Daily Health News Blog

The day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. It's called Black Friday because by this date, retailers were traditionally "in the black" for the year. Black Friday is now known as the beginning of Christmas shopping. Of course, people do buy gifts prior to this date. But on Black Friday, there are huge sales. Our question this month is: Did you shop for great bargains on Black Friday, or do you think the big crowds make shopping too difficult? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. Thanks for sharing.

It's the holiday season, a time to eat, drink and be merry. But with a strategy of your own, you could avoid having to loosen your belt mid-way through and wondering how you will lose the typical 6 or 7 pounds you could gain this year.  These common-sense tips can help.  * Don't go there hungry. Eat before you leave home so you won't overload your plate because you feel starved.  * Watch the alcohol. It's high-calorie and impairs judgment. The more you drink, the more you'll eat.  * Check the table or buffet line to determine what you really like and what you can skip. Focus on fruit and vegetables, unless the vegetables are swimming in cheese. Look for good foods that aren't high in fat. Skip the bread at first so you have more room for the good stuff.  * At a buffet, fill your own dish so you can choose what you want and your dish won't be overloaded.  * For baked potatoes and sweet potatoes, avoid the butter, cheese and bacon. Look for low-fa