It’s Time to Eat!

The countdown is on – Christmas is here and we’ve eaten our way through December. I’m stuffed – what about you?

There’s more than a week left of the Christmas season and it’s time to savor all the joy that is so much a part of this time of year — friends, family, meals together, giving & gratitude.

Of course, along with all this celebration, comes the hearty dishes and sweets that can certainly wreak havoc on our bodies. Casseroles laden with cream, sugary cakes and cookies, and other tempting empty calorie bombs that adorn our dining tables. Unless we do something about it, that is!

But how can you make healthy decisions during the season of eating, especially without anyone noticing?

Glad you asked. I have a few of my favorite tricks to share with you that I use each season, and the best part is, nobody ever notices – not even my pickiest of eaters.

Here’s how I sneak healthy goodies into my meals…

Choose Bone Broth or Herbal Teas

One of the choices I make when I cook is to make sure my body will benefit from the food I eat. Rather than choose ingredients that are empty of nutrients and laden with chemicals, I choose a healthier option.

You’re not sacrificing flavor when you choose to make your dishes healthier. Choose to use bone broth when you roast or poach food, make soups or stews, or even for your gravy. Bone broth will add more depth of flavor, and it will provide you with healthy immune boosting properties. You could also try herbal teas like ginger tea or green tea that will add a light flavor and add more antioxidants for better health.

Add a dash of Turmeric

Turmeric is a naturally powerful anti-inflammatory that is filled with antioxidants. It is related to ginger and looks quite similar to a ginger root, and is most easily consumed in dried form. You can sneak it into dishes by sprinkling it in and enjoy the benefits it brings. Add just a little bit to your sweet potatoes, salad dressings, and dips. Go easy on it since the flavor can be strong to those that aren’t used to it.

Choose Natural Sweeteners

Don’t worry — I’m not suggesting you do away with your dessert table altogether, but those unrefined sugars are what we are trying to avoid. If you swap out the unhealthy stuff for a natural sweetener that is a better option, you’ll still get the sweet tastes everyone loves without the slew of chemicals. Try raw organic honey. Local honey is best, which can typically be found at your local health food store. You can also look for coconut sugar or coconut syrup, maple syrup, or even use dates.

Flavors pop with with fresh herbs

Fresh herbs add a new dimension of taste to your dishes without adding fat and calories. Plus, they naturally have their own benefits from adding more antioxidants to reducing inflammation. Experiment with your favorite ones to add more zing to your mashed potatoes or liven up your veggies. Dill is our favorite herb to add to potatoes and we always add various herbs to our vegetables.

We’ve chosen not to use the “unhealthy” ingredients in our holiday meal planning and no one has noticed. I know they know, but they haven’t turned away from eating. Use these simple tricks to keep your holiday dishes healthy, while keeping them delicious.

Happy Holidays!

Have you watched your favorite Christmas movie yet?

I’ve been watching Christmas movies for weeks, but I’ve saved my favorite classics for Christmas. Let’s pop some “healthy” popcorn and make some good old fashion hot chocolate and relax in front of the TV and watch a movie.