How to Eat During the Holidays WITHOUT SACRIFICING YOUR FAVORITE FOODS OR YOUR WAISTLINE
DON’T GO HUNGRY To ensure that you don’t overeat at a party or buy junk food that you don’t need when shopping, eat a healthy snack before going out. Before you head out to a party, eat a snack chock-full of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and unsaturated fats. Apple slices with peanut butter work, as well as lean meats and cheeses. If you’re headed to the grocery store, eating a filling snack before you go will make you less likely to impulsively scoop up those sugary cookies and pastries in the bakery. DRINK RESPONSIBLY (AND JUDICIOUSLY) If you drink alcohol, keep in mind that each drink will probably be somewhere between 150–225 calories. A glass of eggnog can have as many as 500 calories. Alcohol decreases your self-control when you’re eating, while also increasing your appetite. Make sure that if you’re drinking, you’re not doing so on an empty stomach. And to decrease the number of high-calorie drinks that you consume, drink a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages. The holidays are a minefield for any healthy diet. But with the right tools, you can ensure that by Jan. 2, your waistline won’t be worse for wear.
Have you ever stood on a scale at the end of the holiday season and wondered how the extra pounds crept on? It’s no secret that a sugar cookie here, a slice of pie there, and a few glasses of eggnog in between can lead to a few pounds gained. When you’re surrounded by Christmas goodies, how can you resist? Luckily, there are a few ways you can protect your waistline this holiday season without completely cutting out your favorite treats. BE CHOOSY When you see a regular buffet of your favorite holiday treats, don’t immediately start scarfing down everything that looks remotely tasty and sweet. First, scope out the food — without a plate — so you won’t be tempted to start eating without really looking. Then, find the treats that are your absolute favorites and choose one or two of them to eat. You don’t have to give up sweets during the holidays; instead, eat with discretion.
Individuals and families often rely on wills to define the future of an estate. While the will is an important estate planning tool that works well, in some instances, it might not be the right fit for your situation, as it can lack certain protections. A trust, on the other hand, can be set up to include specific protections for you, your family, and your legacy. A will, for example, can define who receives what in terms of your assets, but a trust gives you the power to define how and when those assets are given to whomever you wish. This can be crucial if any of your beneficiaries are minors or you want adult beneficiaries to obtain your assets or money over a longer period of time rather than all at once (which can be complicated if you are not confident your beneficiaries can manage money). Trusts are also great tools to help you manage your assets in your lifetime, during which you remain the trustee of your trust. As the trustee, you can manage property, assets, money, or anything else you have Why Trusts Are So Important
listed in your trust. During this time, any trust created and funded during your life is a “living” or “revocable” trust.
In the event you are incapacitated — and your trust
includes an incapacity clause, which defines who manages your affairs in this instance — the trust will ensure your needs are met. Your estate and finances will be managed for your benefit. Upon your death, the trust becomes “irrevocable.” At that point, your assets are managed and distributed by your designated trustee. They are legally required to follow the instructions laid out in the trust. The bottom line is that trusts provide an additional layer of comfort. You and your family know a plan is in place for the management of family assets. Trusts also protect family members, such as minors, who may not have the tools or know-how to deal with financial matters. Trusts can also be set up to ensure funds are available to specific beneficiaries for their education or health care. It’s all about setting up your legacy for success.
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