House Guests?

LIVE IT UP News!                                                                               October, 2005

1. 6 Tips for Terrific Houseguests

2. Recipe: Apricot Coconut Balls

Hi there!

Time just keeps flying by and I’m having fun! Master the Tabby has grown into a gorgeous musclebound animal, cute, quirky and smart as! (I know, I’m sounding like a proud mother!)

Remember that just the thought of Christmas can increase stress levels, so if you need some help over this time, I am available. Sometimes, it’s good just to have someone to let off steam with!

Otherwise, fill these days with a staggered approach to Christmas shopping (a little bit every week makes life so much easier!), joy and happiness.

Cheers, Narelle

1. 6 Tips for Terrific Houseguests

Christmas is coming again – and so are the holidays. That can mean that you may have guests staying with you, or you may be staying with others.  Either way, here are some great tips to make the stay pleasant, easy and the holiday it’s meant to be!

1. Make sure there’s enough “Me” time – everybody needs to just have time when it’s not about “going somewhere” or “doing something”.

2. Give a little gift – start the stay with a friendly “glow” – it’ll help everybody feel relaxed & wanted.

3. Have some tasks that can be done by people who offer to help – it’s easier if you have already thought about what they can “help” with.

4. Make a meal plan – this makes it easy to shop, prepare and cook. And, let others into the kitchen if they volunteer, or just ask them to cook a meal while there if they don’t. That way, everyone gets a chance to relax.

5. Provide enough space for unpacking – nobody likes to have a mess when they stay, but sometimes there’s just not enough room.

6. If required, get some extra keys cut – there’s nothing worse than being locked out of the place you’re staying!

If we take the time to think about how we can make the stay easier for everybody, then we can make it a holiday to remember (rather than one to forget!).

And it’s better to plan for it now, than in the middle of the stay when everybody’s tolerance is stretched, isn’t it?

Summer is the time to shed that excess Flab!

Want easy and inexpensive weight loss ideas? Then stop reading this and run to the front door, put on your joggers and go for a brisk walk up the street. Every time you reach an intersection, do step up, step down, 10 times for each leg and then grab a fence rail and stretch those legs back!

Now, swing your arms vigorously as you walk, making sure they swing alternately to the rising leg. Once you’ve walked for five minutes, do a little light running for just a minute, then slow it down to a walk for a minute, then speed it up again for a minute.

You’ll build stamina by doing this, plus improve circulation and lymphatic drainage. Walk briskly for another five minutes, then turn around and wander home, enjoying the wonderful freedom we live in.

2. Recipe: Apricot Coconut Balls

1.5 cups finely diced or ground dried apricots
½ cup finely chopped pecan nuts
2 cups coconut
1 can condensed milk
Mix ingredients thoroughly, then take small quantity and roll into golf balls. Can dip in melted chocolate or extra coconut.  Serve with other Christmas treats and store in refrigerator. Yum!

Caramel Date BITES

1 pkt seeded dates
2 sheets puff pastry
1 can Caramel (Nestles)

Cut the sheets of pastry into small squares just big enough to wrap one date in, and put onto lightly greased baking sheet..

Bake in oven at 220o (or as recommended for puff pastry) until golden brown – approximately 15 minutes.  Remove from oven, cool a little and serve with a dollop of caramel straight from the can, and a dollop of whipped cream.
Quick, easy and Delicious!