The Christmas song - Michael Buble rendition

Michael Buble's White Christmas feat Kelly Rowland

Michael Buble's I'll be home for Christmas

Michael Buble's All I want for Christmas is you

Justin Bieber's Little Drummer Boy feat Busta Rhymes

Holiday planning with a twist

Copyright - Off the Leash

How to combat tired aching 'shoppers' feet this holiday

Photo source :  <a href="http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=4278&picture=flower-and-toes">Flower And Toes</a> by Petr Kratochvil

We all know that the holidays can really take its toll on your feet, especially since many people dash around like crazy doing serious shopping during the Christmas holidays. Aching feet can really make holiday shopping a nightmare as it tends to make one irritable, thus taking some joy out of what should be a festive mood. There are however, some simple tips you could use to alleviate this common shopping problem.

Remember that it is vital you wear appropriate shoes. It may be the holiday season and you may just have splashed out on a designer pair of high heels, but a trip to the mall to do your holiday shopping is not the right time to try and show them off! Research reveals that high heels puts stress on your lower back, so besides achy feet, you may also have a sore back to add to your list of complaints. Flat shoes, like sneakers are definitely the most sensible shopping option, provided the soles are flexible and that is has adequate arch support. You should definitely avoid slip-on sandals and try to opt for a more supportive sandal, preferably one with a strap around the heels. And do try to avoid wearing shoes that are too narrow at the toes, as that would become a nightmare to walk in for long periods of time.

How to make your own foot spa and pedicure

For those who do not have the time or privilege of having a foot spa treatment , do not worry as you could very easily create your own. All you need are two plastic containers ,water and perhaps some of your own favorite aromatherapy oils if you wish.Fill one container with cold water at approximately 15 degrees Celsius and the other with lukewarm water at approximately 38 degrees Celsius. You may add some of your favorite aromatherapy or foot spa oil to the lukewarm water. Soak your feet in the cold water for a few minutes.Then soak them in the fragrant lukewarm water for a few minutes. Repeat this a few times for optimal results. Towel dry,moisturize and file any rough spots and callouses.Finally clip those toe nails, push back those cuticles and if desired, add a touch of glamor by applying your favorite nail varnish. By Melanie Fourie

Pulling a Holiday Potluck

Quick tips for pulling together a holiday potluck
Divide, conquer and enjoy
When your holiday-dinner guest list keeps growing year after year, it may be time to share the cooking. A potluck is a great way to share the load, and with just a little advance planning you can avoid ending up with 12 green bean casseroles on the dinner table.

"Don't be shy about assigning food categories to your guests," says Ginny Bean, founder and publisher of Ginny's catalog and www.ginnys.com."This eliminates the guesswork for them, too." Bean suggests you start planning four to six weeks out, and following these simple tips.

* Don't overlook the non-cooks. Include categories such as beverages and paper products, or ask non-cooks to bring flowers, candles or other items to decorate the table. Those who want to help but need something easy to do can do some of the shopping for you.

* Double up. Ask at least two of the guests to make different salads, two to make different potato dishes, two people to bring different green vegetables, and two to bring pies. Plan on making the turkey, stuffing and gravy yourself.

* Make sure someone brings kid food. There's nothing worse than having kids reject all the food at the table. Make sure there's ice cream or another dessert that appeals to kids, some sparkling apple juice for a special toast, and kid-friendly items like mac and cheese or yams with marshmallows.

* Pick your battles. If someone really wants to bring a certain dish that you don't particularly want, let them bring it anyway. You never know which dish might turn into a family tradition.

* Assess your appliance needs. Ask guests to let you know ahead of time if they'll need refrigerator, oven or range-top space. The added capacity of countertop ovens and microwaves can be a godsend for big holiday meals. Plan a menu with some dishes that can be served at room temperature so you don't have too many dishes that need to be kept hot. -

* Be prepared with extra serving plates, bowls and spoons. Somebody's bound to forget something. Also remind guests to label their serving dishes and utensils. Most regular potluck participants can tell tales about losing the lid to a favorite plastic bowl or discovering that the only casserole dish left on the table was not the one they brought.

* Don't attempt to serve all the food from one table. Place desserts on a table separate from main dishes and side dishes. Locate beverages in another area. For the most convenient self-service, arrange the buffet so diners can serve themselves from both sides of the table. Lay out the table in logical order: plates at one end of the table for guests to pick up and load with food, and utensils tucked inside napkins at the other end to grab once their plates are full.

* Strike while the iron's hot (and guests are in a festive mood). Before everyone leaves, set up the planning committee and solicit suggestions for next year -(BPT)

Holiday Health Tip

Quick Holiday Detox with Beetroot

Did you know that beetroot juice has been proven to effectively cleanse your blood? You could cleanse your skin from the inside out, your blood and detox with pure beetroot juice.So get cracking with a natural detox, especially if you have been over-indulging this holiday season.Detox now and enjoy optimal health and vitality for the rest of your holiday!

Cholesterol, the silent holiday season health threat

This Holiday Season, knowledge about health matters could prove to be vital.

The 'silly season' has dawned upon us and with that, comes parties and the over indulgence of unhealthy food. Cholesterol, if left untreated, is a silent killer and you should always try to keep high cholesterol in check if you are aware of having the condition.However, many people, the world over are unaware of the key risk factors associated with conditions such as atherosclerosis or familial hypercholesterolaemia. Familial hypercholesterolaemia is the condition whereby one is genetically predisposed to high cholesterol and is statistically estimated to affect at least one in every 500 South Africans.

 If you're like 34 percent of American adults surveyed,* you may know your specific cholesterol numbers, but you may not know the significance of these numbers if you have high cholesterol. A survey conducted by AstraZeneca of more than 1000 American adults revealed that 63 percent of adults have heard of atherosclerosis, a progressive disease where plaque builds up in the arteries slowly over time.Adults with high cholesterol and additional risk factors such as obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, or family history of early heart disease may be at increased risk for plaque buildup in their arteries.

How to prepare your home for holiday entertaining

Having a guest-friendly home is easier than you think!Here are some tips on making your home ready for entertaining anytime...


One of the many exciting and sometimes stressful parts of the holiday season is entertaining at home with friends and family. To prepare for their arrival you may be tempted to just clean the kitchen counters, toss a few extra towels in the guest bathroom and ignore the rest of the house. Instead, your visitors will enjoy the party more if they have full access to an open, organized and welcoming home.

Knowing where to start is the most important thing. Lifestyle guru Susie Coelho has provided entertaining tips for the home on HGTV, "Oprah," "Today" and "The View" and knows just what to do.

Getting away from home for the holidays

 Do thoughts of the holidays make you yearn for home? For many people, spending time with loved ones in the comfort of their own home is an integral part of the holiday season. But there's something to be said for getting away from home for the holidays - and not just on a long drive to grandma's house.

Holiday travel can be rewarding on many levels, from the enjoyment of being with those you love in a great destination to the pleasure of letting someone else cook holiday meals and clean up after guests. Whether you're a single person looking to celebrate the holidays with friends, a family gathering members together from many states, or grandparents seeking a special time with the grand kids, a holiday vacation has a lot to offer.