Healthy Holiday Eating - Bring Something Good To The Party

By: Susanne Myers

It seems that we're invited to a party or family get-together
every other night in the weeks before the Holidays.
Unfortunately most of the dishes that are brought to those
events are not exactly healthy. We all tend to overindulge
during the holiday season, tempted by all the unhealthy treats
around. But to be honest with you, I get tired of all the rich
and fattening food rather quickly and welcome a healthy fresh
alternative. This is your year to shine with that healthy dish
the next time you are asked to bring something to a holiday
party. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. Veggies and Dip

Just cut up some fresh veggies. Good choices are celery,
broccoli, cauliflower and cucumber. Add some baby carrots and
grape tomatoes. Serve it with a low fat ranch dip and you're
good to go.

2. Fruits and Dip Serve some fruit that's in season in bite size
chunks with a side of low fat vanilla yogurt. Wash some
strawberries, peel and cut up some apples, pears, cantaloupe and
even some fresh pineapple for a sweet treat that's actually good
for you.

3. Cheese and Crackers

Make a platter of several low fat cheeses and get a box of
whole-wheat crackers. To make it even more fun, use some holiday
cookie cutters and cut shapes out of the cheese. Just arrange
everything on a platter and take it to the party.

4. Bring A Salad

A salad of mixed greens with some other veggies mixed in always
makes for a great side dish and will go with any other foods
that are served. Start with some basic mixed greens, preferably
dark greens. I like to mix baby spinach with some other dark
greens. Dice up some red and yellow peppers for color and some
slices of cucumber for crunchy texture. Top it off with some
grape tomatoes and you will have a colorful and yummy salad. I
like to bring several ready-made low fat dressings form the
grocery store to serve with the salad.

Go ahead; give one of these ideas a try. You'll be surprised how
well received your healthy dish will be. Plus you'll know there
will be at least one dish at the party you can fill up on that
is actually good for you and your health.

Happy Holidays!

About the author:
Susanne Myers together with Christine Steendahl, owns and
publishes the Healthy Menu Mailer. Each week, we provide you
with 7 dinner recipes. Sign up for a free sample menu at
http://www.healthymenumailer.com/sample-newsletter-signup.html