Holiday tips come and go, but these are worth noting. The American Heart Association has practical and fun ways to eat right, fit in exercise and entertain the kids this holiday season.
Expand your holiday dessert repertoire beyond fruitcake. Impress your friends and co-workers with great-tasting, low-fat desserts from American Heart Association Low-fat and Luscious Desserts.
Be your kids' MVP. Football is not only for professionals. Organize a game of touch football for your kids and their neighborhood buddies. Get fun tips and tricks for kid-friendly food and exercise from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
Don't go to a party empty-handed. Colorful, tasty appetizers always get you in the door. The Choose To Move program offers delicious recipes and fun tips to make good nutrition a part of your life.
Beware of the holiday tower of treats. Grocery store displays can distract you from your healthy food focus. Before you head to the store, use the free, online grocery list builder to create a heart-healthy shopping list filled with products bearing the red and white heart-check mark -- and stick to it!
It's a wonderful life. Learn how to save it. This year's gift for the entire family is Family and Friends CPR Anytime. Give your loved ones knowledge to save a life. The instructional kit comes with a manikin and instructional DVD, and a session takes less than 30 minutes!
Avoid the holiday crowds. Shop online in the comfort of your home. ShopGoRed.com and ShopPower.com offer unique gifts your family and friends will love. Part of the proceeds help Americans fight heart disease and stroke.
Throw out fad diets with the holiday leftovers. Don't get caught up in fad diets that promise a quick fix. Get the American Heart Association No Fad Diet: A Personal Plan For Healthy Weight Loss book from the American Heart Association and create a personalized plan to lose weight in a healthful way.
Impress your mother-in-law. Give her a zesty spin on a traditional meal. Replace the fat with creative flavors from the guilt-free meals in Go Red For Women's Love Your Heart.
Don't dodge the doctor this season. Heart-related and other deaths peak during Christmas and New Year's -- partly because people delay seeking medical treatment. Learn the heart attack and stroke warning signs today.
Give thanks to the caregivers in your family. Every family has them -- those who care for a chronically ill spouse, parent or other family member. Show them you care this holiday season and tell them about the American Heart Association's Caregiver Web site designed just for them.
Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to reducing disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. These diseases, America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, claim more than 910,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2004-05 the association invested over $473 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives.
To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit:
http://www.americanheart.org/holiday
SOURCE American Heart Association