Healthier Holidays in 1 – 2 – 3!

"If better health is the gift you want to give yourself this holiday season, try these tips to add more movement to your day and healthy foods to your plate.

1. Stay active

Even a few minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity can deliver some health benefits and count toward reaching the recommendations. For adults, the many benefits of physical activity include reduced short-term feelings of anxiety and better sleep.

Here are some tips for staying active during the holidays:

• When shopping, walk a few quick laps around the shopping center before going into any stores.
• Take the stairs at every opportunity. Look for stairs in parking garages, offices, and shopping centers. If you can’t climb the stairs all the way to where you’re going, take the elevator part of the way then take the stairs the rest of the way.
• Skip the search for a close parking spot during your errands. Park farther away and walk briskly to your destination.
• When friends and family gather, go for a group walk. You can make the walk more fun by turning it into a scavenger hunt. Or play an active group game in your yard or local park.
• Bundle up and take a walk instead of a drive to see holiday lights.

2. Eat healthy

Eating well supports muscles and bones, boosts immunity, helps the digestive system function, and helps with weight management among other health benefits. Good nutrition involves eating a variety of healthy foods. To do that during the holidays:

• If you eat foods that that are high in calories, saturated fat, or added sugars, choose small portions and only eat them once in a while. Opt for healthier foods most of the time.
• At parties and other gatherings, fill your plate with your favorite fruits and vegetables first, then add small portions of less healthy items.
• If you are taking food to a party, make it your favorite healthy dish. Then you’ll be sure that at least one item at the party will be a healthy choice that you enjoy.
• Make healthier versions of your traditional recipes by using ingredients with less fat and salt.
• Spice up baked fish or chicken by adding salsa or black bean sauce.
• Consider beans in place of higher-fat meats..."
  Healthier Holidays 

This Holiday: Decorate with Joy, Not Insects That Destroy

"The holidays are a festive time. Putting up a Christmas tree, wreath, and ornaments may be part of your tradition. But, look twice before you acquire fresh plant material for your seasonal décor this year, because there may be something lurking inside. Invasive plant pests and diseases are talented hitchhikers. They may hitch a ride on your living Christmas tree, wreath, untreated firewood, or handmade ornaments. And, they aren’t just unwelcome guests—these pests threaten local ecosystems and agriculture when introduced to new places.

Forests are at risk. If you move fresh plant material from a quarantine area, you could transport tree-killing insects without seeing them. Outdoor items can also harbor egg masses, which can look like dry mud or tan-colored fuzzy patches on surfaces. The culprit could be an invasive pest that feeds on and defoliates hundreds of plant species.

The good news is you can help prevent their spread:

1. Before buying holiday greenery, inspect it for signs of infestation including insects, egg masses, tunneling or holes.
2. Buy local or use certified heat-treated firewood, or gather it on site where permitted. Don’t move untreated firewood.
3. Do not move plants, fruit, vegetables, or soil into your state or another state unless agricultural inspectors have cleared them.
4. Check out APHIS’ interactive maps and pests tracker to familiarize yourself with quarantines in your area. Avoid moving quarantined materials.

Protect plants this holiday season. Visit www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/hungrypests to learn more..."
Holiday plants

Tips for Driving Safely during the Holiday Season

"In the United States, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for people aged 1‒54,¹ and more than 36,000 people were killed in crashes in 2018.²

However, motor vehicle crash deaths and injuries can be prevented. Buckle up, drive sober, and stay safe on the road during the holiday season.

Learn safety tips for:

• All drivers
• Child passengers
• Teen drivers
• Older adult drivers

Safety Tips for All Drivers

• Do not drive when you are impaired by alcohol and/or drugs, and do not allow your family members or friends to drive while impaired. In 2018, alcohol-impaired driving contributed to more than 10,500 crash deaths.³ If you drink alcohol and/or use drugs, you should designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or use a ride share service.
• Avoid distractions while driving, such as using your cell phone to text, email, or access social media. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for at least five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that is like driving the length of an entire football fieldexternal icon with your eyes closed. You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention.
• Check the weather conditions before you head out on the road. Make sure to drive at a speed that is safe for road and weather conditions..."
  Holiday driving 

Healthier Holidays in 1 – 2 – 3!

"Few Americans get enough physical activity, and many don’t eat a healthful diet. The winter holidays can be a great time to think about your goals for the year ahead. Follow these tips to jump start your resolutions, and be your healthiest self this holiday season.

1. Stay active.

Being active is your secret weapon this holiday season. It can help make up for eating more than usual and has many other health benefits.

Walking is a great way to be active. Try these tips to incorporate more walking into your activities:

• Skip the search for a close-up parking spot. Park farther away and walk to your destination.
• Make a few extra laps around the mall. Walk the length of the mall before going into any stores. The mall is also a good place to walk to avoid bad weather.
• Start your work day by taking the stairs. Remember to stretch your legs and take short physical activity breaks throughout the day.

2. Eat healthy.

Healthy eating is all about balance. You can enjoy your favorite foods even if they are high in calories, saturated fat, or added sugars. The key is eating them only once in a while or in small portions and balancing them out with healthier foods.

• If you are traveling this season, take healthy snacks along, like fruit and low-fat protein. That way, you can avoid the temptation of convenience foods high in fat, sugar, and salt.
• If your favorite home recipes call for fried fish or chicken with breading, try healthier baked or grilled variations. Maybe try a recipe that uses dried beans in place of higher-fat meats..."
  Healthy holidays

Create a Healthy Holiday Workplace

"The holiday season is kicking off, and with it comes a marathon of office parties, potlucks, and gift exchanges. Here are a few tips for bringing healthy holidays to your workplace.

Creating Healthy Holidays at Work

Ready, get set, go. The holiday season is kicking off, and with it comes a marathon of office parties, potlucks, and gift exchanges. Help employees enjoy the holidays with their coworkers. Here are a few tips for bringing healthy holidays to your workplace.

Spotting Challenges Ahead of Time

Temptation lurking around every corner – During the holidays, it seems more sweets and homemade treats pop up in the break room, on countertops, and in coworkers’ offices than during the rest of the year. It’s enough to make your employees throw up their hands and say, “I’ll wait until after the holidays to eat healthy again!”

Stress mounting by the minute –With parties, entertaining, gift-giving, and office cookie swaps, the demands on your time and wallet may seem endless. People can feel overwhelmed and have a hard time remembering why this season is supposed to be fun.

Busy calendar leaving no time for physical activity – The extra tasks make it tempting to hold off self-care with the promise to renew it in the new year. Your employees may believe they barely have time to cram in all the holiday planning and celebrations, causing them to skip workout.."
Healthy Holiday

Food Safety Tips for the Holidays

"Everyone can practice food safety during the holidays.

• Wash your hands. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing food, after touching raw meat, raw eggs, or unwashed vegetables, and before eating or drinking.
• Cook food thoroughly. Meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs can carry germs that cause food poisoning. Use a food thermometer to ensure these foods have been cooked to the safe minimum internal temperature. Roasts, chops, steaks and fresh ham should rest for 3 minutes after removing from the oven or grill.
• Keep food out of the “danger zone.” Bacteria can grow rapidly at room temperature. After food is cooked, keep hot food hot and cold food cold. Refrigerate or freeze any perishable food within 2 hours. The temperature in your refrigerator should be set at or below 40°F and the freezer at or below 0°F.
• Use pasteurized eggs for dishes containing raw eggs. Salmonella and other harmful germs can live on both the outside and inside of normal-looking eggs. Many holiday favorites contain raw eggs, including eggnog, tiramisu, hollandaise sauce, and Caesar dressing. Always use pasteurized eggs when making these and other foods made with raw eggs.
• Do not eat dough or batter. Dough and batter made with flour or eggs can contain harmful germs, such as E. coli and Salmonella. Do not taste or eat unpasteurized dough or batter of any kind, including those for cookies, cakes, pies, biscuits, pancakes, tortillas, pizza, or crafts. Do not let children taste raw dough or batter or play with dough at home or in restaurants.
• Keep foods separated. Keep meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods at the grocery and in the refrigerator. Prevent juices from meat, poultry, and seafood from dripping or leaking onto other foods by keeping them in containers or sealed plastic bags. Store eggs in their original carton in the main compartment of the refrigerator.
• Safely thaw your turkey. Thaw turkey in the refrigerator, in a sink of cold water that is changed every 30 minutes, or in the microwave. Avoid thawing foods on the counter. A turkey must thaw at a safe temperature to prevent harmful germs from growing rapidly..."
  Holiday food safety

Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

"Today marks the beginning of Asian-American and Pacific Islander Month.  In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad, completed May 10, 1869.

In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month-long celebration that is now known as Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Per a 1997 U.S. Office of Management and Budget directive, the Asian or Pacific Islander racial category was separated into two categories: one being Asian and the other Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander..."
Asian-American and Pacific Heritage

Holiday Road Safety

"Stay safe on the roads and take action to protect yourself and your loved ones.

In the United States, motor vehicle crashes are in the top 10 causes of death for people aged 1-54, and more than 30,000 people are killed in crashes each year. In 2013, crash deaths resulted in $44 billion in medical and work loss costs. However, motor vehicle crashes, and their related injuries and deaths, are preventable. Stay safe on the roads this holiday season, and take action to protect yourself and your loved ones..."
Safe travel

Protect Your Wallet and Your Information This Holiday Season

"As the holiday shopping season officially gets underway, the FBI would like to take this opportunity to warn shoppers to be aware of the increasingly aggressive techniques of cyber criminals who want to steal your money and your personal information.

For example, watch out for online shopping scams—criminals often scheme to defraud victims by offering too-good-to-be-true deals, like brand name merchandise at extremely low discounts or gift cards as an incentive to buy a product. Beware of social media scams, including posts on social media sites that offer vouchers or gift cards or that pose as holiday promotions or contests. Always be careful when downloading mobile applications on your smartphone—some apps, disguised as games and offered for free, maybe be designed to steal personal information. And if you’re in need of extra cash this time of year, watch out for websites and online postings offering work you can do from home—you may actually become the victim of an advance fee, counterfeit, or pyramid scheme, or become an unknowing participant in criminal activity..."
Holiday money issues

FTC Offers Top 10 Holiday Shopping Tips For Consumers, And Advice For Online Retailers

"Whether you’re shopping by phone, mail or online this holiday season, the Federal Trade Commission offers 10 tips to help you shop wisely and save a few bucks, too. Need tips on making a shopping budget, comparing prices, taking advantage of rebates and layaway, and protecting your identity when shopping online? Check outconsumer.ftc.gov for helpful information.

In addition, an FTC business blog post, Cyber Monday success: Five tips for online retailers, advises merchants to honor their delivery promises, prevent back-order blunders, avoid illegal negative option sales, make return policies clear, and maintain high security standards to prevent fraud and identity theft. Learn more at business.ftc.gov...."
Holiday shopping tips

EPA Tips for Building a Cleaner Fire this Holiday Season

"Across the country this holiday season, families and friends will gather around fires in woodstoves or fireplaces. But how you build that fire – and what you burn – can have a significant impact on air quality and health, both inside your home and out.

Whether you’re using a woodstove, pellet stove, or your fireplace, seeing smoke from your chimney means your fire isn’t burning efficiently or cleanly as it could.

Woodsmoke contains fine particles – also called fine particle pollution or PM_2.5 -- which can harm the lungs, blood vessels and heart. People with heart, vascular or lung disease, and older adults and children are more at risk..."
Fire and holidays

Managing your diabetes during holidays

"Preparation is the most important step in managing diabetes during holiday travel and festivities. Know what you'll be eating, how to enjoy a few traditional favorites while sticking with a healthy meal plan, and how to pack necessary supplies for a trip, and you're ready to celebrate!

Feasts and Parties

Before you go, take these steps to ensure you stick to your healthy meal plan.

• Eat a healthy snack early to avoid overeating at the party.
• Ask what food will be served, so you can see how it fits into your meal plan.
• Bring a nutritious snack or dish for yourself and others..."
• Diabetes Managementi

Managing Diabetes During the Holidays

"The most important step in managing diabetes during holiday travel and festivities is preparing. Know what you'll be eating, how to enjoy a few traditional favorites while sticking with a healthy meal plan, and how to pack necessary supplies for a trip, and you're all set to celebrate!

Feasts and Parties
Before you go, take these steps to make sure you stick to your healthy meal plan.

Eat a healthy snack to avoid overeating at the party.
Ask what food will be served, so you can see how it fits into your meal plan.
Bring a nutritious snack or dish for yourself and others.

You don't have to give up all of your holiday favorites if you make healthy choices and limit portion sizes. At a party or holiday gathering, follow these tips to avoid overeating and to choose healthy foods..."

Holiday Shopping Tips

"Whether your gift list is ready or you're wondering how long you can wait to start your holiday shopping, the Federal Trade Commission has online tips to help you get the best deals. The bottom line: Some extra research can really pay off:

Set a Budget. Create a gift list and check it twice to help you stay on track and not overspend.

Decide What Matters. Especially if you're buying gadgets, know what your "must-have" features are vs. those that are just nice to have.

Use Search Engines. Type a company or product name into your search engine with terms like "review," "complaint" or "scam" to find out more about it.

Read Reviews Online. Reviews from other people, experts, and columnists can give you an idea of how a product performs. But don't put all of your trust in one review.

Consider Reputation. A brand's reputation for quality and good customer service can really pay off.

Check Comparison Shopping Sites. They connect to many retailers selling the same product, sometimes at significantly different prices. Keep shipping costs in mind.

Consider Coupons. Some companies offer discounts via e-mail, and some websites collect and list codes for free shipping and other discounts. Search for the store with terms like "discount," "coupon" or "free shipping."

Read Return Policies. Not all stores have the same rules. Some charge fees for return shipping or restocking things like electronics.

Decide How to Pay. When you shop online, credit cards can offer extra protections.

Look for a Secure Checkout. Does the website start with https (the "s" stands for secure) when you're checking out?..."

Tips for Smart Holiday Shopping
Tips from the Federal Trade Commission on smart holiday shopping.

Holiday Health and Safety Tips
Tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on staying safe and healthy during the holidays.