Interview with God Movie – Inspiring!!!

I just finished watching an inspirational video called “The Interview With God” and it was amazing. The images and timeless poem that are shown in this video are sure to uplift your spirit and bring a smile to your face. You can view this wonderful video at: <a href=”http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/popup-frame.html”>Inspirational Movie</a> This video has been seen by over 10 million people worldwide and is one of the most viral videos on the net. After you watch it, please consider referring this site to your friends. Hope you enjoy!

Eat More Food, Lose More Fat

Some things are sadly predictable. Extra winter poundage, for instance. Or holiday binges. Or the 3 o’clock slump, which sags before you like a hammock every afternoon.

Here’s a happier prediction: Eat more often and you’ll avoid all of those problems. Spreading six smaller meals across your day operates on the simple principle of satisfaction. Frequent meals tame the slavering beast of hunger.

The secret? Each mini meal should blend protein and fiber-rich complex carbohydrates. “Protein and fiber give you that feeling of satiety and keep you from feeling hungry,” says Tara Geise, R.D., a nutritionist in private practice in Orlando and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

Controlling hunger shrinks your gut. In a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, one group of overweight men was given five small meals, then was free to choose a sixth meal. A second group ate a single meal containing the same number of calories as the total of the other group’s first five meals, then later had a free-choice second meal. The six-meal men ate 27 percent less food at their last meal than the two-meal men did at their second.

Consistent eating will also keep your protein levels high, helping you build muscle. “Your body can metabolize only so much protein at one time,” says Katherine Tallmadge, R.D., author of Diet Simple. “Protein is metabolized better when it’s divided evenly.”<

The challenge is keeping the mini meals mini. “It’s critical that at the end of the day, the calorie content of your mini meals does not exceed what you would eat in three larger meals,” says Jeannie Moloo, Ph.D., R.D., an ADA spokeswoman in Roseville, California. If you already know your calorie count, start eating.

With a suggested calorie count in hand, you can mix and match from the list of meals shown here. Yes, you can take two items from one meal list—if they’re small. Looking to lose? Choose lower-calorie options. Regular Joe? Be as flexible as you please. Building muscle? Double up on a couple of the items—have an extra slice of pizza or two containers of yogurt.

Breakfast: 6-8:30 a.m.

You’re sleepy, so we’ll keep it simple: Mix protein and quality carbs. “When protein is included in a meal, not only does it help prevent overeating at other times of day, but it also sustains energy levels and improves concentration,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, M.A., R.D., C.D.N., an ADA spokeswoman.

This means choosing a milk-infused latte instead of plain coffee, or a slather of peanut butter along with the jelly on an English muffin. Do not leave home without breakfast—this is the foundation for the rest of your day.

1. 110 calories: Latte with reduced-fat milk
2. 140 calories: Skippy brand Squeeze Stick of peanut butter
3. 200 calories: 1 cup reduced-sodium cottage cheese with fresh peaches and cinnamon
4. 200 calories: 1 cup blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries with 6 ounces light yogurt and 1 tablespoon low-fat granola
5. 250 calories: Any-way-you-like-it egg on a whole-grain English muffin with melted cheese
6. 250 calories: Oatmeal made with milk instead of water; add brown sugar, walnuts, and/or any fresh or dried fruit
7. 260 calories: Cold whole-grain cereal, such as Kashi or raisin bran, with reduced-fat milk
8. 300 calories: Peanut butter and jelly on a whole-grain English muffin
9. 300 calories: Scrambled-egg burrito with turkey sausage and salsa
10. 300 calories: Two-egg omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and feta cheese

Morning Snack: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Planning matters. If there’s nothing but junk in your workplace vending machines, buy the foods you need—string cheese, granola bars, trail mix, whatever—and keep a stash at your desk.

1. 80 calories: Stick of string cheese
2. 100 calories: Hard-boiled egg with a handful of grape tomatoes
3. 180 calories: Nature Valley granola bar
4. 250 calories: Ready-made reduced-fat smoothie, such as Stonyfield Farm
5. 250 calories: Clif bar
6. 275 calories: 2 or 3 small handfuls of trail mix
7. 290 calories: Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain bar with a handful of pistachios or almonds
8. 300 calories: Slice of whole-grain bread topped with peanut butter and banana
9. 300 calories: Small bagel with 2 slices of Muenster cheese, melted
10. 400 calories: Medium-size fruit muffin (best if made with whole-wheat flour)

Lunch: 12-1:30

Be careful here! If you’ve had only a latte, fruit, and some string cheese so far, go ahead and have a big lunch. But if you’ve already eaten 700 calories (an omelet and a muffin, say), keep lunch light. Whatever you do, eat slowly, no matter how un-American that seems. It’ll help you feel satisfied—and keep you that way.

1. 175 calories: Canned tuna with balsamic vinegar on whole-grain crackers or bread
2. 300 calories: 3 corn-tortilla flautas stuffed with refried beans and dipped in salsa
3. 350 calories: Half an avocado, sliced, or ½ cup prepared guacamole with tomato and onion in a whole-grain pita
4. 375 calories: Baked potato with chopped broccoli and a slice of American cheese, melted
5. 400 calories: Seafood salad in a whole-grain pita with diced tomato, cucumber, and onion
6. 400 calories: 3 or 4 slices of bacon, reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, thin apple slices, and peanut butter on toasted whole-grain bread
7. 400 calories: ½ cup hummus with roasted vegetables
8. 400 calories: Small ham-, turkey-, or roast-beef-and-Swiss wrap with vegetables and mustard, in a whole-wheat tortilla
9. 400 calories: Fresh mozzarella and tomato slices on a bed of greens, with balsamic vinaigrette and extra-virgin olive oil
10. 450 calories: Six pierogi with salsa or reduced-fat sour cream

Afternoon Snack: 2:30-3:30

Steer clear of the candy bowl on your P.A.’s desk. “You could eat four small chocolates for 100 calories,” says Geise, “or you could eat a cup of yogurt.” The chocolate gives you hardly any protein; the yogurt delivers 8 grams.

1. 160 calories: Reduced-fat Cheddar melted on apple halves
2. 175 calories: 5 Laughing Cow cheese wedges
3. 200 calories: ½ cup baba ghanoush (roasted-eggplant dip) with vegetables
4. 210 calories: Half a container of Cracker Jack
5. 250 calories: 1 cup reduced-fat yogurt
6. 250 calories: Small handful of chopped pecans over a cup of fruit salad
7. 260 calories: Apple, pear, or banana smeared with peanut butter
8. 300 calories: Cup of chickpeas with a dash of cumin and fresh mint
9. 340 calories: 2 ounces roasted nuts
10. 350 calories: 1 cup each fat-free milk and frozen yogurt blended with a spoonful of peanut butter

Dinner: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Okay, this isn’t dinner as you used to know it. But don’t panic. At first, reining in meal sizes will seem strange. But portion control can make or break the plan. “This is crucial, whether you’re looking to control weight, manage blood sugar, or maintain energy levels,” says Tallmadge. And remember—you’ll be eating again in 2 hours.

1. 200 calories: 2 cups mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen) with ½ cup marinara sauce and some grated Parmesan cheese
2. 275 calories: 3 or 4 large handfuls of greens sautéed in olive oil with a handful of walnuts and ½ cup raisins
3. 300 calories: 6-piece sushi meal with a cup of miso soup
4. 325 calories: Buffalo burger topped with coleslaw, onion, and tomato
5. 350 calories: Quesadilla made with a small corn or whole-wheat tortilla, cheese, beans, shredded chicken or lean ground beef, onion, and jalapenos, and dipped in salsa
6. 400 calories: Slice of pizza topped with cheese and ground beef or ham
7. 400 calories: Turkey London broil cut into strips, sautéed with onion, red and orange bell pepper, and teriyaki sauce
8. 450 calories: Small plateful of nachos—baked tortilla chips, shredded reduced-fat cheese, refried beans, and salsa (plus some corn or black beans, if you want)
9. 500 calories: Lentil, minestrone, or tomato soup with a grilled-cheese sandwich on whole-grain bread
10. 550 calories: 1 cup pasta tossed with browned ground turkey breast, black olives, diced onion, a drizzle of olive oil, and 1 ½ tablespoons crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

Evening Snack: 8:30-10 p.m.

Famished? Feeling as if this was the longest day of your life? Maybe your calorie count is too low. Adjust it by adding more sensible foods to your plan. Or try choosing higher-fiber foods; they’re digested slowly, so they’ll help you feel fuller longer.

1. 150 calories: 5 cups Jolly Time light microwave popcorn sprinkled with hot sauce and/or 1 tablespoon Romano cheese
2. 150 calories: 1 cup rice pudding
3. 150 calories: 6 or 7 strawberries dipped in yogurt and drizzled with chocolate sauce
4. 150 calories: 1 cup cocoa made with skim milk
5. 175 calories: Sliced sweet potato (with skin), tossed in olive oil and baked
6. 175 calories: 1 cup skim ricotta cheese sweetened with Splenda, vanilla flavoring, and a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon
7. 175 calories: Seltzer with 2 scoops frozen yogurt, a handful of berries, and a shot of flavoring syrup, such as strawberry or cherry
8. 200 calories: Root-beer float with 2 scoops frozen vanilla yogurt
9. 200 calories: 2 handfuls olives
10. 275 calories: 2-ounce Snickers bar

8 Ways to Cut Fat Without Realizing It

1. Slice Fat from Pizza
Always order your pizza with double tomato sauce and light cheese. Men who eat a lot of tomato products tend to have less prostate cancer—probably because tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene. Reducing the mozzarella by just one-third (you won’t miss it) will save you 20 grams (g) of fat per pie. That’s as much as in a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder.

2. Order the Steak Fries
If you love french fries, always order the steak fries. Large-cut fries don’t absorb as much oil as shoestring or curly fries, which lowers the fat count.

3. Juice a Stir-Fry
With a can of frozen orange-juice concentrate, you have a great way to add flavor to stir-fried chicken (or beef) and vegetables without adding fat. Just a few spoonfuls will do. (It’s even better if you add some garlic.)

4. Soften Your Spread
Soften butter or margarine at room temperature or in a microwave. Chances are you’ll spread your bread with one-quarter of the fat and calories you do when you put it on cold.

5. Cool Your Cans
Refrigerate canned meats, soups, gravies, and other canned foods containing fat. The fat will rise to the top and collect, so you can scrape it off.

6. Dilute Your Fruit Juice
Fruit juice is sneaky fattening—a 16-ounce bottle of cranberry-grape blend, for instance, contains about 275 calories. Dump half and store it, then refill the bottle with water. You’ll barely notice the difference, and you’ll be cutting half the calories.

7. Oil Your Potato
To save calories and fat, put a splash of olive oil on your baked potato instead of the usual butter or sour cream.

8. Say Goodbye to Rubbery Cheese
To prevent low-fat cheese from turning to rubber in the microwave, spritz your nachos with a quick blast of cooking spray, such as Pam, before nuking them. A similar trick involves spraying the inside of a grilled-cheese sandwich before you toss it in the frying pan. This adds just enough fat to make the cheese stay gooey and creamy as it slowly melts.

3 Fabulous Foods for Weight Loss

With holiday mouth watering dinners wreaking havoc to our diet regimen,  we need all the help that we can get to survive.  Browse the internet for weight loss tips and ideas and what have yous that actually make sense.

There’s no one food that can magically transform an overweight body into an ideal figure. Eating plans that consist solely of grapefruit aren’t realistic or effective, nor are plans that promote eating only cabbage soup or special “weight-loss cookies.”

But there are foods that are beneficial to eat on the journey to a slimmer body.

Yogurt

A recent 14-day study was conducted by General Mills, makers of Yoplait yogurt, at the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition in Minneapolis. The researchers investigated the diets of approximately 3,000 women ages 19 and older, and found that the women who consumed three or more servings of yogurt over the two-week period had a 15 percent lower body mass index (BMI) than those who did not eat any yogurt.

The weight-management potential of yogurt may come from the fact that while it can be high in calories, it’s still a relatively healthy snack food that promotes satiety. The women who ate yogurt regularly were also more like to have higher overall intakes of nutrients including calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B-12, magnesium, and phosphorous.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is packed with fiber, and there are several ways that dietary fiber may reduce the risk of weight gain or obesity. Dietary fiber, for example, slows digestion, prolonging a feeling of fullness, and foods high in fiber are usually low in fat and calories.

Fiber’s weight-loss benefit comes from the feeling of fullness it gives without adding many extra calories. Fiber may also reduce the absorption of fat to some extent. As an added benefit, oatmeal helps to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol.

That said, it’s best to avoid instant oatmeal, which may contain added sugar, and instead go for hearty, steel-cut oats topped with fresh berries or sliced bananas.

Soup

Soups contain a high percentage of water and can help dieters feel full quickly. Some health experts recommend eating a bowl of broth-based soup before a meal in order to curb hunger.

In a 2007 Consumer Reports study of diet plans, the highest marks were awarded to the Volumetrics diet created by U.S. nutritionist Barbara Rolls, which encourages dieters to consume a low-fat soup or salad before a meal to take the edge off their hunger.

Soup can also serve as a low-calorie meal, with added vegetables to increase the nutrient content. And it’s easy to make a large batch once a week and enjoy for several days. But remember, weight-loss benefits only apply to broth-based, low-calorie soups, not heavy, cream-based chowders and stews.

Weight Loss Tip? Science Says It’s Good to Cheat!

Holiday weight gain seems unavoidable, but a little knowledge can keep you from winding up with a jelly belly. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day of indulgence—a day of big eating (like …Christmas) actually benefits your weight loss:

Splurging keeps you in the game. Desperate people do desperate things, and if you feel like you’re starving, you’re more apt to stray from your diet. A cheat day allows you to eat until you feel full and happy. If you’re working out and eating well, this weekly reward can keep you motivated.

Splurging stops cravings. If you get a taste of the foods you like, you’re less likely to overindulge when you cave. Studies show those who eat a balanced diet without cutting out the foods they love have more weight-loss success.

Splurging stops plateaus. Cheat days shock your body out of a routine—if you get used to eating fewer calories, you’ll stop losing as your body adjusts to the restricted-calorie schedule. Big days stoke your metabolism and save you from plateaus. And an added bonus: You’ll burn more fat at the gym—workouts are effective when you eat.

There’s no better day to cheat than Christmas. Slap on a pair of loose jeans and enjoy your day off. Then get back to business the next day.

Master the Art of Flirtation

An interesting and enlightening article from LeBlanc. Read on for some important tips.

You pick me up at 8, and it’s game on.

I want you to win. But I fear failure.

Yours. Mine. Ours.

In the court of dating and mating, women are judge and jury, but the testimony we hear—mostly from our hearts, but also from our Greek chorus of girlfriends—will all take place out of your earshot. The rules are unwritten (until now), but they are set in stone. Give us a really good reason, however, and we’ll toss the tablets aside, along with most of our clothing and inhibitions. That’s because we want you, the right guy, to make the decision easy for us: not guilty by reason of insanity (i.e., crazy in love).

We hear every message you send—intentional or not. So your attitude is nearly everything. We want you to show a certain degree of eagerness, but not desperation. We want you to believe in yourself and demonstrate why we should believe in you, too. We want you to be spontaneous, but also a man we can count on.

Sound like a lot to ask?

It should be, because this is the process whereby we’ll choose a mate for life. Yes, the burden of proof is on you, but we’re looking for the case of a lifetime.

Ready to go? Here’s how to clear all objections, from the best counselors I know: the single, the available, the hotties who’ve been waiting for you to come along.

So, see you at 8?

Watch the Signals

I’ve already sent you the Zoolander eye lock, the eyebrow raise, and/or at least two smiles (full, open-lipped, teeth smiles). Come over here and talk to me already. Caveat: There’s a small chance I just think you’re funny looking, but go ahead, have some balls. I’m worth it.

Convince Me Quickly

Once you have the green light, it doesn’t matter what you say first. You now have 5 minutes to convince me to keep talking. Make the most of it.

Give Me a Reason

If you want my number, say something simple and direct. “You’re fun. Can I give you a call?” works. Pound the number into your cell phone, or borrow a pen from the bartender. (It’s your job; you’re doing the asking.)

Ask, Don’t “E” Me

Don’t be a wuss. If you want to see me, pick up the phone. E-mails can wait for later.

Obey the 2-Day Rule

If you call within 24 hours, you’ll seem desperate. If you wait 3 days, I’ll be annoyed that you purposely waited 3 days. So call on day 2. One of two things will happen:I’ll pick up. You say, “Hey, Lisa Jones, this is Will—the guy you danced to ‘Blue Monday’ with on Saturday night. How was the rest of your weekend? I want to see you again. Are you available on Wednesday? There’s a new tiki bar/restaurant/museum exhibit I’ve been meaning to check out.”

A Man Plans Ahead

If you want to see me this weekend, call me by Thursday, please.

Don’t Ask Me to Hang Out

When you ask me to “hang out” and it’s just the two of us and you don’t have a girlfriend (or boyfriend), I assume it’s a date. To avoid confusion, say, “I’d like to take you out” instead of, “Wanna hang out?”

Know When to Quit

If you call me twice and get no callback, game over. Don’t keep calling, e-mailing, or sending flowers. In Meg Ryan movies, or when Keanu Reeves performs them, these gestures say “bold romantic.” In reality, when you do them, they say “stalker.”

Good luck, and let us know how you fared.

Should You Marry Her?

Women are notoriously bad at recognizing “The One.” We nurture dreams of marriage after one great date. We abide by draconian rules about who’s our “type.” And, most of all, we fall over and over again for men who are the human equivalent of dirty-water dogs.

Conversely, we’re experts at knowing a good woman for you when we see her—it’s embedded in the female genetic code. And, just as important, we can spot a bunny boiler in the making.

You’re at a disadvantage, especially when smitten. Which is why you need our list of questions you must ask yourself about your gal before offering her a permanent position. Our grading scale: Three strikes is forgivable, otherwise neither of us would pass our own test.

Four strikes is a bit sketchy, though, and as for five or more—don’t make us say, “We told you so.

Are You the Center of Her World?

It might feel nice to be worshipped for a while, especially if you’ve just been dumped, but that’ll get old fast—particularly when she calls four times during the season finale of The Wire.

She’s a keeper if . . . she has at least one non-work-related hobby she’s passionate about. It means she knows how to have fun without a man and that she won’t need you constantly by her side. And if she continues to make time for her own friends (loyalty is good), she won’t freak out when you plan a poker night.

Has She Paid for Some Dates?

We know an uptown sort of lady who boasts to her friends, female and male, “I have never had to pay for a drink in my life.” According to her retro worldview, men pay for everything, and her boyfriends wait on her hand and foot while she watches Desperate Housewives.

She’s a keeper if . . . she likes treating you sometimes. It means she’ll approach relationships in a more egalitarian way—and when she says she’ll take you for richer or poorer, she’ll mean it.

Has She Always Exercised?

If she still has her seventh-grade swimming trophy and a collection of 10-K T-shirts, chances are she’ll work out for decades to come, which means the great butt and killer legs that first grabbed your attention are here to stay. But those who go on exercise binges (is that a Tae Bo tape?) or fad diets, only to lose interest quickly, are destined for saddlebags. And if, like the girlfriend of a certain friend of ours, she stays slim by eating a plain celery stalk for dinner every night, pack her a nice sandwich before you dump her.

She’s a keeper if . . . you can set your watch to her 30-minute gym visit. An active lifestyle means way more than having shuffled through a half-marathon 6 years ago.

Does She Ever Surprise You?

A just-because present, perhaps? We know it sounds hokey. But we’re not talking about a throw pillow bearing a photo of the two of you and the inscription “2gether 4ever” (unless it’s a gag gift, in which case she’s hilarious and a total keeper). No, we mean the little things that say she’s thoughtful and likes the idea of taking care of you.

She’s a keeper if . . . she notices that you’re out of shaving cream and buys some; you arrive for a date and she’s cooking, with a good bottle of red wine already breathing; she initiates sex.

Does She Hate Her Job?

Our friend John dated a woman who always complained about work. “Turns out,” he told us, “all that criticizing was just a cover for being hopeless at her job and her excuse for not getting off her butt to improve the situation.” She wouldn’t take responsibility for her own happiness, so she tried to find a sense of purpose in him—a burden nobody needs.

She’s a keeper if . . . even if she’s not in her dream job yet, she has a plan for getting there.

Does She Own a Vibrator? Condoms?

If so, don’t feel threatened. Taking an active role in her sexual health and sexual enjoyment bodes well for a long-term sex life. Women who use vibrators have higher sex drives, more orgasms, and better sex lives with their partners, according to a recent survey.

She’s a keeper if . . . she knows how to harvest her own orgasms—then she can show you how to as well (ergo, no faking, and less pressure on you). Stock up on double A’s.

Does She Always Agree with You?

Yawn. You want a girl with an opinion. Not an annoyingly constant devil’s advocate, but someone who will hear out your position and defend her own. A study found that couples who have heated spats but then make up have a better future in the sack than best-friend couples who never fight. Sparks are hot.

She’s a keeper if . . . once in a while she plays Ann Coulter to your Al Franken. Or Maureen Dowd to your Rush Limbaugh.

Are Your Zodiac Signs Compatible?

Trick question. If she cares, worry.

Do You Think She’s Smarter?

That’s a good thing. We’ve found in our own love lives that relationships are best when each thinks the other is a bit smarter. Life is richer with a woman who can teach you a thing or two. There’s a difference between a woman who says or does impressive things and one who says or does cute things.

She’s a keeper if . . .

you’re in bed and can’t get something she said out of your head—and it wasn’t when the two of you were talking dirty.

Did You Have First-Date Sex?

We can’t tell you how many male friends have told us that first-date sex—oral or otherwise—is a long-term deal breaker. It’s time to upgrade your thinking, gentlemen. This unabashed passion probably informs her work, her play, her politics, her future kids, her future libido, and more.

Our friends Melanie and Andrew, who got wasted and “went all the way” the first time they met, have been married for 5 years and have an adorable son. (And the sex is still very good. Hey, people tell sex-advice columnists everything.)

Don’t let a great girl get away because of your old-fashioned prejudices—keep her!

23 Ways to Be the Man She Wants

1. You can put down the weights and the protein shakes. You might want us to be perfect looking; we simply want you not to be fat.

2. Replace all of those hideous size-extra-large T-shirts with something that actually sort of fits. We think you might be a medium.

3. Never allow anyone who listens to baseball on the radio to cut your hair.

4. Purchase sheets that don’t contain polyester and that are white.

5. Blue Book value isn’t everything. Take the money you were going to spend putting the backseat DVD theater in your Honda and buy a nice pair of shoes.

6. We don’t care what the plan is. Just have one.

7. Candles. They are so cheap and they are so effective.

8. When you give her a gift, include a card. You can spend less on the gift if you write something nice. Don’t buy a card with a message in it, unless you’re dating Danielle Steele.

9. She arrives home from work eager for attention. You arrive home from work eager for several beers and the Simpsons–King of the Hill hour. The moment you come home, hug her, look into her eyes, and say that you’re happy to see her. This simple gesture, done with sincerity, will earn you lots of time on the couch.

10. Buy covered garbage cans for your kitchen and bathroom. They hide stuff we don’t want to know about anyway.

11. Make a list entitled “Intolerable Behavior from Women,” and when you see it happening, speak up. Let us know you won’t be around no matter what, and we’ll want to keep you.

12. Drive a stick shift. Men look ineffectual driving automatics.

13. Never utter the phrase, “I know I’m no Brad Pitt/Denzel Washington.” You’re a guy. Merely acting like you think you’re hot makes you hot. Be grateful, because women actually have to be hot to be hot.

14. Short sleeves are for golf only; sandals are for Jesus only.

15. When a woman asks you to accompany her to a wedding or a family event, R.S.V.P. within 24 hours. If you find that you can’t commit, do everyone a favor and break it off.

16. Stop operating on the in-trouble/not-in-trouble paradigm. Just because we’re not yelling at you doesn’t mean everything is okay.

17. If you’re late, call.

18. Brush your teeth a lot.

19. Realize that if you “keep forgetting” to trim your nose hairs, we will “keep forgetting” to initiate sex.

20. If your television is of a size such that it is regularly commented on, hide it in a cabinet. You might have a penchant for a) sloth, b) passivity, or c) tuning out the world, but she need not be reminded of this every time she walks into your living room.

21. You might not know what she wants you to get her for her birthday, but her friends do. Ask them.

22. When we are together, sometimes we are occupied with tasks—closing a window, putting on a new CD, petting the cat—that cause us to focus our gaze elsewhere. May we suggest these windows of time as the most favorable for scratching your balls.

23. Buy a Swiffer and use it. They come in dry (living room) and wet (kitchen and bathroom). Wash your dishes. Pick up your clothes. Swiff. She’ll think you’re a responsible adult.

Holiday Splurges: How to Reduce the Damage

‘Tis the season to be merry—and stuffed with goodies—so you better be prepared. Holiday parties and dinners are ripe with opportunities to overeat and feast on fattening and calorie-laden treats. Learn how to do damage control before and after splurging on your favorite seasonal treats by incorporating these tips into your normal diet plan.

Evelyn Tribole, MS, registered dietician and author of Eating on the Run, has suggestions on how to survive with as little diet damage as possible.

Don’t assume that weight gain is a given during the holidays, she stresses. “Despite the fact that for many years, it was commonly accepted that people gain approximately five pounds during the holidays, a New England Journal of Medicine study found that the average weight gain was only about one pound. The philosophy of feasting during the holidays because tomorrow you diet can actually make matters worse.”

Instead, Tribole suggests that you try these strategies to help avoid overindulging:

• Don’t come hungry. Don’t arrive to dinner on a ravenous stomach, as this can easily lead to overeating. Have a small snack (such as a handful of almonds or an apple with a tablespoon of natural peanut butter) to prevent binging.
• Don’t avoid your favorites. All year round, make a conscious effort to not completely restrict yourself from your favorite foods. This attitude makes holiday food less magnetic, and you’ll be less likely to splurge.
• Set a limit. Instead of scooping out a serving from every single dish, limit yourself to the holiday foods that you simply can’t do without.
• Pass up food that you won’t miss. For example, a roll with butter at mealtime is not likely to be missed, and forgoing it is not likely to lead to feelings of deprivation.
• Beware of lingering. When you are finished eating, either remove your plate or put a napkin or your silverware on top of it to prevent unintentional nibbling at the table.
• It’s not all or nothing. If you eat more than you intended, let it go, rather than thinking you blew it.  All-or-none thinking can lead to even more eating.

Taking a realistic approach to eating at the holidays is the smartest way to prevent yourself from falling into common traps.

For Men Only: 10 Easy Ways to Lose Weight Without Starving

1. Always Eat a Man’s Breakfast
No more Lucky Charms—you want some protein and fat. Scrambled eggs and a few sausage links will keep you fuller longer than an airy doughnut will.

2. Eat More!
We’re talking three good snacks and three healthful meals. But what do you serve during the bowl game if you can’t have chips and dip? Mixed nuts—especially almonds—will satisfy your craving for something crunchy while helping to build muscle.

3. Just Say No to Starches
Foods like pasta, white bread, and potatoes make you fat. If you must have pasta, make yours whole-wheat. Same goes for bread, and swap white potatoes for sweet potatoes. Just don’t eat too much!

4. Lift Weights
Yes, you have to hit the gym, and no, lifting beer cans during happy hour doesn’t count. The muscles you build will not only improve your performance, they’ll stoke your metabolism so you burn calories long after your workout is over.

5. Think Before You Eat
Don’t just stuff your face with the stale cookies left over from the holidays, eat what tastes good and what’s good for you. Take your time eating; you’ll stay fuller longer.

6. But Have Fun Once in a While—or Once a Week
Stifle those cravings for too long, and you’ll be miserable and might fall off your new plan forever. Just splurge reasonably—two slices of pizza, not the whole thing.

7. Go Low-Carb
It’s the easiest way to lose weight fast. The cravings are hard at first, but it gets easier—especially when you see the results.

8. Run Intervals.
It’s easier to alternate between hard and easy running instead of going for a long run—especially if you don’t like running. Plus, you’ll be done faster and burn more fat.