holiday

Dec

2020

Celebrating Christmas

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Christmas is an annual Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ every December 25. For many, it is the most wonderful time of the year. But more than the Christmas parties, decorations, lights, gift-giving and festivities, Christmas is all about traditions. But did you know that there are also some unique ways on how other people celebrate this holiday season? Here are some fun facts in celebrating Christmas.

1.Christmas at KFC in Japan

Millions of people in Japan celebrate Christmas with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. It all started way back in 1974 when KFC launched a marketing campaign called Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii. In English, it means Kentucky for Christmas. Getting a KFC dinner means placing your order weeks in advance otherwise, you will have to wait in line for hours just to get a bucket of KFC chicken.

2.Krampus Tradition in Austria

Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon beast-like creature which was created as a counterpart to St. Nicholas. For Catholics, St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children and magical gift-bringer. He is more commonly known as Santa Claus around the world. Santa rewards nice children with gifts during Christmas. Krampus on the other hand, beats children into being nice.

Krampus appears the night before the feast of St. Nicholas. Men dressed up as Krampus and roamed the streets of Austria. They wore masks with animal skins holding long sticks with bells tied to them so that children can hear the clanking through the darkness. Their purpose is to create fear among the children.

3. Norway Hides All Brooms on Christmas Eve

In Norway, some people hide their brooms on Christmas Eve. This is because they believe that evil spirits and witches come out on Christmas Eve and look for brooms to ride on. Thus, they hide their brooms before going to sleep lest they get stolen.

But whatever way you celebrate Christmas, let us not forget its true meaning. Christmas is a celebration of God’s love to mankind. It is the season for love and great joy.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
– John 3:16-17

Merry Christmas everyone!

Dec

2020

Avoid Overspending This Holiday Season

Reading Time: 2 minutes

It’s the Christmas season once again. Christmas is a big cultural and religious event as Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is about celebrating love and joy with families, friends and loved ones. But, it has also become a huge commercial phenomenon as people spend so much money on gifts, parties and new things. Although Christmas celebrations and parties may be different this year compared to the previous years because of the new normal, it is still easy to fall prey to consumerism. To avoid starting the new year with piles of debt, here are a few tips on how to avoid overspending this holiday season.

1. Set up a Christmas budget and stick to it.

First of all, you should have created a plan even before the Christmas season even began. Plan on how much you can afford to spend on gifts, food, events, travel, decorations, clothing, etc. Once you have it, by all means stick to it. Don’t be tempted to buy a more expensive gift for your loved one just because it’s Christmas. If it is way above your budget, it simply means you cannot afford it.

2. Track your spending.

The easiest way to make sure you are spending within your budget is to track your expenses. Write down everything you are spending on a daily basis. Just record all the items you have spent and compare them to your budget. Do this on a daily basis. It will take some time and effort on your part but it will serve as a reminder to help you stay on track.

3. Be creative with your gift giving.

You don’t need to spend a fortune for your gifts. Be creative. There are so many Christmas gift ideas for less. You can give them something handmade or cook for them. It is kind of cliche but it’s the thought that counts. What is important is that you remember them during this holiday season.

4. Look for Deals.

Most stores over holidays deals this Christmas season. Buy these items because they are normally offered on discounted rates.

5. Pay cash.

Never ever use your credit card if you think you won’t be able to pay the full amount due in January. Instead, always pay cash so as to not get carried away with your purchases. Don’t be a victim of paying more than your actual purchase by paying fees and interests in your credit card.

6. Don’t overspend on yourself.

Once you are done with your Christmas shopping, go home. Don’t expose yourself to temptation by lingering in the store. The displays are there to lure you into buying them. By going home, you are preventing yourself from buying unnecessary things.

7. Entertain for less.

If you plan on hosting a Christmas party, skip those costly dinner parties by telling your guests to do potluck. Don’t put the burden of preparing for all the food yourself. And besides, until this pandemic is over; it is still not advisable to hold gatherings most especially if it is done indoors.

8. Get better deals after Christmas.

If you can postpone giving yourself or even other people a gift after Christmas, then by all means do so. Stores normally start selling items on discounts the day after Christmas because they need to clear their inventory for new ones for the coming year. By shopping after the holidays, you will get larger discounts for the items that you want.

First Published in Pinoy Smart Living on 12.04.2018

Feature Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Dec

2020

How to Stay Healthy This Holiday Season

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Are you wondering how you can stay healthy this holiday season? It’s that time of year again when we are hunting for gifts and looking forward to receiving them. We are busy planning on what treats to cook up for the Christmas and New Year celebration. This is a time where we can indulge our cravings for our favorite foods; while bonding with our loved ones and close friends.

This is also the time of year when most people tend to throw out any diet plans. We cross our fingers and just promise ourselves to start over again in the new year. But indulging in the holidays doesn’t mean you should forget about your health. Here are some tips that you can follow to keep you healthy during the holidays. This way, you don’t need to work too hard on your health resolutions for the new year.

1. Keep moving

We know you won’t be able to say no to most party invites. This is a time to catch up with friends and family after all. You can still keep up your exercise routine beforehand or after. You can at least offset all the sitting that you have to do during long, family meals.

Is there cooking involved? Volunteer to do the shopping so you don’t have to spend the whole day just sitting. You will just end up being tempted to keep eating afterwards. You can also play some music and do some dancing to encourage other people to keep moving as well. This is one way to keep yourself, and your loved ones, healthy this holiday season.

2. Don’t shop when you’re hungry

This applies to your grocery shopping for the whole year. But this is even more critical during the holiday season. This is the time when all the good-looking and special food treats are out for display. Make sure to eat your meal or get a snack first before going to the grocery store. This prevents you from the temptation to buy more than what you need to.

A grocery list is always handy. With a list, you are not tempted to wander the isles looking for what you might need. This also means that you can keep to your healthy choices and stay on budget.

3. Pick healthy substitutes

Stick to your healthy choices to ensure that you eat delicious but still healthy food. Stock up on healthy alternatives and your favorite spices to make your cooking experience a fun one. This means less worries on digestive issues and weight issues in the coming new year.

Check out this guide on how to stretch your food budget for tips on healthier alternatives to some food items. Being mindful of what you put into your body helps ensure that you can stay healthy this holiday season.

4. Keep only healthy snacks

To be able to stick to your healthy routine, you need to be ready at all times. Be sure to keep only healthy snacks around the house so you won’t be tempted to indulge in unhealthy treats. For example, if you love snacking on chocolate; then keep chocolate around but be sure it is dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage. 60% and above is considered healthier than the usual milk chocolate which also has added sugars.

Other snacks you can opt for are nuts and oatmeal bars. Carry these snacks on your purse or bag too. You will have a healthy snack ready to grab when hunger pangs come up.

5. Portion control

Have a light snack before going to a party. This ensures that you do not over eat. Plus, you can keep a good conversation going with your colleagues and friends instead.

If you can’t eat a light snack beforehand; then be sure to eat mindfully and watch what and how much you eat. In a buffet, take only as much as you think you can eat. Avoid the temptation of piling up food on your plate. Get a little of everything you like and take a taste of each. You can always go back for a second helping of whatever food treat you like. Make sure that you eat different foods from these major food groups to maximize their health benefits.

6. Eat slowly

The holiday season is a celebration of all the blessings we have received the whole year. It should be celebrated with an attitude of gratefulness. One way to show this attitude is to eat slowly and mindfully. Learn to appreciate the food you are eating; where it came from and how it came to be on your table.

Eating slowly also ensures that you are able to feel how full you already are so you do not overeat. Instead you can pay attention to the other people around your table as you enjoy your food.

7. Stay hydrated

The holiday season may mean cold weather but that shouldn’t be an excuse to forget keeping yourself hydrated. Drink hot tea or hot chocolate if you can’t stand cold water in cold weather. Keep a thermos with you so you always have a hot drink on hand. Keeping yourself hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy this holiday season.

Another way to make sure you get your adequate intake of liquids is to have a soup with your meals. They can be warm and hearty like the comfort foods our mom cooked for us when we were younger.

8. Minimize the sugar

All the sweet treats will be out on the shelves and cooking in the kitchens this holiday season. Be sure to mind your portions and eat in moderation. Avoid over indulging in sugary treats as much as possible.

Sugar is the number one cause of weight gain. You don’t want to waste all the workout you did. Go for the veggie side dishes and eat fruits for dessert instead of the cupcakes. If you have to, find a friend to eat half of it.

9. Go easy on the booze

It is said, that beer can be a healthy drink if taken once in a while. Other beverages such as sodas and wine do have a lot of sugar content in them so don’t over indulge. Sip slowly and drink double the amount of water to your booze right after.

Minimizing on the booze not only means that you stay healthy. It also means you don’t suffer a hangover the morning after. You also avoid any of the unpleasant consequences you might get into when you let go of being sober.

10. Get enough sleep

The holiday season also means lots of party invites and a lot of sleepless nights. But it doesn’t have to result in fatigue on your part. Make sure to schedule your party nights so that you can still get some rest the next day.

Maybe only go to parties on a weekend. Pick the party where you will see most of your friends.

You don’t need to go to all the parties that each friend invites you to. After all, you won’t be an enjoyable companion if you’re struggling to stay awake throughout a party. Having good sleep ensures that you can stay consistent with your morning routine. Don’t forget these daily healthy habits too.

We hope these tips help to keep you healthy during the holidays and the coming new year. These should keep you sober enough to actually be up until midnight on Christmas and on New Year’s eve. Happy holidays!

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 12.16.2018

Featured Image: Original Photo by picjumbo.com from Pexels.

Dec

2020

Holiday Travel During A Pandemic

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Are you thinking of traveling during this holiday season? Before you get all excited and begin packing your bags, you may want to reconsider your plans. While the holiday is really about reconnecting with family and loved ones, we are still in the middle of the pandemic. There has been a resurgence of cases in some areas. So, everyone should remain vigilant. Certain factors such as large gatherings increase the risk of infection. Traveling can also increase your chance of spreading and getting the disease. But if you really must go, here are things to consider in holiday travel during a pandemic.

1. Be Aware of the Health Condition of Your Loved Ones

Before you even begin contemplating on your travel, ask yourself. Are you in good physical condition? Is someone from your family sick? What is the health condition of your household? What about the family you are going to visit? If one of you is immunocompromised or has a comorbidity, it is best to just cancel or postpone your trip. Protecting yourself and others should be a priority.

2. Know the Situation of Your Destination

The next thing to do is to do some research. Are the cases high in the community of your destination? Aside from your destination, you should also consider the latest health development in your area. The higher the cases are in your point of origin and in your target destination, the higher the chance of you getting and spreading the virus.

3. Check Travel Restrictions

Whether you are planning on a road trip or booking a flight, if your destination is in another city, province or state; it is best to first check the travel restrictions. Various destinations have different travel restrictions in place. In addition, travel requirements are very volatile these days. They change frequently depending on the latest health developments. Thus, it is important to keep yourself updated before you travel.

4.Get Yourself Tested

If it is not a mandatory requirement for your travel, still, do consider to have yourself tested first. It is the only way to protect yourself and others from you.

5. Get Travel Insurance

Traveling these days is no longer that simple. Travelers are now more conscious of the added risks involved. Thus, in order to protect yourself from unplanned incidents, it is best to have insurance. Furthermore, many destinations now require travel insurance, especially if you are going overseas.

Typically, a travel insurance covers the person during the duration of the travel. However, during this time, it is best to get something that will cover you even before your travel that includes pandemic coverage. For example, someone from your family tested positive for the virus and you are forced to cancel your travel. If this happens, the insurance can reimburse your prepaid arrangements. Thus, it is wise to Invest in travel insurance during this time of uncertainty.

5. Follow the New Normal Protocols

Follow the new normal protocols wherever you go. Remember to always:

Wear mask.
Follow social distancing.
Wash your hands frequently.
Bring an alcohol or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol wherever you go.
Pack medicines and vitamins.

And lastly, always remember to strengthen your immune system by drinking lots of water, eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep.

Happy holidays!

Feature Image by Anna Shvets from Pexels