Healthy Holidays!?

Do those two words really belong in the same sentence?

This time of year we are surrounded by decadence. Rich creamy foods. Beautiful Christmas displays. And more rich creamy food.

When it starts getting cold, our bodies naturally crave foods that will keep us warm. That means foods that are more likely to bulk us up. Our bodies have not realized we live in a world of down jackets and central heat. But really, who wants to gain the typical 5-7 pounds of Holiday weight? Not me, thanks.

So how do we avoid the Holiday bulge? 

1. Be picky. Just because it's there doesn't mean you have to eat it. Decide what are your must have treats are for the holidays and mindfully enjoy them in reasonable quantities. If you come across something you don't love, remember you have a choice to pass it by.

2. Remember it is what we eat most of the time that really matters. That once a year Christmas dinner does not have near as much effect as what you are eating day in and day out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. As often as possible, make healthy choices that will support you in feeling your best and having the energy you want to take pleasure in your daily responsibilities.

3. Enjoy downtime. Yes, this might mean those presents are not picture perfect. Or you have store bought cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning instead of homemade. Or you do most of your shopping online in the comfort of your PJ's sipping a warm cup of tea. Make rest a priority, get plenty of sleep and schedule in time for you to do what recharges you.

4. Make healthy movement a priority. Grab that sweet baby and dance your heart out to Christmas classics. Run errands on your bike (it's definitely warm enough this week!). When you are finishing up your shopping, park way out in the lot and power walk to the door. Bonus points for pushing multiple kids in the cart. Go for a run- walking is great too. Try an online yoga class- www.yogatoday.com is my favorite, they have a free class every week! Staying active at this time of year is key to balancing the gluttony of foods that surround us.

5. Don't stress. We all have extra tasks- shopping, cooking, cleaning, packing, driving- that we are responsible for at this time of year. But remembering to keep the stress level down by breathing and passing our burdens on to the Lord can help us turn a sky high stress level into gentle pressure that makes us productive.

Here are three of my favorite healthy recipes that look and taste decadent but are loaded with good for you stuff that won't weigh you down.

One Sweet Appetizer

For easier prep and more flavor, roast the sweet potatoes and heat the beans and spices the day before. Store in the fridge but allow them to come to room temperature before assembling.

3 medium sweet potatoes, sliced into ¼ inch rounds
1.5 Tbsp olive oil
15-oz can black beans or 2 cups cooked black beans
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp cumin
Feta cheese
A few sprigs cilantro

Preheat oven to 375. Using a large mixing bowl, toss sweet potatoes with olive oil and stir well to combine. Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Roast for 30 minutes or until soft and lightly brown. Remove from oven. While potatoes are cooling, place black beans in a saucepan with the oregano, chili powder and cumin. Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Remove a few tablespoons of the beans to a colander over the sink and allow to drain. Spread the roasted sweet potato rounds on a tray. Sprinkle each lightly with feta and beans, moving more beans to the colander to drain if necessary. Reserve extra beans for another use. Place a small piece of cilantro on each round and serve.

Pomegranate Kale Salad 

This hearty salad makes a great light lunch. Enjoy with some chicken or a hard-boiled egg for extra staying power. Repurpose the kale stems by adding them to soups.

6 cups curly kale, thick stems removed and discarded
4 Tbsp lemon juice
3 Tbsp olive oil
½ tsp salt
1 carrot, grated
Seeds from 1 pomegranate~ mine contained a heaping cup
Pinch black pepper
¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
¼ cup raw walnuts

In a large bowl, combine kale, lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Mix well to combine. Add carrot, pomegranate seeds, pepper, sunflower seeds and walnuts.  If possible, let sit for 15 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Store in the fridge, where it should keep for 3 days.

Date Oat Bars

Crust/Topping:

1 cup raw almonds

1 cup oats

1/4 tsp sea salt

6 medjool dates, pitted and chopped

3 Tbsp cacao nibs

4 Tbsp + 2 tsp coconut oil
½ tsp vanilla extract

Filling:

16 medjool dates

1 tsp almond extract

4-5 Tbsp water

Using a food processor, grind almonds and oats until a fine crumble forms. Add salt, dates, cacao, coconut oil and vanilla extract. Process until well combined. Grease an 8x8 pan with coconut oil. Press crust ingredients into pan, reserving ½ cup for topping.  

Add filling ingredients to food processor. Process until a paste forms. You will probably have to stop and scrape the mixture down a few times before it really combines. Using a wet spatula, spread filling over crust. Sprinkle topping over filling, pressing down slightly so it will stick.

Chill in fridge overnight or in freezer for an hour before slicing. They might stick- I used a fork to slide them off the glass.