Holiday Recipe Redo: Appetizer Edition December 8, 2009

Sometimes I laugh when reading tips for how to eat healthy at holiday parties. I was looking at a list of the worst holiday foods from Men’s Health and some of the swaps they recommend just don’t make sense. They claim Spinach and Artichoke Dip is the worst snack option. Okay, I understand that. What I don’t understand is what they recommend you eat in place of the dip – melon balls wrapped in prosciutto! While I love melon and prosciutto, if I am craving a cheesy, gooey, warm dip, a melon ball just isn’t going to cut it. Anyone else?


Instead of deriving yourself of what you want, how bout just making a few substitutions to make it healthier. Below is my Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe redo so you don’t have to miss out on what you really want!


ORIGINAL Spinach Artichoke Dip
1 cup thawed, chopped frozen spinach
1.5 cups thawed, chopped frozen artichoke hearts
6 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder


Serves 8
Calories per serving: 157
Fat per serving: 13 grams


REDONE Spinach Artichoke Dip
This recipe is all about featuring a few flavorful ingredients rather than masking them with mayo, sour cream and cream cheese. The combination of Parmesan and Mozzarella and milk creates a great creaminess without all the fat from the original.

Cooking Spray
1.5 cups thawed, chopped frozen spinach – squeezed dry
1.5 cups thawed, chopped frozen artichoke hearts – drained
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup fat free milk
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder


Combine all ingredients in large bowl until well mixed. Transfer to baking dish prepared with cooking spray. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until bubbly.


New stats:
Serves 8
Calories per serving: 74.5
Fat per serving: 3 grams

Holiday Recipe Redo: Healthy Cocktail Edition December 7, 2009

Eggnog may be a holiday favorite for some (not me), but it is one of the worst drinks that can pass your lips. Eggnog is made with egg yolks, white sugar, whole milk AND heavy cream. I am surprised is can even be called a drink! Instead of downing all those calories to get into the holiday spirit, try sipping on some Winter Sangria to get in the spirit and still be able to get into your New Years Eve outfit! What I love about sangria is that it makes a bottle of wine serve twice as many people, it looks great and you get a couple servings of fruit along with your buzz! A lot of sangria recipes call for sugar – I don’t think it needs it. If you need a little sweetness, try a tablespoon of agave nectar instead of sugar.


Winter Sangria
1 bottle red wine
1 sachet Mulling Spice Blend (recipe below) – NOTE: this is the same used in the Dark Chocolate Mulled Wine Sauce
1 apple, thinly sliced
1 orange, halved and thinly sliced
1 can (12 oz. club soda)
Juice of 1 orange
1/3 cup Triple Sec


Mulling Spice Blend
2 teaspoons whole allspice
1/4 teaspoon whole cloves
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick, broken in half
1 (3 x 1-inch) strip orange rind


Combine 1 cup wine and sachet in a small saucepan; bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat; cool. Discard sachet. Pour mixture into a pitcher; add remaining wine and triple sec. Add orange juice, apples, orange slices, and club soda. Chill thoroughly.

Holiday Decor on the Cheap December 6, 2009

This is the first year we will be staying put for Christmas, and we are in an actual house, so we wanted to put together some holiday decor. But who wants to spend money on things that are just going to be shoved in a closet for 11 months out of the year? Call me crazy, but I like to spend money on things I use all the time! So I was on a mission for cheap holiday decor!


Step One: Hand-me-downs. We are lucky because my parents have a plethora of holiday decorations, so we scored a bunch of decorations for free. Christmas lights, mantel garland, stocking holders, a wreath, and so much more. Thanks mom!

Step Two: Use what you got! I saw a photo on a website with fragrant cloved oranges and knew I wanted to make some. I had clementines and whole cloves, so I went to work.





I added it to our mantel and it looks and smells great! TIP: Do not use cloves that are 10 years old – half of them will crumble when you try to push them into the clementine!





Next up? Christmas tree. We are going to buy a potted one and then plant it in our backyard after the holiday. The tree that keeps on giving (and growing)!

Move of the Moment: One-sided Flye December 5, 2009

You all know how I love one-legged moves like the One Legged Deadlift and the One-Legged Ball Squat . But what about the upper body? Why should it miss out on the benefits of sngle leg (or arm) moves?


I saw this move on LATimes.com and I knew it would be a killer chest move. It works your chest and your core all at the same time! You will need a dumbbell and a weight.


1. Hold a dumbbell in your right hand and lie down on a full-length, foam roller with your head and hips supported on the roller. Straighten your right leg out in front of you and rest your left arm alongside your body with your hand close to your hips. Raise your right arm directly above your right shoulder, palm turned away from your face. Keep your abdominals pulled in but maintain the natural curves in your lower back and at the base of the neck.
2. Inhale, and slowly move your right arm out to the side and down to shoulder level. Focus your eyes up at the ceiling and concentrate on keeping your hips and shoulders motionless as you lower your arm. The tendency is to roll your hips off to the right, but if you contract your core muscles, you can keep your hips and shoulders level. Pause at the bottom, then reverse directions and return to the start position. Repeat 12 times, then perform this exercise on the other side.


Yowza! This is hard and you can feel it majorly the next day!

Time Efficient Workout December 2, 2009

When I was working my 9-5 desk job, I got up pretty much everyday to workout at 5AM. I am a morning person and enjoy getting my workout done first thing. I avoid the crowds and I also know that I do not have to worry about scheduling conflicts at 5AM like I do at 5PM. I have been spoiled working from home the last couple of months because I have been able to sleep in a bit and still get a morning workout in.


This week I started a new schedule because I started nannying. I have to leave my house by 7:25 to get there on time so I wasn’t sure what I was going to do regarding my workout routine. My options were:
1. Head to the gym after I get off at 4:30
2. Workout at the gym by my house early, come home, shower and go to work
3. Drive to the gym that is located in between my house and work, shower at gym, go to work


I was really dreading showering at the gym because I just never feel clean after it and I hate lugging all my stuff. Plus, I always forget something and it usually is something really important like a towel or deodorant. I also realized that if I worked out at my gym or the gym halfway that I would still have to get up at the same time. And I know myself well enough to know that Option 1 would likely result in me skipping workouts more days than not.


So today I decided to give Option 2 a shot. I got up right at 5 (thank you, Trigger for helping me ). I made it to the gym about 5:20 and knew I had about an hour. Before I went I made a game plan in my head. For me, the most efficient machines at the gym are the treadmill and stair climber. I ran on the treadmill for 20 minutes and then climbed my butt off for 10 minutes. I then did ten minutes of stretching and core work and 20 minutes of free weights. I was so much more awake than if I had slept an extra 90 minutes. And I know I will sleep so good tonight!


I want to make sure I am using my limited gym time efficiently to get a good workout in in a short amount of time. Here are some tips for a time-efficient workout:


- Interval training: by increasing and decreasing the speed and resistance of whatever you are doing you will keep your heart rate up and burn more calories in less time.
- Don’t skip strength training: just because you are short on time, you should not miss out on strength training. If needed, cut your cardio session short by 10 minutes to get in some free weights. Building muscle will increase your metabolism and you will burn more calories throughout the day.
- Do it early! Ensure success by making a commitment to yourself to workout first thing in the morning. This way you have the rest of the day for work, errands and time with family and friends.


How do you fit exercise into your life on those days when it seems like there just isn’t enough time?