Jane A. Thomas Health & Wellness

11/29/2025

The Shocking Hidden Economy of the Holidays: Billions Spent, Billions Forgotten, and Drinks Consumed

We all know the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's is one of excess, but the hard numbers behind our consumption and spending habits are truly staggering. Here are eight powerful statistics that show the massive scale of the holiday season:

The Ultimate Loss:
$23 Billion in Forgotten Cash. Americans are collectively sitting on an estimated $23 billion in unspent gift card balances. This money, which retailers count as pure profit (known as "breakage"), is often forgotten in drawers or wallets.

The Drinking Spree:
On New Year's Eve—one of the booziest days of the season—men consume an average of 5.1 drinks and women consume an average of 3.7 drinks. This indulgence makes New Year's Eve a top day for celebratory drinking and alcohol delivery.

The Gift Budget:
The average American consumer plans to spend approximately $640 to $680 on gifts for family, friends, and coworkers this holiday season.

The Parenting Premium:
Parents expecting to splurge on children spend an average of $461 per child on gifts for Christmas.

The Turkey Count:
Kicking off the holiday excess, an estimated 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving Day alone.

The Pie Excess:
The famous Costco pumpkin pie, which sells 2 million units in the three days before Thanksgiving, delivers 320 calories in just a standard 1/12th slice. Okay, raise your hand if you only eat 1/12th of a slice?

The Returns Problem:
It is estimated that over $8.3 billion is wasted each year on unwanted gifts that are never used or returned. Perhaps we could consider different types of gifts- experiences like tickets or classes, books, or a journal. yes? no?

The Lingering Effect:
The average weight gain during the holidays is small (around three-quarters of a pound), but this small gain is significant because studies show most people never lose it in the following year, leading to cumulative gain over time. This one surprised me seeing as instead of looking at it as one meal or one day, the baking and eating lingers for weeks and even months.

Which of these holiday facts surprised you the most? Share your thoughts below.

11/28/2025

Happy Thanksgiving!
Here is a great way to use up your left over Turkey, stuffing, cranberry Sauce and gravy.
Thanksgiving left over casserole
Ingredients:
*Cooking spray
*6 cups leftover stuffing
*8 cups chopped leftover roasted turkey
*4 cups leftover cooked vegetables (like green beans, carrots, corn, or Brussels sprouts)
*1 ½ cups mayonnaise (or mix with ½ cup sour cream for extra tang)
*6 cups leftover mashed potatoes
*2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
*¼ teaspoon ground paprika

Optional twist:
1 cup leftover cranberry sauce (swirled into the mashed potatoes or drizzled on top)
1 cup gravy (layered with the turkey or served on the side)
½ tsp garlic powder or a dash of hot sauce for added flavor

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease two 9×13-inch baking dishes with cooking spray.
2. Press 3 cups of stuffing into the bottom of each dish to form a firm base layer.
In a large bowl, mix chopped turkey with mayonnaise (and sour cream if using), and 3. spread evenly over the stuffing.
4. Layer on the cooked vegetables.
5. Top each dish with 3 cups of mashed potatoes, spreading to cover the filling completely.
6. Sprinkle 1 cup of Cheddar cheese over each casserole and dust lightly with paprika.

Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.

Serve warm with a drizzle of gravy and a spoonful of cranberry sauce on the side (or right on top).

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/2181499816792716/

11/27/2025

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11/26/2025

Hmm

11/25/2025

50% off Black Friday sale!

11/25/2025

Jane A. Thomas
Health & Wellness
1-417-252-0330

11/22/2025

Impress your Thanksgiving Guests with a Healthy Sweet Potato Dish.

Make Cranberry Apple Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes.
Find the recipe at:
https://solushrecipes.com/cranberry-apple-twice-baked-sweet-potatoes/

Do you feel stuck on what healthy food to eat or need more healthy recipe ideas?
Call 1-417-252-0330 to start your healthy eating journey today.

11/22/2025

Strength training much? It’s part of your long (life) game and makes all the difference. Women and men need it. As they say over at the shoe factory, “Just Do It!”

11/18/2025

Can anyone guess a surefire way to completely avoid all of this pure adulterated CRAP?
Anyone?
Anyone?

Consumer Reports tested 18 different fast food items for plastic-chemicals like BPA and Phthalates. These are the worst offenders!

Phthalates are common plasticizers (a chemical that makes plastic flexible and durable) These chemicals are showing up in our bodies, where they can harm our health over time:

⚠️ Reduced testosterone and estrogen levels
⚠️Decreased fertility and higher miscarriage rates
⚠️Increased risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
⚠️Elevated blood pressure and triglyceride levels
⚠️Obesity

Even low levels are harmful, especially since we’re being exposed multiple times a day!

What to do?

Eat fresh unpackaged food as much as possible, stop using plastic food containers and bags, and eat at home whenever you can. I like to use stainless steel and glass containers in my kitchen.

Tag your friends below to share!