Must Watch Wednesday: Thanksgiving TV Specials

Must Watch Wednesday: Thanksgiving TV Specials: SELF.com

Thanksgiving: delicious food, football, family time--not-so-great TV. Year after year, I've settled down post-meal to find reruns all over the airwaves. Not this year! Tune in for a primetime lineup packed with not-to-be-missed specials:

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (8pm ET, ABC) Celebrate the start of the holiday season with the classic animated Thanksgiving-themed PEANUTS special, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. It's the perfect post-meal family flick!

People of the Year (9pm ET, NBC) Matt Lauer's series of revealing interviews with the most talked-about figures of the year: Taylor Swift, octo-mom Nadya Suleman, Susan Boyle, Kobe Bryant, Captain Chesley Sullenberger and Captain Richard Phillips.

Beyonce: I am...Yours (9pm ET, ABC) Watch Sasha Fierce take the stage for an intimate performance at Wynn Las Vegas, performing her biggest hits.

Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York (10pm ET, ABC) Tune in to watch legend Paul McCartney wowing the sold out crowd at Citi Field with a slue of his # 1 hits - including a number of Beatles tunes! (I was there live, trust me, it's a must watch.)

Great Performances--Sting: A Winter's Night...(10pm ET, PBS) Ring in the holiday season with Sting's live performance of carols, lullabies new songs and interpreted classical favorites.

--Kaitie Ames

Avoid overindulging this Thanksgiving with 6 tips from the stars!

Avoid overindulging this Thanksgiving with 6 tips from the stars: SELF.com

Now that you have the perfect recipe for a Hollywood-esque Thanksgiving, how to keep yourself from eating it all yourself? Stay svelte like the stars with these six celebrity tips for a healthy Turkey Day!

Eat Breakfast
It is certainly tempting to save your appetite on Thanksgiving and eat nothing until dinner, but the key to controlling yourself is starting your day with a healthy breakfast! Rebecca Romijn favors plain yogurt with granola, while Beyonce likes a big bowl of bran cereal. You'll kick-start your metabolism, keep your energy up throughout the day, and be less famished by dinner time!

Yes, You Can Still Get Your Caffeine Fix
'Tis the season of tempting gingerbread, peppermint, and pumpkin lattes. The problem? Tons of calories! So how to get your caffeine boost and stay slim? In SELF's June 2008 issue, Drew Barrymore, Jessica Biel and Jennifer Garner admitted that they turn to Starbucks's Venti unsweetened shaken black iced tea--it's zero calories and will give you the pick-me-up you need.

Munch on Healthy Snacks Throughout the Day
Eating high-protein snacks every few hours will keep your metabolism going and keep your hunger under control so come turkey time, you won't devour everything in sight! Try out Jessca Capshaw's go-to snack, Balance Bars (she told us about them in our November 2009 issue!).

Drink Skinny Cocktails
Bethenny Frankel cuts calories by drinking skinny cocktails! Test out her Skinny Cosmo recipe (only 218 calories!): Combine in a cocktail shaker: 1 shot citrus-flavored vodka, 1 splash club soda, 1 splash cranberry juice, and juice of 1 lime wedge; shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Add Spice to Your Meal
Notorious for eating turkey and stuffing until your button pops? Curb your appetite by adding red pepper flakes to your plate! Anne Hathaway and Liv Tyler use this trick to stay slim and get full off of less (try it--it really does work!).

Jello for Dessert
No need to deny yourself dessert while everyone else chows down; treat yourself to Jello! Drew Barrymore indulges in this dish to satisfy her sweet tooth without over indulging. Although it may be difficult to turn away that hunk of chocolate cake, your sugar craving will be satisfied and you'll avoid tons of calories.

How do you avoid overindulging on Turkey Day?

--Kaitie Ames

Serve a Hollywood-Worthy Thanksgiving Dinner with These 7 Celebrity Recipes

Serve a Hollywood-Worthy Thanksgiving Dinner with These 7 Celebrity Recipes! : SELF.com

Are Thanksgiving preparations working you into a tizzy? Borrow recipes from the stars to create a perfect, no-fuss meal that will have your friends and family feeling like A-listers--now that's something to be grateful for!

Rachael Ray's Fake-Out Dip Recipe
Ingredients:
4 basil leaves
4 pieces sun-dried tomato
2 tubs semisoft garlic and herb cheese
1/4 cup sun-dried tomato tapenade
1/4 cup pesto

Directions:
Line a 6-inch Pyrex bowl with plastic wrap. In the bottom of the bowl, arrange the basil leaves in a flower shape. Place the sun-dried tomato pieces in between the basil.
Empty 1 tub of the cheese on top of the basil and sun-dried tomato layer. Dunk a spatula in a bowl of hot water; this will make the cheese easy to spread. Smooth the cheese as if you were frosting a cake.
Scoop the sun-dried tomato tapenade on top of the cheese and spread into a smooth layer. Spread the pesto evenly on top of the tapenade.
Dump the other tub of cheese on top of the pesto and spread evenly.
Refrigerate the dip or serve immediately. To serve, place a serving plate on top of the bowl and turn the bowl upside down. Remove the bowl first, then the plastic wrap.
Place the dip with crackers or cucumbers and carrots, and you're ready to party!

SELFy Take: White Bean and Artichoke Dip

Alex Suarez from Cobra Starship's Salad
Ingredients:
1 Bag Spinach leaves
1 can green peas
1 can chick peas
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup carrots
Pinch of salt and pepper

Directions:
Combine spinach (or lettuce if preferred), green peas, chick peas, pumpkin seeds and carrots in bowl. Toss with flaxeed oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and serve!

SELFy Take: Roasted Corn and Edamame Salad

Jessica Simpson's No-Fat Broccoli and Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients:
1/2 bag Broccoli-Wokly-fresh broccoli florets (about 4 cups)
12 ounces (1 pint) cherry tomatoes, stems removed
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp coarsely-grounded black pepper

Directions:
Wash broccoli and tomatoes under running water. Cut broccoli into 3/4-inch pieces. Bring broth to a boil, in a 12-inch skillet, over high heat. Add broccoli, salt, and pepper; cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Push broccoli to edges of skillet, and add tomatoes to center. Cook for 2 minutes, to heat through, shaking pan gently to turn tomatoes. Do not overcook tomatoes, if skin split, tomatoes will be too soft. Season, to taste, and serve.

SELFy Take: Spice Roasted Cauliflower with Beet Emulsion

Trisha Yearwood's Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients:
5 lbs medium red potatoes, peeled and quartered
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:
Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, and cook until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, about 30 minutes. Drain potatoes. Warm milk in a small saucepan over medium heat; stir in butter until incorporated. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat potatoes on low speed. Slowly add milk mixture, beating potatoes just until liquid is absorbed.
Season mashed potatoes with salt and pepper.

SELFy Take: Cheesy Sweet Potato Crisps

Terri Hatcher's Souped-Up Box Stuffing (Vegetarian)
Ingredients:
1 16-oz box traditional vegetarian stuffing mix
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 sticks butter
3 sprigs thyme, stems revoed and leaves finely chopped
1 Vidalia (sweet) onion, finely chopped
3 stalks celery (about 1 cup), finely chopped
2 Fuji apples, peeled, cored and sliced A? inch thick
3 cups liquid (an equal mix of wine, beer and vegetable stock)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Empty the stuffing mix into a large mixing bowl and reserve. Place a medium saut?? pan over the medium-high heat with the extra-virgin olive oil, about three turns of the pan, and melt the butter.
Add the onion, celery and apples to the pan and allow them to cook 5 minutes, until they start to get tender. Add the herbs, cook a minute or two, then add the liquids and simmer 5 minutes or so.
Pour everything in the pan into the bowl with the stuffing mix, tossing everything lightly to combine it all. Transfer the stuffing to a lightly greased baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, until slightly dried. Serve immediately.

SELFy Take: Quinoa Stuffing

Whoopi Goldberg's Turkey
Ingredients:
1 Turkey
1 cup water
4 sticks butter
Seasonings: paprika, salt, pepper

Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 275 degrees F
Clean the turkey then pierce with butcher knife (underneath the wings and all over)
Season with paprika, salt and pepper (to taste)
Pour 1 cup of water over the turkey Place four sticks of butter on top of the turkey
Cover with aluminum foil and place it in the oven Baste the turkey all night long, and in the morning raise the temp to 325 degrees F Keep basting until the temperature gauge pops up, then remove aluminum foil
Keep basting for an additional twenty minutes

SELFy Take: Teriyaki Ground Turkey Skewers

Katie Lee's Spiced Apple Cobbler with Pumpkin Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce
Ingredients:
6 large (about 8 cups) Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and sliced (use Granny Smith's for a more tart flavor)
1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 A? cups sugar, divided
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp kosher salt, divided
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup whole milk
8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup boiling water
1 quart store-bought pumpkin ice cream
Store-bought caramel sauce

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place apples in a 13x9" baking dish. Sprinkle with lemon juice and toss to coat.
In a medium bowl, mix together 2 cups sugar, flour, baking powder, 1 tsp salt and the cinnamon. Add milk and melted butter, and mix well. Pour batter evenly over apples and set aside.
In a small bowl, mix remaining A? cup sugar, cornstarch and 1 tsp salt. Sprinkle over batter. Evenly pour the boiling water on top then transfer to the oven and bake for 50 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling.
Can be served warm or at room temperature, topped with a scoop of pumpkin ice cream and drizzled with caramel sauce.

SELFy Take: Apple Crisp with Vanilla Frozen Yogurt

Do you have any great holiday recipes you save for Thanksgiving?

--Kaitie Ames

Wacky (But it Works) Wednesday *Reader's Tip Edition*: Workout in Costume!

Wacky (But it Works) Wednesday *Reader's Tip Edition*: Workout in Costume!: SELF.com

It may sound cliche, but half of what you get out of a workout depends on having the right mindset. If you groan at the thought of a trip to the gym, chances are, it will feel like a chore (and how much fun have you ever had doing chores? Exactly). Instead of viewing exercise as something you have to do, flip your attitude and think of it as something you want to do! You'll get much more out of the workout and you'll enjoy yourself. SELFy reader Corinne Proctor has a fun, wacky tip on how to do it...

Dressing Up: "I majored in acting so I naturally do my best work in costume," says Corinne, 23. "I'm addicted to Les Mills BodyCombat (a mixed marial arts cardio kickboxing class). I go to class in full battle regalia (camo bandana, boxing wraps, even sometimes black lines under eyes)!"

Think about Halloween--when you get dressed in costume, you do more than look the part; you become the part. So rather than head off to class as every-day you, try throwing your inhibition to the wind with a costume and a new 'tude to boot! You'll be surprised at how much more fun it is, and how much more energy you'll have.

Visit www.lesmills.com/bodycombat to find a Les Mills BodyCombat class near you.

Do YOU have any Wacky (But it Works) secrets to share? If so, send them to getfit@SELF.com with the subject line "Wacky (But it Works)," and you could be featured in our next Reader's Tip Edition!

--Kaitie Ames

SELFy Gossip Roundup 2

SELFy Gossip Roundup: SELF.com

Our weekly recap of the SELFiest gossip out there! In today's roundup, award show drama, reality stars we love to hate, and some happy celeb family news...

Despite the recorded phone call between her parents accusing her of cutting and needing to go to rehab (which her father, Michael, shamelessly leaked to the press), Lindsay Lohan insists that she's "never been happier"!

While Letterman's blackmailer seeks dismissal of the case he brought against the talk show host, Cindy Crawford is hit hard with a deeply distrubing extortion scheme....by her child's former nanny!

SELFy star Taylor Swift won BIG at the 2009 CMA Awards! Did Carrie Underwoodpull a Kanye? We think not. But Wynonna Judd certainly did! Why all the hate, Hollywood?

On the reality front: While the ever-obnoxious Speidi is gearing up for round two with Al Roker, it looks like Balloon Boy's parents will be taking a television hiatus frombehind bars, and Jon Gosselin will (hopefully) no longer be a TLC regular after suingthem for 5 million dollars!

To finish off with some happy, SELFy news: Sex and the City's Ron Livingston tied the knot this week, Accidentally on Purpose's Ashley Jensen gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, and Angelina Jolie has finally reconciled with her father, Jon Voight!A

What SELFy gossip stories caught your eyes and ears this week?

--Kaitie Ames

Stay Fit During the Holidays with 15-Minute Workout DVDs!

Stay Fit During the Holidays with 15-Minute Workout DVDs!: SELF.com

'Tis the season of stuffing your face with oh-so-delicious feasts, cookies and cakes (but the last thing you'll want is an expanded waist)! Between shopping, cooking and hosting, the holiday season can leave you seriously strapped for exercise time. The solution? Pop in a DVD and steal away for a 10-20 minute workout at home! Check out our selection of speedy slimmers...

1. Quick and Incredible Abs

Too much dessert? Work your abs back into shape with Exercise TV's Quick & Incredible Abs. This DVD offers 3 different 20-minute ab exercises: Incredible Abs, Core Abs, and Quick Abs, and five 2-minute exercises: Ab Trimmer, Belly Bulge Blast, Tight Torso, Lower Body Stretch, and Tuck Crunch. Buy it here for $6.98, and be sure to check out ExerciseTV.tv for more free, speedy workouts!

2. Billy Blanks Jr's Cardioke

If you instinctively begin to dance and sing upon hearing the first few notes of "I Will Survive," then you will have a blast with Cardioke. This disk combines cardio dance, proper breathing and karaoke hits to help you get into shape and have fun! Each song has its own workout, and you create the playlist at the start of each workout, so you can make your session as short as 1 song, or as long as 14! Buy it here for $15.99.

Warning: Cardioke may lead to the unleashing of your inner popstar and singing loud for all to hear.

3. Xtreme Cardio Dance

You've seen Jaana Kunitz (and her amazing body) demonstrate a sneak peek of her cardio dance workout on our blog--now it's time for you to join in and dance your way into shape! Tune into Xtreme Cardio Dance for 45-minutes of latin cardio, three different 15-minute hip hop workouts, three 15-minute disco routines, or a 45 minutes of Sexy Sculpt. You'll get in shape and pick up some sexy moves for the New Year's Eve dance floor! Buy it here for $39.95

4. 10 Minute Solution 5 Day Get Fit Mix

Love switching up your fitness routine, but don't have the time to go to hour-long classes? 5 Day Get Fit Mix offers five 10-minute exercises: Cardio Kickboxing, Fat Blasting Intervals, Power Yoga, Belly Fat Burner, and Lean Body Sculpt. Each program delivers a total-body workout. Buy it here for $9.49.

5. Trudie Styler's Warrior Yoga

If you need a quick break from the seasonal hustle and bustle, pop in Trudie Styler's Warrior Yoga and settle in for a 25-minute Express Warrior Workout. You'll strengthen both your body and mind, and finish feeling re-invigorated! Buy it here for $12.99.

*Fun fact alert: Trudie is Sting's wife! So throughout each workout, you'll get to listen to her hubby's relaxing classical album in the background.

--Kaitie Ames

Wacky (But it Works) Wednesday: Lose Weight Without Working Out!

Wacky (But it Works) Wednesday: Lose Weight Without Working Out!: SELF.com

The adrenaline rush that comes with a great workout is certainly fab, but ever dream of losing weight and burning calories without a trip to the gym? Well, dream no more, because now you can with the help of the Gruve...

The philosophy behind the Gruve is simple: increase your basic daily movement and you'll lose weight. No marathons or triathlons, just climbing the stairs instead of riding the elevator or getting up from your desk and walking over to the water cooler a few more times per day. Easy!

Now, this is no new concept. So where does the Gruve come in? It acts as your own personal trainer!

Upon receiving the Gruve, a tiny, lightweight device that clips right onto your belt, you synch it to the Gruve Network, an online program that displays your activity levels and calorie burn rates by month, week, day and hour.

The first time you synch up your Gruve, the Gruve Network will help you design a personalized daily calorie-burn goal to achieve weight loss. After it's all synched up, clip the Gruve onto your belt, and it will begin monitoring your movement and calculating your calorie-burn rate!

Luckily, you don't have to log into the Gruve Network 100 times a day to stay on track; a quick glance at the Gruve will show you where you're at! The light strip on top of the device indicates your progress according to color. Each morning, the light starts out red. As you move and burn calories throughout the day, the light changes to orange, yellow, blue, and (hopefully) ends at green. Once you've hit the green zone, congratulate yourself--you have officially burned the number of calories you need to reach your weight management goal for the day (go you!!).

The Gruve is a fantastic way to help you burn calories without breaking a sweat or sacrificing any of your daily responsibilities. But be warned--just like a real personal trainer, you can't just passively use the Gruve and not follow its instructions; if you stay lazy and sit still for too long, it'll vibrate at you!

The Gruve is available for purchase online and retails for $199.95, so get off your butt and get your gruve on!

--Kaitie Ames

Exclusive Tips from PUMA's Pro-Golfer Rickie Fowler!

Exclusive Tips from PUMA's Pro-Golfer Rickie Fowler!: SELF.com

Last week, Associate Fitness Editor, Liz Miersch, asked me if I liked golf, and if so, would I like to attend an event with a pro-golfer. My response? "I've only ever played mini-golf, but sure!" Long story short, I had a slightly embarrassing first swing. Ok, so the ball didn't leave the tee... Luckily, pro-golfer Rickie Fowler was there to step in and show me (and all of you!) the key tips to a successful golf experience!

A 20-year-old college freshman, Rickie Fowler is certainly not your typical polo and khaki-clad golfer. Dressed head-to-toe in PUMA attire (he was, after all, just signed to them) with long, Zac Efron-ish hair, Rickie is the face of the new golf generation. So we figured, who better to turn to for golf tips than the newest rising golf star? His SELFiest tip? Go with a friend and make it fun!

Check out the footage below for more of Rickie's tips for all you beginners out there!

To keep up with Rickie, you can go to his website www.rickie-fowler.com, or follow him on twitter at www.twitter.com/rickiefowlerpga.

For more on PUMA's stylish golf gear, check out golf.puma.com!

--Kaitie Ames