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'Tis the Season to Have Cocktails: 8 Lower-Calorie Drinks to Enjoy

Who doesn't like a good cocktail during the holidays? Sure, spending 3 days straight with your extended family might have something to do with it, but beside that, almost everyone likes to let loose at this time of year. And there are plenty of occasions to do so. From the office holiday party, to the lighting of the menorah, to the various "Eve" and "Morning" festivities, there's no shortage of celebrations in which to involve libations.

Unfortunately, most holiday cocktails tend to give the gifts of too much fat and too many calories. One cup of eggnog has 343 calories and 19 grams of fat (see this week's recipe below for a lighter version)! It's a meal in a cup, with a ton of added fat and sugar. Then, there are the hot chocolates, mulled ciders, and traditional grogs that chase away the winter chill but help hold on the pounds. And we can't forget about all of the themed mixed drinks that make every party a bit more fun, and our waistlines a bit more full. So how do we enjoy the fun of the holiday season without having to hide behind bulky sweaters till July? Here are 8 fun drink ideas that are lower in fat, calories, and sugar than their original versions.

Pumpkin Pie Martini

Yeah, I know. It's as good as it sounds. There are several pumpkin liqueurs on the market, which are convenient, but add a ton of calories. By using the actual squash, you get the flavor without the calories—and, believe it or not, a little fiber in your drink.

• 6 oz. canned unsweetened pumpkin
• 6 oz. vanilla-flavored vodka
• 4 oz. fat-free condensed milk
• 4 oz. unsweetened almond milk (or fat-free milk)
• 4 Tbsp. pumpkin pie seasoning
• Ice cubes
• 6 crushed reduced-fat vanilla wafers

Place vodka and pumpkin in bowl, and stir until pumpkin has melted. Stir in condensed milk and almond milk. Add seasoning. Dip rim of glass in crushed vanilla wafers. Pour liquid over ice into glass and enjoy. Serves 6.

Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories	Protein	Fiber	Carbs	Fat Total	Saturated Fat
105	2 grams	1 gram	6 grams	<1 gram	<1 gram

Grog

Its rich history dates back 400 years, when it used to be rationed out to sailors at sea. The big babies wouldn't drink their scurvy-preventing dose of lemon juice straight, so the powers-that-be dressed it up with a little rum. Since the added ingredients only serve to make it that much tastier, it stands to reason that being "three sheets to the wind" was fairly common.

• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1 lemon peel
• 4 Tbsp. of sugar
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 whole orange peel
• 4 oz. golden rum
• 10 oz. water
• 4 cinnamon sticks

In a pan, combine the lemon juice and peel with the sugar, cloves, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, and water. Let simmer for 15 minutes, and then slowly stir in rum. Pour though a fine strainer into mugs, and serve each mug with a cinnamon stick. Serves 4.

Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories	Protein	Fiber	Carbs	Fat Total	Saturated Fat
118	<1 gram	<1 gram	14 grams	<1 gram	<1 gram

Gingerbread Toddy

In cold weather, a hot drink can warm you up faster than a Snuggie^® and an electric blanket. This hot toddy will get you warm, and make you think you are eating gingerbread cookies in the process. Yummy.

• 1 oz. brandy
• 1 oz. gingerbread liqueur
• 1 lemon wedge
• 8 oz. hot water
• cinnamon stick (optional)

Pour ingredients into a preheated mug in the order listed. Serve garnished with a cinnamon stick to stir. Serves 1.

Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories	Protein	Fiber	Carbs	Fat Total	Saturated Fat
155	<1 gram	<1 gram	11 grams	<1 gram	<1 gram

Holiday Hot Chocolate

You can do this the easy way and buy no-sugar-added hot chocolate in packages. But you're no slacker. You can make homemade hot chocolate, which makes your house smell amazing, and impresses your friends and family.

• 4 cups evaporated fat-free milk
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• 1/2 cup baking chocolate
• 2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sugar, or natural sugar substitute, like agave
• 6 oz. Frangelico^® liqueur

Combine evaporated milk, fat-free milk, chocolate, vanilla, and sugar in pan and heat over stove on low. Stir in Frangelico. Pour into mugs and serve with a small candy cane. Serves 6.

Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories	Protein	Fiber	Carbs	Fat Total	Saturated Fat
340	16 grams	2 grams	45 grams	6 grams	3 grams

Peppermint Martini

This is, perhaps, the simplest and tastiest low-calorie cocktail out there. Just three ingredients and a bit of candy cane. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

• 9 oz. vanilla vodka
• 9 oz. peppermint schnapps
• 3 oz. fat-free condensed milk
• Ice
• Mini candy canes

Place all liquids in a martini shaker with ice. Shake and pour into glasses. Serve with a candy cane. Serves 6.

Nutritional Information (per serving; not counting the candy cane)
Calories	Protein	Fiber	Carbs	Fat Total	Saturated Fat
232	1 gram	<1 gram	13 grams	<1 gram	<1 gram

Mulled Apple Cider

Nothing makes a house smell more like Christmas than some mulled apple cider—except those overpriced candles that they constantly advertise on TV. And this tastes better, so take that, Glade^®!

• 8 cups apple cider
• 1 3-inch cinnamon stick
• 10 whole cloves
• 1 navel orange, peeled and sliced crosswise
• A 2-inch piece of peeled fresh ginger, cut into 6 slices
• 4 oz. light brandy

In a large saucepan, combine cider, cinnamon stick, cloves, orange and ginger, and simmer the mixture for 20 minutes. Pour brandy into pan. Strain through a fine strainer into a heatproof pitcher, and serve the mulled cider warm. Serves 6.

Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories	Protein	Fiber	Carbs	Fat Total	Saturated Fat
202	<1 gram	<1 gram	37 grams	<1 gram	<1 gram

Blitzen's Bliss

Given Blitzen is the final reindeer in the lineup, he probably gets knocked around a fair bit by the sleigh over the course of Christmas Eve. But once he has circumvented the globe, he comes home, has a few of these, and it's all good. Not only does he feel better, but since they're just 130 calories apiece, he doesn't feel all bloated for his Christmas dinner the next day.

• 2 cups pomegranate juice
• Juice of two limes
• 8 oz. vodka
• 1 tsp. peppermint extract
• 12 ice cubes
• 6 mini candy canes
• 4 tablespoons chopped mint

Place all liquids in shaker with ice. Shake and pour into individual glasses. Top with sprinkle of mint and candy cane. Serves 6.

Nutritional Information (per serving; not counting candy cane)
Calories	Protein	Fiber	Carbs	Fat Total	Saturated Fat
130	<1 gram	<1 gram	11 grams	<1 gram	<1 gram

Sangria for Santa

Santa really appreciates the cookies and milk. But after hundreds of years, he's over it. Want to be on the "nice" list next year? Then get a little naughty. Leave some sangria for Santa by the fireplace.

• 10 green grapes, halved
• 4 fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 peach, pitted and sliced
• 1 bottle of white or red wine
• 1-1/2 cups white grape juice
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 2 sprigs fresh mint

Fill a large glass pitcher halfway with ice; add fruit and wine. Add juice and brandy; stir gently. Stir in mint. Let sit in refrigerator for 2 hours before serving. Serves 6.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories	Protein	Fiber	Carbs	Fat Total	Saturated Fat
183	1 gram	1 gram	14 grams	<1 gram	<1 gram

So if this holiday season finds you having a "cup of cheer," at least you can enjoy it and not have to wear your Santa outfit for the month of January. Happy Holidays!

Get fit and in shape this holiday season with beachbody products.

5 Things To Cut Out Your Diet

When I begin training new clients, the first thing I do is ask them about their diets. Because if you want to get major results, you have to cut out what I call "food porn"—food that's doing nothing to fuel your body, and in some cases is actually doing more harm than good. To keep things simple, I tell them there are 5 things that they absolutely, positively, MUST stop eating and drinking if they want to achieve their fitness goals:

1.Processed sugars. I'm talking about white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, or pretty much any kind of sugar that came from a factory instead of a piece of fruit. Processed sugar negatively affects your metabolism, your insulin response, even your mood—and all for totally empty calories. Cutting sugar out of your diet means you're going to have to read some labels, because it is by far the most common food additive in the U.S.

2.Alcohol. Calories that are as empty as sugar, and at 7 calories a gram, booze can really pack it on. Alcohol also dehydrates your body, which compromises muscle growth. Plus it slows your metabolism, so you burn fewer calories. In short, drinking gives you less muscle and more fat—you're just undoing everything you're trying to achieve with your workout.

3.Caffeine. I know there are a lot of people out there who say caffeine can give your workout a little extra "oomph." Obviously, it can give you some extra energy to make you push harder, but the cost is that it increases cortisol levels in your body, which inhibits lean muscle growth. Plus, it can negatively affect your sleep patterns, and you're better off working out when you're rested than when you're juiced.

4.Anything with a face. It used to be that you could find some decent lean meat sources, but in the last few decades, the hormones, antibiotics, and chemicals that have been used to process meat and fish make them pretty worthless as a source of protein. There are plenty of excellent vegetarian protein sources, like beans, tofu, and nuts, so you can eat clean while you get lean.

5.Gluten. Gluten is a grain-derived protein found in lots of different foods, mostly wheat, rye, and barley products. The name comes from the Latin word for "glue." You don't need to eat glue. Even if you're not one of the millions who are sensitive or allergic to gluten, you'll be operating a much cleaner machine if you cut it out of your diet. There are plenty of other healthier gluten-free alternatives, like millet, amaranth, quinoa, and oats.

By eliminating these empty or harmful "foods" from your diet, you can start turning your body into the well-oiled machine nature intended it to be. By eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, you can give yourself the premium fuel to get into the best shape of your life.

Beachbody fitness programs can help you get fit and healthy

Being fit and getting into shape is very important in our society today. A great majority of the population is overweight and obese. Since the introduction of fast food restaurants the average American eats out atleast three times a week. With our always on the go, fast paced lifestyles that we live. Taking care of our bodies and our health has taken a low place on our priority list. Everyday you can see a tv commercial or ad in the paper about losing weight or getting healthy. It is time for us as individuals to take charge and change our lifes. There are great programs on tv like The Biggest Loser that showcases people making a healthy change in their lives. Everyday people don't have the time to go away for 6 weeks to work consistently on their fitness goals.

With working and the work week and hours getting longer. Also taking care of home and the family, finding time to workout is very hard to find. Just 20 minutes a day would a big difference in our lives but we fail to even find that time or even put that time as a priority.

Doctors have recommend for years that we eat right, take vitamins, and excercise. Just recently has society really embraced this information and tried to make a change for the better in our overall physical health. We have gotten so bad as a society that cereal boxes have had to put expand the nutrutional labels on them and actually recommend that we eat right and excercise.

With today's fast paced lifestyle Beachbody has several fitness workout programs that will fit into most schedules and target certain areas of the body as well. Beachbody's main focus is to ensure to get people healthy and fit through workout and nutrition. Beachbody has coach's to help you all the way through your transformation to healthy. So you don't have to do it alone.

You can choose from various fitness workout programs such as P90X which focuses on transforming your overall body in 90 days. The Insanity workout program is designed to totally transform your body un 60 days. Slim in 6 guarantees that you will lose up to 6 pounds in your first week of the program. There are other great fitness programs to choose from as well such as Turbo Fire, Brazil Butt Lift, and more to achieve your health and fitness goals.


To find out more information visit http://www.instantnewbody.com/

Hanee King has been an online network marketer since 2001. Over the course of his career he has been able to retire at the age of 27.
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