Healthy Holiday Snacks
The holiday season is in full swing while events and parties are happening almost daily! During this time of year our immune systems are already taking hits from all directions with viruses and germs everywhere, so why not give it a break and attempt to make some healthier choices when possible? Here are a few of my favorites, all dressed up for the holidays!
Pizza Poppers: These tasty bites are like eating pizza without the carbs!
Simply take a toothpick and stack a cherry tomato, basil, a slice of pepperoni, and some mozzarella cheese!
Stuffed Peppers: Mmmm a family favorite! Take mini bell peppers, wash and cut them in half, discard seeds. Set aside. In a saucepan, sautéed a small diced onion and a tsp minced garlic with some olive oil until translucent (aprox 5 min) then add 1/2 pound of shredded or sliced roast beef with 1 tsp worcestershire sauce. Sautee for a few more minutes and then stuff the peppers and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle provolone cheese on top and broil until cheese is melted.
Holiday deviled eggs: Boil eggs for 3 minutes. Put cover on tightly and let them sit for another 10 minutes, then rinse under cold water until cooled. Refrigerate until cold and then peel the shells. Slice in half the long way and scoop the yolks out. In a small food processor add the yolks, 2 ripe avocados and a handful of frozen spinach-(Optional for extra green color) along with a Tbsp mayonnaise, a Tbsp of pickle juice and salt and pepper to taste. Blend until smooth, adding milk if extra liquid is needed. Transfer to a ziplock bag and cut a corner off in order to smoothly fill the egg whites. Garnish with chopped cherry tomatoes!
Meat and Veggie Sandwiches: Most parties and gatherings with have a veggie tray, along with a meat and cheese tray. Be creative and ditch the crackers using cucumbers, radishes, carrots, etc. to make sandwiches to fill yourself up with sugar free choices!
Make your veggie tray stand out! Using broccoli as the base for a tree, garnish with any other favorite vegetables as the ornaments and star on top! Add a cucumber tree by taking a skewer and layering cucumber slices-larger on bottom, puncturing the slices on opposite sides to give the tree more width.
Sweet Tray: There are plenty of sweet treats to fill party trays with besides cookies! On this tray I have granola, fruit Santas, orange pumpkins and chocolate covered popcorn!
Granola: 2-1/2 cups oatmeal, ¼ cup honey, ½ cup rice cereal, ½ tsp. vanilla, 2 Tbsp ground flax seeds, ¼ cup melted coconut oil, ½ cup coconut palm sugar (or brown sugar), ½ tsp. Salt.
Instructions: Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix all ingredients together and spread onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Press the mixture flat. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and let granola slightly cool. Cut into bars or shapes while granola is still warm.
Fruit Santas: Simply layer on toothpicks grapes, banana slices, strawberries and a mini marshmallow!
To make the chocolate covered popcorn: In a saucepan, melt 2 Tbsp coconut oil, along with 1 bag of chocolate chips (I use Lily's stevia sweetened chocolate) Air pop 3/4 cup popcorn (Making 4-6 cups popped popcorn) and pour the chocolate sauce over it. Let it cool.
