[Nfb-seniors] tips for shopping on black Friday for seniors
Janie Degenshein
jdegen16 at comcast.net
Wed Nov 22 13:45:23 UTC 2017
Received from andrew rees. . . newly elected treasurer of our fabulous
senior division in new jersey. . .
Happy Thanksgiving to all
Survival Guide
Tip of the Week providith so many stores opening as early as midnight on the
day after Thanksgiving, you’ll need more than sales ads and coupons to get
through Black Friday. The key to surviving the biggest shopping day of the
year is starting the day with breakfast and eating enough healthy snacks to
keep you going strong all day long. Our Black Friday eating guide will help
you to stay energized and rack up on all the great deals, while the
competition is stuck fueling up on food court fare.
If you’ve ever shopped on Black Friday, then you know it’s practically like
the retail version of The Hunger Games, with the aisles of Wal-Mart and
Target reflecting some sort of post-apocalyptic life without electronics,
clothing, toys, and home goods. And every year we step up as tributes, all
for the sake of scoring a stellar deal on a flat screen TV or cookware set.
No wonder people decide to skip the shopping marathon to stay at home in
their pajamas and eat Thanksgiving leftovers. Hey, there’s always Cyber
Monday to help us check off our holiday checklist, right?
But if you’re brave enough to risk a coffee pot being ripped from your hands
or possibly being trampled over in the rush to a discounted slow cooker, you
have to approach Black Friday for the sport that it truly is. Like with any
sport, it’s all about the survival of the fittest, and the only way to
survive Black Friday is to avoid shopping on an empty stomach. Hunger plus
long lines and large crowds equals a dangerous mix. To push those heavy
carts filled with goodies and to keep from crashing by mid-morning, here are
some healthy tips to stay full, focused, and most importantly, awake on
Black Friday. May the odds be ever in your favor. You’ll need it!
Eat Breakfast
· Eating a protein-filled breakfast shouldn’t be hard considering
the fact that Black Friday falls on the day after the feast of the
year—Thanksgiving. Make use of leftover turkey or ham by mixing it with eggs
and cheese in a satisfying omelet or have a turkey breakfast sandwich on an
English muffin for the ultimate protein boost.
· If you overdid it the day before and think you’re better served by
skipping breakfast, think again. Even if you don’t feel up to it, try to eat
clean breakfast foods and ditch the sugary, processed pastries and cereals
to avoid a carb crash and blood sugar spikes later in the day. A balanced
breakfast will help you to resist temptation from the food court when hunger
pangs start.
Drink Up
· If the intense crowds don’t stop you in your tracks on Black
Friday, then dehydration and hunger surely will. So put down the pumpkin
spice lattes and drink water throughout the day to keep your joints loose
and headaches at bay. For all-day shopping adventures, make sure you bring a
water bottle to refill, as most malls and some stores have water fountains.
Of course, you can always buy a bottle of water or pick up a free cup of
water from the food court.
Snack on High-Fiber Foods
Eating plenty of fiber will keep you full and energized, ensuring you’ll eat
much less throughout the day. By packing these dry snacks into your bag the
night before, or grabbing some of these foods on your way out the door in
the morning, you won’t be caught off guard when your stomach starts growling
while waiting in the checkout line.
1.. Energy or Snack Bars - Not all protein bars are created equally, but
our homemade snack bars have less sugar and artificial ingredients than the
store-bought versions.
2.. Apple and Cheese Sticks - Apples and cheese sticks are not only packed
with a lot of nutrients, but they're also easy to carry and a convenient
on-the-go snack.
3.. Trail Mix or Granola - A sweet and salty snack mix made with pretzels,
crackers, cereal, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, nuts, chocolate chips,
or popcorn makes for a healthier alternative than buying greasy chips from
the mall’s vending machines. You can also store homemade granola in a
zip-top bag for a plain crunchy snack.
4.. Vegetables and Hummus - While vegetables and hummus aren’t necessarily
purse-friendly on their own, you can pack celery, carrots, or cucumbers in a
small plastic container or resealable bags with hummus.
Remember, surviving Black Friday is all about eating a balanced breakfast
before you hit the mall, staying hydrated throughout the day, and refueling
on snacks as you fight off the crowds for those must-have items.
Keep Smiling,
Janie Degenshein
Happiness isn't having what you want, but wanting what you already have!
Facilitator of ECHO (Eyes Closed Hearts Open)
state affiliate board member
President of the senior division of the National Federation of the Blind of
New Jersey
President of the Technology division of the National federation of the Blind
of New Jersey
NFBNJ Newsline co-ordinator
jdegen16 at comcast.net
K
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