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It’s the holiday season. We’re pretty sure that many of you are going to party a little bit, and no, we’re not going to try to discourage it.
During this time of year, many of us break from our routines somewhat, drink a little (more) alcohol, eat a lot of food, and even forget to exercise. But please don’t be too hard on yourself; it happens to almost all of us.
It’s okay to indulge a little and have some fun especially if it’s only a “once-a-year” occasion. However, it can’t hurt to take some precautions and practice a little moderation as well.
If you’re looking to minimize the damage, here are some survival tips to help make this time of year both enjoyable and bearable.
So you like to have a drink or two — or three — at the holiday parties. Big deal. But is there a way to drink moderately without causing excess strain on your body?
The answer is yes. Again, we’re not encouraging you to drink, but we want you to be prepared for it, in case you do.
1. The first rule is to drink moderately. Try to drink as little as you can. The less you drink, the less havoc it will cause your body. Not exactly a shocker, we know.
2. Try to be selective in your choice of drinks. Red wine, for example, contains beneficial nutrients like resveratrol that can protect your body. Skip the drinks with artificial flavors and colors.
For example, an extract from milk thistle called silibinin prevents alcohol from turning into acetaldehyde, a potent toxin that can damage DNA and cause cancer. Also consider taking N-acetyl cysteine.
This antioxidant binds to acetaldehyde and prevents it from causing damage. For optimal results, take these nutrients before drinking or going to bed.
4. Stay well hydrated! Alcohol is a diuretic and causes you to urinate more frequently. Dehydration can make you feel ill. If you’re drinking alcohol, be sure to drink water too!
We get it: You don’t want to hurt Aunt Margie’s feelings by not trying her latest casserole. Nor do you want to pass up the opportunity to sample your cousin’s famous spinach dip.
1. Develop a calorie budget: Plan your food day ahead of time. If you’re going to a holiday luncheon, have a light dinner or snack in the evening, like a soup or a salad. Similarly, if you want to eat dessert, go easy on dinner or sacrifice some items on your plate, like a piece of bread or a side of rice.
2. Make wiser choices: Avoid cream based soups, dips, and drinks. Go for the salsa dip instead. Choose low-glycemic side dishes. For example, pick sweet potatoes or green beans over mashed potatoes. Balance the sugary snacks with protein.
3. Use nutrients to your advantage: If you’re preparing to gobble far too much fat, you can help block some of its absorption by taking the right nutrients. For example, green tea as well as fiber have been shown to block dietary fat.
The added benefit of fiber is that it can help you feel full. Taking a fiber supplement some time before a meal may actually help you eat less and prevent the absorption of dietary fat.
Two weeks of physical inactivity could leave you feeling out of shape pretty quickly. Make it a point to exercise wherever you are.
You can also involve your family in fun activities. Take a few walks outside during the day. Also, dance when you have the opportunity; in one hour you could easily burn about 200 calories.
Other activities to consider include sledding, snowboarding, ice skating, snow shoveling, and even housework. Just find some way to get moving. Your body will thank you for it!
Healthy living is about balance. You ARE allowed to slip out of your healthy habits from time to time and enjoy yourself. Just try to be smart about it.
Lentil soup is a nutritional powerhouse! When combined with other vegetables and spices, lentils will leave you feeling full longer than other types of soups. Part of the legume (bean) family, lentils contain high levels of both soluble and insoluble fiber, making them a satiating and low calorie choice, helpful for weight management. Soluble fiber absorbs water and creates a gel consistency that is known for binding cholesterol-containing bile and escorting it out of the body. Insoluble fiber consists of plant-compounds that the body cannot digest, helping contribute to healthy bowels. Together, this high fiber content can lower cholesterol levels and stabilize blood sugars during digestion. Lentil soup is simple to make and is perfect for leftovers; enjoy this warming dish in the cool winter weather. SERVES 6-8
1. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, and parsnips and cook, stirring often, for 8 to 10 minutes until vegetables are soft and onions are translucent.
2. Add bay leaf, oregano, cumin, chili flakes and garlic to the pot and cook for another minute. Add wine and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and allow the soup to simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. Add water, as necessary, ½ cup at a time if
4. Near the end of the cooking time, add spinach to the pot and stir in. Cover soup for the remaining 1-3 minutes.
Taste for seasoning and add in salt and cracked black pepper, to taste. Garnish with hot sauce of your choice if
Financial markets are becoming increasingly efficient, particularly so in recent years thanks to the advent of information technology and algorithmic trading systems. At the same time, there’s also plenty of evidence to suggest that individuals still have plenty of opportunities to maximize their profit-making potential by focusing on eliminating certain behavioural biases that stand in the way of arriving at the optical investment decision. Here are five behavioural biases you should seek to avoid in your pursuit of investment riches: Endowment bias Endowment bias takes place when an investor places greater value on the securities that he or she owns….
Financial markets are becoming increasingly efficient, particularly so in recent years thanks to the advent of information technology and algorithmic trading systems.
At the same time, there’s also plenty of evidence to suggest that individuals still have plenty of opportunities to maximize their profit-making potential by focusing on eliminating certain behavioural biases that stand in the way of arriving at the optical investment decision.
Endowment bias takes place when an investor places greater value on the securities that he or she owns.
For example, say you held shares in Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) trading at $77 on the TSX at the time of writing.
Maybe you wouldn’t be willing to buy more shares at that price, but you’re happy to hold on to them as you don’t think they are a particularly bad investment.
Essentially, you’d be assigning an additional value to TD Bank stock just because you already to own it.
Endowment bias tends to inflate the perceived value of an investor’s current holdings, leading to individuals holding on to securities for too long and potentially missing out on newer, better ideas.
In other words, an investor would feel more discomfort losing $100 than they would feel pleasure with a comparable $100 gain.
This bias tends to lead investors to hold off or delay on selling losing positions in order to avoid the discomfort associated with realizing a loss in their portfolio. It can often lead to making an undesirable investment outcome that much worse.
Everyone reading this probably knows of at least one person out there who regularly falls victim to this behavioural bias.
Overconfidence results when investors hold an unjustly high conviction in their own ideas, prompting them to take inappropriate risks in their portfolios and trading excessively – a behaviour that has been frequently linked to poor investment returns.
Mental accounting arises when individuals view their wealth in separate “buckets” depending on where the money is being held.
For example, savings held in a checking account are viewed through a different lens that those held in a savings account or GIC.
An improper understanding of an investor’s overall portfolio (which could also include personal property and a primary residence) can in some cases lead to suboptimal investment decisions. It’s a subject that is better discussed in more detail with a licensed financial representative.
Individuals find themselves guilty of confirmation biases when they seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs.
This can involve seeking out opinions that are consistent with their own views or someone putting a favourable “spin” on an otherwise neutral piece of information.
Confirmation bias is also consistent with several other behaviours, including holding losers for too long and being overconfident about a particular investment forecast.
Generating above-average returns in the markets is certainly no easy task, and requires a disciplined approach with a careful view to the long-term.
Avoid these common pitfalls and you’ll undoubtedly go a long way toward achieving your financial goals.
January produced the worst stock market performance since May 2012 and February has not gotten off to an auspicious start, as the benchmark S&P 500 index lost 2.3% on Monday, while the narrower Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES:^DJI) fell 2.1%. Small-capitalization issues -- which outperformed their large-cap brethren last year -- fared even worse, as the Russell 2000 Index posted a 3.2% drop.
Meanwhile, the "fear trade" was a winner today, as the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEMKT:GLD) rose 1%. The VIX (VOLATILITYINDICES:^VIX), a measure of investor expectations for stock market volatility over the next 30 days that is known as "Wall Street's fear gauge." gained 16.5%, to close above 20 for the first time since December 2012.
For the S&P 500, today's decline was the worst since a 2.5% loss registered on June 20, 2011. At the time, Bloomberg explained that "global equities tumbled after the Federal Reserve said it may phase out stimulus and China's cash crunch worsened." Today, Bloomberg highlights "data from China to the U.S. [signaling] a slowdown in manufacturing" as the precipitating factor. The U.S. manufacturing ISM index dropped sharply to 51.3 in January, suggesting a slowdown in manufacturing output (a reading above 50 indicates growth).
Bloomberg's explanation may be true, as far as it goes; however, as the Financial Times' Robin Harding pointed out, "the ISM's weakness was most likely due to freezing weather in January -- so it is not sufficient evidence to declare a new U.S. slowdown" before adding that [my emphasis] "it was enough to rock markets that have become blasé about economic risks."
Which gets us to the core of the matter: Slowing manufacturing is not the underlying cause of today's stock market decline, it is simply a catalyst. Instead, it looks to me as if we may we witnessing the first results of a collision between two (related) factors:
A market that is rediscovering risk (i.e., normalizing) as the Federal Reserve begins to slow the extraordinary stimulus it has been providing asset markets through its bond purchase program.
Is this cause for concern? Not for genuine, prudent investors -- those who are neither leveraged, nor short-term-oriented. After all, volatility is a normal characteristic of the stock market. Since 1957, the S&P 500 has experienced a 10% correction nearly every one and a half years, on average; the last correction began more than two years ago in the summer of 2011.
Furthermore, for stock-pickers, there are attractive opportunities in this market: Last week, I pointed out one such situation, as the market overreacted to Apple's fiscal first-quarter earnings report. If we get a proper correction, there will be others; if you're a net buyer of stocks, that's a prospect you ought to be excited about.
Alex Dumortier, CFA, has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Apple. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Natural gas has overtaken coal as the biggest electricity generating fuel source, so, will its momentum slow anytime soon? Our analyst looks into the future of natural gas.
No energy source has gained more from recent technology advancements and environmental regulations than natural gas. While coal plants are being shut down by the hundreds, natural gas plants are popping up to replace them, recently becoming the biggest producer of electricity in the United States.
The energy source has even gained a lot of ground on the transportation side as well. Clean Energy Fuels (NASDAQ:CLNE) is building a national infrastructure of natural gas fueling stations, and Westport Innovations (NASDAQ:WPRT) is making it possible to run massive trucks on the same gas that fuels your home.
It seems there's no limit to what natural gas can be used for, so what is the future of this energy source?
For decades, natural gas' role in the U.S. has grown in a variety of end markets. Natural gas replaced propane for heating most homes in the winter, coal was replaced by natural gas as the biggest producer of electricity, and now it's seen as an alternative fuel source for automobiles because the price of oil is so high.
These diverse end markets and high availability make it a natural energy source to turn to when an alternative is needed. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that its share of energy production will continue to grow over the next 25 years as well.
The driver of natural gas' importance is twofold. First, fracking technology advanced by Haliburton (NYSE:HAL) and Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB) has resulted in a huge increase in natural gas production in the United States. That added production led to falling prices over the past decade, while coal and oil prices soared.
As a result, natural gas became the fuel of choice for electricity producers, and a cost saver for businesses and homes switching to natural gas. I don't think there's anything slowing this momentum, because dirtier fuels are becoming more costly, and alternative energy doesn't yet have the scale to make a dent in natural gas. The question today is whether success in power generation and heating will transfer to transportation as well.
A lot of work has been done in recent years to turn natural gas into a transportation fuel -- no easy task for an energy source that doesn't normally pack a lot of energy in a small space. What companies like Clean Energy Fuels are doing is either compressing or liquefying natural gas, then transporting it to fueling stations around the country, where it's used in relatively newly designed buses and trucks.
This is the next growth avenue for natural gas, but it's just as price-sensitive as electricity and heating. The recent spike in the price of natural gas will have a dampening effect on demand from transportation, and let's not forget that companies like Clean Energy Fuels are still benefiting from government subsidies for natural gas fuel.
There's upside potential in transportation, but there are a lot of hurdles to overcome before it competes with oil in a big way. The recent spike in the price of natural gas shows the biggest hurdle, and that price sensitivity is why I don't think natural gas cars are coming your way any time soon.
More than most energy sources, natural gas demand will be driven by price. Ironically, that will also be its biggest hindrance to energy domination.
One of the reasons natural gas prices have spiked over the past month is that new drilling slowed down rapidly last year, when prices were extremely low. When temperatures got cold, demand pushed prices higher, producing the spike we've seen in 2014.
If prices remain high, drilling will pick up again, and prices will come down. It's a very elastic business, but we shouldn't expect prices to stay as low as they've been in the past two years. Companies such as Quicksilver Resources (NASDAQOTH:KWKAQ), which made leveraged bets on natural gas drilling, have been pummeled in recent years because prices were so low they couldn't make a profit. If prices remain high, Quicksilver's big bet will pay off, and Halliburton and Schlumberger will sell more equipment, so there is big upside for investors with these companies.
Despite the sensitive-price dynamic, momentum is very favorable in the electrical market for natural gas. Coal and nuclear costs are rising, and renewable energy from wind and solar is a small percentage of the grid and actually complimentary to the peaking power provided by natural gas.
The transportation market will be tougher, and I think it'll be a long road to get natural gas into a large number of passenger vehicles. Trucks may make the switch slowly, but even Clean Energy Fuels and Westport Innovations have been disappointing recently because the uptick in sales hasn't been as fast as expected.
On an absolute basis, natural gas will see the biggest growth of any energy source over the next decade, no matter what happens in transportation. Whether that benefits natural gas producers or consumers will depend on price, but it's a good time to be in natural gas.
Travis Hoium has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Clean Energy Fuels, Halliburton, and Westport Innovations and owns shares of Westport Innovations. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
۞ Successful indeed are the believers (1) Those who humble themselves in their prayers; (2) Who avoid vain talk; (3) who observe Zakah; (4) And those who of their private parts are guards. (5) [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, (6) So whoever desires more than these two – they are crossing the limits. (7) (Prosperous are those) who preserve their trusts and pledges (8) to their promise, (9) Those are the inheritors (10) they shall abide in it forever. (11) We created man from an essence of clay, (12) then We made him, a drop, in a secure receptacle (the womb). (13) then We made this drop into a clot, then We made the clot into a lump, then We made the lump into bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We caused it to grow into another creation. Thus Most Blessed is Allah, the Best of all those that create. (14) And then, behold! after all this, you are destined to die; (15) and then on the Day of Resurrection you shall certainly be raised up. (16) We have created seven heavens above you and have never been neglectful to Our Creation. (17) And We send down water from the sky according to (due) measure, and We cause it to soak in the soil; and We certainly are able to drain it off (with ease). (18) We have produced palm-groves and vineyards for you, in which there are abundant fruits for you; and you eat these, (19) And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters. (20) There are lessons for you in the cattle from whose bellies We give you milk to drink, and there are other advantages that you derive from them, and some of them you eat; (21) And on them and on the ships you are borne. (22)
You shall not attain righteousness until you spend out of what you love (in the way of Allah). Allah knows whatever you spend. (92) ۞ All food (that is lawful in the Law revealed to Muhammad) was lawful to the Children of Israel, except what Israel made unlawful to themselves before the revelation of the Torah. Tell them: 'Bring the Torah and recite any passage of it if you are truthful.' (93) Whoever ascribes falsehood to God despite of all the evidence is unjust. (94) Say: 'Allah has said the truth. Follow the Creed of Abraham, he was of pure faith, and not an idolater' (95) Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-'Alamin (the mankind and jinns). (96) Therein are clear signs -- the station of Abraham, and whosoever enters it is in security. It is the duty of all men towards God to come to the House a pilgrim, if he is able to make his way there. As for the unbeliever, God is All-sufficient nor needs any being. (97) Say: O People of the Scripture! Why disbelieve ye in the revelations of Allah, when Allah (Himself) is Witness of what ye do? (98) Say thou: O people of the Book! wherefore turn ye aside from the way of Allah those who believe, seeking for it crookedness, while ye are witnesses! And Allah is not neglectful of that which ye work. (99) O believers, if you follow what some of the people of the Book say, it will turn you into unbelievers even after you have come to belief. (100) How can you disbelieve when you are the ones to whom the signs of Allah are recited and amidst you is His Messenger? Whoever holds fast to Allah will certainly be guided to the straight way. (101)