Page 32 December 2016 O A S I S URBAN E X P E R I E N C E A N PHOENIX COUNTRY CLUB SEVENTH STREET & THOMAS ROAD PHONE: EMAIL: WEB: (602) 636-9823 MGrass@PhoenixCountryClub.com PhoenixCountryClub.com Arcadia News is looking for a creative self-starter who wants to be part of our fast-paced office. We have a Part-Time Office/Admin Assistant position that offers the potential to learn many new and varied skills. Great job for an Arcadia Mom going back to work or a recent retiree wanting a new challenge. Quickbooks experience helpful. Please e-mail résumé to: business@arcadianews.com 3850 E Indian School Rd • Phoenix 85018 JOIN OUR TEAM! By Andrea Barkley No one wants to gain weight this holiday season, me included. There are even a few brave souls daring to get in better shape to look svelte for party pictures. I totally understand wanting to look fantastic in your holiday dress and am right there with you. However, most seem to anticipate gaining five to ten pounds over the winter months. It certainly does not have to be that way! Below is the unconventional approach I like to take to stay lean and healthy—and the good news is it has nothing to do with celery sticks, gallon jugs of water, and excessive cardio: 1. Let the actual holiday itself be your indulgence day. There are many regular winter days and really just a few big eating days. Stay on track on non-party days and let the family gatherings and holiday parties be the time you eat whatever you want. Just enjoy and go for it. Since the beginning of mankind there have always been times of feast or famine, so do not fear the feast. Instead let it be a reset to your metabolism and your mood. Restriction stinks and eventually backfires. So, feast away on the actual day with what you want. Relax and enjoy. You will not wake up the next day fat, I promise. 2. Enjoy your booze on the actual holiday, too. Alcohol is crazy high in calories, makes you munchie, disrupts your sleep and can even be a depressant. Include this social indulgence on the actual day or evening of specific festivities as well. You’ll feel healthier and more energetic on all the other winter days. Bonus points, when you do imbibe, stick to organic wines and premium, distilled spirits. For cozy nights on the sofa, swap your evening wine or hot toddy for a delicious apple cinnamon spiced or peppermint tea, lemon water or organic decaf coffee (look for Swiss water process on the label—that’s the only non-solvent method of removing caffeine). 3. Spend less time at the gym. Yes, you heard me right, quit spending so much darn time there and instead make the time of a higher quality, not quantity. Swap 60 – 90 minutes of your usual routine for 30 – 40 minutes of sprints and heavier lifts. Getting more done in less time will give you more time to tend the busy-ness of the season. 4. Don’t forget your vitamin D! Make a plan to spend at least 10 – 20 minutes outside, with a little direct sunlight on sunscreen-free skin. This will help improve your mood, metabolism, immunity, and lots more. 5. Hit the hay at 9pm. On non-party nights, try to get in bed by 9pm to give your body and mind adequate time to rest and repair. On party nights, stay up as late as you want! Wishing you and yours a healthy and happy holiday season. — Andrea Barkley is a Fitness Expert and Founder of Moan Out Loud Protein Shakes. 5 steps to staying svelte this holiday season FOOD WISE