Hiatus

Hello All,

My BLOG will be on hiatus until Friday, March 19. I look forward to bringing you more "Tips To Living Fabulously" when I return then!

Regards,
Shawn - One Gay Man

Late Night Laughter

The ancient people of Greece used to head to the amphitheater during the day to watch tragedies but only watched comedies at night. Luckily, the major TV networks and pay cable channels follow though on this tradition, even today. Take a cue from the Greeks and keep things light and happy before bed to insure a good night's sleep.

I always have a 30 minute episode of a late night show on my DVD waiting for me when I'm ready to wind down for bed. Watching a funny movie, sitcom or talk show can put you in a happy, light mood just before you hit the hay. When you are in a good mood, endorphins are released that can have a calming effect on humans, perfect to relax you for sleep.

Some people are more prone to nightmares when they see disturbing images, just before bedtime. Certain medications and the use of alcohol can amplify these night terrors. Avoid horror movies and tearjerkers to keep your slumber calm and pleasant, every night.

Caught With The Doors Open

No matter if you are watching your waistline shrink or swell, late night snacks can be a belt buster. It is advisable not to eat several hours before bedtime but sometimes that is not possible or practicable.

The best route for late night snacking is always low carb, high protein to keep the last bite of the day from going directly to your gut or thighs. A handful of nuts, preferably pistachios, will fill you up while boosting your protein levels. Reduced fat cheeses such as mozzarella will also crush your cravings.

If you are having a nocturnal sweet tooth, stay away from processed sugar. Eating a candy bar or ice cream will spike your insulin levels for a bit and then will crash as your body readily processes the sugar. You will end up back in front of the refrigerator at 3am, famished again. Instead, try a piece of fruit or a lower-sugar protein bar. Watch what you eat before bed to insure a good night's sleep and a lovely midsection.

Trimming The Fat... Without Cutting The Flavor

If you are planning a wedding or other large event on a budget, you may be faced with trimming some cash off the tab to stay on track. In order to have a successful and enjoyable time, there are some things that should never be considered as an item on the chopping block.

If you are faced with cutting back on the decor dollars, consider doing only one focal point...either the entry at a party or the ceremony site at a wedding. First impressions are everything. Instead of placing sporadic decorations throughout the space that look lost, do them in one or two large groupings for more visual impact.

Don't cut back on the cocktails. Everyone loosens up and has a better time after a couple of drinks. The food will taste better and the space as well as the guests will look better, especially when everyone and everything is viewed through "red wine colored glasses."

After the party gets going, be sure to include some sort of entertainment. After the food is gone and the cake has been cut, the band or DJ will keep people around for dancing, chatting and fun. There is nothing that brings an event to an early end faster than not to include music. While everything else is up for discussion, these three areas should not be scrimped upon.

And The Envelope, Please

Our bodies are made up of more than 70% water. At any moment, we are loosing it from perspiration, breathing and visits to the restroom. Medical professionals and nutritionist agree that we need to consume at least sixty-four ounces of water per day to maintain healthy levels in our system.

While some people may find it hard to "stomach" eight, eight once glasses of water per day, it is something we must all do. While there is nothing better than a big glass of ice cold water to quench my thirst, sometimes I need a little flavor to perk up my agua. Solution: water flavor packs.

Companies like Ocean Spray, Crystal Light, Hawaiian Punch and others offer many different fruit flavored, individual serving envelopes, to add to bottled water to make it go down easier. These products have just a couple of calories per serving with no sugar and are great for people watching their weight. Add one of these envelopes to a sixteen ounce bottle of cold water, shake, drink and you are already a fourth of the way through your daily requirement. You can also make your own flavored water at home by steeping sliced citrus and/or herbs in steaming water for a few minutes, then strain and refrigerate until cold. Get your 8 glasses in today and feel your best!

Bag Lady

I have spoken before about taking your cloth bags to the grocery store when you do your shopping in order to save the paper and keep millions of plastic bags from entering the ground as trash, only to take up to a thousand years to decompose. In another attempt to save the Earth, I have started using reusable dry cleaning bags.

While dry cleaning itself it not very environmentally friendly, I simply have no other choice for items like wool suits and such. I have reduced my trips to the dry cleaners significantly by doing my own shirts at home and buying more articles of clothing that do not require chemical treatment. When I do take a trip to the cleaners, there is now a reusable bag that turns from a duffel to carry the dirty clothes in and into a hanging garment bag to bring the cleaned and pressed items home.

Dry cleaners are happy for you to bring your own reusable bag because it saves them money so some of them offer these reusable cloth bags, right in the store. Websites like thegreengarmento.com offer these versatile, earth-friendly products, sent right to your door. Invest in your own bag if you make trips to the cleaner often and do you part.

RIN # 7654321

If you own a home, your personal possessions are covered by your homeowner's insurance. If you rent a house or apartment, what happens if your things are stolen, burned in a fire or damaged by an act of God? Unless you have a renter's insurance policy, you may literally be left out in the cold.

Renter's policies can be purchased from most insurance companies for around $100 a year for about $10,000 coverage and can be broken into four to twelve payments. If something happens to your belongings, the insurance company will reimburse you for your loss. You may think that you don't own $10,000 worth 0f household items but stop for a minute and think about how much it would cost you to replace all of your clothing, electronics, housewares and furniture.

As with homeowner's insurance, floods are not covered by renter's insurance policies so consider getting a supplement if you live in a low-lying area prone to flooding rains or rising waters. Sleep tight tonight, and every night, knowing your stuff is protected with renters insurance.