A Toast to Healthy Holiday Celebrations

Whether you are planning for a party of two or a party of twenty, make it a fun holiday celebration that incorporates healthy foods and activities.

Offer lower calorie drinks. Holiday drinks can often be full of calories. One way to reduce your calorie intake at parties is to limit your alcohol intake. Easy ways to cut back on calories from alcohol is to alternate an alcoholic drink* with a non-alcoholic drink, such as Snapple Diet Peach Tea, or enjoy trendy mocktails. Click on the monthly recipes link for delicious ideas for different mocktails to serve your guests.

*Please drink responsibly and in moderation.

Serve fruit and vegetable trays. To save time, stop by your local Meijer store to pick up a pre-made fruit and veggie tray. Or make your own by including grapes, apple slices, pineapple, orange slices or melon wedges. For a veggie tray, try baby carrots, celery sticks, Mt. Olive Sweet Petite Pickles, sugar snap peas, broccoli or cauliflower. If adding dip, try low-fat vanilla yogurt for the fruit and a low-fat veggie dip for the vegetables.

Include whole grains. Surprise your guests by serving Italian Fondue. Heat one jar of your favorite Barilla Pasta Sauce, such as Tomato & Basil sauce, in a microwave-safe bowl for about 3 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle about ¼ cup of grated Parmigiano or Parmesan cheese in the sauce. Serve with whole grain bakery bread for dipping.

Plan fun ways to get physical activity. Encourage everyone to participate in fun physical activity ideas. Turn on some holiday music and dance, play ping pong, take a flashlight walk around the neighborhood or go caroling. These are the memorable moments that everyone will talk about.

Give a healthy favor. As your guests head home for the night, thank them by giving them a healthy treat. Wrap two Dove Dark Chocolate Minis in some tissue paper tied with a holiday bow.

Make Your Holidays Food Safe

Remember food safety when hosting friends and family. You want your guests to leave with happy memories, not a food borne illness. Follow these tips:

·         Refrigerate groceries right away

·         Clean cutting boards between uses

·         Use separate cutting boards for meat and other foods

·         Cook all foods to a proper temperature (use a meat thermometer)

·         Refrigerate or freeze leftovers promptly – within two hours of cooking the food

·         Store leftovers in shallow containers, two inches deep or less

·         Always reheat leftovers to 165 degrees Fahrenheit

·         When in doubt, throw it out