Countdown to the New Year

Hi,
We're heading into the 'holidaze' full speed ahead. Reading through scores of fitness magazines, watching shows, internet and just good old experience, here's a pedestrian way to keep everything in perspective:

November:
-Plan ahead: the 3 "P's" - Plan out your day, plan your budget, plan your eating

-Day: Map it out. Take the time before you jump out of bed to think about your day and what you want to have happen. Don't forget about setting a minimum of 20 minutes aside for exercise. Get your heart rate up and if 20 is all you have, go for weights as it will boost your metabolism.

-Budget: Gifts. If you're planning on gift giving this holiday, make a list and determine how much you'll spend and stick to it. Try to get your shopping in early. You don't need to spend a lot to give a great gift. Stress less. Oh yeah, and if you can, pay in cash and forego the credit card headaches.

December:
-Do the things that will make you feel good. Whatever it is, decorate your house, try cooking something you've never cooked before (I'm going to try an apple pie, I saw this on the Today Show and it seemed so simple):
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33994957#recipeContinued

INGREDIENTS
• Apples - any combination, but Granny Smith and Macs are preferred
• Egg whites
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. apple pie spice (or allspice, cinnamon, mace)
• Butter
• Egg yolks
• Prepared pie crust

Prepare pie crust, put in pie plate.
Brush crust with beaten egg white and set aside.
Peel and cut up apples in chunks and fill up crust. Put sugar and apple pie spice on top of apples.
Put one pat of butter, cut into 4 pieces, on top of apples. Put crust on top.
Mix egg yolks with a little bit of milk and brush on top.
Cut slits in crust.
Bake 10 minutes at 400 degrees and 30 minutes at 350.

December, continued:
-Exercise: Work off the meals, go for walk, a run, anything. Just do something.
-Mentally get ready for the New Year. Why wait until Spring to clear out the old? Clear away.

Check back to see how we'll transform our blog in the coming weeks.

Thank you for reading.