1409 Louisville Starkville, MS 39759

Price: $114,500

Property Type: Residential
Area: 21 – Starkville City Limits
Total Bedrooms: 3
Total Bathrooms: 2
Total SqFt.: 1639
Garage Stall: 0
Garage Type: None

MLS #11-2166 What more could you ask for?! Convenient Location: CHECK ~ Starkville Schools: CHECK ~ Budget Smart: CHECK ~ Functional Floorplan: CHECK ~ Outdoor Storage Room: CHECK ~ This Three Bedroom, One & One-Half Bathroom home offers neutral colors, two Living Areas, Dining Room, Kitchen that features a hop-up bar with plenty of cabinet space & Utility Room.

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We are deeply saddened to report the tragic death of the daughter of our 2012 Board President Jennifer Carson.  Laura Carson, a sixth-grader at Armstrong Middle School, was killed in a go-kart accident while visiting relatives in Alabama on New Year’s Day.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Jennifer, her husband Lee and their son Garrett.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 3, 2012 from 5 – 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center in Starkville.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 from First United Methodist Church, 200 West Lampkin Street, Starkville, MS.

Please remember this family in your thoughts and prayers.

7 Tips to Avoid
Those Hidden Holiday Calories

Should you have the pumpkin or the pecan pie? Top tips to navigate those hidden holiday calories! Credit: Cameron Nordholm

We preach all good things in moderation and are totally anti-calorie obsessing. However, the holidays can be a bit of a healthy eating disaster if you’re not prepared and informed. Which is why we love these holiday eating tips from the fitness experts at Life Fitness. The average holiday meal can easily rack up 3,000 to 3,500 calories, so be sure to follow these tips to help avoid those hidden holiday calories!

7 Tips to Avoid Hidden Holiday Calories

1. Think before you drink. We often drink more calories during the holidays than we realize. Eggnog, juice in cocktails, and cream-based drinks can really add up. Drink in moderation, and think about the content of your drink. Try lower-calorie drink options like sparkling water with a lemon or lime, and choose a glass of wine over a sugar-laced cocktail. Make sure you drink a glass of water between each alcoholic drink.

2. Identify healthy alternatives to some of your holiday favorites. Try substituting sweet potatoes instead of mashed potatoes and gravy, pumpkin pie instead of pecan pie, and roasted turkey without the skin.

3. Watch your portions. Load your plate up with vegetables and lean turkey (try this healthy turkey recipe!). Eat less of the high-calorie foods like casseroles, breads and desserts. A serving is typically the size of a deck of cards or your iPhone. Also, try putting your appetizers on a plate to see what you are eating rather than continually grazing by the table.

4. Select real, fresh foods. Cranberries are full of antioxidants, but the canned kind are packed with sugar and calories. Sweet potatoes have a lot of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fiber, and you can add flavor such as cinnamon or nutmeg. Desserts made of baked apples or poached pears can be lighter options than typical desserts with candied nuts and chocolate. And don’t forget the pumpkin! Pumpkin is a low-fat, low-calorie food with potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C. Yum!

5. Revamp your stuffing. Make a lower-carb stuffing by using more veggies like onions and celery or even dried fruits. Use less bread, and skip the sausage and butter. You can also add extra nutrients by choosing whole-grain breads.

6. Space out your helpings. Take smaller portions, and always remember that you can have more the next day. Holidays are about spending time with friends and family, so make a conscious effort to take a break between bites and enjoy the conversation.

7. Move it! Start the holiday off by walking or running in a Turkey Trot race or simply meeting some family members for a bit of holiday exercise. Try getting your metabolism elevated for the day by taking a walk outside or playing a game of flag football a few hours after the holiday feast.

Enjoy the holidays with smart choices and your body will thank you come January 1! A big thanks to Life Fitness for the tips. What foods will you splurge on this holiday season? —Jenn

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Are you as swamped as I am with the holidays?!  I found this helpful article to justify ordering out vs. cooking

Cut down on holiday stress with a simple holiday meal. ©iStockphoto.com

1. Plan Ahead. If you decide what to cook early, have all ingredients on hand and cook some of the meal ahead of time — you can save yourself a lot of stress. Also, cleaning the house a week ahead of time frees you up to focus on meal preparation and takes pressure off as the big day approaches.
2. Simplify Cooking. If you can take shortcuts, take them. Bake your turkey in a plastic bag, which keeps it moist as it cooks and makes clean-up easier. Opt for instant mashed potatoes, pre-cut green beans and pie from the store. Unless you derive great personal satisfaction from cooking something exquisite (and time-consuming), people will enjoy the short-cut food more if it means you’re more relaxed during the meal.
3. Cut Down On Food. If you’re cooking for only a few people, you may consider cooking a turkey breast — rather than the whole bird — to save time and energy. Turkey breasts cook more quickly, take less preparation, leave no carcass behind, feed several people and supply delicious white meat, which is lower in fat. While it’s fun to have leftovers, if the idea of turkey soup and turkey sandwiches for the next two weeks doesn’t appeal, this is a good place to simplify.
4. Try Fewer Side Dishes. It’s a lot of fun to have a feast, and there are many creative recipes this time of year. If you cut down on side dishes, though, you can save yourself quite a bit of time and effort. Just pick a vegetable or two with rolls, and make a lot of them. This way, while there’s less variety, there’s plenty of food. Bonus: This may make people less likely to stuff themselves and regret it later.
5. Let Others Help. Another fun way to simplify your meal is to let others help with the side dishes. If you’re having other people come, you can just let everyone bring a side dish or dessert while you supply the turkey. If you’re only cooking for your own household, you can let everyone in the house be responsible for one side. This lets everyone feel good that they’ve contributed to the joy of the feast.
6. Get Take-Out. If all of this sounds too complicated, there’s an even simpler way. Many restaurants and even grocery stores are beginning to offer pre-cooked holiday feasts. All you do is pick up a cooked turkey or ham (which can be reheated and served when you choose) and several side dishes. This is a great solution for those who want a traditional meal for their holiday celebration, but simply don’t have the time or ability to cook one.

1. Setting a simple table–paper napkins, food as a centerpiece, etc.–can also help.
2. Remember that the important part of the celebration is the people you’re with, not the menu.
3. You can also simplify meals by practicing stress management² techniques.

• A willingness to try something new.