Happy Healthy Holidays: 5 Tips for Entertaining

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or just eat a little healthier, the holidays can be a difficult time. Help your guests and your own family maintain healthy habits (or get a jump start on New Year’s resolutions) with these 5 tips for healthy holiday entertaining.

• Offer plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to the old standbys, try green beans, sugar snap peas, sliced jicama (also known as Mexican turnip), raw fennel, and roasted and chilled asparagus. Serve fruit crisp or poached pears for dessert.
• Mini-size it. Small bites are both trendy and waist-friendly...as long as you keep the recipe light. Consider making your favorite healthy dishes or desserts in smaller portion sizes.
• Think nutrient rich. Offer plenty of color with fruits and vegetables that are loaded with nutrients. Try a kale salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a warm and comforting butternut squash soup.
• Help them hydrate. Offer plenty of water for those who might be trying to avoid drinking their calories. Make it festive by floating citrus slices and frozen cranberries in the pitcher.
• Get moving! Take a walk to look at the holiday lights or do some caroling around your neighborhood. Too cold out? Crank up the music and dance.

Here’s a recipe your guests will love.

Coconut Curry Spinach Rice Balls 

1 cup instant brown rice, prepared as directed on package 1 box (10 oz.) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed

½ cup raisins

1 Tablespoon curry powder

1 tsp. cumin

1/4 tsp. turmeric

1/2 tsp. coriander

1 tsp. minced ginger (from jar)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 eggs

¼ cup plain panko bread crumbs

¼ cup sweetened coconut*

*if you dislike coconut, you can use ½ cup panko bread crumbs and omit the coconut.

Mix cooked rice, spinach, spices, egg, and form into 20 2-inch balls. Mix panko bread crumbs and coconut in a small bowl. Roll spinach balls in crumb mixture. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes in a 375-degree oven.

Makes 20 balls. Serve with store-bought chutney (often found in the international foods section) for dipping.