Have you ever heard the saying, "A failure to plan is a plan to fail"? It's so true.
When I haphazardly rush through my day without having a clear plan for what needs to be done, I am far less productive than when I have a plan.
Around the holidays we encounter many situations which can be loaded with opportunities for eating and drinking beyond what we know is good for us.
The best way to get through these festive gatherings is to have a plan! I'm certainly not the first person to come up with this idea, but I think it bears repeating.
Here are some ideas to help you plan for upcoming parties.
Decide what and how much you want to eat and drink ahead of time.
Visualize yourself at the buffet table and see yourself putting food on your plate that is in line with honoring your plan.
Before heading out to a party, eat something that is high in protein.
Just a boiled or scrambled egg is enough to make you feel more sated and less inclined to go for the sweets.
For vegans, some tempeh or adzuki beans would be a good choice.
While at the party keep a glass of water with you at all times.
This will help to fill you up and will also keep you from drinking more alcohol than you planned to.
Chew your food.
Make a game out of trying to chew until you absolutely have to swallow.
This not only slows down your eating, but makes you a really good listener! Many parties are potluck, which gives you an excellent opportunity to do some front loading.
Take something you really enjoy that is a healthful choice.
Here are some suggestions for healthful offerings that taste really good! Guacamole with Pomegranate Mash avocados.
Add salt, pepper, hot sauce or good quality chili powder (Smoked Serrano Powder from Savory Spice Shop is my favorite), fresh lime juice.
Adjust spices to taste.
Fold in pomegranate seeds.
Serve with thinly sliced daikon radish or jicama.
Of course, it's yummy on tortilla chips, but if you want to avoid the calorie-dense chips go with the veggies.
This is great for holiday parties because the green of the avocado and the red pomegranate look very festive! White Bean Dip 2 c cooked white beans, 1 large clove garlic, 2 T olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, 1 sprig fresh rosemary (can substitute dried), 1/2-1 c (to taste) feta or goat cheese*, 1/2 c kalamata olives, fresh ground pepper.
Blend all ingredients in food processor or blender.
Serve with crudités.
*Vegans can leave out cheese.
It's still delicious.
Dates with Peanut or Almond Butter Serve pitted dates with peanut or almond butter.
My favorite combination is dates rolled in coconut served with almond butter.
Sesame Balls 1/2 c peanut butter or other nut butter, 1 T molasses, 3 T honey or agave (more or less to taste), 2 T cocoa powder.
Mix well.
Add 1/2 c sesame seeds and mix well.
Roll into 1/2 inch balls.
Pears and Figs with Mascarpone Serve ripe pears and fresh figs with mascarpone cheese drizzled with honey or agave.
Collard Wraps It is my opinion that anything tastes good wrapped in a collard leaf! Carefully cut the leaves from the center stem.
Spread with fillings and roll up.
Cut rolls in half.
Looks like pretty sushi! Some great fillings are: • Avocado seasoned with Beach House Blend seasoning from Old Town Spice Shop, and cooked buckwheat • Hummus and finely chopped broccoli • White bean dip with finely chopped baby spinach • Adzuki bean spread with finely sliced red pepper • Babaganoush (eggplant spread) with red pepper and kalamata olives Obviously you can mix and match any of the above.
Plan ahead so that you purchase needed ingredients when you do your regular shopping.
The time it takes to prepare something when you already have the ingredients is minimal and far less stressful than running into a crowded store on your way to a party.
Sharing food that is healthful and made with love is always appreciated and will be something you can feel really good about eating.
Happy Holidays and Many Healthful Returns!
When I haphazardly rush through my day without having a clear plan for what needs to be done, I am far less productive than when I have a plan.
Around the holidays we encounter many situations which can be loaded with opportunities for eating and drinking beyond what we know is good for us.
The best way to get through these festive gatherings is to have a plan! I'm certainly not the first person to come up with this idea, but I think it bears repeating.
Here are some ideas to help you plan for upcoming parties.
Decide what and how much you want to eat and drink ahead of time.
Visualize yourself at the buffet table and see yourself putting food on your plate that is in line with honoring your plan.
Before heading out to a party, eat something that is high in protein.
Just a boiled or scrambled egg is enough to make you feel more sated and less inclined to go for the sweets.
For vegans, some tempeh or adzuki beans would be a good choice.
While at the party keep a glass of water with you at all times.
This will help to fill you up and will also keep you from drinking more alcohol than you planned to.
Chew your food.
Make a game out of trying to chew until you absolutely have to swallow.
This not only slows down your eating, but makes you a really good listener! Many parties are potluck, which gives you an excellent opportunity to do some front loading.
Take something you really enjoy that is a healthful choice.
Here are some suggestions for healthful offerings that taste really good! Guacamole with Pomegranate Mash avocados.
Add salt, pepper, hot sauce or good quality chili powder (Smoked Serrano Powder from Savory Spice Shop is my favorite), fresh lime juice.
Adjust spices to taste.
Fold in pomegranate seeds.
Serve with thinly sliced daikon radish or jicama.
Of course, it's yummy on tortilla chips, but if you want to avoid the calorie-dense chips go with the veggies.
This is great for holiday parties because the green of the avocado and the red pomegranate look very festive! White Bean Dip 2 c cooked white beans, 1 large clove garlic, 2 T olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, 1 sprig fresh rosemary (can substitute dried), 1/2-1 c (to taste) feta or goat cheese*, 1/2 c kalamata olives, fresh ground pepper.
Blend all ingredients in food processor or blender.
Serve with crudités.
*Vegans can leave out cheese.
It's still delicious.
Dates with Peanut or Almond Butter Serve pitted dates with peanut or almond butter.
My favorite combination is dates rolled in coconut served with almond butter.
Sesame Balls 1/2 c peanut butter or other nut butter, 1 T molasses, 3 T honey or agave (more or less to taste), 2 T cocoa powder.
Mix well.
Add 1/2 c sesame seeds and mix well.
Roll into 1/2 inch balls.
Pears and Figs with Mascarpone Serve ripe pears and fresh figs with mascarpone cheese drizzled with honey or agave.
Collard Wraps It is my opinion that anything tastes good wrapped in a collard leaf! Carefully cut the leaves from the center stem.
Spread with fillings and roll up.
Cut rolls in half.
Looks like pretty sushi! Some great fillings are: • Avocado seasoned with Beach House Blend seasoning from Old Town Spice Shop, and cooked buckwheat • Hummus and finely chopped broccoli • White bean dip with finely chopped baby spinach • Adzuki bean spread with finely sliced red pepper • Babaganoush (eggplant spread) with red pepper and kalamata olives Obviously you can mix and match any of the above.
Plan ahead so that you purchase needed ingredients when you do your regular shopping.
The time it takes to prepare something when you already have the ingredients is minimal and far less stressful than running into a crowded store on your way to a party.
Sharing food that is healthful and made with love is always appreciated and will be something you can feel really good about eating.
Happy Holidays and Many Healthful Returns!
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