Healthy AND Tasty? Yes, you can have it both ways!

The holidays would not be quite the same without all the delicious holiday food we enjoy. It’s a time of the year when we are likely to eat too much sugary food and too little of the healthy foods we need. This holiday season, you can give your family foods that are both delicious and healthy. Here are a few tips.

Fruit kebabs: Skewer delicious fruit – strawberries, grapes, watermelon, pineapple, kiwi – then watch it disappear off the plate. Have you tried grilled fruit skewers? Pre-soak wooden skewers in cold water to prevent them from burning, sprinkle with cinnamon, and grill for a few minutes. Enjoy with ice cream.

Chocolate dipped fruit: It looks amazing and tastes even better. Melt dark chocolate in a bowl, dip fruit of choice, and enjoy. Strawberries and banana are ideal candidates for this treatment.

Roasted Chestnuts: Whether you roast them in the oven or on an open fire, chestnuts are a holiday tradition. And did you know that chestnuts, unlike most other nuts, are low-fat? They contain just one 1 gram of fat. And they are the only nuts that contain vitamin C.

Veggies with a difference: Make your veggie dishes as appealing as all the other delicious holiday dishes on the table, otherwise they will get ignored. You can roast a colorful mixed veggie platter, tossed with olive oil and garnished with sprigs of rosemary, or add fruit, such as avocado and mango to a veggie salad.
Healthy Ingredients: Do you have some favorite healthy ingredients that taste great and will transform any dish. Stock up on those for the holidays and add them to your food liberally. They could be herbs, spices, nuts, fruit, or other tasty food items. Tis the season to be creative so be as imaginative as you can.

Try cooking with coconut oil to add both flavor and health benefits to your holiday dishes. Rice or vegetables fried with coconut oil are particularly tasty. It’s great for baking as well. Coconut oil is good for both body and mind.

Mix a bowl of dried fruits and nuts for quick snacks or to put in salads for some extra taste. Dried fruit is packed full of vitamin C and nuts are full of heart-healthy fats and protein.

Cook up a hearty stew with your favorite herbs and spices to flavor it and keep the family warm. Enjoy the food and the joy of family. Happy Holidays!