The holidays should be full of time with loved ones, laughter, and happiness. Make holiday meals guilt-free by using a few simple, and healthy recipes.

Healthy eating tips for the Holidays:

Before a gathering, plan to eat and drink sensibly:

• Water is an appetite suppressant and drinking before and after a meal keeps you from munching. Make a sparkling mineral water cocktail by adding carbonated mineral water or Ice Mountain Spring Water and Ocean Spray Cran Pomegranate Juice with some fresh fruit slices.
• Make sure to eat at least three meals a day that have a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. This will help to feel full longer and prevent you from overheating at your next meal.
• Use small salad plates instead of large dinner plates at meals.
• Do without second helpings-use extra food for yummy leftovers.
• Eat more slowly. Try putting your fork down between each bite and be active in the mealtime conversation.
• Keep high-calorie foods out of site. Give the leftover apple pie to your company to take home.
• Use NuVal to help you find healthier food choices in each aisle at your Meijer store. NuVal Scores are displayed directly on shelf price tags, so you can compare overall nutrition the same way you compare price. The higher the score the higher the nutrition-it’s that simple!

Holiday Appetizer Tray

Include:

• A selection of fresh Healthy One deli meats
• Toasted Multigrain Wheat Thins
• Munchable Sour Cream & Onion Pretzel Crisps
• Seasoned Diced Dei Fratelli Tomatoes
• Vlasic Bread & Butter and Kosher Dill Pickles

*Serve on a party tray lined with fresh kale for garnish

Get Creative with Green Tea
Green tea can help you live a healthier, happier life, especially during the holidays. From providing an abundant amount of antioxidants to preventing cancer, green tea has been shown to provide many health benefits. Tea contains antioxidant-rich flavonoids, called catechins, which have been studied for their effectiveness in preventing chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. Researchers have also discovered that drinking a cup of green tea daily could play a positive role on metabolism.

Use the health benefits of green tea for every meal.

Breakfast: Green Tea Smoothie

¼ cup of sliced almonds or 1 tbsp. almond butter
2 tbsp. Log Cabin Sugar Free Syrup
1- 8 oz. cup of Lipton Green Tea
½ cup of plain or vanilla yogurt

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high speed for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Add 1 cup of ice and blend for 1 minute or until drink is completely smooth. Enjoy!

Lunch: Afternoon Tea Party

For lunch, enjoy some tea sandwiches with freshly brewed Lipton Organic Specialty Green Tea.

Tea Sandwich: Using 100% whole wheat bread, top with fresh sliced deli meats, sliced Dei Fratelli Tomatoes, Vlassic Kosher Dill Sandwich Stackers, and Wishbone Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing. Cut the crusts off the bread or use fun holiday cookie cutters to cut the sandwiches into festive shapes.

Dinner: Green Tea Couscous

1 tbsp. Pompeian Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
4 scallions, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 single-serve bag Lipton Green Tea
1 tbsp. Log Cabin Lite Syrup
1 1/2 cups couscous
1/2 cup finely chopped mint leaves
1/2 seedless cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 lemon, juiced
1 lime, juiced
Meijer Sea Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat the olive oil in a sauce pot over medium heat and add the scallions. Season with salt and pepper and sauté 2 to 3 minutes. Add stock and bring to a boil, secure tea bag to handle of the pot, and let steep for 1 minute. Remove the tea bag, stir in syrup and couscous. Turn off the heat, stir in mint, and cover the pot. Let couscous stand 5 minutes, then fluff with fork and transfer to a serving bowl. Add the cucumber and lemon and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, toss to combine and serve. Serve along side a holiday ham or roasted turkey.

Dessert: Green Tea Frozen Yogurt

2 cups plain Greek yogurt
½ cup sugar
1 pkt. Lipton Green Tea To Go Stix

Mix everything together until completely blended. Chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

Looking for presents to give for the holidays? Make a gift basket with these Lipton Green Tea recipes, an assortment of Lipton Green Tea Products, and flavored honey.