Welcome to the premier edition of The Kitchen News.
I know I am finding you just as holiday parties, travel plans and enormous party platters are overtaking the best of your healthy intentions and interfering with your exercise schedule.
Have you taken a few minutes to formulate your personal strategies for overcoming your usual holiday nutrition slumps? If you haven't, take the next few minutes to channel your thoughts towards your health and pick 3 small things you can do to overcome holiday challenges!
Food for Thought: Surviving the Company Party
It's that time of year when your success can be sabotaged by excess all in the name St. Nick and the annual corporate booze n' schmooze. How about trying some of these strategies to help you fight off the celebration temptations?
Stuff Your Face...
..at home! Arriving at a buffet with an empty stomach is like sealing your pre-teens gift with a single piece of tape. Who can resist the temptation?! Eat a small healthy meal before leaving the house to take an edge off your sweet tooth.
BYOA
That's Stella-speak for Bring Your Own Appetizer. If your holiday party is potluck-style, why don't you work towards becoming known as "that lady in accounting who always brings the vegetable tray to the parties"to ensure you have healthy munchies around. See this month's Recipe Box for an idea.
Stay Dry
Who says celebration requires libation? Where is your resolve after 3 Long Island ice teas? Mingle, schmooze, joke around, laugh, dance, mention that promotion to your tipsy boss! Enjoy watching co-workers dance on tables. Be alert for dear co-workers who may need a ride home, you can at least discreetly call a cab for them on your cell phone.
Dress for Success
That's right! Look good, honey! If you're walking in feeling well-groomed, smelling good, and freshly starched, you may find yourself a little hesitant to dip into the hot wing tray with reckless abandon!
Free Stella's Kitchen Cookbook Sampler
If you want a sneak peek at some of the great content in the Stella's Kitchen cookbook, then sneak away now with a special downloadable treat, a sample version of the cookbook. It's full of recipes, tips, quick meal ideas and special feature pages that will give you a taste of what's been cooking. Feel free to send it along to a friend who might enjoy some healthy recipes!
THE RECIPE BOX
Healthy Holiday Party Platter
Here's a festive, easy-to-make appetizer tray that will ensure you have a stash of healthy munchies at your disposal.
Directions: Arrange fresh broccoli florets in a large, tree-shaped plastic serving dish (available at party favor stores) or just arrange them in a triangle shape or ball shaped ornament. For tree ornaments/ball decor, use olives, baby carrots, and tiny tomatoes. Top the tree with a star shaped plastic dish (same party store!) filled with low-fat dip or low-fat ranch dressing.
You can make your own star-shaped dish out of two cardboard triangles made from an empty cereal or shoebox. Wrap them with foil and cut a slit ½ way down the sides of one triangle so you can anchor crosswise onto the other. Fill the center with dip and the smaller parts with additional vegetables pieces.
Candy Cane Protein Shake
Be cute and serve this one to your honey under mistletoe just as he/she arrives home from a winter day's workout.
Directions:
Prepare a basic vanilla protein shake but add 2 tablespoons sugar-free instant pudding mix (optional- for creaminess, ~25 cals.) and a few drops of peppermint extract. Blend well. Just before serving, add a few drops of red food coloring and swirl in to make a candy cane.
TIDBITS
COOKBOOK UPDATE: The Stella's Kitchen cookbook will be in stock in a matter of days! While it's on your mind, come by and order and your copy will be one of the first out the door ORDER
MORE RECIPES: I'm still building the recipe section of the site but in the meantime, stop by the "Fit Food" corner on the other website I maintain: http://www.bodybuilding.about.com
CONTEST: If your budget is tight this time of year, why not enter the recipe contest and win a free cookbook?
ON THE AIR: I've been appearing on a new bodybuilding sportscast, The House of Pain Iron Show, hosted by US Sports Radio & House of Pain Ironwear. Check the site for archived broadcast copies or to see if I'm on the schedule for the week.
That's it for this month! Everyone have a happy and safe time with your family and friends!
STELLA
