Thanksgiving

 

President Monson has a gift that enables him to touch your soul in a way that makes you feel the Holy Spirit and makes you do better. "A grateful heart... comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives". Thank you President Monson.
http://new.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/the-divine-gift-of-gratitude?lang=eng

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is a holiday to express thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for which all have been blessed of material possessions and relationships. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks to Almighty God for a bountiful harvest. This religious origin is now primarily identified as thanksgiving in general.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Healthy Tree

When gathering with friends and family around the table for Thanksgiving, be sure to take the time to give thanks and show how grateful you are for everything you have. If you do it every November day, you could transforming negative thoughts into positive by focusing on how much there is to be thankful for. Here is a fun way to do it with flair!
This is a great way for your family to celebrate Thanksgiving. Have all your friends and family members add 'leaves' to your tree as they visit over the holidays.


Materials Needed:

• Tree branch without leaves attached
• Clay Pot or Glass Jar
• Pebbles
• Colored cut out of leaves in fall colors
• Pen or marker
• Ribbon, Yarn, or Raffia
• Hole Puncher

Instructions:
1. "Plant" tree branch in colorful planter.
2. Keep a basket full of blank colorful autumn leaves and markers next to your tree branch. On each leaf, a person should write something they are thankful for each November day.
3. Encourage each guest to pick a leaf, write what they are thankful for on the leaf, and hang it on the tree. This will make a beautiful centerpiece for your table or accent piece in another high-traffic area of your home.
4. Share the completed thankful tree during Thanksgiving dinner. Encourage each guest to share their own submission by going around the table.
5. Later, collage the leaves into your Thanksgiving album as an after dinner activity. Everyone, especially children, will enjoy looking back over the years and reading what they were thankful for.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Halloween Health and Safety Tips

For many people, autumn events like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, attend parties, and eat yummy treats. These events are also opportunities to provide nutritious snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety. Below are tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.


Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?

• Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters, such as individual packs of raisins, trail mix, or pretzels. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.
• Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
• Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.
• Keep candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.
• Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.

Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone!

http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/





Healthy Snack
Looking for a Halloween night snack that's both healthy and festive? This skeletal array fits the bill, no bones about it -- just assorted fresh vegetables and a bowl of dip arranged in the shape of a spooky cat.

Ingredients

• Black Bean Dip
• ASSORTED VEGETABLES OF YOUR CHOICE, SUCH AS
• Celery
• Cherry tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Green beans
• Mushrooms
• Zucchini

Instructions
Arrange vegetables in the shape of a cat, as shown.

Black Bean Dip
This versatile recipe works as either a dip or a spread and has a light, addictive flavor. Serve it with the Easy Pita Chips, baked tortilla chips, or cut-up vegetables. Along with a small bag of carrots and celery, it is a favorite for school lunches.
Ingredients

• 1 15.5-ounce can black beans
• 1/3 cup medium-hot salsa, 1 tablespoon for garnish (optional)
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, plus extra for garnish (optional)
• 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• l small garlic clove, minced Instructions
• Drain and rinse the black beans, setting aside l tablespoon for garnish.

Combine the black beans, salsa, cilantro leaves, lemon juice, and garlic in a food processor. Blend until smooth.

Garnish with the black beans and, if you like, cilantro leaves or salsa. Makes 1 1/4 cups and serves 4 to 6. (Note: If you use this as a dip with veggies to replace the Asparagus Salad, double the recipe.)

Easy Halloween Costume Ideas
These easy homemade costume ideas can be put together in a matter of minutes, and don't need a long list of materials. Even if you don't have a lot of time to prepare for Halloween this year, you can still whip up one of these fun and easy costume ideas!

http://fun.familyeducation.com/halloween-costume/halloween/33351.html  
ttp://familyfun.go.com/halloween/halloween-kids-costumes/

Fall Health Tips

Autumn is the time of maturity and harvest. You don’t need the calendar to tell that the season is changing. The air becomes a bit crisper, and the leaves change. Everything slows down, and the days shorten. You can feel it on the cooler weather especially at night and the great amount of falling leaves everywhere. Finally, autumn is here. Make sure you've got a jacket with you and cover your neck to avoid colds and flu's - the wind has a way of overcoming the immune system. Being known as the flu season, we all need to be more careful with our health to avoid getting ill. Make sure you're eating well and your digestion is good, because that's the root of your immune system strength.

This Fall season follow these tips to help you and yours stay in top health and be your best during the seasonal and all year long:

• Flu Shots - Check with your doctor or your local public health department to find out when the annual flu shot is available. If your doctor can give you the shot in the office combine it with a check-up. If your doctor does not give the shot check on local events for flu shot administration. You may also want to get a pneumonia shot also. Remember that the flu shot is recommended for all adults, especially those with a health condition such as diabetes or heart disease that makes them more at risk for the serious complications of the flu.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Exercise - Exercise is important all through the year, but can help you get in shape for the winter months. If you exercise by walking outdoors, it may be time to locate other places you can walk that are protected from harsh winter weather. Indoor shopping malls are great places to walk and often have walkers clubs that offer discounts. With the days getting colder, take a few extra minutes to warm up your body and stretch your muscles before you exercise. Also wear a handkerchief around your nose and mouth if it's really cold to warm up the air before it enters your lungs. 
• Diet - Add all the fall vegetables to your diet. Many of the root vegetables are in season now and are an inexpensive and nutritious way to add variety to your diet.
• Drink More Water – You can experience dehydration even during the winter. Dry central heat robs your body and skin of vital moisture. If you keep hydrated your mucous membranes also stay hydrated, working much more effectively to filter our disease causing organisms.
• Sunscreen – Yes, even in the fall and winter months you should be thinking about sunscreen. If you're a skier, don't forget your sunscreen. The snow reflects the sun's rays and can quickly burn your skin. Don't let the cold temperatures fool you.
• Second-Hand Smoke - Watch out for the effects of second-hand smoke. During cold weather, you may find yourself behind closed doors and windows with a smoker. Avoid inhaling smoke and check your home for proper ventilation.
• Hats and Gloves - Wear a hat and gloves when you go outside. The hat keeps warmth from escaping through the top of your head—a major source of body heat loss. And the gloves help prevent painful frostbite.

Also, be aware of Fall allergies. Late summer and early fall bring on another season that triggers allergic reactions. Outdoor molds become plentiful in the fall in gutters, soil, vegetation, rotting wood and fallen leaves. You can reduce your exposure to Fall allergens. For example, avoid being outdoors in the morning hours between 5:00 and 10:00 a.m. when pollen dispersal is peaking; avoid lots and fields where ragweed grows; shower and wash hair immediately after coming in from outside activities, and especially before going to bed; keep the windows and doors of your home and car closed.

Remember that making sure your vitamin D level and vitamin C levels are adequate or higher, drinking adequate fluids, using good hand washing technique, getting good sleep, getting good nutrition - all are safer way s to stay flu free.

Here are a few more suggestions to take into consideration so that you can enjoy what this time of year has to offer.

• Enjoy the year's most beautiful season -In many parts of the United States, autumn is a near-sacred season, with its warm, sunny days, cool evenings and postcard perfect colors. Get outside and enjoy the season by bicycling, walking, hiking, jogging, and playing golf and tennis.
• In many parts of the country, autumn is synonymous with the apple harvest. Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, both of which reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, inhibiting the growth of dangerous plaques along blood vessel walls, and dietary fiber, apples are a delicious and nutritious snack that can be enjoyed any time of day.

Remember, it is important to do what you can to stay healthy all year long and now is the time to focus on how to stay healthy and well during the approaching Fall and Winter months.