HEALTH: Tips for Keeping off the Holiday Weight

Personally, I think you should just enjoy yourself and eat whatever you want during the holidays then worry about it in 2009. However, if you ARE worried about packing on a few pounds during the holidays, check out this video containing tips on how to keep off the holiday weight.

Plan for parties, use low-fat ingredients, don't deprive yourself. (ABC/CW/13 - 12/8/08)

http://www.soakupliving.com/TipsforKeepingofftheHolidayWeight.html

BOOKS: 'The Purpose of Christmas' (i.e., The Reason for the Season)

Anyone who has read "The Purpose Driven Life" trusts the advice of Pastor Rick Warren. In this video, he talks about his new book 'The Purpose Of Christmas'.

"Pastor Rick Warren has sold over 30 million copies of his book "The Purpose Driven Life." Now, Warren talks with Harry Smith about his latest book, "The Purpose of Christmas." (CBS News - 12/5/08)"

http://www.soakupliving.com/ThePurposeOfChristmas.html

BOOKS: Books Make Great Christmas Gifts!

I started a book site (Beach Reads) because I love to read, so I think that books make the greatest gifts in the world. A careful selection for a friend or family member can show that you understand what he or she is passionate about and that you "get them" in a way that that you cannot convey with an ordinary, impersonal gift.

This video shows how books can make great gifts this holiday season: Wrap Up a Great Idea! Books Equal Gifts

"America's book publishers are proud to debut a holiday video featuring celebrities sharing their reasons why books make great gifts. (Books - 12/5/08)"

http://www.soakupliving.com/WrapUpaGreatIdeaBooksEqualGifts.html

MUSIC: Faith Hill's New Song, A Baby Changes Everything, Speaks an Honest Truth

I was having dinner tonight at my sister's house and we were struggling to feed my niece when I heard this song for the first time, and laughed at its honesty and timeliness - watch the video here: Faith Hill Singing A Baby Changes Everything

"Faith Hill is all over your TV this holiday season including a PBS special called Joy to the World. She also has a new album of Christmas songs that includes this next video called A Baby Changes Everything. (TV Broadband - 12/4/08)"

http://www.soakupliving.com/FaithHillSingingBabyChangesEverything.html

MUSIC: Harry Connick, Jr. Croons Holiday Tunes

I had the pleasure of meeting Harry Connick, Jr. when he sang for the Katrina victims in the Astrodome. His soothing voice and positive attitude have carried over into a new release of Christmas tunes. Check out the video interview of him here: Harry Connick, Jr. Holiday Album

"Harry Connick, Jr. offers up a Christmas album and Hollywood 411 sits down with the crooner to find out about what went into What a Night! A Christmas Album; in stores now for holiday cheer. (TV Broadband - 12/5/08)"

http://www.soakupliving.com/HarryConnickJrHolidayAlbum.html