Wellness Wednesday by Sandy Ryan
- Sandy Ryan
- Dec 22, 2021
- 4 min read
Here we are, another holiday season is in full swing. And for that reason, I'll try to keep this and next week's blogs short.
The question many are asking is, how can I go to holiday parties and still eat healthy? You'll be surprised at how easy it really can be. It doesn't matter if it is a large office party, private family party, super formal or amazingly casual. These tips are simple, and work well.
1. Let's begin by drinking a large glass of water before you head out the door. This will help keep your body hydrated, drink less alcohol and eat less unhealthy foods. Many people actually eat before they go, but since we rarely eat out, I feel this defeats the purpose of a good party.
2. I find it helpful to sit at the table furthest from the buffet. This prevents me from seeing all the tempting goodies everyone else is having as someone walks by me, and, I won't want to make several trips back and forth for everyone else to see what I'm eating. Not that they care, but some of us have issues that way.
3. Survey the buffet or menu as soon as one arrives and get a good idea as to what you're going to choose. And, since I'm not seeing the tempting treats go by since I'm sitting in the back, I'm more likely to stay with a healthier choice.
4. Please, allow yourself one or two of your very favorite treats. For me, it'll be that a dessert and two cocktails.
5. I'll make sure to put plenty of fresh veggies and a couple pieces of hard cheese on my plate for my appetizer. These will fill me up, give me nervous nibblers, provide good nutrition and a boost of protein.
6. I always chose fish or poultry as my main protein, and try to stay away from creamed sides like green bean casserole, creamed spinach etc. I'll save those for my homemade versions. *For a super formal party, where one is served, I always take the house salad over a potato if offered the choice and try to NOT use a creamy salad dressing.
7. If there's fresh fruit and veggie trays, I'll literally fill half my plate with raw veggies and a few grapes. This works great for me because of all the micronutrients in the fresh crudities.
8. Be sure to eat slowly when eating your favorites. This way, you'll actually TASTE what is going in your mouth. Once the item stops tasting as good as the first bite, stop eating it and try something else. Hopefully, a healthy choice.
9. I find keeping a non-alcoholic beverage like water with lemon or cucumber, or iced tea in my hand helps. Unless of course, I'm on the dance floor with my husband or girlfriends.
10. Speaking of which, dancing is a great way to burn off a few of those desert calories
RECIPES
Please keep in mind when making up crudites, the list is only the beginning. These are fun and easy to make. I love doing all the fresh food prep. But, then, I did work in a professional kitchen at a Big Ten University as the veggie/salad cook and part-time bakeshop person too.
So, please, mix and match to your heart's content.
Crudités (the absolute perfect food!)
Parsley
Lettuce leaves
Kale leaves, stemmed
Arrange lettuce leaves and kale leaves attractively on a large serving platter.
Place dip bowl in center.
Dips
Hummus (so many flavors of hummus, message me for recipes)
Zesty Horseradish Dip
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Dill Dip
Crab Dip
Tzatziki Sauce
Arrange items on platter varying textures, shapes and colors
Cucumber slices *Grape tomatoes *Olives
Celery sticks *Asparagus spears *Carrot sticks
Broccoli *Sugar Snap Peas *Radishes
Bell Pepper Strips or Rings
Zucchini /Yellow Squash sliced or spears
Naan bread *Pita bread *Crackers
Apple Slices *Nuts *Grapes
Melon slices/wedges/spears
Cheese wedges/chunks
Zesty Horseradish Dip
1 C Plain Greek Yogurt
8 oz cream cheese(i use reduced fat) very soft
6T prepared horseradish NOT CREAMY
1/4 c milk
1/4 c dill, fresh chopped or 1T dried (+/-) to taste
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1t kosher salt
1/4 t smoked paprika if desired, this can be added to the blender or sprinkled on top
Add all ingredients to blender or food processor. Pulse until well blended, 3-5 pulses.
Pour into chilled bowl.
Healthy Spinach, Artichoke and Avocado Dip
3 ripe avocados 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, or more to taste 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or more to taste 2 tablespoons homemade mayo 2 lemons, juiced 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper 3 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast 12 oz quartered marinated artichoke hearts, drained 2 cups baby spinach, packed
In a food processor, combine avocados, salt, pepper, mayo, lemon, crushed red pepper, apple cider vinegar, garlic and nutritional yeast. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Then, add the marinated artichoke hearts and half of the spinach. Pulse until the spinach becomes incorporated with the dip. Add the rest of the spinach and pulse until combined. Pour into serving bowl. If not serving immediately, put plastic wrap directly on top of dip to help prevent browning.
Be sure to comment and let me know if there's another nutrition topic you'd like to hear about. And always, remember, it's OK to not be perfect, just keep moving in the right direction.
This article does not provide medical advice. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding any medical condition. NEVER disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.
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