Gosh, 2008 is staring us in the face already – I can hardly believe we are at the end of another year.  Consider some healthy gifts this Christmas – at Creeds we have masses of wonderful, healthy and safe gifts you could give your family and friends.  We’ll even gift wrap them and send them if you contact us!  Best of all are our magnificent organic foods and cosmetics, plus many unusual and original gifts – like a gorgeous olive oil dispenser for your kitchen; we have them in 3 sizes.  Go to www.creeds.co.za for more information.

Keeping the kilos off during the festive season

The festive season is a time for getting together with family and friends celebrate.  Sometimes we celebrate a little too much – so here are some tips which may help you to prevent too much of the event being evidenced at a later date on the hips.

1. Before you sit down to your meal drink a really big glass of water. This will give you a fuller feeling and encourage you to eat smaller portions.

2. “Sample” your food rather than ladling it on in vast quantities. You will be amazed at how eating a smaller amount very slowly has the same effect in terms of feeling full afterwards as a big meal does.  Your brain takes around 20 minutes to register that you’re full anyway, so take it slowly.

3. Have a healthy appetizer before the main meal. A salad or a bowl of soup helps take the edge off your appetite quite successfully so you desire less of the main course.

4. Don't go out to dinner with a ravenous appetite! Eat something (not too much) at least 2-3 hours before you go. This will help keep your blood sugar normal so that you don't feel starved or full when you get there.

5. Make sure you have protein with your meals – it’s a great filler, and doesn’t put on weight the way carbs do!

Mum was right – remember her famous lines: "eat your vegetables" and "chew your food slowly"? These two tips are surprisingly effective. Vegetables have a lot of fibre which fills you up faster and full of vitamins and minerals which satisfies the body’s need for healthy nutrition so you don’t want more than you need. Chewing your food slowly breaks it up thoroughly so that your digestive system can process it more efficiently, and you don’t experience digestive problems, or at least they are limited.

Lastly, a little bit of activity after a big meal keeps your metabolism going and helps you digest more of the nutrients thus preventing excess food being stored as fat.  It’s perfectly true that planning ahead NOT to put on weight is a whole lot more effective than trying to lose it later!  A little planning goes a long way. In the end of though, the holidays are meant to be fun, so enjoy yourself, but stay healthy while you are doing so.

Nutrition Courses

Please note that we have only 3 courses left this year at the old price, which means the new year may see an increase, as printing prices have gone up considerably.  If you want courses, we have a few short courses, and just the three long ones.  Go to http://www.sallyanncreed.co.za/Nutrition.htm for more.  We strive to keep our prices as low as possible.

Make it yourself: Oatmeal Cleanser

This is the simplest of all cleansers – oatmeal not only softens the skin but cleans it too.  Get organic oats if you can.  So, take a cup of rolled oats, place in a blender and process till fine.  Keep this powder in a jar or bowl next to your basin.  To use, scoop a small amount of the oatmeal into your hand and gently massage into your wet skin.  Rinse with warm water.

Happy Christmas

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a restful and peaceful Christmas, and a special time with those you love.  Let’s not forget what Christmas is all about as we remember that God sent His Son Jesus to bring salvation to the world.  Revel in the freedom only He can bring!