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Most of us are really emotionally charged for any holiday. After all, a holiday and time off or time spent with family and friends, is something to look forward to. We spend weeks and sometimes months getting ready for the event, only to have it last a short time and disappear abruptly. As a result, about 25% of s will suffer such a letdown, that depression will set in within a few days or even a week later. Here are a few suggestions to help you deal with post-holiday blues:

When you first feel the blues coming on, sit quietly for 20 to 30 minutes and think of all the good things that happened during the season. Write down a next years resolution list to help make sure those good things happen again. Remember all the things you did receive and don’t dwell on what you didn’t receive. Start next year’s gift list now. That will allow you to buy a few after Christmas bargains.

Make a call list and personally phone each person who gave you a gift. Thank them for the present and offer to help in some special way. Bake an “after New Year’s” cake or buy a special “It’s winter” food and give it to friends or family as a treat, sort of like the Kings cake at Mardi Gras.

Try to set up a “help the needy” winter fund and give assistance in January and February to those you helped during Christmas. Being needy is not limited to Christmas, yet that’s when we tend to think about helping others the most.

“Re-gift a present” you received to a needy person. It’s ok to give away presents you do not need. I don’t think it’s ok to sell them, but giving them to someone who can use them in January seems an ok thing to do.

Send out Happy New Year or “Have a great winter” cards to the very same persons you sent Christmas cards. Design your own “hope it snows” card. Start a birthday card list of friends and relatives and go ahead and prepare your cards for the next three months. Have them ready to mail and put them on the fridge.

Call an old friend. Pick one you haven’t spoken to in a long time and get acquainted again. Once you start talking, you’ll find you still have a lot more in common than you think.

Start having family meetings twice a month to discuss the good and the bad. Having everyone’s input will help take some of the stress of life off of you. Organize a contest at work for the best or worst piece of clothing received at Christmas and if worn to work, offer a prize.

Have a “hat party”. Everyone has to wear a hat to attend. Have a best hat and craziest hat award. Everyone will have more fun than you can imagine. Start planning your next vacation and send for all the information available. It pays to plan even for a weekend get away, as that gives you control over time will spent and helps make the trop much more enjoyable.

Rededicate you life or your family at church. Nothing makes us feel better than to have all those burdens lifted off of our shoulders. Set goals for what church work you and your family can do for the year.

Teach yourself a new way to pray. It doesn’t matter how old you are, most persons were never taught how to pray. Children were usually just taught “program prayers” and not how to pray form the heart. Most of us forget that prayer can be done at any time and for any reason. So, offer a prayer in thanks for all the good things you received and those who gave them. Have a Sunday school class party for “backsliders”. Invite all of your class, including those who have been missing more than a few Sundays. Schedule this at a convenient time during the week, so everyone can come or at least drop-in. You may also wish to invite prospective new members.

These are just a few ways to keep the blues away. The methods can be expanded and modified as you wish. And yes, I’m sure you can think of many others, now that I’ve gotten you started.

Have a great year!

Dr. Frank

Copyright Frank Barnhill 2003
Comments: drfrank@drhuggiebear.com

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"The Poor Man's Meat Can Lower Your Cholesterol"

You've learned about avocados and almonds, now you can eat the "Poor Man's Meat" and lower your cholesterol in just three weeks.

Eat lots of beans, lentils, and peas. These foods are rich in protein and complex carbohydrates. They are also low in fat, sodium and they have no cholesterol.

If you don't want to spend endless hours, soaking and cooking beans, then use split peas or lentils. They don't need to be soaked and they cook in a fraction of the time that other dried beans demand.

Split peas can be used for more than just soup. They make a great no-guilt dip. Cook yellow split peas until well done, then place them in a bowl overnight. Spoon this mixture into a food processor and add one teaspoon of olive oil, and one tablespoon of lemon juice. Process until smooth, and creamy. Place in a bowl and add 1/2 cup of diced onions and one more teaspoon of olive oil. Your guests and family will love this dip served with raw vegetables.

Following is a recipe for Split Pea Soup by Susan Kemp, author of "Cooking for the Empty Nest":

Here are the ingredients you will need:

1 - Ham or Lamb shank pre-cooked or left over bones of either one
1 - Large bag of split peas
2 - Large carrots peeled and sliced thin
2 - Celery stalks sliced thin
1 - Red skinned potato with skin on diced
1 - Medium onion peeled and diced
3 - Dried Bay leaves

A touch of fresh dill, especially baby dill, adds a wonderful flavor but is optional. I also like to add sautéed fresh mushrooms but again optional. Salt and pepper to taste.

In a large pot rinse split peas well, no need to soak. Add the above ingredients and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Leave cover slightly ajar on the pot. Simmer for two hours stirring occasionally. If soup appears too thick add more water. When the soup is done remove bones and bay leaves and enjoy.

This soup is really quite simple to make and truly delicious. Try it as a first course or main entree when company comes for dinner.

These health tips can only be found in Dr.Osgoodby's Body Transformations Newsletter. Join me next month and we'll talk about ways to get a good night's sleep. .

Live in Passion and Good Health,
James Groves

Smart Food

Choosing the right foods can actually boost your brain power, keep you on task, and help you think more clearly.

Although fish is considered brain food, I am reluctant to recommend eating fish daily because of mercury contamination. I do, however, recommend fish oil or cod liver oil. A high quality supplement provides omega-3 fats and DHA which are essential to improve brain function and also support a healthy heart.

Additionally, organic, raw vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables, contain high levels of antioxidants, phytochemicals, and folic acid which have been shown to decrease risk of Alzehimer's disease.

Raw eggs, although not appetizing, are a tremendous source of nutrients that support brain function. You may find uncooked eggs are more digestible when mixed with fresh vegetable juice, taking care to keep the yolk whole when mixing.

For a great-tasting treat, blueberries are the most delicious source of brain food. They are packed with antioxidants that support brain function, and boost your immune system.

Finally, I suggest you avoid sugar and alcoholic beverages that emphatically reduce alertness.

Visit http://keith.freelife.com/

You will find this "StressTip Message" helpful to stay focused and on purpose. You can put this message to work by reading it often throughout the day.

Celebrate and trust yourself. You find opportunities to live your passion and vision when you change your passion and vision into reality. The truth is within you.

~ Need help with this? Contact The Baum Group at: mailto:TheBaumGroup@YourStressMatters.com

If you need to lose weight, you must be in caloric deficit. This can be accomplished by cutting down your caloric intake, or increasing the amount of calories you burn by exercising. I recommend both. Even though a calorie is a calorie when it comes to weight loss, a calorie is not a calorie when it comes to your health. Make sure your daily diet includes several servings of fruit and vegetables and whenever possible, avoid foods that contain trans fat.

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