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Food for Fuel

03-15-12

Food is a source of fuel and nourishment for your body. Nutrients your body needs daily are carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. Carbohydrates, protein, and fats are known as macronutrients that provide calories to your body giving you energy which allows you to function and carry out daily tasks. Alcohol also contributes calories. Vitamins, minerals, and water are micronutrients and are essential for good health, however they do not contribute calories. When we’re planning for a special event such as a wedding, we often want to see the pounds fall of quickly and will resort to doing crazy things to get these results. Fad diets are very popular and you can find many just by doing a quick Google search. Despite their popularity, fad diets are not always the best for you as they often times cut out something significant such as carbohydrates, thus making your diet unbalanced. Your body can tolerate this imbalance for a short period of time, but it’s very hard to continue with the imbalance for extended periods of time, which is why many people gain their weight back and much more after going off their fad diet.

Sioux Falls Wedding Food

Balance, moderation, and consistency are three traits of a good diet. Whether you want to lose weight, gain strength, or tone up, following these three concepts is a good start to a healthy diet. A balanced diet is one that consists of all of the food groups and calories are taken in moderately. To view what a balanced diet should be for you, you can check out www.choosemyplate.gov. Your plate should be focused on a greater portion of fruits and vegetables (at least half of your plate), a quarter lean proteins, and a quarter whole grains. A consistent intake involves eating several small meals and snacks a day. This will not only prevent you from feeling too hungry that you will overeat at times, but it will also keep your blood sugar more stable and can aid in a boost to your metabolism. As I stated in my prior post, keeping a food log is a great tool to help you examine your diet and achieve your goals. In addition to MyPlate’s Super Tracker, Livestrong.com has another great resource for tracking your intake (www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate) and MyFitnessPal is one of the best nutrition apps on your smart phone.

Sioux Falls Wedding Food

Kelsey Raml, MS, RD, LN

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Bermuda. Bahamas. South Dakota.

03-14-12

Destination weddings are a fun way to sneak off to enjoy your dream wedding and honeymoon. However, this luxury might be closer than you think if you broaden your thoughts past a tropical destination. Think South Dakota. Think the Black Hills. The wonder and beauty of the Black Hills can certainly add an element of “destination wedding” to your special day, with the ability to still enjoy a large guest list.

There are several places in the Black Hills that specialize in making your dream day come true. One of those places is within Custer State Park. Each year, Custer Resorts hosts more than 75 ceremonies and receptions at their four properties; their staff is experienced and Sylvan Lake Lodge make it a popular choice for couples.

SD Wedding Sylvan Lake

SD Wedding State Game Lodge
The Chapel in the Hills, right outside Rapid City, is a beautiful location for a wedding. The Chapel seats 70 guests, and outdoor weddings are also welcome. In the northern Black Hills, Spearfish Canyon Lodge sits inside beautiful Spearfish Canyon with picturesque mountains and gushing waterfalls. It’s a setting brides dream of, with all of the amenities at hand.
SD Wedding Chapel in Hills
SD Wedding Spearfish Canyon
Another option is Black Hills Receptions & Rentals, which offers a unique location for an intimate feel. Between the Cinderella Gazebo, the illuminated pathway through white roses, and 10,000 acres of Black Hills beauty, the location sets the stage for your big moment. Black Hills Receptions & Rentals specializes in taking care of the details, before and during your wedding.

Whether you are originally from South Dakota’s Black Hills or not, you and your guests will be truly impressed by the beauty of the area. It not only makes a great destination for your wedding, but your guests can also utilize their time to enjoy a vacation for themselves. It might be many of your guests’ first time to South Dakota, and there is no better place to bring them to showcase the unique beauty of this state.

SD Wedding Mt. Rushmore

Other places in the Black Hills to consider for your wedding venue:
Canyon Lake Resort, Terry Peak Ski Area, Ruby’s Garden at D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery, K-Bar-S Lodge, Cooper Canyon Lodge

This post is contributed by Katlyn Richter of the South Dakota Department of Tourism on the media team. To learn more about Katlyn visit our contributors page.

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First Year Wedding Anniversary Ideas

03-12-12

The traditional gift for your first year anniversary is paper. This may be a tricky gift to find for your husband so we’ve put together a quick list of ideas.

Monogrammed Stationary for his office desk
Tickets to a concert or to a game of a favorite sports team
Coffee table book of pictures from your first year of marriage
A boudoir photo shoot of you that will surely surprise him
plane tickets for a second honeymoon or a passport
a love letter
a favorite book
the sheet music to your wedding song
a print of your wedding location, first date or other special place
your wedding vows written in calligraphy to be framed for your home

Sioux Falls Wedding

Images courtesy South Dakota Wedding Photographer AC Ellis

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South Dakota Wedding – Toasting Guide

03-08-12

Cheers! After you say “I do,” it’s time for someone else to speak. Here’s a guide to toasting – who should speak and how to keep it short and sweet! The time for your sisters to do a group song or your sorority to perform a dance should be kept to the rehearsal dinner. At the reception, only the VIPs should stand up. Usually the party is larger and the company more diverse, so it’s better to keep the longer and more personal speeches to the evening before.

south dakota wedding reception

Toasts – In Order

The host, bride’s father or parents, is first up. This is their chance to welcome the groom’s family into theirs and acknowledge any guests who had to travel and say a few words about the new couple. Next, is the best man and the maid of honor. Following, one or two other people can approach if they feel necessary. Lastly, the groom. He can wrap things up and say a few sentimental words about his new wife, new family. At this time the host could follow-up with a final thank you. Traditionally, the bride is silent as she is the guest of honor. If you feel impelled to stand up beside your new husband to express your gratitude, go ahead!

south dakota wedding reception

When to Speak

Seated Dinner – The father of the bride should welcome everyone as guests sit down for dinner. The rest of the speeches can come at the close of dinner.

Buffet – The transition between cocktail hour and dinner is the ideal window for the host’s welcome. Others can speak just before the first dance.

Cocktail Reception – Have your host say a few words at the very beginning and the rest of the toasts can follow.

south dakota wedding reception

Making Toasts Memorable

Don’t Wing It – Write down what you want to say before hand. If you have a plan, you won’t ramble and you’ll feel more confident.

Short and Sweet – Keep speeches to 5 minutes – tops or the guests will get antsy.

Limit Storytelling – Most of the room didn’t go to high school with you, so stories that will resonate with everyone will keep their attention.

Involve the audience and talk about the couple and not just the bride or groom – the day is about both of them!

sioux falls wedding

Images courtesy South Dakota Wedding Photographer AC Ellis

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