A Socialites Guide to the Holidays

If December means a calendar fool of obligations then this article is for you. Making it through the holiday season in one semi sane piece isn’t easy, but with these holiday tips you’ll be sashaying from party to party effortlessly and stress free.
Pack Light: While we all know the advantages of having a nice big purse to lug around everything you may ever need at any given time, during the holiday festivities its just not practical. Before the holiday party season gets underway, you should either clean out your over packed purse or buy a cute, compact wallet size clutch that you can carry only the essentials in. What are the essentials you ask? Limit the contents of your purse to some lipstick or gloss, keys, cell phone, and a few other fashion emergency items like clear nail polish and a needle and thread.

Think Ahead: The average adult spends most of the day on the go. Between work, errands, family, and personal needs, there is barely enough time to breath let alone figure out what to wear. The key to lowering the stress often brought on by busy holiday schedules is to plan well in advance. Planning doesnt necessarily mean that you have to try the outfit on weeks in advance, but it does mean you should start piecing together outfits and make lists in your head so you have a point of reference when you hit the stores.

Dress for the Occasion: Are you going to a party inside or outside? Is it a short get together or an all day affair? By asking yourself these questions you should be able to rule out what not to wear to your holiday get together. If youre going to be standing around for several hours, you may want to live the super high ultra skinny heels at home and look for something a little more practical and comfortable. If youre going to be at a party held out doors or in less than cozy conditions, make sure you dress warm and leave your strapless cocktail dress at home on the hanger.

Bring a Gift: If youre going to a gathering at someones house and you are basically enjoying a night of entertainment, food, and beverages all on the hosts bank account, its a good idea to bring a small token of thanks. It doesnt need to be elaborate or expensive. A small bottle of wine or a Christmas decoration is just fine.

Mingle: Holiday parties are a great time to chat with people you don’t normally get a chance to see. When you get to the party, say hello to the host/s, chat with them a bit, and then move on. Not only do you need to make your way around the room, but the individual/s responsible for the party have a million things to do, including speaking to guests. Save the deep discussions for later on in the party when the party has calmed down a bit and your host has time to have a conversation.

Keeping the Happy in the Holidays

Keeping the “Happy” in the Holidays

By Lezlie Cebulski , ND , EFT-ADV

With the season of peace and joy upon us, we busy ourselves with holiday activities such as shopping, cooking, decorating and socializing. While it is an enjoyable time of year for many, extra demands are made of our time, energy and financial resources which can leave us feeling depleted. When we pause to restore balance to our body, mind and spirit, we are able to give abundantly to others without resentment. The following are suggestions to help you feel your best during this holiday season.

1. Limit the holiday goodies. Avoid or reduce simple carbohydrates such as white flour breads, cookies, candy and sugar that can cause mood swings and fatigue. If you find that you are unable to resist sweets, see a holistic practitioner which can investigate the possibility of Candida Albicans, hormone deficiencies or food addictions through lab tests or applied kinesiology.

2. Exercise for a healthier mind, body and stress reduction. If you are medically cleared, plan to do at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.

3. Get adequate sleep each night. If you are sleep deprived, mood swings can easily set in. With holiday preparations, you may feel the urge to work past your usual bedtime. Resist this urge. Get enough sleep and enjoy your family and friends. Note: studies have shown that sleep deprivation is linked with weight gain.

4. Supplement your diet with Vitamin D3. D3 has been found to enhance mood in healthy people during the winter. This is particularly important for residents of Michigan as our winter days are often cloudy without much exposure to direct sunlight. In other studies, D3 was also shown to reduce carbohydrate cravings and the excessive desire to sleep in the winter. Other nutritional supplements should be recommended by a qualified practitioner.

5. Pray daily and connect with God. Take time to celebrate life and give gratitude to God for all things big and small! Appreciating blessings puts the small hassles of life into perspective. Gratitude to God gives us joy and peace. Staying connected to God gives us strength to fulfill our life purpose.

6. Avoid debt. Set a realistic budget for holiday spending and stick to it. Post-holiday credit card debt can fuel anxiety and depression. Make connection, not commerce your goal this season. If you have difficulty controlling your spending, consider a practitioner who can use Emotional Freedom Technique to clear negative emotions associated with money, debt and over-spending.

7. Volunteer. Consider joining a charity work organization. Giving your talent & services to others in need will be as much a blessing to you as it is to them.

8. Avoid, reduce alcohol. While holiday social drinking creates temporary euphoria, alcohol is a depressant of the central nervous system. Excessive alcohol consumption creates mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, skin disorders, liver impairment to name a few. If you are drinking excessively, an Emotional Freedom Technique practitioner can help you release negative emotions underlying the urge to drink. A naturopath or holistic practitioner can recommend a nutritional and detoxification program to repair the body and restore function.

9. Keep holiday plans simple and realistic. Communicate needs and expectations. Share chores. Ask for help. Offer to help. Understand that others may be grieving or lonely.

10. Be flexible. Fond memories are recalled by holiday rituals for many people. This is often why they are treasured, such as a pie or casserole recipe. However, there may be holidays in which the family rituals should be changed or temporarily dropped if there is a recent death in the family or divorce. Last year, my beloved father-in-law died suddenly a week before Christmas. We minimized the Christmas decorations and, for a drastic change, we had Chinese food for Christmas dinner. We were able to enjoy our time together that Christmas day, without triggering memories of Christmas past. It was a few hours of grief reprieve. Flexibility was needed and appreciated by all.

11. Resolve inner emotional conflicts. For some people family holiday gatherings bring old conflicts to the emotional surface. Traumatic memories, disappointments, shame, anger and anxiety can be more intense during the holidays. If you find these emotions are decreasing your energy and joy in life or you suspect that they may be behind a physical illness, seek a skilled, intuitive Emotional Freedom Technique practitioner which can help you release negative emotions energetically and provide counseling.

Using the above strategies will help you stay in balance and enjoy this holiday season.

Crewed Sailing Holidays In Greece – Paros Sailing Charter Station

Sailing in the Greek islands is for sure a perfect choice for a fantastic time during summer vacations, a time of your life that you will hark back to.

The irresistible blue of the Aegean Sea is enough to persuade any possible sailor. Considering the protected bays, the peaceful waters and the ideal weather conditions you will not hesitate to charter a boat and discover the unique beauty of the Greek islands.

The Greek islands are famous for their sandy beaches which are safe and clear: here and there is no possibility of being threatened by a shark or failing to go swimming because of strong and dangerous waves. The natural environment is not only very friendly but also interesting.

A very convenient start for your sailing holiday is to charter a yacht and hire a captain from Paros. Nestled in the center of the Aegean Sea, in the Cyclades island group, Paros is the ideal place to begin your cruises around the neighboring islands that are located in small distances between them. Paros is an island for every visitor; every village, and every beach have something different to offer; many pleasures for the sailors; you can anchor wherever you feel that the place is hospitable for you, your friends, your mate or your family.

Add in all the above the historical, archaeological and religious attractions which are present on all Cyclades islands as well as the various remarkable facilities for tourists and you will have the whole image of this almost visionary place of the earth, the adornment of the Mediterranean Sea.

Sailing in Cyclades is a unique experience that satisfies your body, your mind and your soul. Swim in the most transparent waters, refresh your body cells and clean your mind from anxious thoughts, dive into this crystal clear sea water with the stunning life and feel the zest coming from the exploration of this unknown sea world.

The Cyclades islands offer a variety of entertainment for all tastes and ages. If you travel a few miles away from Paros, you can visit an isolated, almost uninhabited island, named Koufonisi, with a primitive sense of life and inexhaustible natural beauty.

On the other hand, if you wish a cosmopolitan resort in a popular and busy island, sail towards Mykonos. Mykonos is the most glamorous island of the Cyclades attracting visitors from all over the world and happily holds its style and reputation. The sea and the picturesque architecture of the white cubic houses will capture your heart forever.

The Cyclades islands are considered to be the most marvelous islands in the world as their landscape consists of steep mountains and rocky hills combined with superb beaches. They offer such a great variety of pictures and experiences that the most demanding visitors will be able to feel the joy, relaxation and excitement of a top quality vacation.

We reassure you that setting off from a Paros yacht charter base and sailing in Greece will fulfill all your dreams about an unforgettable summer or even autumn time.

Sail in Greece; the country where the blue dominates in everything.

Grand Canyon Airplane Flights During the Labor Day Holiday

Labor Day will soon be here, and that means the opportunity for a summer airplane tour of the Grand Canyon is about over. Lots of people are taking their last vacations of the summer, so the tours will fill up fast.

Airplane Tours Departing From Vegas

Heading from Vegas, travelers can take air tours that go to either the West Rim or the South Rim of the canyon on a tour plane. It takes about a half hour to fly from Vegas to the West Rim and around an hour to fly to the South Rim. When you consider it can take almost six hours to drive to the South Rim, you save quite a bit of time.

There are two kinds of airplane tours. One is a landing tour and the other is an air-only tour. Both will fly you above Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and the Colorado River, before flying over the canyon. The tours that are marked air only will only take you in a loop over the canyon, while a landing tour will let you explore it.

If you need to watch your budget, then an air tour is ideal since it is the least expensive. However, you’ll see more if you do a landing tour. The airplane tour that lands at the West Rim is especially popular. It’s exciting because you can upgrade the tour to include a helicopter descent to the bottom of the canyon and a boat ride along the Colorado River that wends it’s way along the base of the towering rock walls.

Another landing tour option is to buy VIP passes to the famous Skywalk. The Skywalk is a huge bridge made from glass panels that allows you to stroll beyond the edge of the rim for 70 feet. You can see the canyon floor an amazing 4000 feet underneath you. It’s scary and thrilling at the same time.

Touring The South Rim

The plane tour of the South Rim gives you about 45 minutes of flight time. The tour takes off from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan, Arizona. The plane takes you over the pristine wilderness area of the North Rim as well as the land that borders the eastern edge of the park. Then you’ll head back to the South Rim and have witnessed 75% of the park after all is said and done.

The airplanes used on these flights are designed to hold up to 19 people. Two FAA certified pilots are on each tour to offer you a safe and fun experience. You’ll be comfortable on the plane too. They include oversized windows, cabins, and wings that won’t obstruct the views. You can feel confident when you book your tour that you’ll have the best views possible from one of the airplanes.

Plane Tours Are More Affordable

Airplane tours follow the same paths that you take on a helicopter tour. The difference is they are cheaper and will accommodate more people, while flying at a higher altitude. If you’d rather fly with a smaller crowd, then you can take a similar tour on a chopper instead. However, you’ll pay about 50 percent more if you do.

Labor Day weekend is always one of the busiest times at the Grand Canyon. So, buy your tour as soon as you can, and you can buy it conveniently online. Don’t wait until the day you want to fly. After all, you might miss a seat and you’ll definitely pay more.

Conclusion

Now you should know what to expect if you want to take an airplane tour of the Grand Canyon over the Labor Day holiday. Choose the rim you want to see and buy your tour as soon as you can. Buy your tickets early and get them online for the best deal on a flight you’ll never forget.