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What a Christmas! It was filled with family, food and fun! I gained three pounds, and enjoyed every minute of it! I have already started to cut out the white stuff again (flour, sugar, potatoes, rice), so it won’t be long until I am back to normal! Don’t beat yourselves up if you put on a couple of pounds over the holidays, just make sure that you don’t keep it! Often times, just cutting out the extra alcohol and sweets is enough to get you back to normal within a few weeks, but you might need to put in a little extra effort, so be prepared.

Someone told me that the average North American gains approximately two pounds every Chritsmas, but keeps it on the rest of the year. Then next Christmas, they gain two more, etc. So within ten years they could pack on 20 pounds. Ouch! Don’t be one of these statistics!

The best way to loose weight? Simple - cut back on calories. Fill your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables, add a little lean meat or alternative, and limit your grain intake to whole grains and brown rice. No alcohol, no white grains, no sugar. It is that simple. The hardest part is having the willpower to stick to it - but I know you can do it!

I promised my newsletter readers a couple of Christmas pictures, so here they are! The boys had so much fun together. My son copied every thing his older cousin did - it was so cute!

I hope you all had just as great a holiday as we did, and I wish you all the best in 2008!

Yours in health and happiness,

Denise Mackinnon

I can’t believe November 11 was my last post - oh my!  We have had a lot of action around here lately, with snow falls, a leaky basement, and a very active 2 1/2 year old who has had his share of illness this fall!
I am finally on some time off over the holidays, and I am excited to be catching up on everything!

We had a fantastic winter day today!  Woke up to a few inches of snow, so we made a snowman, and a snow fort (which we then spent 20 minutes kicking apart - it was even more fun that building it!)  Then we went to the Forest Museum in Duncan and went for a ride on their Christmas Train.  It is an old steam train, decked out in lights, and took us for a 20 minute ride around their property, all lit up and festive! 

Now I am kicking back with some delicious chai tea, listening to great tunes in front of the fireplace.  Hmm.  I love winter!

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a healthy and happy New Year!

Warm regards,

Denise Mackinnon

If you would like some ideas on making your Christmas a healthier one, please visit my blog at www.simplehealthideas.blogspot.com

Also, if you want to make 2008 your year for wellness, sign up for simple health ideas newsletter at my website: www.denisemackinnon.com