Happier, healthier holidays 40 ways to get the most out of the season

[No Elephants]

From Consumer Reports

Happier, healthier holidays
40 ways to get the most out of the season
Published: November 2012

<snip>


For your spirit

29. Forgive. Disagreements within families are normal; don’t let them ruin your holidays or your health. A positive attitude can not only help mend and preserve relationships but also improve your heart rate and blood pressure, according to research published in the Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy.

30. Forget what you can’t afford. Research in wealthy and poor populations has shown that as long as basic needs are met, additional wealth and material objects have little effect on well-being. In fact, people who are more focused on material goods exhibit reduced life satisfaction and higher levels of depression.

31. Worship with others. A study in the America Journal of Psychiatry concluded that observing one’s faith in a social setting was linked to a lower risk of illness, especially depression. If you don’t practice a religion, seek out community or other social events.

32. Toast those who aren’t there. Special remembrances and displays of photos can stimulate affectionate talk about people you miss, turning sadness into special moments.

33. Be merry with your mate. Couples who participate in holiday rituals together, such as decorating their home or lighting candles, can strengthen their marriages, according to Syracuse University researchers.

34. Make a New Year’s resolution. More than two-thirds of Americans don’t partake in this tradition, according to a nationally representative survey conducted by Harris Interactive. That leaves them with no urgency to make changes for the better.
<snip>

more good tips: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/11/happier-healthier-holidays/index.htm

[Enthusiast]

1. I find it incredible

that Consumer Reports would have such an article.

The people in our lives that made up the framework of our holiday season have all passed on. Only the memories remain. We no longer have a Thanksgiving like 'back in the day'. And Celiac disease complicates things. Bad stuff. But we had plenty of whiskey to drink last night and some great music on my 1970s era stereo that still sounds awesome. We listened to music I have stored on the hard drive, CDs and even vinyl. :toast:

[No Elephants]

4. Vinyl is oh so fashionable. Hip Millenials would give you props.

(Or is "props" too outdated a term anymore? I can't keep up.)

I think you can buy lasagna noodles made of rice flour, but rice has arsenic, so it becomes a matter of picking your poison--literally. And I don't know how rice flour lasagna noodles taste.

Besides, making lasagna is exhausting. My neighborhood still has some Italian women in their 80's who make it, starting with going to the stores themselves for the ingredients--on foot.

Respect, is all I can say about them and their generation. They really don't make them like that anymore.

P.S. The story in the OP seemed to be a way of linking to quite a few past articles that had appeared in Consumer Reports in the past. I see it as a gentle marketing piece, albeit one that does contain some potential helpful info.

[Enthusiast]

6. One time we made lasagna using the rice pasta.

It seemed like more work than usual with a less than satisfactory result. But one day we might try it again. We did find a wonderful spaghetti noodle made from corn--Mrs. Leepers. Honestly, it is as good as wheat pasta.

[No Elephants]

7. Thanks. Good to know. I have not come across that brand in my supermarket.

Then again, my supermarket caters mostly to Irish and Italian folk.

Do you find it in your market or in a speciality shop?

P.S. I see you can buy it via Amazon and a couple of other online merchants. http://mrsleepers.com/purchase.html

[Enthusiast]

8. We bought a case on Amazon.

But first we bought some in a grocery store somewhere. But we never see it in the store now. We pair the spaghetti with home made meatballs and sauce. Super good stuff, wish I could share it with you.

[Me.]

2. Happy Thanksgiving

+1

[formercia]

3. Good Ideas

I used to hate Holidays because arguments and hard feelings would result among the Family. Now, I don't waste any energy on reacting to others' bad behavior.

[No Elephants]

5. That's a great attitude, if you can rise above or get past the behavior

and focus on the familial bonds.


And sometimes, spending holidays with a family of choice is preferable.