New Year's Entertaining-Healthy & Fun Ideas

New Year’s Entertaining – Healthy & Fun Ideas                                                           

New Year’s and entertaining go hand-in-hand. Here are some healthy ideas that are also fun.

Dipping Oils- With the great variety of breads available offer a choice of dipping oils. Prepare dipping oils by mixing extra virgin olive oil with basil, garlic, oregano and other spices and herbs.

Bread Bowls - Frozen bread dough can be used as a time saver to make bread bowls. Once the bread is baked, carve out the center and serve with soup, chili or stew. Great serving bowl as friends and family gather to watch bowl games.

Sandwiches – Leftover meat from holiday celebrations makes a great start for sandwiches. Layer the meat on a hearty multi-grain bread. Add Wisconsin produced cheese. Cranberry chutney and turkey are a great pairing. Grilled cheese sandwiches are the rage so try some unique pairings.
Toasties – Make little toasties. In a small bowl combine 1 cup assorted chopped tomatoes ( red and yellow provide color); 1 clove minced garlic; 2 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced; 3 thinly sliced basil leaves; salt and pepper. Combine ingredients. Top toasted Italian bread with this mixture.
Brie Bites – Slice Brie into ¼ inch pieces and place on sesame cracker. Spoon 1 teaspoon hot pepper jam or jelly and chopped roasted almonds and pint of julienned green onions.



Frozen Fruit and Vegetables-A Healthy Option to Fresh Produce

Frozen Fruits and Vegetables – A Healthy Option to Fresh Produce

With nearly 30 inches of snow on the ground in Northeast Wisconsin in December, it looks like we are in store for a long winter. This time of year, fresh produce can be somewhat limited in availability and flavor at supermarkets for those trying to eat nutritiously. The good news is that fruit and vegetable shopping does not have to be limited to what’s fresh and in season or affected by high prices of fresh produce not in season.

Often frozen vegetables and fruits are processed close to the point of harvesting and unless thawed and refrozen prior to sale, have the same level of nutrients as fresh and more due to quick processing.

Fresh fruits and vegetables more so than frozen or canned can vary in quality depending on when they were picked relative to availability for purchased, conditions in which they were stored and transported and conditions related to how they are displayed.

Nutrition loss is more of a concern for delicate fresh produce. Produce with a protective peel like oranges, apples and potatoes are more likely to stay nutritionally intact longer.

To increase your consumption of fruits, keep frozen berries on hand to top oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, or ice cream. Berries are a great addition to smoothies. Frozen fruit can become the base for a fruit crisp. Add frozen fruit to quick bread and muffin recipes.

Frozen vegetables can be added to stir-fry, casseroles, soups, and as a topping for baked potatoes.

Eating Well During the Holidays

Eating Well During the Holidays

The holidays offer many opportunities to enjoy special, once-a-year foods and treats. But if you’re trying to maintain a healthy weight, navigating the sometimes calorie-laden season may pose a challenge.

Enjoy the food you eat, but try eating smaller portions. Take a small portion of favorite foods that may be high in calories or salt and enjoy each bite.

One way to reduce portion sizes is by using a smaller plate, bowl or glass, and serving spoon. It makes smaller portion sizes seem larger.

Research shows that the typical holiday weight gain is not as large as popularly believed, probably averaging around one pound.

However, there is evidence that people who are already overweight, or who have lost a good deal of weight in the past, may be more susceptible to dietary changes over the holidays when food is more readily available.

Busy holiday schedules may also contribute to weight gain by making it more difficult to find time for regular exercise and physical activity.

If a holiday buffet or potluck is in your future, be aware that when a greater variety of foods is offered, people tend to eat more. The potluck or the buffet with many high-calorie foods may set the stage to take in extra calories.

Take a mindful approach to eating during the holidays and throughout the year. Think before you eat…is it worth the calories? Stop eating when you are satisfied, not full.

Make time for healthy activity in spite of a hectic holiday schedule. Bundle up for a walk with a friend, go dancing or ice skating or treat the dog to an extra trip around the block.

Gayle Coleman, University of Wisconsin-Extension Nutrition Education Specialist Beth Olson, UW-Extension Nutritional Sciences Specialist

Rethink Holiday Food Preparation

Rethink Holiday Food Preparation

With a short window between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, many people are rushing to get ready for Christmas. Perhaps this is the year to rethink holiday food preparation.

One popular option is do-it-yourself food bars. Keep baked potatoes warm and have available cooked vegetables, shredded cheese, chili, sour cream and assortment of ingredients that can serve as toppings. Or how about a hot chocolate bar with toppings such as marshmallow, whipped cream and chocolate shavings? Pasta also works well with a variety of sauces available. People can eat when they are hungry and this gives them a choice to choose foods they want to eat.

With so many social events scheduled from Thanksgiving through the first of January, it may be time to rethink the large holiday dinner. My family is having lasagna this year. The lasagna can be made in advance and heated before eating. With some good bread and a salad this will be a tasty and satisfying meal that will save time and allow us to spend more time together.

If you plan to serve brunch, plan to serve simple foods later in the day. Perhaps soup can be heating in a crock pot, hearty snacks, or array of spreads, cheeses and meats for sandwiches.

Check out the local deli and supermarket for prepared food options.. These types of businesses can save you time and offer great variety. I hear more people say they want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family and friends. I learned that people would rather have a calm hostess and prepared food than time-intensive dishes and a stressful holiday meal.

Focus on activities of the season rather than activities in the kitchen. By planning ahead and perhaps changing the focus of menus, there will be more time to concentrate on relaxing together, playing games, cooking and eating good food together, and giggling as much as possible.

Healthier Baking for the Holidays

Healthier Baking for the Holidays

This year due to a shorter period between Thanksgiving and Christmas and wanting a healthier option, I have decided not to bake and deliver cookies and candy to neighbors and friends. Instead I am going to bake yeast bread (whole wheat and oatmeal). I will include a jar of homemade jam with the bread. If you plan to bake this holiday season, here are some tips for making those treats healthier.

Consider reducing the fat, calories, and sodium in your favorite holiday recipes.

• To reduce fat, cut the amount in half and for the other half, substitute unsweetened applesauce, mashed bananas or pureed prunes. Use egg substitute in place of whole eggs. Use light dairy products rather than the original version.

• To reduce sugar, cut one-third to one-half of the amount in the recipe. Consider alternative sweeteners such as Splenda or stevia for sweet treats.

• To reduce sodium, cut the amount by half or eliminate completely (except in recipes that include yeast). Substitute salt with onion salt, garlic salt, celery salt and seasoning salt with onion flakes, garlic powder and herbs.

There are a number of ways to add ingredients to make holiday treats more nutritious.

• Add flax seed or oatmeal to your recipes.

• Use whole wheat flour in breads, bars, muffins, pie crusts, and cookies to turn tasty treats into satisfying sweets. I often substitute 1/3 to ½ of the all-purpose flour called for in the recipe with whole wheat flour. I do not do this when making cake as I don’t like the texture as well.

• Dried fruits add fiber and flavor to recipe favorites.

• Nuts are packed with nutrients, including heart-healthy fats, fiber and protein.

It is fun to enjoy holiday treats. Remember moderation is key during this season of many treats.



Time to Trade in That Holiday Tradition?

Time to Trade in That Holiday Tradition?

What happens when a holiday tradition causes more stress than the good it provides? Although family traditions are a source of strength, keeping them can sometimes become burdensome, especially when there has been a change in the family structure due to marriage, divorce, or death.

You can create new family traditions as your family changes. Families may need to adapt and accommodate activities caused by extended family schedules. If this means not celebrating the holiday on the calendar date, so be it. Remember, it’s not about the date; it’s about coming together and spending time as a family.

Creating new rituals does not have to be complicated. Newlyweds and new parents do it all the time. You create a family tradition when you do the same things over and over. It is okay to change the way things have always been in order to meet the needs of your family as it is today. It may feel a little different at first, but be open-minded and remember that the important thing is spending time together, not stressing and arguing over how it will be done.

This holds true for food preparation as well. If the tradition has always been a large dinner, but family members are coming and going, it may be worth exploring the option of serving foods that keep well and are easy to prepare and serve.

This holiday season I am not baking cookies. For years I have baked cookies and candy for neighbors and friends. With time being an issue this year, I will make and deliver yeast bread with a jar of jam. It is okay to change a tradition that I have followed for many years. Are there traditions you can change to make life easier? Remember the important part of the holiday season is spending time together and if you are in the kitchen, this may limit the amount of time you have to spend with loved ones.

Pomegranates Add Color and Flavor to the Season

Pomegranates Add Color and Flavor to the Season

As the busyness of the holiday season kicks into high gear, it’s also the peak of the season for pomegranates from California. Pomegranates are the perfect way to dress up any dish for the holiday season.

This big, red fruit is full of crunchy juicy-filled seeds, called arils. The juicy, sweet cranberry-like juice with a crunchy seed is a treat. Below are a few tips in how to access the seeds in this large fruit.

• Start by cutting off the top, about a half-inch below the crown.

• Then score the fruit with a sharp knife.

• Open the fruit under a bowl of water, allowing the loose arils to sink to the bottom of the bowl. The underwater method prevents the bright red juice from getting on your clothes as you open the fruit.

• Discard the bitter, white membrane and strain away the water so you are left with a bowl full of ruby-red arils.

Now you can enjoy these beautiful seeds that contribute potassium, vitamin C and fiber simply on their own by the spoonful, as a garnish for any salad, or mixed into yogurt or your breakfast cereal.

Pomegranate arils also add a festive appearance to any bubbly holiday beverage or sprinkled on top of any holiday candy or chocolate-covered treats make this season.

Arils will keep in the refrigerator for approximately five days or frozen for longer storage. Pomegranates are a smart seasonal item to add to your shopping cart and a great stuffer for any stocking.

Wraps and Bags

Wraps and Bags

There are many options when it comes to using bags and wraps. So make certain to choose the right option.
Disposal food storage products are an inexpensive and space-saving alternative to containers.
• Plastic Wrap & Bags - These are a top choice for keeping moisture in and contaminants out of foods. Wraps cling to glass and ceramic. In the fridge, they seal against odor and flavor transfer. Lightweight bags are best for short-term storage. Heavy-Duty freezer bags are best for freezing and long-term storage.

• Aluminum Foil - Impermeable to moisture and odor, foil wrapped with an airtight seal is the best defense against smelly foods. Use to cover pans or to protect pie edges from over browning in the oven. Do not use with high-acid foods.

• Wax Paper & Bags - Use to create a nonstick work surface or to wrap cold food items, such as sandwiches. Place on custards and puddings to avoid a top skin.

• Parchment Paper - Parchment paper is coated with silicone, providing a nonstick, heat-resistant surface. Parchment paper can be used to line pans in baking, or to cover food for steaming in microwave.

• Freezer/Butcher Paper - More durable than parchment, freezer paper is white kraft paper coated with plastic, and butcher paper is uncoated kraft paper. Use it for storing cheese or as an overwrap for plastic.