Holiday Recipe Round Up and Health Tips!

     I can't believe Christmas is less than a week away!  I have rounded up my favorite holiday treats, sides and snacks from other health food bloggers to give you some healthy inspiration this holiday season. I have also complied a list of my top health tips and tricks to keep you on track!

Roasted Butternut Squash Fig Pomegranate Whole Grain Salad via Jeanette's Healthy Living

Whole Grain Chex Mix via An Avocado A Day

Roasted Carrot Chickpea Harissa Dip via The First Mess

Peanut Butter Balls via Kumquat Blog

Healthy Eating Tips for the Holiday Season

1. Keep the Same Routine : This includes both your eating and exercise routine

• Eating Schedule: Do not skip breakfast or lunch just beacause you have a party to go to in the evening. Eating consistently throughout the day will help prevent overeating at night.
• Exercise: Leaving time for exercise will do you a lot of physical and mental good! Not only does it help prevent holiday weight gain but it can also help relieve stress. Just 15 to 30 minutes of your favorite exercise a day will help you burn calories and make you feel good!

2. Plan Meals Ahead

• Plan meals around fresh vegetables, fruits, lean protein and low fat dairy.
• If you are going out for a long day of shopping, eat a meal before you leave and bring a healthy snack like trail mix, peanut butter and crackers, or a piece of fruit and string cheese in case you get hungry. This will also prevent you from being tempted by those delicious smelling, but not so good for you mall snacks.

3. Holiday Parties

• Holiday parties are full of copious amounts of food. Make sure you don't go to a party hungry. You will be less likely to overindulge if you eat a healthy high protein snack like string cheese or low fat yogurt before you go.  

4. Lastly, enjoy you holiday favorites, but in moderation!

• The most tempting and delicious part of the holiday season has to be the holiday cookies, eggnog, candies and other treats. It's okay to have your favorite holiday treat, but just take one! I promise you will be just as satisfied!

Winter Farro Salad with Orange Dijon Vinaigrette

         Winter is almost here, although it feels like it has already arrived here in Boston! Salads are typically a summer dish but for me it's a quick easy lunch or dinner all year round. For my winter inspired salad I am highlighting winter produce and raisins! I love using raisins to add in natural sweetness and flavor to whatever I am making. Did you know California Raisins are naturally sweet, fat and cholesterol free, and a 1/4 cup serving also provides 9% of your fiber and potassium, and 6% of your daily iron needs? What is not to love! Raisins also make for a great cheap on-the-go snack and can be added to a variety of sweet and savory dishes.
        For my Winter inspired salad I used seasonal produce including oranges and fennel and used raisins for a touch of sweetness. I also used farro for a hearty flavor and texture. For those of you who have never heard of it, it's a gluten free whole grain and can be used instead of rice or pasta in a variety of dishes. I just love the texture and nutty flavor it provides to this winter dish.

Winter Farro Salad with Orange Dijon Vinaigrette
Servings: 4

Ingredients
Salad

• 1 cup farro, uncooked
• 1/2 cup fennel, sliced thinly
• 1/3 cup California Raisins
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1 orange, cut into segments
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 2 cups spinach leaves

Vinaigrette

• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon shallot, minced

Directions
1. Cook farro according to package.
2. While farro is cooking, heat raisins in orange juice in a small sauce pan for 5-7 minutes to plump up the raisins then set aside.
3. For vinaigrette add all ingredients to a blender and mix until emulsified.
2. Once farro is cooked, drain and let cool. Then add in raisins, orange segments, almonds and spinach leaves. Then add in dressing. Toss to combine.

For more information about all-natural, no-sugar added California raisins , please visit www.loveyourraisins.com, or follow at www.facebook.com/californiaraisins, www.pinterest.com/calraisins, or www.twitter.com/caraisins.

“By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the California Raisin Marketing Board and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.”

An InLinkz Link-up