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Dr. Judith C. Milstead ary

Face 2 Face is Lake ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery’s Wellness Division. It’s primary goal is to focus on a “healthier you.” It offers a wide array of services, including nutrition, weight management, skin care, massage, spa services, etc. Various seminars and screening programs will be offered to promote wellness. Visit Face2FaceFL.com for further details and a calendar of events.Dr. Dino Madonna

Learn more about sinus conditions and the Balloon Sinuplasty procedure at our dedicated website www.LakeSinusRelief.com

I have a neck mass. Do I need to have it checked out?Scan

There are several causes for neck masses. Let’s start with the ones that appear on the sides. There are two salivary glands, which can swell quickly and cause a neck mass. One is the parotid gland, which appears first behind the ear lobe. This can be painful if the area swells quickly enough. You can become quite ill if you quit drinking fluids due to the painful swelling. The same is true of the submandibular gland, which first presents as a mass just underneath the jaw. It can also be the cause of systemic toxicity should the gland become infected. Antibiotics can treat this situation. Should a fever result, IV fluids and antibiotics may be required for treatment. Any neck mass that causes redness of the skin along with painful swelling and fever will need to be closely looked at due to the fact an abscess can form.code

The in-laws hate your cooking, and the children’s Christmas lists are an extra two pages longer this year. A raise at your job — forget it! But that doesn’t stop the price of Barbie from increasing every year. Your spouse refuses to help shop, leaving you to brave the savagery of holiday crowds alone. And don’t forget you reluctantly agreed to host Thanksgiving dinner at your house this year for the entire family — all 20 of them.

As great as the holiday season can be, it can also be nervewrecking, costly, and physically exhausting (not to mention fattening). With all the whining about the cranberry sauce being too runny, the kids being ungrateful, and not being able to button our favorite jeans, it may be hard to keep a healthy perspective during the holidays.

Health. Family. Life. Love. These are the things that we should focus on as the year comes to a close. If you dig deeper, just beyond the surface of frilly cornucopias, frosted Christmas tree cookies, and mall Santas, you will find the true reason for the season.

So between the empty calories and family arguments, here’s how to healthfully ride out the holidays while keeping your body, mind, spirit, and wallet intact.

FIGHTING TEMPTATION: TIPS TO AVOID HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN

feel out of place without a drink in your hand. Your waistline (and liver) will thank you.

Put The Spatula Down

It’s natural to want to taste your food as you cook to make sure the flavors are correct, but too much tasting sneaks additional calories into your diet. Limit yourself to only two small bites of each item pre- and post-seasoning.

Burn It Off

After a big, satisfying meal, people tend to move from the table to the couch. Eliminate couch time by going for a family walk instead. Not only will it help you burn some extra calories, it will also get the family mixing and mingling so it won’t feel like exercise.

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SOURCE: WebMD.com

The smell of Grandma’s special stuffing and freshly baked pumpkin pie is enough to make even the most strong-willed person weak in the knees. However, willpower is the name of the game if you want to avoid gaining weight during the holidays. To keep those extra pounds at bay, these five easy tips will help you strike back against overindulgence.

Eat Before You Meet

Instead of starving all day to save room for tons of turkey, mashed potatoes, and candied yams, plan ahead and have a nutritious snack before heading over to the in-laws for Thanksgiving dinner. This should help prevent overeating. If you are still hungry when you arrive, fill up on water before chow time in order to feel full faster without any of the guilt.

Pace Yourself

Don’t stuff your face as soon as you arrive to the party. If you try to cram, you will chew faster. Chewing more slowly will actually help fill you up with significantly less food. Munch leisurely, having hors d’oeuvres here and there in between conversation. Before you know it, you will feel satisfied, not stuffed.

Lay Off The Alcohol

Shopping Shrewdness

Get in and out the store without blowing your budget (or sanity) by recognizing these sneaky strategies retailers use to get you to spend, spend, spend.

TRICK #1:

Especially during the holiday season, retailers make sure to place the pricier items at eye level and in prime display locations to entice you to stop, look, and buy.

DODGE IT: Enter every store with a game plan. Make a list of what you need and stick to it. Also, peruse the bottom shelves and the back of the store where all the good, inexpensive goods hide.

control o

As much as you may want to have that extra beer or cocktail during dinner, it’s best to refrain. Not only does alcohol add unnecessary calories to your meal, it may affect your ability to have control over what you eat, as well. Opt for water or club soda if you mother said she absolutely wanted; however, the salesperson purchasing the shoes will send your mom over the moon with dent in your gift choice; after all, it’s the thought of the gift that counts, not how much you spend. There’s nothing wrong with saying no, so give the salesperson a polite “thanks, but no thanks” and

TRICK #3: You’re perusing your favorite grocery store when you notice all the Buy One, Get One Free (BOGO) sales that you just can’t pass up. Though you are keeping your grocery budget in mind, you’re buying one and getting the other free so you’re not spending extra money, right?

DODGE IT: BOGO sales are typically used to lure customers into buying not only the advertised sale price items but also more than you need. In addition, prices are often raised on the items before they are placed on sale, resulting in lower savings than you think. So next time you feel yourself being enticed by a BOGO sale, stick to your budget so you won’t spend money on food you don’t even need.

FIVE GREAT GIFTS UNDER $15

HANDYMAN IN-YOUR-POCKET ($12.95, www. restorationhardware.com)

If your husband is a do-it-yourselfer (or likes to think he’s one), he needs this book under the Christmas tree. Every conceivable fix-it fact from the pros is condensed into this 768-page paperback delight. It also is a handy reference for the woman who likes to take on her own do-it-yourself projects.

LAND’S END KNIT SWEATER DRINK COZIES ($9.50, www.landsend.com)

These organic wool cozies are perfect to give to anyone who really gets into the holiday spirit. You can choose from a white Westie or festive Christmas tree design.

SERENITY INCENSE BOX SET ($10, www.tenthousandvillages.com)

Handmade in India, this aromatic incense set comes in a blue box with a variety of incense sticks and incense holders. Almond, jasmine, peppermint, rose, coconut, lavender, and sandalwood scents will set the right atmosphere in any room.

CUSTOMIZED ROUND ORNAMENT ($12.96, www.zazzle.com)

To share family memories, add a favorite photo, image, and personal message to both sides of this personalized ceramic keepsake ornament.

CROCK-POT® SLOW COOKER ($11.99, www.target.com)

For the person in your life who isn’t the best chef in the world or is too busy to cook, this handy dandy slow cooker may be a godsend. The lucky recipient will be able to prepare a variety of meals.

Tools To Prevent Holiday Depression

1. Don’t do too much: Taking on too many responsibilities and making too many commitments can diminish your holiday spirits. It’s okay to say “no” and delegate tasks, if possible.

2. Socialize: If you’re feeling lonely, find a church or community center where you can be around other people.

3. Allow yourself to mourn: If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones, realize it’s normal to feel grief. Take time to express your feelings. Don’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holidays.

4. Be realistic: Not everything is going to be picture-perfect. Remember that everything doesn’t always go as planned and don’t worry about things that are out of your control.

5. Learn to forgive: Try to accept family members and friends for who they are, even if they don’t live up to your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion.

6. Plan ahead: Set aside specifi visiting friends, and other activities. If you are throwing a party, devise a menu, make a shopping list, and have a plan of attack for cleanup.

7. Seek professional help: If you feel continually sad, irritable, and hopeless, as well as overwhelmed by physical ailments and unable to sleep or face everyday chores, you may need to talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

SOURCE: MayoClinic.com

COUNTDOWN ‘TIL CHRISTMAS CHECKLIST

With only seven whole weeks left until Christmas, Healthy Living is going to help you feel less stressed by getting you organized.

During The Month Of November

• Make a gift list — and check it twice. Don’t forget to gather all the children’s Christmas lists to help you get started.

• Set your budget and start shopping. Purchase smaller items right away while big-ticket items may be better suited for Black Friday or Cyber Monday when deals are plentiful.

• Wrap as you go. To avoid last-minute gift wrapping, wrap gifts as you buy them.

• Check decorations inventory. Make sure all the lights work and the ornaments aren’t in pieces. List everything you will need for this year’s decorating theme. If you need to replace anything or update your decorations, do it now.

The First Half Of December

• Mail Christmas cards and out-of-town presents. Now that they are addressed, stamped, and licked shut, mail them off so the U.S. Postal Service can do its job.

Holidays From The Heart

A great way to grasp the big picture of the season is helping those less fortunate. Shake off the holiday blues and give the gift of giving yearlong by participating in the following volunteer opportunities:

Deliver The Difference, a nonprofit organization that feeds hungry children locally and throughout the world, needs volunteers to help package dry meals, pick up food, sort food, deliver Kidspack weekend backpacks, assist in the office, and provide heating/air conditioning maintenance. CONTACT: 352.343.6700.

The Educational Foundation of Lake County is always in need of mentors for it’s Take Stock in Children program. Take Stock in Children of Lake & Sumter Counties identifies financially at-risk students in the eighth grade, provides them with a mentor and an advocate, and then rewards them at high school graduation with a college tuition scholarship. CONTACT: 352.787.6576.

Build homes with Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter. While individuals can work on a construction project, businesses, organizations, and churches can also bring groups of volunteers to a construction site for team building in a meaningful and rewarding environment. CONTACT: 352.483.0434.

TH E LAST FEW DAYS BEFORE CHRISTM

• dishes that need to be cooked

The Salvation Army of Lake & Sumter Counties is always in need of volunteers for its annual Red Kettle campaign. The Red Kettle Christmas Campaign enables the Salvation Army to provide food, toys, and clothing to more than 6 million people during the Christmas season and helps more than 34 million Americans recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nationwide. CONTACT: Barbara Marino at 352.365.0079, ext. 23.

*FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF LOCAL CHARITIES WHERE YOU CAN GET INVOLVED, CHECK OUT HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE IN DECEMBER FOR OUR ANNUAL CHARITY REGISTER.

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• Confirm dinner menu. Make sure you have a clear understanding of everything you will need to cook for Christmas dinner. Whether you’re planning turkey or roast, make your final decision now. Hang the wreaths and stockings atable Frosty is beaming in the front lawn. It’s now safe to decorate for the holidays Prepare anything that can sit for a couple days and start any prep work on main dishes that need to be cooked Christmas Day. If you know the children will want to play with their new toys as soon as the wrapping paper comes off, be sure to have a supply of tteries in all sizes

• ne China, poli silverware, and wash the good glassware. Once everything it in place, sit back and relax.