From the Inside Out

Are you still looking for ways to save money during the holiday season? Even better, do you want to help others save money? If so, I have a treat for you! Restaurant.com’s “Feed it Forward” program gives you the opportunity to help give away up to $30 million in free restaurant gift certificates. Over the next 16 days, you can give up to thirty $10 gift certificates per day to your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, strangers, or anyone else you think would like to have one. How’s that for the spirit of giving?

Restaurant.com is a website that connects restaurants and diners nationwide. They offer savings at more than 13,000 restaurants nationwide and to various online retailers with more than 20,000 gift certificate options. You can find participating restaurants using their search engine, and learn more about each restaurant by viewing their Web site featuring menus, driving directions, and more.

There are two ways to give. You can sign-up on the Feed It Forward website or participate through their page on Facebook. It’s simple. To send a gift, just enter your name and email address, as well as the name and email address for each recipient—as many as thirty people every single day. You can share your reason for giving with the person who is receiving the gift certificate, and you can also post it on the Feed It Forward site if you choose. People who receive gift certificates also will be given the opportunity to join the giving effort and “feed it forward.”

For more information on how it works, check out the FAQ and start giving today! If you don’t want to give (bah humbug), but you want to receive, send me your email address. I’ll send you a $10 gift certificate anyway!

Who doesn’t love getting something for free, especially during one of the worst recessions in the history of our country? Thanks to Whataburger, now you can get free food items every other day leading up to December 24th, 2009. It’s called the “12 Days of Whataburger” promotion, and it includes everything from free shakes to french fries and burgers.

All you have to do is visit Whataburger’s “12 Days” website and provide your email address and zip code. After signing up, you’ll receive free food coupons throughout December. It’s Whataburger’s way of spreading Christmas cheer, and nothing says “Merry Christmas” like free food.

Enjoy!

It has been well documented that eating right can help you lose weight and enhance your health, but does it also boost your mood and ease depression? That’s what respected nutritionist and author, Dr. Susan Keiner, suggests.

Dr. Kleiner’s book, The Good Mood Diet, offers tips for eating to feel good. For example, did you know that:

• Milk raises serotonin levels, helping you relax
• Broccoli and blueberries can increase energy and happy feelings
• Turkey reduces anxiety
• Regular intake of fish oils can lower anger in aggressive adults (no more anger management courses required)
• Egg yolks are high in a substance that enables nutrients into the brain and toxins out of the body
• Bananas reduce blood pressure

 By simply changing how you eat, you can improve your energy level, attitude and mood. Eating the right foods can even impact how you handle stress.

In my own life, this rings true. When I am eating healthy, I have more energy and my digestion issues cease. When I fall back into the dark pit eating junk food and fast food, the issues return — almost immediately. By simply watching what I eat, I can significantly impact my health — and my mood. Amazing, huh?

Never before has the saying been more true…you are what you eat.  I wish I had realized this truth a few years ago.