Healthy Holidays & Cookies

The holidays can be a stressful time with so much going on and running around which leads to unhealthy eating and lack of exercise for many. The holidays don't have to be this, instead take this as a time to spend time with your family and friends sharing a  healthy lifestyle.

Make smart foods choices: Look at the options before choosing and then fill up with the healthier choices but allow yourself a little indulgence with smaller portions of the less healthy foods. Decide if you are really hungry, don't give in to mindless eating. don't stand by the food or you will likely keep snacking as you talk.

Don't drink your calories: The holidays come with cocktails, wine and other drinks containing 100s of calories or more. Enjoy drinks in moderation, have water in between drinks and be careful or the offers to keep "topping off" your glass. My choice is always a couple glasses of a good red wine.

Use healthier recipes: Use healthy substitution: whole grains instead of refined flours; natural sweeteners and cut back on the sugars; apple sauce, bananas, yogurt, pumpkin and avocado are all great healthy oil subs.

Bring a healthy dish you can enjoy: Plan ahead and bring a healthy food you will eat and/or snack on healthy foods (fruit, veggies/hummus, whole grain crackers) at the event or before. I plan to bring my Quinoa Mac N Cheese and Pumpkin Pie this year on Christmas Eve and will be doing all the cooking for Christmas: Veggie lasagna, spinach salad, whole grain garlic bread.
 
Get moving: Take advantage of all the holiday themed fun runs and events. Get the family involved and run/walk a 5K. Go play outside with the kids, find a new activity. I am thinking of trying cross country skiing. Depending on your weather start a new holiday tradition and walk, run, bike to look at holiday lights. If you are traveling find body weight circuit workouts to do anywhere, pack your shoes and get outside, see if your gym is in the area go or ask about short term guest passes. Now is the time to start thinking of the goals for 2013 and beginning to work on those, no need to wait until New Year's.

Joyful 5K- Christmas 2011

 Take time for yourself: We spend a lot of time running around, shopping, getting to parties, taking kids to activities, cooking, etc that we forget about ourselves. Take time each day for yourself whether it is 5 minutes or 1 hour do this; go for a run, read a book, meet a friend for coffee. Take this time to relax and everyone will be happier.

What are your healthy holiday tips?

A healthy Gluten Free cookie recipe we made yesterday... 
Almond Meal Eggnog Cookies Adapted from Ari

yield about 2 dozen cookies

·         2 cups almond meal

·         1/2 teaspoon baking soda

·         1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch

·         1 tbsp organic sugar

·         1 tbsp molasses

·         Dash of salt

·         3/4 cup So Delicious Nog

·         1 tsp vanilla extract

1    Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium bowl, mix together almond meal, baking soda, cornstarch, sugar and salt. Add Egg Nog, molasses and vanilla and mix until well combined. Drop by teaspoonfulls onto prepared baking pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden. Let stand for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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