By: Dr. Margaret Lewin – Medical Director of Cinergy Health (www.cinergyhealth.com)

Thanksgiving can be one of the most joyous holidays of the year, but it can add tremendous stress, not to mention a ton of calories, to your already stressful (and calorie-laden) life if you don’t prepare ahead. To avoid being one of the average Americans who consumes an extra 600 calories daily between Thanksgiving and New Year ’s Day (that is over 6 extra pounds), here are some tips for avoiding the stress and extra pounds without losing the holiday spirit:

How to be the Hostess with the Mostess: Plan Ahead The Menu – Think Thin: Remember, there is always a way to make it healthier!

• The turkey: consider using fruits or vegetables to moisten the stuffing – instead of butter or other fats; use complimentary seasoning

• The gravy: plan to serve the turkey au jus – while the turkey is resting, pour the fat out of the roaster, and deglaze the remaining natural juices with white (or red) wine

• For before-dinner nibbles: serve cut-up vegetables with low-fat dips

House cleaned - check. Kids picked up from soccer practice – check. Dinner made – check. Trying to make ends meet – check. Exhausted - CHECK!

 A common theme in households nationwide. It’s no surprise that women today are busier than ever juggling multiple roles, especially as we enter the most hectic time of year. So what are women missing? More than 80 percent feel they are missing out on life moments with family due to the stress and time involved with everyday responsibilities.

Now imagine these stress-causing chores removed from the day or better yet, for an entire week. Would individuals travel or simply stay home and truly enjoy what matters – family. Nearly 60 percent of women say they’d prefer to spend time off with family at home versus a destination vacation, especially given today’s economic challenges.

Amanda Moreno Duke

Owner/Designer: Cutie Pa Tutus

Cutie Pa Tutus, LLC, was born out of a mother’s desperation over her inability to afford Christmas presents for her children. Having been almost financially ruined by the economy, Amanda Moreno Duke and her husband found themselves unable to afford any of the “extras” in life; any money coming in went straight to pay the bills that had piled up. As Christmas neared, Duke worried that there would be no money to afford the Christmas she wanted for her two children, then 4 and 1. Her breaking point was when she had to return the few gifts she’d bought here and there in order to pay an electricity bill. “I stood in the line at Customer Service and just broke down,” Duke recalls.

At about the same time, a different dilemma introduced a shimmery solution. “My daughter was invited to her first ‘Princess party’,” recalls Duke, of Charleston, SC. She scoured the Internet for just the right tutu for her princess outfit, but didn’t find exactly what she wanted at a reasonable price. So for the first time since making Barbie clothes as a child, Duke sat down to sew. After a few attempts, she came up with an adorable tutu filled with brightly colored pompoms and bells that jingled. Her toddler’s tutu made her the belle of the party, and every mom that saw it wanted one. Duke’s inner light bulb went off; what if she could market these tutus and sell them to help pay for Christmas? So she did; and with the money raised from the sale of her tutus, she was able to repurchase the gifts she’d returned and “save” Christmas for her children after all.

 Cutie Pa Tutus would love to offer one of our Swanky Moms' readers a choice of a free personalized, reversible super hero cape OR a tutu of their choice.

  1st Entry (mandatory), enter below.

Visit www.cutiepatutus

LAYLA GRACE

Layla has always been a healthy child, 80th percentile for weight, a great eater, a great sleeper. She is sweet as pie and a little cuddle monkey (she won’t let you put her down!). She has a very advanced vocab for her age which really helps us manage her pain and give her what she needs as her care continues.

Layla had a great 15 month checkup. At around 16 months her sleep habits and appetite started to change and she started to become more irritable. Mid March appetite began to decrease. At the time we thought we were dealing with a “picky eater”. Beginning of May Layla woke up one morning with a swollen eye. We took her to the doctor and she was treated for an ear infection and the doctor said the swelling was just a result of the ear infection. At the same time we noted that her belly was hard and somewhat distended. She had not had a bowel movement for a few days and we were concerned that she was becoming constipated.

The next day we took her to the pediatrician who put her on Mirilax over the weekend and told us to call back Monday. By Monday morning she was not eating at all, still no dirty diaper, her activity level had decreased and was rubbing her belly and lower back and saying “owie”.

How traditional gift giving inspired our big idea....

Kelly's first baby was on the way, and Cindy wanted to show up with the best gift at the baby shower (since we all know that this 'best gift at the baby shower' contest does indeed exist!). Cindy crafted Kelly's gift, a 'production' six pack, based on the idea of celebrating parenthood with cute, smart designs, and practical garments. This gift idea wowed everyone at the party - especially the new moms!