Mother's Day Gifts- Get Ready!

Mother's Day is coming this weekend, just as we are polishing off the last chocolate eggs from the Easter basket. Hmm...sounds a bit like Halloween and also Valentine's Day, right? Why is it that most of our American holidays focus on CANDY? Mind you, I love chocolate, but the truth is that I have been popping beautiful pastel peanut M&M's into my mouth each time I pass through my kitchen and hear the Easter candy bowl calling my name.

At the same time that we are fretting about trying on swimsuits and fitting into summer clothing, we are working to "finish up" the Easter candy. Kind of counter productive, isn't it? So, first of all, let's give away the rest of the candy (if it's still sitting around.) Secondly, let's pamper Mom with gifts she'll enjoy that promote her health- physical, mental or spiritual.

So, what do moms like? Are you feeling rich? Offer her spa certificates or maybe a gym membership. Not quite so loaded? How about a simple manicure (usually around $15) or a lovely smelling candle or body lotion, or a new exercise outfit? Totally broke? No worries- go for HOME MADE; a simple meal (that MOM does NOT have to prepare OR clean up), cleaning her car inside and out, or jumping in and doing "her" jobs for the day, like a load of laundry or walking the dog.

If you REALLY want to touch your Mom's heart, check back tomorrow see what my guest blogger, psychologist David Palmiter,PhD, thinks is the PERFECT gift for Mom or anyone you truly love...

BOTTOM LINE: Skip the chocolate this year and celebrate MOTHER's DAY with a health-promoting gift!

Thankful for My Mother-In-Law...Seriously!

Getting ready for Thanksgiving? I know I am. Today my mother-in-law was sharing her fabulous fresh yam and green bean recipes with me, so I can begin to make some of "her" dishes. However, I am SO grateful that she is still here on earth to be on hand as I prepare them, because as I was dutifully typing them into a word document, her quantities were "just enough", and "till it looks right", and "well, it depends!"

Isn't it amazing how dependent we've become on prepared mixes or at a minimum, google'd recipes? Truthfully, in the kitchen I tend to alter the vast majority of recipes that I use, even the first time. I substitute apple sauce for oil, or change up flours to make things gluten-free, or create some other "healthy" modification. When it comes to family traditions, though, I usually defer to the high-fat, full calorie version, which is FINE. Not EVERYTHING we eat needs to be pure nutrition! It's perfectly fine within the confines of healthy living to splurge on treats now and then. The trick is to remember that every day or week should not be "that" special occasion!

I have learned from my patients (by doing 24 hour dietary recalls) that what people believe is an unusual day is often a frequent occurrence. Do you grab fast food before every soccer practice or music lesson? Well, I'm guessing that is EVERY Tuesday (or whatever day or dayS your kids have that activity.) Look at your schedule now, and recognize those days that present a challenge every week, and then PLAN AHEAD. Sandwiches, slow cooked meals, and even "breakfast for dinner" might be healthier choices.

BOTTOM LINE: Enjoy your traditional holiday treats this season, but recognize patterns of unhealthy choices in your everyday schedule and make pro-active changes to improve your health!