don't be tempted to overindulge!

Hanukkah has begun, and Christmas and Kwanzaa are only days away.  Gifts, family, good food and sparkling lights are tokens of the holiday season, but so is the reality of unwanted weight gain.  During the holidays many people find themselves immersed in family activities and surrounded by rich homemade dishes and treats.  It’s hard to keep up a healthy lifestyle during a season when we celebrate all the good things that we have.  The year is coming to a close and soon we will be heading into 2012 with every intention to trim our waistlines.  To avoid the regret that can come with the holiday weight gain, here are some tips from GreenCupboards.com to help you keep up with a healthy lifestyle during the holidays.

Drink lots of water:  Hot chocolate, warm buttered rum, peppermint mochas, and apple cider are all traditional treats during the holiday season.  Keep in mind that they are just that: a treat.  There’s no shame in indulging your taste buds with a warm cup of cocoa, but limit splurging.  To stay hydrated, keep a BPA free water bottle handy.  Need something warm?  Add a tea bag to your water. Studies have shown that green tea can increase your body’s ability to metabolize fat.

Go for a walk: Whether you’re driving or flying to your holiday destination, your legs will appreciate a good stretch.  Hectic holiday situations that increase stress may be diffused by taking a quick break.  Go for a walk around the block, to a nearby park, or look at the holiday decorations in town.  Need some one on one time with a loved one?  Bring them along and check out the holiday lights in your neighborhood.

Small plates and portions:   Often holiday weight gain is caused not by what you eat, but by how much.  There’s no use refusing a slice of grandma’s pie, so instead insist on a small portion.  If you’re craving something it’s better to eat a little bit rather than try to satisfy your craving by filling up on “healthier” options.  At parties use the smallest plates and allow yourself small portions.

Active family bonding: Although it’s nice to stay warm and cozy inside, there are lots of fun activities waiting in the winter wonderland.  Instead of settling in for a board game, suggest a family snowball fight, build a snow fort or a snowman, go skiing, sledding, or snowboarding.  No snow this holiday season?  Try a family game of football, tag, or go for a bike ride.

Manage your time: Eat regularly!  The one for sure way to overindulge at the neighbor’s party is to go without a decent meal all day.  Although there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day, the two major causes of weight gain during the holiday season are lack of sleep and skipping meals.  Eat a small meal or salad before heading to a holiday party, and try to get in some time to relax and catch some Z’s.

Wishing you happy holiday’s from the GreenCupboards.com team!

Images:

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20307175_5,00.html

http://justlikegrams.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-baking-anyone.html

a traditional holiday movie:"It's a Wonderful Life"

The holiday season brings a sentimental mood to the minds of many.  The holiday lights and mall displays allow shoppers to recall memories from years past.  In the GreenCupboards.com office, our team is no different.  In anticipation of the approaching holidays the Greencupboards.com team takes a moment to gush about our favorite holiday traditions and memories.  I went around the office asking my team members their favorite part of the holiday season and compiled a list of the most popular answers.

For many of my team members the holiday season means celebrating Christmas.  What were their best memories of Christmas?

-          Enjoying hot homemade cinnamon rolls on the morning of December 25^th

-          Going skiing that afternoon

-          Getting to open one present on Christmas Eve

-          Going to see the neighborhood lights with the family

-          Receiving new pajamas

-          Watching Jimmy Stewart figure out that “It’s a Wonderful Life”

-          Sitting in front of warm fires

-          Having snowball fights

-          Playing board games with the family

New Year’s Eve traditions range from root beer floats and sparkling cider to fireworks and sparklers. Most of the GreenCupboards.com team looks forward to the moment when the ball drops.  Noise makers and card games also made the list of fond memories.

All of these fantastic memories coming from the GreenCupboards.com team have peaked my interest.  GreenCupboards.com would like to hear from you! Click here to tell us your most cherished holiday traditions!

Images:

http://blog.patricksmithphotos.com/2007/12/miracle-on-34th-street.html

http://www.allstarpics.net/0631906/010559734/it-s-a-wonderful-life-1946-pic.html

During the GreenCupboards.com office decorating competition, our team put our heads together to think up new ways to decorate using the guidelines of the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  Here’s some of fun ways we stayed green.  Feel free to use this as a guide for your own holiday decorating!

Magazine pages and a cereal box transformes!

Magazine flower Wreath: Don’t throw away those old magazines!  Reuse each individual page to make a paper flower (or three)!  These flowers can be attached to a round cardboard back (cut from a cereal box) to create a colorful festive holiday wreath.

t-shirt bows!

T-shirt bows: Want to add a vintage flare to your Christmas gifts this year?  Instead of tossing your stained or worn out t-shirts, use them to make creative bows!  Cut old clothes into strips and make them into bows!  Tie them around packages; attach them to garlands and doors!  These vintage bows are a great personal touch to a gift.

recycled paper makes for fantastic snow flurries!

Paper Snowflakes: Forget the snow machine!  Cut snowflake shapes from used papers and hang them up to make your home a wonderland.

popcorn and cranberry garland

Popcorn and Cranberry Garland: Instead of spending holiday cash on fluffy lavish garlands, create your own.  Sit down with the kids or your loved one and spend the afternoon stringing popcorn and cranberries together.

newspaper for wrapping presents!

Newspaper Gift Wrap: Year after year we spend money on wrapping paper just to throw it away on Christmas morning.  This year, save some time and use your money on something more worthwhile!  Old newspaper serves as the perfect wrapping paper.

newspaper ads for a paper chain!

Paper Chain: In need of a fun holiday craft?  Fold old ads and attach loops to make a long chain to hang over your door frame or mantel.

string tree!

Wall-String-Tree: If a tree is what you’re missing, never fear!  You can create a forest of trees with a few tacks and some string.  Tack a line of string in a tree shape on your wall and decorate it however you like!

Happy Holidays!

The Grinch and Max have joined our Marketing team

The GreenCupboards.com team decided to participate in some healthy Holiday competition this year! Our four offices faced off to have the best (and greenest) holiday decorations. Winners we placed according to the categories of “Best Overall Design,” “Most Creative,” and “Most Eco-Friendly.” Here’s the Dr. Seuss inspired tale:

The Holiday Season comes but once a year.
With all the green in GreenCupboards the Who’s in the office thought the Grinch would come here!
Preparation began as we hustled and bustled to the shopping marts,
With hope and spirit we plotted to load up our carts.
With packaged candy and gift wrap, lights and Styrofoam stars,
Then a voice spoke out and an email was sent,
Dan the data team man sent out a cry of lament.
“I know the holidays will soon be here,
A mere 23 days (who’s counting?) but something is wrong I fear,
Instead of buying more holiday stuff,
And then tossing it in the trash as useless fluff,
It might be fun to thwart holiday gloom
By using recycled goods to decorate the room!”
The Who’s of the office looked at one another,
And then smiled at their hopeful Data Team brother.
They got work and soon found out,
That sparkly new products is not what the holiday season is about.
Mitchell from Listings brought in old Santa’s galore,
While Dan and Alex made snowflakes and more!
Lauren strung popcorn garland from wall to wall,
While Sarah and Ciera used old materials to make lollipops to cover the hall.
The GreenCupboards team got to work and soon found out,
That sparkly new products are not what the holidays are about.
And the Grinch?
He came in the door hoping to play,
But seeing our commitment to green he decided to stay.
We hope to spread our holiday cheer this season,
And if you want to recycle here’s a good reason:
GreenCupboards has transformed in the matter of a week,
And now its heart has grown three times its size and is not nearly so meek.

Happy Holidays!  For more photos of our competition click here!

Sock Snowman Family

If you’re not fortunate enough to enjoy a white Christmas where you live, at least you can make your Christmas “green”.  You can start your greener Christmas journey with your gselect the perfect, green gift for him or her, check out THEcommunity’s top 10 lists:

For Him: http://community.greencupboards.com/2011/11/23/top-10-green-gifts-for-him/

For Her: http://community.greencupboards.com/2011/11/22/10-christmas-gifts-for-her/

We also have several recycling, energy savings and decorating tips for a greener holiday season.

Wrapping paper is really unnecessary waste.  Few people are concerned with what the gift they have received is wrapped in.  They are much more eager to tear through the paper to see what’s inside.   So, instead of wasting money and paper with store bought wrapping paper; why not recycle old newspapers or grocery bags?

Energy bills during the holiday season are generally much higher than the rest of the year.  This is because of the increased use of heat and lights.  Switching off Christmas lights when you go to bed is not only an energy saver but also prevents any risk of fire.

You can even decorate with burned out light bulbs.  GreenCupboards.com would like to show you how you can recycle your old bulbs into hanging flower vases: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrGreencupboards#p/u/84/tK9zkFbBzmA

What will you do with all of the family Christmas cards you receive?  If you don’t have room on the fridge to hang them all, and you don’t want to throw them away, you could make a Christmas card wreath.   GreenCupboards.com can show you: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrGreencupboards#p/u/85/r1QsVXlzADc

If you have some spare socks, string, rice, and a little creativity you could be well on your way to making a holiday craft favorite, sock snowmen.  Check out this GreenCupboards.com video to learn how: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrGreencupboards#p/u/88/T1NVrj1fU9E

GreenCupboards.com thoroughly enjoys the holiday season and invites you to get involved with our festivities.  Starting this Thursday, December 1^st, we will be giving away gifts to celebrate the season.   Keep an eye on GreenCupboards.com on Facebook to learn more.

We hope you have a very green Christmas!

GreenCupboards.com offers a wide variety of products ranging from dreadlock starter kits to electric bikes and wind turbines. Here is a top ten list of GreenCupboards more unusual items:

1: Dreadlock Starter Kit: http://www.greencupboards.com/knotty-boy-dreadlock-starter-kit-dark-misc.html

Getting bored of the “normal” hairdo? Why not try dreads? The Dreadlock starter kit includes everything you will need to get your dreads started: wax, soap, comb and brochure.

2: Robomow: http://www.greencupboards.com/robomow-rl-2000-robomow.html

Tired of mowing your lawn? Why not have a robot do it for you? Robomow will mow your lawn for you so you can sit back and relax with a lemonade. Robomow can mow lawns up to 17,200 square feet and the mulch produced is a great fertilizer.

3: Obama Air Force 1: http://www.greencupboards.com/holgate-toys-air-force-one-obama.html

A soon to be collectors item this wood Air Force One celebrates the inauguration of the 44^th President of the United States. This wood airplane is complete with a silkscreened image of our president on the tail.

4: Miniature Ecosystem: http://www.greencupboards.com/brands/blue-iq/blueiq-miniature-ecosystem-pack-of-15-30486.html

Want a fancy new addition to your home office or possibly dorm room? The GreenCupboards.com ecosystem may be just what you need. The ecosystem is not only aesthetically pleasing but also educational as you can see on a small scale how real life ecosystems work. This miniature ecosystem includes shrimp, snails, plants and substrate.

5: Electric Bike: http://www.greencupboards.com/brands/currie-technologies/currie-tech-women-s-trailz-electric-bike-red.html

Need a little help up the hill? Try using an electric bike. These bikes have motors, which can give you a little boost when you need it, but leave you with the option to turn it off when you don’t.

6: Sun Oven: http://www.greencupboards.com/sun-oven-global-sun-oven.html

The sun is the most enjoyable of all the known renewable cooking fuels. It rises every morning and is free. Sun Ovens enable the sun to bake, boil and steam a wide variety of food while enhancing the taste and benefiting the environment.

7: Pool Cleaner: http://www.greencupboards.com/floatron-natural-pool-cleaner-algae-free-no-chemicals-toy.html

Have do you have a pool in sunlight? If yes, then you might be interested in using the Floatron a solar powered pool cleaner. Floatron can clean a pool of up to 40,000 gallons and it does it without chemicals. Floatron cleans your pool using mineral ions.

8: Sea Scooter: http://www.greencupboards.com/x-treme-scooters-x-160-dual-speed-electric-sea-scooter.html

There is no need to swim with the Sea Scooter, just grab on and hold tight. The Sea Scooter can dive down 100 feet. Sea Scooter is the only underwater scooter with an all metal gearing system so it is built to last.

9: Wind Turbine: http://www.greencupboards.com/brands/sunforce/sunforce-whisper-100-900-watts.html

Interested in harnessing your own power? How about a wind turbine? Carbon fiber blades allow for a low noise-generating machine.

10: Salt Water Fuel Cell Car: http://www.greencupboards.com/toys-games/elenco-salt-water-fuel-cell-car.html

Just for fun, the Salt Water Fuel Cell Car is powered by nothing other than saltwater. A great toy for kids learning about alternative energy sources. This car can drive for over 5 hours without needing to refuel.

Christmas tree in Spokane, 1920's

The day after Halloween is always a time of excitement for me.  Although many advertisements have already started, I always think of the night of Halloween as the official beginning of the holiday season.  I was riding my bike to work this morning and I realized leaves, just recently tinted with a crayon box yellow and red hue, are already covering the ground.  The cold crisp wind is here to stay and snow will soon be blanketing our bare sidewalks.   Some friends are making plans to go home for Thanksgiving, and the more eccentric ones are already fretting about Christmas presents.  As fall turns to winter it’s easy to get mucked down in nostalgia for warmer days.

What better way to keep thoughts of warm days at bay than to consider the exciting things this holiday season has in store for us?

In the spirit of the holidays, this morning I spoke with members of the GreenCupboards.com staff and asked them to share what they were most excited for during the holiday season.

1. Friends and Family came in as the most popular answer.  People are excited to go home and spend time with family members during the holiday season.  Some favorite family past times include watching “It’s a Wonderful Life”, caroling, going to new movies, and seeing children open presents.
2. Snow! GreenCupboards.com staff is willing to fight through poor driving (and biking) conditions to get to work if it means they’ll be having a white Christmas!
3. Food was the most popular answer for men in the office.  Thanksgiving dinner, pies and croissants all came up in holiday discussion.   To many people, going home means the comfort of a warm meals and familiar favorite dishes.
4. Winter sports ranked high among both men and women.  The most anticipated sport in the office is skiing and sledding, but many people are looking forward to indoor rock climbing, dancing classes, indoor cycling, and Zumba.  Even more exciting is the upcoming college basketball season (Go Zags!) and Bowl season.
5. Christmas Decorations mean the holidays are approaching in Spokane.  Lights on the Monroe Street Bridge, Christmas trees in the living room, nativity scenes, and Santa Claus’ workshop in the mall are all highly anticipated holiday scenes.  In the spirit of the holidays we’re looking forward to the red, green, and white lights speckling local neighborhoods and Christmas music blasting on the radio.  The lights in the Manito Park Greenhouse have been mentioned as a Spokane must see!
6. The time change is fast approaching.  Sunday, November 6^th at 2 AM we’ll be setting the clocks back an hour.  This means an extra hour of sleep and an annual symbol of the approaching holiday season.
7. With the prospect of upcoming holidays many assured me that New Years Eve would not be forgotten this year.  A final party to celebrate the year that passed and to welcome the year to come, New Year’s Eve is a time to snuggle up with a loved one or enjoy time with friends.
8. Black Friday! Most popular among women in the office, Black Friday  marks the annual last minute shopping spree.  Deals, decorations, warm drinks, and quality time with Mom are just a few of the good things that come with a hectic day of shopping.  According to some, “It means Christmas season is really here”.

Need more reasons to be excited for the next few months to come?  Ask your friends, family, and co-workers which of these holiday events they’re most excited about.  On this 1st of November, GreenCupboards.com says it’s never too early for holiday cheer!

Sources:

http://greencupboards.com/

Images:

http://www.betterbudgeting.com/frugalcrafts/preservingleaves.htm

http://m.spokesman.com/galleries/2010/nov/24/historical-holiday-photos/