Unwrap Christmas 2015 by Greenheart Publications

Unwrap 2015

What’s Inside:

► A Caribbean Christmas

► Daring Makeup Tips To Look Amazing This Christmas ► Last Minute Toy Ideas ► Hottest Tech Gifts This Christmas

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Hello Readers, December is an important month for us. It is the month for Christmas but more importantly the month for family! It is the festive season of giving, shopping, decorating, cooking fancy lunches and dinners, merry making and so much more! But perhaps what stands out in our memory is the little moments we spend with our families who may have travelled long distances for this day. We reflect on our cherished memoires while we make new, more magical ones. As publisher for Greenheart Publications, I’m elated to share with you this special Christmas edition – Unwrap which is loaded with tons of mesmerizing Christmas articles. I hope you enjoy reading the articles as much as my team enjoyed putting them together especially for you. A warm and special thank you to the sponsors whose kind support continues to make this publication a reality. To my dedicated and diligent staff, I really couldn’t do it without you. You guys are awesome. To everyone else, Happy Holidays! Cheers! Warmest, Vic Singh.

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Publisher & Chief Editor Vickram Singh

Contributing Photography

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Editorial Reference http://www.nyctourist. com/ http://caribbeanpot. com/ http://guyanaoutpost.com/ http://allrecipes.com

Marketing & Sales Vickram Singh

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A Caribbean Christmas

New York

The Winter Wonderland

hristmas in New York is nothing short of a winter wonderland! It is perhaps one of one the most exciting Christmas destinations of all time. It is the perfect place to be an awesome host to your family and other guests. There are innumerable activities to keep everyone entertained and the lush blankets of snow all around just adds to the magical beauty! New York caters to all your shopping needs and the variety of scrumptious foods to keep your taste buds happy, are endless! A walk along Fifth Avenue, Manhattan would definitely kick start your adrenaline and get you all hyped up about this festive season as you look in awe and amazement at all the beautiful clothing and toys and other Christmas goodies on sale. A visit to the Rockefeller Centre Skating Rink should be on top of your list! This is your opportunity to ice skate with thousands of other New Yorkers in perhaps the busiest city in the world. And you definitely can’t miss the majestic site of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree which immediately steals your heart. The kids will definitely enjoy and cherish their visit to Santa Claus at Macys’ Santaland. Of course your trip to the evergreen Times Square will be nothing short of dreamlike as you engage with thousands of others and spread the holiday cheer. The Christmas parades are of course one of the highlights in NY, where thousands of revelers line the street with their kids to catch glimpses of the regal floats and marching bands. Everyone should get a bite of the Big Apple this Christmas!

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We all dream of a Caribbean Christmas….the warm sunshine hugging our bodies, the faint chuntey/soca/dancehall always buzzing in the background, the exotic dishes calling our names and perhaps what we secretly enjoy the most is the endless flavors of rum and cocktails to soothe our taste buds while relaxing on the sandy beaches and swimming in the Caribbean Sea. It is no secret we fantasize about spending Christmas in the Caribbean, especially if we have our roots there as we are often plagued by nostalgia. While most of the Caribbean countries share similarities in the way they celebrate Christmas, there are some differences as well. The

month of December kick starts with cleaning, shopping and decorating of course. And most persons choose to make their delectable rum laden black cake and have it sit for a few weeks to allow the flavors to bond adequately. The holidays generally begin with decorating the homes and businesses with tinsels, streamers, and balloons and of course the Christmas tree! There are tons of staff parties and social gatherings which require we wear our best smile and outfit as we engage in small talk and innocuous laughter followed by some exotic dance moves incited by our enviable Caribbean cocktails. On the eve of Christmas, the day buzzes with last minute preparations such as making the mouthwatering pepper pot, garlic pork, ginger beer and fruit cakes. Later families engage in melodious caroling, followed by mass at church. Others however, choose to attend

parties and nightclubs to gyrate to the irresistible Caribbean music until the wee hours of Christmas morning. On the day of Christmas, we awake to the comfort of carols in the home and the excitement of gifts under the tree. After the much anticipated gift exchanges and hearty breakfast, most families spend the day bonding and making cherished memories while others choose to go to church, yet others enjoy watching the masqueraders dance and perform on the streets.

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Daring Makeup Tips To Look Amazing This

Christmas

With Christmas everything stands out including your make up! This is the time of the year you can be bold and dramatic and wear your racy, eye catching make up. Here are a few simple tips to help you achieve this:

Eyelashes

Try some good fake eyelashes to give your eyes a bold and glamorous look. They will accentuate your eyes and will create a charismatic look. They should be the cornerstone of your innovative make-up tips this Christmas.

Smokey Eyes

Smokey eyes are timeless and ideal to give you a unique look. They are seductive and extremely appealing. Choose charcoal smokey dark colors to enhance your eyes. Grey shades can do wonders too. Apply a dark shade on the upper lid and a relatively dark shade on the lower one. Application of a dark shade of eye pencil around the inner corners of eyes can top it off for that sultry look.

Lavish Lips

Bright red, crimson, or even wine hues are the colors of this festive season. You can even opt for some beautiful electric shades, which you must be bold enough to carry effortlessly. To be the belle of the ball, combine orange or raspberry with a feline look.

Lip Liner

Lipstick should always be accompanied with a good liner. If you simply apply a good lip color and liner is missing, then you are definitely going to miss an important element from having noticeable lips. So choose some trendy colors like dark coffee, dark raisins or even purple shades and make a mark and have that precise pout.

Eyeliner

The best eyeliner for this occasion is a sophisticated liquid black or gunmetal grey. Liner is very important as they enhance the eyes and the lashes making them more beautiful.

Cheekbones

Apply some dry lose powder on your cheek bones and accentuate them. They will make your face look slimmer and prettier. Dusk copper and golden colors are the choice of the season.

Face

Be glamorous rather than Gothic. Go for some metallic loose powder with a slight shimmer effect. This will give you an impeccable look in this season of chill and snow.

Hair

Avoid doing the blunder of neglecting your crowning glory. A well done makeup will fall flat if your hair is not done properly. Depending on the choice of your hair length, ask your dresser to give you a manageable clean look.

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Last Minute Toy Ideas

og Leap Fr s In your hectic Christmas schedule you completely forgot to pick up a toy for your niece/nephew or that special little one and you feel completely hopeless and clueless! m o r f Pad blet 1. Leap re a form of ta Don’t panic. These toy ideas are very versatile and kids adore them and will adore you. They are of course more suitable for children under 10. . ds a ildren Leap pa pecially for ch and Here’s our pick for last minute toys: un d es designe quipped with f love 2. Fro ee hildren e Ever since zen Dolls c s They ar e m a its initial r onal g from th eleas have all fa educati are safe . They d ll n e a n in love w e we y b jo e n e W it and Anna ide and from Disn h Elsa World W al coney’s Frozen. These big bad ed with parent ndly beautiful c ipp frie hara are so che are equ ffer child able and o e ly r ful and frie cters n o d r u n a d l r ndly it’s hard not to tro upe r adore them ey are s s to cate also come . They links. Th veral variation ges. in endless se ta n n i e r e v e a r a ff m ia i n o tio d c can be see ren at d n at almos ns for child toy store. t any They are a great buy for your li ttle frozen fan.

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3. Minion Dolls Ever since the rele ase of Despicable Me, the minions have stolen our he arts. These toys make an awes ome gift to both kids and adul ts. Their cuddly adorable ap pearance and charming pers onalities make them truly irr esistible!

he desire for tech gifts has never been stronger since technology controls virtually everything we do. There are countless options to choose from and numerous brands. You can almost never go wrong gifting a tech gift since almost everyone uses them. Here are some of our favorite picks to help you decide what your best option is:

1. Tablets

Tablets have possibly become the darling of the tech world. They are extremely versatile and continue to evolve in ways which simply amaze us. These slim, light weight gadgets are designed for easy use and have basically alleviated our dependence on computers. There are many brands to choose from although the IPad has dominated in recent times.

e t t h o H ec T s t Gif

2. Laptops

Although tablets have pretty much replaced a lot of what we use computers for, the laptop will perhaps never go out of style. It remains very popular among college students and gaming enthusiasts. Its storage capacity is also quite enviable.

3. Smart Phones

Where do we even begin? Smart phones have dominated our lives in the last decade to the point where weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never be able to live without them again. They are so handy when we are on the go and ideal for multitasking. Not only are they great for calls, they have also imitated almost everything a computer does. Sending and receiving emails have never been easier. There is no limit with smartphones and Androids and IPhones continue to race ahead.

4. Cameras

Photography will also never go out of style and while some smartphones take amazing pictures, they can never give us that professional quality we crave for. The camera spectrum is pretty broad with the more affordable ones on one end and the very sophisticated and durable ones on the other. Nonetheless, they make awesome gifts.

This Christmas

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5. Gaming Console

Jump into the gaming world and get your family member or friend a device to keep the entire household entertained. Get the latest from Sony Playstation, Microsoft Xbox or Nintento and see the priceless expression on that personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face as they unwrap their new console.

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Guyanese Pepper Pot Ingredients

4 lbs of meat- (beef/mutton/venison/pork/chicken) 1 cup cassareep 2 cinnamon sticks 2 inch piece orange peel 4 cloves garlic 4 wiri wiri peppers 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 1/2 tsp salt 8-12 cups water 4 springs thyme 6 cloves (optional) 2 small onions *tablespoon veg oil

Preparation and Method

Preparation Time: Approx. 15 Mins Cooking Time: Approx. 3 hours 1. In a large/deep pot, heat the oil and add the pieces of meats (wash and drain first) and try to

brown a little. Then add all the other ingredients (except the water) and give it a good stir. Next up add the water (make sure everything is covered) and bring to a boil. 2. As it comes to a boil you’ll need to skim (and discard) the sort of scum at the top of the pot and during the 3 hr braising process, you’ll want to do the same for any oily fats you see on the surface. Now that it’s boiling, reduce to a very gentle simmer, cover the pot and let it go for 3 hrs. Yes, you can use a pressure cooker to help with the lengthy cooking time, but to be quite honest... you’ll lose some of that lovely flavor you ONLY get with slow cooking 3. After 3 hours the liquid would have reduced by about 3/4, so it will be intense in both color and flavor. Serve with any type of bread you prefer. For more intensity, allow to sit for a few days and reheat before you eat.

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Refreshing

Juicy Christmas

Ginger Beer

Turkey

Ingredients 2 tablespoons dried parsley 2 tablespoons ground dried rosemary 2 tablespoons rubbed dried sage 2 tablespoons dried thyme leaves 1 tablespoon lemon pepper 1 tablespoon salt 1 (15 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed 2 stalks celery chopped 1 orange cut into wedges 1 onion chopped 1 carrot chopped 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth 1 (750 milliliter) bottle champagne

Ingredients

Preparation and Method Total Time: 3 ½ Hours 1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a turkey roaster with long sheets of aluminum foil that will be long enough to wrap over the turkey. 2. Stir together the parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Rub the herb mixture into the cavity of the turkey, then stuff with the celery, orange, onion, and carrot. Truss if desired, and place the turkey into the roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth and champagne over the turkey, making sure to get some champagne in the cavity. Bring the aluminum foil over the top of the turkey, and seal. Try to keep the foil from touching the skin of the turkey breast or legs. 3. Bake the turkey in the preheated oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear. Uncover the turkey, and continue baking until the skin turns golden brown, 30 minutes to 1 hour longer. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove the turkey from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

1 oz piece fresh ginger root, peeled and crushed Peel of a medium lime 1/3 cup fresh strained lime juice ½ cup sugar 3¾ cups boiling water 1 teaspoon active dry yeast ¼ cup lukewarm water (110°F to 115°F)

Preparation and Method

1. Starting one week ahead, combine the ginger, lime peel, lime juice and sugar in a large bowl, and pour a boiling water over. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely, and let the mixture cool to room temperature. 2. In a small bowl or cup, sprinkle the yeast over the lukewarm water. Let stand for 2 - 3 minutes, then stir to dissolve the yeast completely. Set this small bowl in a warm, draft-free place for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture begins to bubble and almost double in volume. (If no bubbles develop, discard the mixture and repeat the process with fresh yeast). 3. Add the yeast to the ginger mixture and stir thoroughly. 4. Cover the bowl tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and place it in a warm, draft-free place. Let the mixture ferment for a week, stirring every other day. After a week it will be mildly carbonated. 5. Strain the ginger beer through a fine sieve and, using a funnel, pour the liquid into a 1-quart glass or ceramic bottle and cork it tightly. 6. Let the beer ferment at room temperature for an additional 3 or 4 days, then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. 7. Serve the ginger beer in chilled tumblers, with or without ice cubes.

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Ingredients

1½ lb mixed dried fruit 2 oz mixed peel 1 tsp mixed spice 4 oz chopped peanuts 8 oz soft brown sugar 8 oz margarine 6 eggs ¼ tsp baking powder 8 oz flour ½ bottle red wine and/or rum 1 lb sugar for making caramel 2 tbsp red wine for making caramel

Preparation and Method

1. Wash and dry the fruits, then grind or chop the fruits, nuts and fruit peel together. 2. Caramel: Heat the sugar and when melted, add the wine. Simmer until dark color is obtained. 3. Mix the wine and the rum and pour over the

fruits. Leave to soak for a day or more (up to three months). 4. Grease and doubly line an 8 inch cake pan. 5. Cream the sugar and margarine. Add eggs one at a time (beaten or unbeaten). 6. Add fruits and stir well. Add enough caramel to make it as dark as desired. 7. Sift the flour, baking powder and powdered spice together. Add a little at a time and fold in. Mix to a soft dropping consistency using wine or rum. 8. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake in a slow oven, 300Ã‚Â°F for 2 hours (on middle shelf). 9. Pour wine and rum over immediately after cake is baked. Repeat 3 or 4 times. Note: Store-bought caramel may also be used.

Traditional Guyanese Black Cake 16

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b r e

g s e n i i G ok Co

d a re

Ingredients 6 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 cup shortening, melted and cooled slightly 1 cup molasses 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup water 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Preparation and Method 1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon; set aside. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together the shortening, molasses, brown sugar, water, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, until they are completely absorbed. Divide dough into 3 pieces, pat down to 1 1/2 inch thickness, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. 3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. 4. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When the cookies are done, they will look dry, but still be soft to the touch. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on wire racks. When cool, the cookies can be frosted with the icing of your choice.

Easy Cheesecake Recipe Ingredients:

Crust 1 graham cracker pie crust Filling 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened 2/3 cup sugar 3 large eggs 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Topping 3 Tablespoons sugar 8 ounces sour cream 1 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation and Method

1. Beat cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar, 3 eggs, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla with mixer until smooth. Pour into well-greased 9 inch pie plate. 2. Bake 22 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees F. Turn oven off. Remove cheesecake and cool for 5 minutes. 3. Combine 3 Tablespoons sugar, sour cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Spread over warm cheesecake and return to oven for 5 minutes. 4. Cool and refrigerate.

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Reasons Why Living In

New York

How To Make

New Year’s Resolutions

Is Just Awesome

That Last

1. Categorize Your Resolutions

The State of New York is one of the most populated and culturally diverse cities in the United States and one of the largest tourist attractions in the world. It is home to many famous cities especially New York City commonly known as the cultural and financial capital of the world. New York City is the most densely populated city in the United States and the economic hub of the state of New York. It doesn’t matter which part of New York you live or visit, the skyline and urban jungle always takes your breath away. And while it is easy to complain about the things you are unhappy about in New

York, there are countless others you ought to be grateful for, especially when compared to the rest of the world. Here are some of them: . The Food Yes the Food! New York is home to tons of restaurants, cafes and eateries. You can pretty much get foods from any part of the world and you never have to worry about going hungry because somewhere is always opened or you can have it delivered. Your taste buds would definitely enjoy living here. . Transportation MTA New York City Transit is one of the most extensive and

complex public transportation systems in the world. With 24-houra-day bus and subway service throughout the five boroughs, the MTA system moves more than six million people a day. You don’t have to worry about costly parking or drinking and driving. Isn’t that a dream? . Entertainment New York is that amazing city where you never get run out of things to do. The possibilities are literally endless. There are so many things you could do here. New York has tons of clubs and nightspots, museums, art galleries, parks, casinos, concerts

and theatres. And perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to shop nonstop. . Alcohol Although you must be 21 and older to purchase alcohol in New York, it is sold much cheaper here than cities like Toronto. You can drink to that. . New Friends New York is one of the most densely populated, cosmopolitan cities in the US so there is always the possibility of making new friends from different cultural backgrounds. While it is a great city to be single, it is almost impossible to be lonely here.

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Instead of writing down a Are you one of those bunch of random resolutions, it persons who scowls at New would be wise to put them under catYear’s resolutions? Perhaps you have egories. For instance, some useful areas never been adequately convinced why could be Health and Fitness, Finance, you should write down the things you hope Education, Career, and Personal. This to accomplish (and give up) in the upcoming year. way you can select one or two under Perhaps you may have attempted in the past but failed each category and work on them. to achieve any of them and ruled out it was pointless and This defined sense of direction will not for you. Whatever reason you have for neglecting to do definitely be more comforting this, is entirely your business. No one probably cares anyand easier to follow way. through. No but really, wouldn’t it be supercool to challenge yourself

to accomplish the things you didn’t think you could? The ability to be disciplined and stick to your resolutions is undeniably hard and many of us do not have the motivation to 2. A Limit is Ok start and keep going. You are not alone. Because we are our toughPerhaps the most important thing about resolutions is to est critics, it would be easy for us keep them realistic and attainable. Do no write down to come up with a never ending list of that you’d like to read 50 books if you hate to read. things we need to change or accomplish. You should avoid doing this at all costs. If That would simply be futile because you know you make too many resolutions, chances are you would never get around to doing that. you may become too overwhelmed that time is 4. You Don’t Have Here are a few tips to help you make going by too quickly and you are not on schedTo Do It Alone resolutions and stick to them. ule and this may cause you to give up altogether. Your aim should be to set resolutions with timelines so that you can accomplish them at a specific time in the year. Do not make too many and then end up hating yourself for not accomplishing all. Starting small is not a bad thing especially if this is your first time.

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3. Reward Yourself

We all know that rewards are incentives that encourage us to work harder so why not reward yourself every time you accomplish a goal? It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate! It should be simple yet meaningful. For instance if your goal was to lose 20 pounds and you accomplished that in the time frame you defined, you can reward yourself by getting a new outfit. Remember it doesn’t have cost you an arm and a leg. It’s basically a motivation to keep going.

While you are responsible for making your own resolutions, there is no fixed rule that says you have to do it alone. You can partner with someone or even a group that has the same interest and work towards it. For instance, you can get a work out buddy, a travel companion or form a book club. It all depends on what your goals are and finding someone who has a mutual interest. You might be surprised how many people would be inclined to partner with you so you can motivate each other to accomplish that goal and ultimately celebrate together.

How to Stay Fit

hristmas is upon us! While is it one of the most anticipated times of the year, it is perhaps also one of the most dreaded times as well. Apart from being the season of sharing, it is also the season of eating. Yes eating! This is the time of the year we are most likely to abandon our fitness routine and fall prey to all the sugary delicacies and other holiday goodies. And the worst part is when we begin the New Year feeling miserable about all the extra pounds we gained. But not to worry, a little bit of self-discipline goes a

During the Holidays

long way! Here a few simple, easy tips to help you stay in shape this festive season! 1. Do Not Abandon Your Workout The holidays is the perfect excuse to neglect your workout routine. You somehow convince yourself you’d get back on track as soon as the holidays are over and soon as the guests are gone. Wrong. One thing will always lead to another and you may lose motivation altogether. To ensure this

doesn’t happen, remind yourself why you got fit in the first place and how hard it was initially. You obviously don’t want to relive those days. More importantly, if you can, do your workout early in the mornings before you become distracted with the day’s activities. This way you feel energized enough to bustle through the day without being plagued with the thought you are yet to workout. 2. Put That Cookie Down! So you come across a fresh batch of gingerbread cookies and it happens to be your favorite kind. What do you do? You take one, maybe two, three won’t hurt either. Wrong again. Fueling up on all that that sugar is a big no-no! By now it is no secret that sugar fuels our desire to keep eating and at that rate you’d probably

be eating every left over in the fridge as well. You really don’t want to become a victim of that. Have some self-control. Do not be led into temptation. One serving of dessert is enough. 3. Cocktails Everywhere Christmas is that time of the year when you prone to drink more as well. Every party, dinner, lunch or club you are invited to, you will be faced with the temptation of over drinking. It is probably extremely hard resisting that third glass of wine or another mojito, but let’s be honest here for a sec, alcohol is loaded with

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sugar and your goal is to limit your sugar intake for obvious reasons. Moderation is the key here. Avoid having one too many. 4. Fruits and Veggies Still Exist Again, with all the baked goodies and fancy meals it is easy to forget how nutritious fruits and vegetables are. You already expect your meals would be very elaborate so take the opportunity to snack on fruits and veggies in-between, to ensure you get your daily recommended servings. Your body needs the nutrients form these foods combined with lots of water to function at its best. Your brain will thank you for that serving of blueberries instead of that slice of cheesecake.

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The Importance Of Detoxing The holidays are usually a protein heavy, sugar heavy, cheese heavy, kind of time. Santa’s sweet tooth tends to rub off on us over the holidays. From frosted cookies to chocolate fudge to candy canes, sweets are everywhere this time of year. Start the New Year fresh by giving your liver a much deserved cleanse and detoxing the rest of your body while you’re at it. For an effective cleanse you are going to be eating clean unprocessed foods, no sugar, a diet high in healthy fats, fiber, and nutrients, lots of water and ample fresh air and exercise. Also by eliminating alcohol and coffee, there will be a light detoxing of the liver too. Here’s a few simple tips to help you recover from the buildup of junk over the holidays: . Sleep it Off When your body is tired, it turns to a quick energy fix. This means an exhausted body will crave sugar for that boost of energy, but the kick is brief and the body is left more tired than when it began. To keep from running to the cookie jar for a pick-me-up, get enough quality sleep each night. Give yourself enough hours, turn off all electronics, and stretch before bed. You’ll sleep better and be able to resist those tempting sugary goodies in the morning. . Watch What You Drink Although you may be craving chocolate lattes and peppermint mochas, be very cautious about the sugary beverages you indulge in. Liquid sugar calories are worse than those from food because they get funneled straight to your liver without going through any breakdown or filtration process. Also, sugary drinks don’t make you feel full, even though they’re the single biggest source of sugar calories in most people’s diets. Not only do you never fill up on sugary drinks, your body craves it more and enters a vicious cycle of sugar indulgence. Skip the sodas and fancy coffees this

After The Holidays

holiday season and switch to water, tea, and black coffee to help your body detox after a sugar-filled season. . Go For a Walk The body uses the circulatory system to transfer toxins between filtration systems and eventually get them out of the body. That means the more oxygenated your body is, the easier it can get rid of toxic build up from weeks of splurging. Try going for a walk after meals to help clear glucose from the bloodstream and help oxygenate your organs so digestion goes smoothly. . Eat Your Fruits And Veggies Green leafy vegetables are a great way to begin adding essential nutrients back into your diet. You can also juice them for added nutrition. Celery is also an excellent vegetable that is abundant in vitamins and will also help to balance the acid in your stomach and body. Cut some celery for a snack and feel confident that you are not only eating something healthy, but helping to clean up your digestive tract. . Counter Sugar with Fat No, this isn’t a joke. There are healthy fats that can help you feel full and energized so you can cut back on sugar. Reach for healthy fats, such as those found in protein-rich foods like nuts and omega-3-rich fish. Other fat-smart foods include avocados, coconut butter, and extra virgin olive oil. When you feel a sweet tooth craving coming on, try to satiate it with these alternatives and you can keep the pounds from piling on over the holidays. . Sweat it Out Your skin is your body’s largest organ, which makes it an essential part of a comprehensive detox. Although you may not feel like heading to the gym on New Year’s Day, you’ll benefit from sweating out those toxins from the night before. Even if you can’t get yourself to the treadmill, a session in the sauna or hot shower can help you excrete toxins and leave your body ripe for replenishment with nutrients and lots of water.

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Diam nds Are Still A Girl’s Best Friend

It's Christmas time, but amongst the festive cheer, twinkling lights and mulled wine, you'll find many a stressed male dashing around jewelry stores looking for that perfect present for their wife, girlfriend, mother or sister. Shopping for that special female in your life can be difficult. There are so many factors to consider when deciding on the perfect gift, and the last thing you want is for them to hate your gesture. However; with so many styles and brands to choose from, what factors do you need to consider when you're selecting a gift? We've come up with a few tips that will help you buy the best gift ever . What Does She Wear Every Day? Does she already own a charm bracelet? Charm bracelets are built up over time and each bead has a sentimental meaning to the owner. A new charm symbolizing a holiday you have been on together, a special memory, or something personal to you both is a perfect gift which is thoughtful and will mean a lot to the wearer. If she doesn't already have a charm bracelet, why not start one for her? . Ask her friends If you're good friends with them too – perfect! If you're not? Well, you may have to swallow your pride a little to approach them, but it will be so worth it. Just casually ask if she's mentioned anything to them about an item she's had her eye on. A little investigating never harmed anyone. . Look In Her Jewelry Box You will be able to find out her style from the inside of her jewelry box, even if she isn't a huge jewelry wearer on a day to day basis. Look at the pieces she already owns and see if there's anything you can add to. . Go Shopping Together If you're buying other Christmas presents, you'll probably end up shopping together at some point. Pay close attention to what she picks up and admires. No matter who a girl is shopping for, she'll always end up looking at things for herself. Keep your eyes and ears peeled, and don't wander off on your own! . Do Your Homework Remembering little details will earn you some major brownie points. Her favorite color, preferred metal, ring size or birthstone will be a great starting point when deciding on a beautiful piece of jewelry for Christmas. . Browse Online If you go straight to a shop without any idea about what you want to buy, you might feel a little overwhelmed. Browse online first to get an idea as to what is on offer and what type of jewelry you want to buy. That way you'll get to see the full range. Christmas shopping online is so easy if you're the type of person that hates trawling the streets, standing in queues and fighting through the crowds. . Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend You can't go wrong with diamonds, but unless you're planning to propose, avoid a diamond ring to prevent the awkward, uncertain moment when it's opened. Diamonds can be incorporated in so many other ways. Earrings or necklaces with a diamond pendant are a classic, or choose a bracelet with diamond embellishment. . Consider Her Style Above all, jewelry is a personal gift and if you get it wrong, it can be an awkward situation a few months down the line when you realize she has never worn it. Make sure you buy something that you know she will like; don't just wing your decision at the last minute. Look at her style and personality before making a big investment.

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And if all else fails, you can't go wrong with a new handbag...!

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Where Will You Vacation In 2016? VALUECARD

You have designated 2016 as the year you take that much deserved vacation you spent months dreaming of. And although planning a vacation can be an overwhelming task, if you start early and with the right advice you will have a most memorable trip. Assuming this is your first time and you want to start small, the Caribbean is an excellent start. It abound with numerous small and large exotic islands which are home to some of the most hospitable people in the world and break taking beaches. There are tons of reasons to love the Caribbean but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the milky beaches contrasted with the alluring Caribbean Sea and the tinge of warm sunshine on your skin which keeps taking you back. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our pick for your trip to the Caribbean: . Aruba Aruba, a tiny Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela, has dry, sunny weather, blond beaches and gentle surf. Aruba is a melting pot of nationalities and food enthusiasts will love how Dutch, Caribbean and Spanish influences come together in a one-of-a-kind cuisine. Enjoy your Aruban get away by exploring the caves and hidden beaches, or snuggle up on a romantic sail at sunset.

. Jamaica Jamaica is home to a magnificent landscape of rolling mountains lined by endless white-sand-beaches, covered by lush foliage and crisscrossed by streaming rivers and cascading waterfalls. Jamaica has a diverse range of hot spots and each one has its own relaxed atmosphere. The island brings out the nonchalant side of everyone who sets foot in its sand.

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. Barbados Barbados is a charming tropical island rich in history and tradition. Most famous for its endless pink and white sand beaches, the western Gold Coast beaches are the most popular with their calm waters. Barbados is unique, melding English traditions with a Caribbean style. Barbados is also the home of pop icon Rihanna.

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. Cuba Cuba is an island nation rich in history, culture, beauty and natural resources. Its varied geography includes rolling farmland, rugged mountains, urban metropolises, quaint Colonial villages and stretches of white sand beaches that melt into larimar seas. Cuban culture is influenced by its melting pot of cultures, primarily those of Spain and Africa.

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. Bermuda Delightful English heritage mixed with American and Caribbean influences, discover the dozens of islands that make up Bermuda. Captivating beaches surround picturesque cliffs and coves, and posh tea rooms overlook perfectly trimmed cricket yards and golf courses.

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A Timeless Message for All Parents -W. Livingston Larned Listen, son: I am saying this as you lie asleep, one little paw crumpled under your cheek and the blond curls stickily wet on your damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone. Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library, a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily I came to your bedside. There are the things I was thinking, son: I had been cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily when you threw some of your things on the floor. At breakfast I found fault, too. You spilled things. You gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You spread butter too thick on your bread. And as you started off to play and I made for my train, “Hold your shoulders back!” Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I came up the road I spied you, down on your knees, playing marbles. There were holes in your stockings. I humiliated you before your boyfriends by marching you ahead of me to the house. Stockings were expensive‐ and if you had to buy them you would be more careful! Imagine that, son, from a father! Do you remember, later, when I was reading in the library, how you came in timidly, with a sort of hurt look in your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the interruption, you hesitated at the door. “What is it you want?” I snapped. You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous plunge, and threw your arms around my neck and kissed me, and your small arms tightened with an affection that God had set blooming in your heart and which even neglect could not wither. And then you were gone, pattering up the stairs. Well, son, it was shortly afterwards that my paper slipped from my hands and a terrible sickening fear came over me. What has habit been doing to me? The habit of finding fault, of reprimanding‐this was my reward to you for being a boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too much of youth. I was measuring you by the yardstick of my own years. And there was so much that was good and fine and true in your character. The little heart of you was as big as the dawn itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush in and kiss me good night. Nothing else matters tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, and I have knelt there, ashamed! It is feeble atonement; I know you would not understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours. But tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum with you, and suffer when you suffer, and laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual: “He is nothing but a boy‐a little boy!”

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