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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF UTAH COUNTY

December 2015

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF UTAH COUNTY TO CELEBRATE 24TH BIRTHDAY

WITH RESTORE SALE

Habitat for Humanity of Utah County will be celebrating its 24th birthday this weekend with a huge sale at its Orem and Spanish Fork ReStores. There will be great discounts, refreshments, and giveaways. All interested community members are encouraged to join in the celebration from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Habitat for Humanity of Utah County is one of more than 2,300 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity Interna-tional and was started by a group of local community members concerned about substandard housing and homelessness in Utah County in 1991. The local Habitat affiliate builds and renovates simple, de-cent homes with families in need in Utah County. The affiliate also repairs and beautifies existing home-owner occupied homes and properties and helps to revitalize blighted neighborhoods in its service area. Habitat serves individuals or families living or working in Utah County who make up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income and are living in substandard housing situations.

To date, the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate has completed 60 homes (eight of which have been renovated) in its service area, providing 98 adults and 185 children with safe and affordable housing.

The organization has also completed a number of critical home repair and home preservation projects throughout Utah County in the last three years, completed the South Franklin Community Center at the Boulders Apartment complex, and renovated and restored the historic George Taylor, Jr. home in down-town Provo. The local Habitat affiliate also administers Provo City’s Neighborhood Revitalization Pro-gram.

In addition to its affordable housing and critical home repair and home preservation programs, the local affiliate also provides a mobile neighborhood tool library in Provo City and basic home maintenance and life planning courses for Habitat families and other interested community members.

The organization also runs two ReStore Home Improvement Outlets where new and used building mate-rials, appliances, and furniture are sold with profits going to the affiliate’s operating and program costs. The ReStores have not only raised thousands of dollars for the affiliate, but are now paying for a most of the operation costs for the affiliate and stores and have also kept millions of pounds of waste out of the local landfill. Because of the success of the ReStores, the organization is now looking at opening a third ReStore in northern Utah County.

The Utah County affiliate also promotes aluminum, scrap metal, and vehicle recycling through its Habitat Recycle program and works to bring community awareness to the potential deadly effects of radon gas.

“We are truly grateful for all the community has done to support our affiliate over the last 24 years,” said Kena Jo Mathews, Executive Director. “Because of all their support, generosity, and service, we have been able to change the lives of many families in our service area.”

GETTIN AHEAD TO GRADUATE

Nine new graduates from the “Gettin Ahead in a Just-Getting’-By World” program will be honored at a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. at the Habitat for Humanity of Utah County office at 340 South Orem Blvd., Orem. All the graduates are current Habitat partner family members.

The Getting Ahead program is a step-by-step life planning and education program, sponsored by the local Habitat affiliate, which includes facilitated education, group support, and hands on experiences. Participants attend a weekly group session facilitated by a trained facilitator and follow a workbook with various modules. The group sessions last for 12 weeks. The overall goal of the program is to help area families work together to break the poverty cycle, find solutions to community issues, and build bridges to a more stable and productive life. To date, 97 community members have graduated from the program that was started locally in 2008.

What’s Up

HABITAT SPONSORING “IT’S A WRAP” AT PROVO

TOWNE CENTRE

Habitat for Humanity of Utah County is sponsoring the annual “It’s A Wrap” gift wrapping booth at Provo Towne Centre dur-ing the holiday season. This year’s gift wrap booth will be lo-cated outside the new Shoe Dept. Encore on the Lower Level inside the Red Robin Entrance and will be open starting De-cember 19, 2015. Proceeds will go towards a Habitat home currently being built in Spanish Fork with the Young family. Volunteers are needed to help gift wrap. Sign up atwww.habitatuc.org/volunteer.htm.

GOODBYE ASHLEY! WELCOME ERIC!

Habitat Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator, Ashley Burton, will be leaving Habitat mid-December to go on a once in a lifetime adventure to teach English in China. She has worked hard and has done a great job expanding Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization programs locally. We will miss her and wish her the very best. We would like to welcome Eric Jorgensen as the new Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator. Eric has been serving as the Neighborhood Revitalization Committee Chairperson and brings a wealth of experience to the position. We are excited to have him join our staff.

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• Habitat for Humanity of Utah County will be participating in this year’s #GivingTuesday effort on December 1, 2015. Community members are encouraged to donate to Habitat or their favorite charity during this special day of giving. Donations can be made to Habitat online at www.habitatuc.org/donate-now.htm. All donations made that day will be used to provide safe and affordable housing for a hardworking mother and her two teenage children in Spanish Fork.

• Are you doing your holiday shopping online? Support Habitat by shopping at smile.amazon.com today!

• The Utah County Habitat for Humanity ReStores have a large inventory of Styrofoam ornaments and bags and bags of peppermint taffy for sale! Great for holiday crafts or neighbor gifts! Locations and hours at www.habitatuc.org/restore.htm.

• Habitat for Humanity of Utah County is partnering with H&R Block this tax season! Get a referral code from Jimmie Smith at (801) 344-8527 or jimmiesmith@habitatuc.org and take it to the office when you have your tax return prepared. If you are a new H&R Block client, we will get a $20 contribution.

• New Neighborhood Revitalization Chairperson Announced – Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization Com-mittee has a new chairperson, Julie Beck. Julie is a long time Habitat volunteer and has been serving on the committee for the last few years. We appreciate Julie’s willingness to serve and look forward to growing the program under her leadership! We would also like to thank Eric Jorgensen for his dedicated service as the chairperson for the past few years. We are grateful for all of his efforts and all he has done to build the new program. We are happy to have him join the Habitat staff.

• Thank you to Habitat for Humanity's 45,000+ (and growing) car donors! Your generous car donations help make homes for the holidays a reality for local families. Learn more at www.habitatuc.org/cars-for-homes.htm.

• Recycle all the aluminum cans from your holiday parties and help provide safe and affordable housing for families in need in our community. Drop off locations at www.habitatuc.org/recycle.htm.

• Go holiday grocery shopping and help provide safe and affordable housing for families in need in our com-munity! Sign up for Smith’s Community Rewards Program at www.smithscommunityrewards.com, link your account/card with Habitat for Humanity of Utah County (#48773) and then go shopping at your local Smith’s Grocery Store. Smith’s will then provide a financial contribution to the local Habitat affiliate.

• Check out Habitat’s FUNSAVER Site! Habitat for Humanity has partnered with VP Deals to get all the latest bargains on local products/venues. Check out this week’s FUNSAVER specials at www.habitatucdeals.info. A portion of your “fun” purchases will help Habitat further its housing mission in the community.

• Did you know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer? Protect your family today from this cancer causing gas by testing your home! Test kits are available at the Habitat ReStores in Orem and Spanish Fork for only $6.00 (includes lab fee). More information about radon, look online at www.habitatuc.org/radon.htm.

PHOTO GALLERY

Volunteer Opportunities

3 3

CREW LEADERS AND SITE HOSTS NEEDED TO

HELP GUIDE CONSTRUCTION

Volunteers with construction experience or those wanting to improve their construction skills are being sought to participate in the affiliate's Crew Leader and Site Host Programs. Orientations are monthly. The next orientation will be on at the Habitat office in Orem on December 5,

2015. For information, contact LeAnn at the number or

email below.

For more information, look online at www.habitatuc.org or contact LeAnn at (801) 368-2250 or leann@habitatuc.org. You can also sign up online at www.habitatuc.org/volunteer.htm.

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT TO SERVE ON

COMMITTEES

Volunteers are needed to serve on all of Habitat’s local committees. Monthly or quarterly meetings, limited time commitment, no experience necessary, varying interests and skills needed. For more infor-mation, contact LeAnn Hillam at (801) 368-2250 or leann@habitatuc.org.

HONORING VETERANS THROUGH SERVICE - Habitat’s construction crew spent Veterans Day building a porch and ramp for a local Veteran. George Jordan served in the United States Army from 1970-1972. He lives in a mobile home in Orem and has had difficulty accessing his home due to his reli-ance on an oxygen tank. Now with an extended porch and ramp, he and his dog Teddy are able to come and go as they please. In June, Habitat partnered with the Lindon Home Depot to help another Veteran in Orem, Kent Hinkson, who served in the Ma-rine Corps. Volunteers renovated the interior of his home, com-pleting three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a family room. Kent has extreme sensitivity to light and sound, and the renovations improved the home so that less sound and light from outside come in. Recently, Habitat was also able to provide materials for Kent and his family to complete the exterior of their home.

PHOTO GALLERY 4 4

WELLS EMPLOYEES TEAM WITH HABITAT TO KICK OFF SPAN-ISH FORK HOME! - Wells Fargo employees teamed up with Habitat once again and kicked off the construction of the Young Family Habi-tat Home in Spanish Fork in mid-November. Volunteers worked to build the floor and frame some of the exterior walls at the home. Wells Fargo, through their Team Leader pro-gram, is one of the ma-jor financial sponsors of the home.

COLLABORATING FOR A VETERAN! - Habitat for Humanity of Utah County helped on a Heart 2 Home renovation project for a local Veteran, Ken-neth Toone, and his family in American Fork in November. Habitat Construction Staff members worked with long time Habitat volunteer, Karin Jessen, to renovate one of the bathrooms in the home. Habitat was also able to donate some ma-terials and supplies from its ReStores and provide flooring and appliances through its Gifts in Kind partnership with Home Depot.

Home Maintenance Tips

Winter Home Maintenance Tips

As winter nears, make sure your home is prepared to withstand another season of cold temperatures, driving winds and icy conditions. The maintenance that you do today can help prevent more costly emergency repairs in the height of a storm, when it can be difficult to find supplies and licensed contractors.

Following are five important categories to focus on for this winter:

Your Heating System

Before you give your heating system a workout this winter, take the time for preventive maintenance. It may help extend the life of your system and identify potential problems.

Before winter

• Have your furnace or boiler checked and serviced by a licensed contractor at least once a year, preferably before the heating season begins.

• Clean or replace the furnace filter on forced hot air systems.

• Have your chimney checked and serviced by a licensed contractor at least once a year. Pay particular atten-tion to having creosote build-up removed for chimneys servicing woodstoves and fireplaces.

(www.travelers.com)

Check out Habitat & Community Action’s Free Home Maintenance Course. The next class will be Thursday, January 28, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. The topics are: Basic Electrical Repairs, Changing Furnace Filter, Gutter and Downspout Care. Classes begin at 6:30 p.m. and are held at the Habitat office at 340 South Orem Blvd., Orem.

At HOME DEPOT – Registration is necessary. Call store or register online. Look online for the December clinic schedules at www.homedepot.com.

At LOWE'S - you must sign up for How-To Clinics by calling 229-1485 or stopping by their store at 140 West Uni-versity Parkway in Orem. Look online for December clinic schedules at www.lowes.com.

At CENTRAL UTAH GARDENS – Registration is necessary. Look online for upcoming classes at www.centralutahgardens.org/classes_events_concerts.aspx

5 5 5

Home Maintenance

POURING CONCRETE! - On Friday, November 13th and Friday, November 14th, a total of 28 BYU Construction Management students prepped and then poured the flatwork for the garage and patio at a Habitat home currently being built in Spanish Fork. As part of their class, Concrete 217, they were re-quired to volunteer on a project that entailed learning and doing hands-on work that would teach them about concrete at a residential build site. They were taught by both Habitat subcontractor, Kenyon Bunker, and Kevin Tippetts, Habitat’s Construction Manager. They students donated a total of 85 hours to the pro-ject.

HOUSING FACT

Adequate housing is vitally important to the health of the world’s economies, communities and

populations.

6 6 6 During winter

• Have your fuel tanks filled and keep an eye on levels throughout the winter.

• Set your heat no lower than 55 degrees as the temperature inside the walls where water piping is located is colder than the living spaces; open doors to unoccupied rooms to keep an even temperature throughout the house.

• Maintain your wood-burning or pellet stoves according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Your Insulation

• Is your insulation prepared to protect you from the cold? As an important line of defense from winter’s gusty winds and freezing temperatures, it is worth taking some time to inspect and upgrade insulation and weather stripping before the season starts.

• Add extra insulation in the attic to guard against ice dams. If too much heat escapes into the attic, it can warm the ice and snow on the roof. When it refreezes, it can cause an ice dam, which can lead to water damage inside your home or possibly even a roof collapse.

• Add weather stripping around doors and caulk windows to guard against drafts and heat loss.

• Remove screens from windows, and install storm windows.

Your Utilities

• Freezing temperatures can be especially damaging to your home’s water piping. Make sure your pipes are adequately prepared to withstand a cold snap and remember to take extra precautions if you are going to be leaving your home, including shutting off your water.

• Check for water leaks and fix problems immediately; wrap water piping in UL-Listed heat tape and insulate if it is exposed in unheated areas such as garages, crawl spaces or attics. Use only thermostatically controlled heat tape if your water piping is plastic and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.

• Learn how to shut off your water and know where your pipes are located in case they do freeze; you may be able to prevent water damage.

Your Winter Safety Measures

As you prepare for winter, following are some further safety measures that are especially important during the cold season.

• Trim trees and remove dead branches so they do not damage your home or injure someone if they fall be-cause of ice, snow or wind.

• Keep gutters clear of leaves, sticks and other debris to ensure melting snow can drain properly. Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation.

• Repair steps and handrails to make them safer in the ice and snow.

• Check smoke detectors, fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries to ensure they are operating properly.

Your Key Supplies and Equipment

The first storm of the year can come sooner than you think. Stock up early and get key equipment, like snow blowers and generators, in good working condition long before you need them, so you can be prepared to enjoy what the season has to offer.

• Make sure you have snow shovels and a roof rake on hand. Stock your ice melting compound to melt ice on walkways.

• Have your snow blower and generator serviced and any necessary repairs made.

• Keep fuel for snow blowers and generators in approved safety containers and away from heat or flame pro-ducing devices. Do not store fuel in your basement.

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9 Holiday Savings Tips

During the holiday gift buying frenzy, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed about not having

enough money to spend on your loved ones. You do not have to go into debt to show how much you

care. With some careful planning and creative gift giving, you can enjoy some holiday cheer without the

financial fear.

Check out these holiday savings tips from Practical Money Skills:

• Develop a budget and stick to it: Do not spend more than 1.5 percent of your household annual in-

come on holiday gifts and entertainment. Check out a free online Holiday Budget calculator.

• Create a "micro budget": Write a list of everyone on your gift list and decide how much you would like

to spend on each person. Track how much you spend using this Gift Log calculator. This budget should

also include costs for additional items such as cards, postage, gift-wrapping, meals, parties, travel, etc.

• Shop early: Do not wait until the very last minute to buy presents or you may end up overspending or

buying items you did not plan to. Having extra time to compare prices is especially helpful when buying

big-ticket items such as electronics or even a new bicycle.

• Get creative: Handmade gifts or even personalized coupons can be a special treat in this age of store-

bought presents. Think about what the person may want or need then incorporate your own talents. For

example: bake some cookies; create a photo album or decorate a picture frame; knit a blanket or scarf;

compile your favorite tunes into a music CD; or give a coupon for a home-cooked meal, babysitting time,

house cleaning, or even a free one-hour lesson in an area where you are an expert (e.g., computers,

dance, cooking, art) – the list is endless.

• Draw names & create a spending cap: These ideas work particularly well for large families and groups

of friends. This way, everyone gets a gift but each person only has to buy one gift. Depending on the

flexibility and humor of the group, you could: limit the gift to $10–$20 per person; agree on a gift theme

(e.g., tropical getaway, house decor, etc.); or even re-gift!

• Shop online: It's fast, easy, and you can easily comparison shop. By ordering from the comforts of

your own home, you also resist extra temptations like eating out or making impulse purchases.

• Pay off your credit cards: If you plan to shop with credit, make sure you have enough money in your

bank account to pay off the amount when the bill arrives. Also, consider using cards that offer extra in-

centives such as frequent flyer miles.

• Donate more than cash: Do not spend more than 1.5 percent of your household annual income on

holiday gifts and entertainment.

• Enjoy free and inexpensive holiday activities: There are ample ways to get into the holiday spirit with-

out breaking your budget. Check out your local community calendar for free holiday activities and per-

formances such as a tree lighting or parade; snuggle up with the family and watch a holiday classic such

as, "It's a Wonderful Life"; go caroling; have the kids put on a holiday play and invite the neighbors for a

potluck dinner; or celebrate with Game Night and pull out your best board games.

7 SAVING TIP

(www.practicalmoneyskills.com)

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“Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light

of love to those who need it most.” ~ Ruth Carter Stapleton

8 8 (www.nsc.org)

SAFETY TIP

• Never leave burning candles unattended or sleep

in a room with a lit candle

• Keep candles out of reach of children

• Make sure candles are on stable surfaces

• Don't burn candles near trees, curtains or any other

flammable items

• Don't burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper in the

fireplace

• Check and clean the chimney and fireplace area at

least once a year

Even Angel Hair can Hurt Putting up decorations is one of the best ways to get in a holiday mood, however an estimated 15,000 injuries involving holiday decorating were seen in emergency rooms during the 2012 season.

• "Angel hair" is made from spun glass, and it can

irritate your eyes and skin; always wear gloves

when handling it, or substitute non-flammable cotton

• When spraying artificial snow on windows or other

surfaces, be sure to follow directions carefully; these

sprays can irritate your lungs if inhaled

• Decorate the tree with your kids in mind; move orna-

ments that are breakable or have metal hooks to-

ward the top

• Always use the proper step ladder; don't stand on

chairs or other furniture

• Lights are among the best parts of holiday decorat-

ing; make sure there are no exposed or frayed

wires, loose connections or broken sockets

• Plants can spruce up your holiday decorating, but

keep those that may be poisonous (including some

Poinsettias) out of reach of children or pets; the na-

tional Poison Control Center can be reached at

(800) 222-1222

• Make sure paths are clear indoors so older adults

do not trip on wrapping paper, decorations, toys,

etc.; NSC provides tips for older adults on slip, trip

and fall protections

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Enjoy a Safe Holiday Season!

• Holiday safety is an issue that burns brightest

from late November to mid-January, the time when

families gather, parties are scheduled and travel

spikes. By taking some basic precautions, you can

ensure your whole family remains safe and injury-

free throughout the season.

Watch Out for those Fire-starters

Turkey Fryers While many subscribe to the theory any fried food is good – even if it's not necessarily good for you – there is reason to be on alert if you're thinking of celebrating the holidays by frying a turkey.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports

there have been 168 turkey-fryer related fires, burns,

explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning incidents

since 2002. CPSC says 672 people have been in-

jured and $8 million in property damage losses have

resulted from these incidents.

NSC discourages the use of turkey fryers at home

and urges those who prefer fried turkey to seek out

professional establishments or consider a new oil-

less turkey fryer. But for those who don't heed that

advice, please follow these precautions:

• Set up the fryer more than 10 feet from the

house and keep children away

• Find flat ground; the oil must be even and steady

to ensure safety

• Use a thawed and dry turkey; any water will

cause the oil to bubble furiously and spill over

(see video at right)

• Fryer lid and handle can become very hot and

cause burns

• Have a fire extinguisher ready at all times

Candles and Fireplaces

About 2,200 deaths were caused by fires, burns and

other fire-related injuries in 2013, according to Injury

Facts 2015, and 12% of home candle fires occur in

December, the National Fire Protection Association

reports. Increased use of candles and fireplaces,

combined with an increase in the amount of combus-

tible, seasonal decorations present in many homes

means more risk for fire.

RESOURCES

9 9 • Make sure the vehicle is properly maintained, and

keep an emergency kit with you

• Be prepared for heavy traffic, and possibly heavy

snow

• Remember, when guests are staying in your home,

make sure areas have night lights or easy-to-reach

lamps in case they need to get up during the night.

And, whether you are visiting someone else's home

or you have guests in your home, make sure all

medications are kept up and away and out of sight

from young children.

Don't Give the Gift of Food Poisoning

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

provides some holiday food safety tips. Here are a few:

• Do not rinse raw meat and poultry before cooking

• Use a food thermometer to make sure meat is

cooked to a safe temperature

• Refrigerate food within two hours

• Thanksgiving leftovers are safe for four days in the

refrigerator

• Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a rolling boil

when reheating

• When storing turkey, be sure to cut the leftovers in

small pieces so it will chill quicker

• Wash your hands frequently when handling food

It's Better to Give ... Safely We've all heard it's important when choosing toys for infants or small children to avoid small parts that can be pulled or broken off and might prove to be a chok-ing hazard. Here are some additional gift-related safety tips you might not have heard about:

• Select gifts for older adults that are not heavy or

awkward to handle

• Be aware of dangers associated with coin lithium

batteries; of particular concern is the ingestion of

button batteries

• For answers to more of your holiday toy safety

questions, check out this Consumer Product

Safety Commission blog

• See which toys have been recalled

Traveling for the Holidays? Be Prepared Many people choose to travel during the holidays by automobile, with the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation. In 2013, 343 people died on New Year's Day, 360 on Thanksgiving Day and 88 on Christmas Day, according to Injury Facts 2015. Alco-hol-impaired fatalities represented 31% of the totals.

• Use a designated driver to ensure guests make it

home safely after a holiday party; alcohol, over-

the-counter or illegal drugs all cause impairment

• Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly

buckled up no matter how long or short the dis-

tance being traveled

• Put that cell phone away; distracted driving

causes one-quarter of all crashes

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Community Action Services offers Home Buyer Education Classes on a monthly basis. Classes in December will be held December 2nd and 3rd from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. To register, please call (801) 691-5200 or go online to www.communityactionuc.org.

Sub for Santa is a temporary Christmas assistance program that matches sponsors with families looking for help. To gain help – call (801) 356-6200.

The Comprehensive Clinic at BYU offers convenient and affordable mental health services to eligible local com-munity members. Call (801) 422-7759 to find out about their services and to schedule a brief, confidential phone interview.

Habitat families who are struggling to put food on the table can contact Kena at the Habitat office. She can pro-vide emergency food vouchers for families to receive short term food boxes from Community Action. Call her at (801) 344-8527 x 103 for further details.

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HEALTH TIPS 10 10 10

HOUSEHOLD HINT

(besthouseholdhintsandtips.com)

The best way to clean and deodorize your garbage disposal is to freeze fruit rinds than run them down the disposal followed by lots of cold water.

10

Stock the freezer with healthy meals Everyone's overly busy during the holidays, and most of us want to spend our time shopping, decorating, or see-ing friends and family, which leaves less time to cook healthy meals. Take defensive action several weeks ahead of time by cooking meals intended specifically for the freezer. You'll be thankful later when you can pop one of the meals into the oven or microwave and turn your attention instead to writing out holiday cards with a personal message in each.

Pour the gravy and sauces lightly You may not be able to control what's being served at a holiday meal, but you can make the turkey, roast beef, and even mashed potatoes and stuffing much healthier by foregoing the sauce or gravy or spooning on just a small amount.

Take the focus off food and drinks this holiday season by embracing a project that will have last-ing meaning: Organizing your family photos. What household doesn't have a mountain of snapshots that need to be sorted? Dispensing with this source of clutter will be stress relief in itself, but you also will get an emotional lift when you glimpse the photos again. (Plus, what better holiday gift to give yourself or some-one you love than a gorgeous album filled with family memories?) If you don't already have a photo organiza-tion system, try this: Find a shoebox or another box that's the right width to accommodate snapshots. Use cardboard rectangles as dividers between categories of photos. (You can also buy photo boxes with these divid-ers.) Write a category label across the top of each di-vider ('Martha,' 'Christmas,' 'Family,' and 'Pets,' for in-stance). As you go through each envelope of photos, slide the very best into an album, file other photos you want to keep into the appropriate category in your shoe-box, and throw out the rest.

Toast the New Year with just one glass of bubbly You may be celebrating, but that doesn't mean that that you should send your meal plan (and your judgment) on holiday. Alcohol can interfere with your blood sugar by slowing the release of glucose into the bloodstream; it also contain a lot of calories - 89 calories per glass of white wine or champagne, 55 calories in a shot of vodka, and 170 calories in a pint of stout beer. What's more, alcohol breaks down your inhibitions and judg-ment, which makes you that much less likely to resist the junk foods that you would otherwise be able to pass up.

9 Stay-Healthy Tips for the Holidays

Keep the focus on fun, not food Most holidays are associated with certain foods. Christmas at your house might not be the same with-out your aunt's green been casserole, but that does-n't mean food has to be the main focus. Instead, throw yourself into the other rituals a holiday brings, whether it's caroling or tree trimming.

Modify your eating times so that they jive with your relatives' Do your in-laws' meal schedules fly in the face of yours? Here's how to compromise: Say they wake up later than you do and serve a late breakfast at 10:30. Then they skip lunch and serve Christmas 'dinner' at 3 p.m. To keep your blood sugar steady without over-doing it on calories, have an early-morning snack (such as a piece of whole-grain toast) before your relatives rise and shine. Their late breakfast will count as your 'real' breakfast, plus some of your lunch. Enjoy the 3 p.m. meal - but don't overdo it! - and have a small snack at around 8 p.m.

Cut down your own Christmas tree Rather than buying a tree from a roadside lot where the trees have been drying out for weeks, visit a tree farm that allows you to cut your own. It will be fresher and probably less expensive than they are at the lot. You'll burn off calories and combat some of the blood-sugar effects of the sugar cookie you snuck by traipsing around the grounds in search of just the right tree. And your family will have one fonder holi-day memory to look back on.

Indulge in only the most special holiday treats Skip the store-bought cookies at Christmas, but do save some calories in your 'budget' to sample treats that are homemade and special to your family, such as your wife's special Yule log cake. Training yourself what to indulge in and what to skip is much like budg-eting your mad money: Do you want to blow it on gar-bage that you can buy anywhere or on a very special, one-of-a-kind souvenir? Just don't completely deprive yourself on festive days - your willpower will eventu-ally snap, and you'll end up overeating.

Make the change! The habit: Staying physically active during the holi-days. The result: Gaining less weight over the years. The proof: A study conducted by the U.S. govern-ment found adults gained, on average, more than a pound of body weight during the winter holidays - and that they were not at all likely to shed that weight the following year. (That may not sound like a lot now, but it means having to buy roomier pants after a few Christmases pass.) The good news is that the people who reported the most physical activity through the holiday season showed the least weight gain. Some even managed to lose weight.

(www.rd.com)

Thank You Kenny Seng Construction

Provo Towne Centre, Wells Fargo

Brycen Bingham

Brylie Houle

BYU American Society of Civil Engineers

BYU Construction Technology students

BYU Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter

Charmagne Wixom

Client Tether

Dave Harlow

Eric Jorgensen

Hudson Boxx-Eagle Scout Project

Jaime Alonso

Julie Beck

Karin Jessen

11

Katie Carrick

Kenny Seng Construction

Kenyon Bunker

Lo Nestman

Mary Crafts

NetScout

Nicholas Peterson- Eagle Scout Project

Provo Towne Centre

Stuart Hillam

Utah Central Association of REALTORS

UVU Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter

Wells Fargo

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1-Building

Committee 2-Volunteer

Committee

Getting Ahead Graduation

3-Happy 24th

Birthday Habi-tat

4-Board and

Staff Christ-mas Party

5-Crew and

Site Host Training

6 7 8 9 10-

Executive and Finance

11 12

13 14 15 16 17-ReStore 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

Of Utah County

12

Building Committee December 1, 2015 2:00 p.m. Central Bank

Volunteer Committee December 2, 2015 5:00 p.m. Orem Habitat office

Getting Ahead Graduation December 2, 2015 7:00 p.m. Orem Habitat office

Happy 24th Birthday Habitat December 3, 2015

Habitat Birthday Sale December 3, 4, 5 10-6 Orem & Spanish Fork ReStores

Board and Staff Christmas Party December 4, 2015 7:00 p.m. Molly’s

Crew and Site Host Training December 5, 2015 Orem Habitat office

Executive and Finance December 10, 2015 4:00 p.m. Orem Habitat office

ReStore December 17, 2015 7:30 p.m. Orem Habitat office

It’s a Wrap Gift Wrap Booth December 19th –December 24th Provo Towne Centre

Happy Holidays

The Habitat office will be closed from December 24th through January 3rd.

The Habitat ReStores will be closed December 24th through December 28th. The stores will also close early on December 31st and will be closed on January 1st for New Year’s.

12

Habitat Birthday Sale December 3, 4, 5 24

The Habitat office will be closed from De-cember 24th through January 3rd.

The Habitat ReStores will be closed December 24

th

through December 28th

2016 The Habitat ReStores will be closed December 31

st and will be closed on

January 1st for New Year’s