Cookies, cakes, and pies, oh my! The holiday season is brimming with sweet treats of all kinds. Sometimes it can feel like candy and sugary desserts are around every corner, and yet you still want to indulge. However, when you consider that over 50 percent of Americans are insulin-resistant, prediabetic, or diabetic, that piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream starts to look more dangerous than appetizing. During the holidays, how can you satisfy your sweet tooth without worrying about consuming excessive sugar and calories? Skip the candy and go for the fruits and nuts. Keeping a bowl of fruit and nuts nearby can help keep sugar cravings at bay. Dried fruits, such as cranberries, pineapple, or apricots, are both sweet and nutritious. Just be sure to check the packaging for added sugars. You can even make your own dried fruit with a food dehydrator. This way, you are completely in control of the ingredients. No matter what you do, just be mindful not to overindulge. Dried fruit is high in sugar and calories, but the fiber and vitamins make fruit much healthier than just about any other sugary treat. SURVIVING THE SEASON OF SWEETS How to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth With Less Sugar
Another way to cut down on your sugar intake is to use dark chocolate in all your chocolate-based treats. Dark chocolate has about half as much sugar as milk chocolate, twice as much healthy fat, less cholesterol, 4–5 times more iron, twice as much potassium, fewer carbs, and more flavonoids and theobromine. The antioxidant properties of the theobromine and flavonoids make dark chocolate as good for your heart as it is for your soul. If you have a recipe that calls for chocolate, reach for the dark stuff, whether it’s dark chocolate chips, cocoa powder, or baking chocolate. While it may seem as though everyone and their grandma is overindulging in sugar this season, know that you have the choice to opt for healthier sweets. And come New Year’s, you won’t have to spend the first fewmonths of 2019 working off that extra cookie weight.
WHAT’S BETTER THAN A GREAT FISHING SEASON? Fishing All Year-Round!
In 2001, famous country singer and songwriter, Brad Paisley released, “I’m Gonna Miss Her,” a song about a man whose wife gives him an ultimatum. He has to choose — it’s either his wife or fishing. Given the title of the song, you can guess which option won out. When it comes to national hobbies, fishing has withstood the test of time. While the vast majority of casual fishermen only enjoy the sport when the weather cooperates, one of the most fun wintertime experiences is ice fishing. Contrary to popular opinion, you actually don’t need a lot of equipment to get started. After you apply for a fishing license within your province, you’re going to need an auger, which is your key to getting through the ice to the fish below. Augers
come in a number of different sizes, and although power augers are more efficient for drilling several holes, an inexpensive hand auger in the 6–8-inch range is sufficient to get started. Later, when you’re choosing a rod-and-reel combo for ice fishing, a simple setup with a stiff rod and an eight-pound fishing line will cover the bases for lake trout, walleye, perch, and plenty of other species. Once you’ve sorted out your equipment, add an ice scooper, minnows, rod holders, and a bucket to your list. Also, don’t forget a portable barbecue, food, and drinks for a top-notch experience! Once you have all your gear, make sure the ice is at least 4 inches thick before you go out. To find out if the ice is safe or not, you can check with your local tackle shop
or check to see if other people are already on the ice. For safety’s sake, make sure you auger a hole as soon as you get on the ice, just to double check its thickness. If you are looking to try your hand at something new this winter, ice fishing is a great option. And despite Brad Paisley’s advice, it makes for great experience for the whole family.
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