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Showing posts from December, 2023

Is Counting Calories a Good Way to Lose Weight?

Is Counting Calories  a Good Way to Lose Weight? While losing weight is not quite as simple as burning more calories than you consume, counting calories can be a good way to lose weight.  In my post about following a healthy eating plan , I state that counting calories can lead to disordered eating. The truth is lots of things can lead to disordered eating. Counting calories can be a good weight loss strategy if done right.  What is a Calorie? Check out this  Eatingwell article  to learn about calories and how many you need to consume per day. The daily calorie count is generally based on age and gender, but can vary based on different circumstances - if you're pregnant, for example.  A calorie deficit is just one component of weight loss. If you restrict calories too much, your body can switch into famine mode. Your metabolism will slow down if your body thinks food is scarce, which would be counterproductive to your weight loss journey. Counting Calories ...

Holiday Homesick

Holiday Homesick Not everyone can be home for the holidays. If you're far from familiar people and places, the holiday season can be tough. Know that you're not alone.  Perhaps you associate the holiday season with spending quality time with loved ones. Maybe you made pasta, baked cookies, picked out a Christmas tree or went to see light displays.  The holiday season can also be tough if it left much to be desired growing up, or you're grieving. So what should you do if you're experiencing holiday homesickness? ***This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from clicks and qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! Give Yourself Grace Feeling homesick during the holidays is normal. The holiday season can be a stressful time filled with busyness and expectations. It doesn't have to be. Don't consider yourself a grinch or scrooge if you're just not feeling it. Do all the things if it makes you happy. Do nothing if it...

7 Ways to Save Money on Christmas Gifts

7 Ways to Save Money on Christmas Gifts Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can cost you. Americans planned to spend an average of $823 on Christmas gifts in 2022 according to a  NerdWallet  survey.  This amounts to a staggering total of $178 billion in gift spending. What's concerning is that one third of gifts in 2021 were charged to credit cards, the balances of which are not yet paid off ( NerdWallet ).  The average credit card interest rate in America is over 24% according to  lendingtree . Those Christmas gifts will cost a lot more than what's on the price tag if you can't afford to buy them outright, or to pay off your credit card balances in full when the transactions post. You can do Christmas without going into debt. Let's look at some ways to save money on Christmas gifts.  ***This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from clicks and qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for you...

Popular posts from this blog

Screening colonoscopy prep and procedure: a firsthand account

Content warning: mentions cancer and death If I had a dollar for every time a patient came into my office and said they “want to be checked for cancer,” well…I probably wouldn’t be writing this blog post! There is no single universal test for cancer, but common things happen commonly. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined ( cancer.org ). Screening for colorectal cancer should be on your list to be “checked for cancer.”  For those at average risk, screening for colorectal cancer should begin at age 45 ( cdc.gov ). If you want to know more about colorectal cancer incidence, risk factors and screening methods, then check out last week's blog post  here . I am at increased risk for colorectal cancer, because my father died from complications of colon cancer when he was only 45. So though I’m only in my thirties, I’ve already had my first screening colonoscopy, which is the gold standard screening method for individuals a...

Looking to save money? 4 High Yield Savings Accounts you should check out!

Looking to save money? 4 High Yield Savings Accounts you should check out!  Let’s talk high yield savings accounts (HYSAs). Gone are the days of having “mattress money.” Or at least they should be. Why? Because you should not be keeping your emergency fund under your bed! Wouldn’t it be better to put your money where it could make you MORE money while you sleep instead?   If you have an emergency fund, you are already ahead of the game. Check out this article  that states only 44% of Americans can cover a $1,000 emergency expense from their savings. An emergency or rainy day fund is just what it sounds like: money set aside for unforeseen costly circumstances. Think car or home repairs, medical emergencies, pet injuries - you get the picture. These things can happen to anyone, so we should all prepare for them. You’ll find that the more prepared you are, the less emergencies you will experience! So what should you do? First, aim to have $1,000 set aside. Ideally, you will...

What Do Different Colored Pumpkins Mean on Halloween?

What Do Different Colored Pumpkins Mean on Halloween? From pillowcases to pumpkin pails, kids carry all kinds of candy receptacles to trick-or-treat. While much thought might not go into using a grocery bag, the use of different colored pumpkins for trick or treat could be intentional.  Just as trick-or-treaters can send a signal with what they carry to collect candy, people passing out treats can do the same with their Halloween decor. Whether you collect or pass out treats, arm yourself with the knowledge of what different colored pumpkins mean on Halloween to prepare for all sorts of trick-or-treaters. **This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from clicks and qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! Teal Pumpkins  Teal pumpkins represent food allergies. Your child with a food allergy can carry a  teal pumpkin trick or treat bucket .  Decorate your porch with a  teal pumpkin  to provide a more inclusive tr...