There’s nothing sweeter than gathering around the table with the ones you love. Sharing in memories from the past year and endless laughter all while savoring delicious and satisfying foods. The holidays can also be a challenging time to navigate with schedules filled with parties where treats seem endless.
You can certainly be healthy and have a happy tummy through the holidays by doing a bit of thinking ahead. No, you don’t have to deny everything, but there are certainly fabulously tasty recipes that can be enjoyed at every gathering!
5 Tips to Stay Nourished
- Bring Healthy with You…and Share it! – For most gatherings I’m asked to bring a dish, so I’m always sure to bring something nourishing and hearty. Knowing that there will be a lot of food present, I make sure there’s a dish that’s satisfying so I’m less likely to want to munch through the night. Plus, I love wowing my friends with nourishing foods they never thought could taste so good! A few favorites I love to share are Maple Baked Lentils (I typically don’t take the baguette and serve it as a side dish), Red Quinoa, Pumpkinseed, & Tahini Salad, and Quinoa Salad with Dried Cranberries, Apricots, Lentils & Pecans. I have many excellent dip recipes on my Pinterest board that are great if you’re asked to bring an appetizer.
- A New Take on Dessert – Try alternatives to heavy cream, cane sugar, and eggs. While these desserts do still contain sugar, they are from dates and maple syrup, meaning you get more nutrients. Dairy based creams are substituted with blended cashews for a fabulously creamy texture. Not so sure? Try Gena Hamshaw’s No Bake Tartlets with Chocolate Ganache Filling (I substituted melted coconut butter for coconut oil). They were a huge hit at a recent Christmas party my husband and I hosted. Our friend Steven, a faithful recipe tester of mine, informed that they were “really good. Like good-good, not healthy-good.”
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No Bake Peppermint Patty Bars are also a perfect holiday treat and can be stored nicely in the freezer to be ready any time. - Find a Health Buddy – Everything is more fun with friends! Enlist a friend to encourage one another, swap nourishing recipes (and maybe even leftovers!), and exercise together. Getting support from a friend will keep you both on track without it feeling like work!
- Plan Ahead – Knowing that December is filled with parties my husband and I are extra diligent about not bringing junk food in our house and we don’t make sweet treats on weekends like we might throughout the rest of the year. It doesn’t feel like a sacrifice knowing we’ll be able to sample some at parties while keeping our meals at home bursting with nutrients!
- Double Up – This time of the year is busy for us all, so when I am making those extra nutritious meals I double the recipe in order to freeze half for later or have simple and satisfying lunches throughout the week.
As you adopt these simple tips you’ll likely find each holiday season a bit easier. What once felt like a battle of self-control for me in years past now simply feels like celebration with the ones I love while gravitating toward whole foods and some nourishing sweets. It’s what my taste buds crave and the same can be true for you as those small steps begin to add up!
A Fresh Start for 2016
If you want to feel fueled and energized through the holidays or you know you’re going to need some help getting on track in the New Year I would be honored to be your partner to fuel your body well for life! My Nourished New Year package is available for purchase through February 1 and may be just what you need to view your health in a whole new way! I work with clients in person, by phone, and FaceTime.