Healthy Indulgence for the New Year
The days between Thanksgiving and New Years are a time for indulgence—pumpkin pie, eggnog, Christmas cookies, fudge, holiday drinks—the list goes on and on. And then the New Year arrives, and we have somehow gained an extra five, or ten, or maybe even fifteen pounds over the holidays. Time to revert to healthy eating mode—carrot sticks, celery, lean chicken breasts—and maybe a little healthy indulgence.
Below are a few tips for dealing with those extra holiday treats.
- HIDE IT. Not surprisingly, this works better as you get older. Most of my treats go on the top shelf of the pantry. Not really hidden, just out of sight and easy reach. A plate of cookies on the kitchen counter disappears in a day. When the cookies are on the top pantry shelf, and it takes a stepstool to reach them, it’s easier to ration them to one a day.
- FREEZE IT. My neighbor makes the most amazing holiday bundt cakes. They are dripping with butter, rum and nuts. I always find one on my doorstep in late December. Hubby and I each eat a generous piece, then I cut into chunks, triple wrap in Saran, baggie, and Tupperware, and put in the freezer. The cake lasts months in the freezer. It would not last one day on my kitchen counter.
- GIVE IT AWAY. This was much easier when you could take your extra treats to the office. Now that most of us don’t go to the office, this can be a bit trickier. Check into donating to a local food pantry. Washington States’ department on health website notes that “homemade baked goods that do not need refrigeration to remain safe (such as cookies, cakes, fruit pies, and pieces of bread) may be received.”
Here’s a recipe that you can enjoy all year long because it’s healthy and indulgent. Whey protein isolate provides an excellent source of high-quality protein. Cocoa powder is a powerful antioxidant. Sunflower butter is a source of healthy fats. And this recipe makes just one serving, so you don’t have to worry about over-indulging.
|
Ingredient |
Grams |
||
|
Fudge Brownie Mix (any brand) |
1 |
Tablespoon |
14 |
|
Hersheys Natural Cocoa Powder |
1 |
Tablespoon |
7 |
|
Flavored Whey Protein Isolate Powder |
1 |
Tablespoon (rounded) |
7 |
|
Sunflower Butter (Eliminates nut allergens) |
2 |
teaspoons |
10 |
|
Water (can adjust to optimize moistness) |
2 |
Tablespoon |
22 |
|
TOTAL |
60 |
Mix all ingredients together in small microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Allow to cool for 1 minute and enjoy! Calories: 150, Fat 5 g, Carbohydrate 18 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugars 10 g, Protein 10 g.
Youtube Tutorial Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR20r7ht9No&feature=youtu.be
Healthy Indulgence for the New Year
