When Santa comes to mind, you may envision him stationed in the North Pole or atop a sleigh, but good ol' Saint Nick also spends a lot of time in front of the camera. Actors ranging from '90s teen heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas to Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti have donned Santa's iconic red suit. Check out other actors that have dressed — and sometimes decided to go shirtless — as the beloved holiday figure.
Planning to wow this New Year's Eve? Don't skip your workouts this week. We've got a seven-day plan that incorporates short workouts that pack a punch in the calorie-burning department. Even if you're busy, you can fit these workouts in — and burn over 2,000 calories in the process. All calculations are based on a 130-pound woman unless otherwise noted.
Monday: Start out your week with half an hour of energizing cardio. Jogging at five mph will burn 216 calories in 30 minutes.
Tuesday: If you're celebrating Christmas, you may be pressed for time today. Instead of skipping your workout, take a break with one of our 10-minute total-body workouts (try this 10-minute no-equipment full-body workout) and burn 72 calories.
Wednesday: Go for another 30-minute jog at five mph and burn another 216 calories.
Thursday: Time to strength train. Strengthening and toning your muscles will help you look your best. Thirty minutes of strength training will burn 216 calories and work your entire body. Here are three 10-minute workouts to try:
The Bubbly Poinsettia is a Christmas-appropriate cocktail if there ever was one. The vivacious red cocktail gets its color from pomegranate liqueur, maraschino liqueur, and Rosé Champagne, and gin gives the tipple a spicy kick. Lighten the stiff drink with lemon juice and a generous splash of bubbly. Learn how to make a poinsettia-colored Champagne cocktail.
Mama can never go wrong with pancakes! Kids love them, and they're quick and easy to make — so why not prepare a very special holiday-themed pancake breakfast for Christmas morning? From Santa, snowmen, and reindeer to peppermint-flavored pancakes, we've rounded up nine festive Christmas pancakes kids will love. They're all so fun and creative, mama might love these sweet morning treats even more than the kiddos — if that's possible!
The parents of aspiring artists and crafty kids are always on the lookout for fun projects to keep their lil ones entertained, and if the output is something that they can proudly display, then that's even better! Here at LilSugar, we featured tons of arts and crafts projects throughout the course of the year — some were holiday-centric, some seasonal, and others were good for any old day. Here, check out our 12 favorite kids crafts of 2012 — what better way to keep your brood busy over Winter break?!
Red lentil terrine might not elicit a delicious food reaction for you, so think of the vegetarian appetizer this way: it's like combining Japanese condiments with red lentils. The mixture is baked until it sets, which makes it a terrine; once it's cooled and served, the red lentil terrine spreads upon crackers like a pâté.
Unlike brown or French lentils, red lentils cook into a puree, so don't be surprised when the lentils transform into an orange mush. Caramelized onions and mirin, or Japanese rice wine, add a natural sweetness to the earthy spread, while umeboshi plum paste and miso contribute to the savory umami flavors. Toasted walnuts, processed into a nut butter, thicken the mixture, ensuring that the terrine bakes into a sliceable loaf.
For parties, opt to serve the whole loaf, or for smaller gatherings, cut a one- or two-inch slice and save the rest for another occasion. Serve the terrine with the crackers of your choice, although I especially love it with either Japanese rice crackers or Mary's Gone Crackers Black Pepper Crackers. Take a look at the recipe.
Candy canes are synonymous with the holidays, and nail art is hotter than ever right now. So what better way to celebrate than to fuse the two together with a candy cane manicure? It takes a bit of patience and a steady hand to create this festive, two-toned look, but once you get the hang of it, you'll have earned your stripes in no time. See how to do it when you read more.
It looks a lot like Christmas at the White House, where First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed the White House Christmas tree and unveiled 2012's decorations and theme — "joy to all" — at a White House holiday event for military families earlier this month. This is especially meaningful, considering the Blue Room tree is decorated this year with ornaments made by children whose military parents are based around the world.
Michelle's motif for the White House Christmas tree is the latest in a long line of themes, beginning when Jackie Kennedy first decorated it with Nutcracker Suite ornaments in 1961 (a popular theme that both Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton used during their time as first ladies).
Since President Benjamin Harrison and his family first introduced the indoor White House Christmas tree in the upstairs oval room in 1889, first wives have been integral in taking part in presidential holiday traditions. From the first White House gingerbread house in 1972 to the inaugural Hanukkah party in 2001, see our US presidents' better halves spread holiday cheer in Washington DC each December. As we dive into the holiday season, take a look back at how first ladies like Jackie Kennedy, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama got in the Christmas spirit over the years.
Pudding made in a blender? You better believe it. Here's a milk-chocolate pudding recipe from chef Matthew Kenny that is raw, easy to make, and full of healthy fats. And it is so very tasty! How does he make this dish so flavorful without dairy, eggs, or cooking? Watch this video to learn his secrets, and then whip up your own batch at home.
Want to watch Santa's flight around the world tonight? Google Maps and the always reliable folks at NORAD (aka the North American Aerospace Defense Command) are your official Santa trackers, so you'll know just when to have the cookies and milk ready to go by the fireplace.
Google Maps will start to pull Santa's ride stats at 2 a.m. PST Christmas Eve on the Santa Tracker website, and of course, Google is offering more than one option to follow the jolly gift giver. Download the free Try Santa Tracker Chrome extension or the Android app
