on a budget and committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Frugal treats
Don't worry. Be a Halloween hero and save the waistlines of the next generation (and some money) at the same time with these fun and thrifty Halloween treats.
1. Temporary tattoos
Kids love tattoos like bikers love Harleys. There's an inherent coolness that kids are quick to recognize, maybe because their parents generally hate them, though there are millions of exceptions to that rule these days. Plentiful supplies of safe, kid-appropriate designs can be found on the Web, in party stores or novelty shops. The individually wrapped ones are best, lest your offer be misconstrued by parents to be an attempt at poisoning their offspring.
2. Stickers
In Halloween themes or otherwise, stickers are a safe bet and available everywhere.
3. Colored chalk
Either a whole pack or individual sticks of chalk make amusing gifts. They're as fun as spray paint but without the permanence, noxious fumes or vandalism charges. You could even tell the kids to write nice things about you on the sidewalk in front of your house.
4. Individually wrapped sticks of clay
Find them at art supply stores, craft stores and, of course, the handy-dandy Web.
5. Pennies for wishing
Wrap up pennies in some tissue paper or cellophane or spring for some small organza or muslin bags from a craft store and attach a note with a short message about making wishes, lucky pennies or saving pennies.
6. Pencils, erasers and pencil toppers
Office supply stores, teacher supply stores have loads of themed pencils. Craft stores and toy stores carry pencil toppers or, if you're feeling crafty, pick up some supplies and devise your own.
7. Noisemakers and other party favors
Anything that amplifies kid's natural noisy tendencies is usually good for at least a few minutes of fun. Though old-fashioned Halloween-themed noisemakers are hard to find these days and the reproductions are a bit pricey; kazoos, slide flutes and maracas can all be found at party supply stores. Noisemakers were an inherent part of Halloween celebrations up through the 1960s so you could think of yourself as reviving an old tradition rather than giving out good-for-you treats.
8. Balloon animals
Making a basic balloon animal or object is fairly easy to learn, and there are free instructions all over the Web, or if you're serious about learning the art, there are books, videos and classes. The balloons, called 260s, are inexpensive and readily available from party or craft stores. Though it will take some patience and practice to learn, it's a neat trick that will impress your friends, or at least, your friends' kids.
9. Bubbles and wands
Bottles of bubbles can be found pretty cheaply and in bulk and are mostly available at toy stores, discount stores and the Internet.
10. Chocolate
Come on, you know it's what they want. Plus, dark chocolate is known to be chock full of antioxidants and keeps blood pressure down, which actually makes eating it, in moderation, healthy.
10 Healthy, Frugal Halloween Treats
By Sheyna Steiner • Bankrate.com
Halloween enjoys an unrivaled reputation for decadence among the society of children. As such, adults often feel compelled to step in and moderate the fun by injecting a touch of healthfulness and frugality into the little ones' bags of treats.
With reports every year on the declining number of trick-or-treaters, one of the most venerable traditions in the culture risks extinction. This may be due, in small part, to the overzealous application of health to the holiday -- specifically, in the form of bad Halloween treats. Not the arsenic-laced-cookie kind of bad treat, but the kind that bores kids into never wanting to go trick or treating ... ever again.
Disappointing treats run the gamut from toothpaste and dental floss to nuts and raisins. With expectations running high, making your house a good stop on the trick-or-treating circuit can be a tough job -- especially if you're on a budget and committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Frugal treats
Don't worry. Be a Halloween hero and save the waistlines of the next generation (and some money) at the same time with these fun and thrifty Halloween treats.
1. Temporary tattoos
Kids love tattoos like bikers love Harleys. There's an inherent coolness that kids are quick to recognize, maybe because their parents generally hate them, though there are millions of exceptions to that rule these days. Plentiful supplies of safe, kid-appropriate designs can be found on the Web, in party stores or novelty shops. The individually wrapped ones are best, lest your offer be misconstrued by parents to be an attempt at poisoning their offspring.
2. Stickers
In Halloween themes or otherwise, stickers are a safe bet and available everywhere.
3. Colored chalk
Either a whole pack or individual sticks of chalk make amusing gifts. They're as fun as spray paint but without the permanence, noxious fumes or vandalism charges. You could even tell the kids to write nice things about you on the sidewalk in front of your house.
4. Individually wrapped sticks of clay
Find them at art supply stores, craft stores and, of course, the handy-dandy Web.
5. Pennies for wishing
Wrap up pennies in some tissue paper or cellophane or spring for some small organza or muslin bags from a craft store and attach a note with a short message about making wishes, lucky pennies or saving pennies.
6. Pencils, erasers and pencil toppers
Office supply stores, teacher supply stores have loads of themed pencils. Craft stores and toy stores carry pencil toppers or, if you're feeling crafty, pick up some supplies and devise your own.
7. Noisemakers and other party favors
Anything that amplifies kid's natural noisy tendencies is usually good for at least a few minutes of fun. Though old-fashioned Halloween-themed noisemakers are hard to find these days and the reproductions are a bit pricey; kazoos, slide flutes and maracas can all be found at party supply stores. Noisemakers were an inherent part of Halloween celebrations up through the 1960s so you could think of yourself as reviving an old tradition rather than giving out good-for-you treats.
8. Balloon animals
Making a basic balloon animal or object is fairly easy to learn, and there are free instructions all over the Web, or if you're serious about learning the art, there are books, videos and classes. The balloons, called 260s, are inexpensive and readily available from party or craft stores. Though it will take some patience and practice to learn, it's a neat trick that will impress your friends, or at least, your friends' kids.
9. Bubbles and wands
Bottles of bubbles can be found pretty cheaply and in bulk and are mostly available at toy stores, discount stores and the Internet.
10. Chocolate
Come on, you know it's what they want. Plus, dark chocolate is known to be chock full of antioxidants and keeps blood pressure down, which actually makes eating it, in moderation, healthy.
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