If you’ve been watching TV lately, you may have noticed the ads creeping in for a little thing known as ‘Black Friday.’ Some of us have it marked on our calendars. Others would just prefer to avoid it altogether. If you’re one of the latter, you may be surprised to learn that Black Friday doesn’t have to be a nightmare.

It's not just Friday. 

The first thing to remember is that Black Friday isn’t just about Fridays anymore. Many retailers have extended their sales to encompass the entire week. Depending on what you’re looking for, you may be able to take advantage of a sale earlier in the week. For electronics, Cyber Monday often has better deals than Black Friday.

As with anything else, the better you plan, the easier it will be. Try to have a firm idea of what you’re looking for and where to find it. For example, if you’re after a new mountain bike, check the bike shops in your area beforehand to see what discounts they are offering rather than waiting until the last minute.

The Internet is your friend.

With the success of brick and mortar retailers on Black Friday, many online stores have gotten into the act. These days, it’s possible to get some great holiday deals without ever having to leave the comfort of your home. 

Whatever your shopping preferences, there’s likely a good deal to be had on Black Friday. With some prior planning, you can be prepared and get a great jumpstart on your holiday shopping. 

For many of us, Thanksgiving dinner is a time to trot out the special family recipes that have been unchanged for generations. For others, it’s a time to break in the new culinary concoctions we’ve been dying to try out. Whatever your preference, there are some great recipes out there to suit almost any appetite. Here are just a few:

• Turkey  To stuff or not to stuff? That is the question. About Food has information on turkey preparation and cooking times, along with other helpful tips. McCormick also has a great recipe for a mouth-watering Herb-Roasted-Turkey.
• Stuffing  How can you celebrate any holiday without taking a peek at how Martha would do it? 20 fancy stuffing recipes are available here. Or go to Stove Top's site and find some ideas to customize your stuffing and make it your own.
• Mashed Potatoes  Want creamy potatoes like Granny used to make? Try the recipe on the Pioneer Woman, complete with how-to photos and lots of hints to making your potatoes perfect.
• Sweet Potatoes  Tired of the same old sweet potatoes dish with the marshmallows on top? Betty Crocker has a sweet potato and apple salad that could become a new holiday tradition in your family.
• Cranberries  Did you want to ditch the jiggly can of jellied cranberry sauce this year? The directions for an easy Cranberry Apple Bread Pudding can be found on Campbell’s site.
• Dessert  This Pumpkin Fudge boasts 10 minutes of prep time! Perfect for when you’re pressed for time.

Happy Thanksgiving! Here’s to smooth cooking and happy eating. 

At the ripe old age of 107 years, Elmer Hill of Henderson, Texas doesn’t meet many people older than he is, let alone very many veterans. Needless to say, he was quite surprised to meet Richard Overton, three months his senior, and also a Texas native. Although the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs doesn’t have a complete list of everyone who served in the armed forces, Hill and Overton are likely the oldest and second-oldest living veterans in the country.

Keys to longevity?

Both men are still mentally sharp and quick-witted, and Overton, at least, claims he still smokes cigars and starts the day with a shot of whiskey in his coffee. 

While the pair seems to be in fine fettle, it comes as no surprise that drinking and smoking might not be the best way to live to the century mark and beyond. Many studies suggest that genetics may be the one of the most important keys to living a long life, but that doesn’t mean you should give up healthy living and reach for the doughnuts. 

Genetics or Diet?

Healthy eating and exercise can also play a key role. These can reduce your risks for heart disease, and strokes, which are among the leading causes of death in adults. They can also help you live better, mitigating the physical effects of aging such as stiff joints, failing eyesight and failing memory. 

While many of us might not reach 107 like Elmer Hill and Richard Overton, a healthy diet heavy on fresh vegetables, fruits and legumes can help you take advantage of the years you do have. 

Thick cobwebs are growing over the treadmill you bought last year. Your New Year’s resolutions, with all their fitness goals, have fallen by the wayside. Working out regularly is something that is easier said than done. Here are some ideas to keep you going when life starts to get in the way.

• Don’t reward the result, reward the action. Rather than being discouraged that you can’t buy the new jeans because you haven’t lost the 20 pounds yet, buy a one-size fits all treat like new earrings or a pair of shoes when you’ve reached your workout goal. 
• Treat yourself while you workout. No, that doesn’t mean heading for the nearest fast food shack. Instead, you can listen to your favorite songs or an audio book from your favorite author. Grudgingly going off to exercise now becomes stepping out to get reacquainted with a beloved classic.
• Workout with a friend or family member. Exercising can often be a lonely experience, so why not bring a friend? A workout buddy can make exercising seem less like a grind and more like hanging out with a friend. They can help push you and in turn, you can help them along as well.

The treadmill doesn’t have to gather dust. Often the key to keeping a regular workout schedule is finding new ways to make it interesting and more importantly, fun!

Every household should have a good system in place to manage important documents. Here are some tips to help you get your stack in order.

Divide and conquer

Sort your documents into 3 categories: active, dead storage, and discard. Active documents are accounts you deal with on a regular basis like your electric bill or your car payment. Dead storage items are similar, except they are more than 3 years old. They might include the set-up instructions for the computer you still have or the receipt for a large purchase you made years ago. The discard pile is where you put the items you no longer need such as expired warranties or old appliance manuals.

Keep the active documents handy, put the dead storage items somewhere that’s out of the way but still accessible, and throw away the rest.

Irreplaceable items

Once you’ve gotten your papers in order, you might want to consider getting a safe deposit box for vital documents such as births certificates, social security cards and the deeds and titles to your property. These are documents you’ll want to keep forever.

A good rule of thumb is to keep the documents as long as you own the property they’re associated with. For example, if you still own the car, you’ll still want to keep the papers that go with it.

Keeping your files straight doesn’t have to be difficult. With a good system in place, you can keep your desk clutter-free and lay hands on that important paper you need in no time. 

If you’ve ever tried reading the nutrition label on something you’re about to buy, then you know it can be confusing. What’s really healthy for you and what isn’t? Should you worry more about calorie count or fat content?

It depends on what your goals are. If pure weight loss is your aim, you’ll want to pay more attention to calorie count. If you’re trying to reduce your cholesterol, then the fat content of your food may be more important.

We all need some fat in our diets. Fats are for important for normal nerve functioning. They also provide energy and protect organs. For healthy adults, 20 to 35 percent of total daily calories should be from fat.

A great way to stay on top of it is by keeping a journal. List the foods you eat, their calorie and fat content. The type of fat makes a difference. Lowering your calorie intake may help you lose weight, but it might not necessarily make you healthier if you’re still eating the wrong kinds of fats.

Eliminate trans-fats. These are found in baked goods, margarine and fried foods. Limit the amount of saturated fat you eat, which comes from butter, red meat and whole-fat dairy products. Replace saturated fats with healthy unsaturated fats found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and fish.

Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean getting rid of all fats.  By keeping track of what fats you eat, you can keep the good and throw out the bad. 

If you would like our help understanding how this impacts you, please give us a call to set up an appointment to discuss your personal health situation and the best way to get started.